The Earthkeepers

The summer solstice arrives tomorrow.  I offer a few words John wrote years ago about the summer solstice:

Summer Solstice

The Solstice time is a time of intensity and passion. It is a time of extremes.  

The summer solstice is the Midsummer’s Night energy. It is the longest day of the year. Sensuous, even oppressive energy of the Sun. Unrelenting. It is a time when the planet is bursting with power. Overflowing with lifeforce. This is a time for celebration and release.

Many of the Sun dances occur around this time. The power of the Sun being strongest. In lower latitudes they are held earlier.

The Long Dance is good to be held around this time. 

One ceremony we have done over the years is a nature’s Spirit Dance, where everyone dresses up as a plant or animal. Strong drumming, passionate songs, and lots of clowning are appropriate.

We have been taught by the medicine people of the Andes, the Southwest and John Many Voices, that the tools of an Earthkeeper are forged from the vibrational fabric of our lives. Nothing more, nothing less. This fabric is made up of our thoughts, words, deeds, beliefs and perceptions.

In other words, how one lives their life is the greatest spiritual tool in aiding our planet.

So the responsibility for ourselves, is the same as our responsibility for the Earth’s destiny. No separation exists. This is the Earthkeeper’s role.

As Earthkeepers, we touch the web of life directly with our hearts and minds as our vibrational patterns affect and alter the Web of Life of our planet. Fear, hurt, anger and pain produce areas that are generally experienced as being imbalanced, blocked, negative or places of “ill-fortune” on the planet. Whereas joy, love, peace, and bliss produce areas that are generally experienced as being balanced, open, harmonious, friendly, or places of “good fortune” on the planet.

So how does one change the vibrational patterns produced by our ignorance of the effect of our fear, anger, hurt and pain?

We have been taught that these vibrational patterns can be transformed through ceremony….a ceremony from the heart. And a ceremony can be as simple as choosing Joy as an act of Sacred Celebration each day. The thought, feeling, deed and words of Joy, influence the greater system of energetic flow. This simple ceremony, or any ceremony from the heart, emanates fresh life-force into the Web of Life system on our planet. So, one type of ceremony is just as holy as another type of ceremony from the heart, as all transform the planet.

Someone asked us once about the reverse of this, “What if someone tries to misuse the energy, by sending energy thoughts of fear, anger, hurt or pain? ” Our medicine teachers taught us, “Not to worry. There are protections built into the system. These safeguards include the mirroring factor which creates a boomerang effect for anyone directing energy.” Our teachers shared that once the cloak of innocence is raised, we are totally responsible for our “blundering” energy patterns. It is especially critical for one walking in a medicine or spiritual way, as their actions and words have a profound impact on their own lives. Not being responsible invites or can create some drastic emotional and mental aberrations in the person making these choices. As don Alberto V said, “Knowing these teachings generally has a civilising effect on the recipient.”

The Elders teach us, “With the power of the spiritual ways comes great responsibility”. That’s why the medicine people and Elders offer us sacred ways and items four times before it is placed in our hands.

All of us have a choice regarding our vibrational fabric. And the choice can be as simple as making a subtle change in our words. One could change, “If I get a better job, my life will get better”, to “If I improve my life, the clarity of my vibration and energy flow, then I’ll get a better job.” See the difference?

As ceremony transforms the planetary vibrational patterns, we encourage all people to engage in the everyday practice of ceremony. May our thoughts, words, and intent be that of Joy. As Duke would say, “Happy, happy…joy, joy”!

Thank you Creator for the simplicity of the ways and the gift of making a difference on this planet through our thoughts, words, deeds, beliefs and perceptions.

Hugs, Tracy ~ Each person is responsible to find the truths they came to learn on Earth. We share what has come to us . Take what you want…leave the rest… May each person come in-sync with Mother Earth so each might find their Ways.

 Hollis Littlecreek

First let me share a little about Hollis Littlecreek.

Hollis Curtis Littlecreek was born on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota on November 12, 1924.  He was registered as Chippewa on the US government roles.  However, Anishinabeg is the name of his tribe, with Chippewa being a name given by the immigrants.    Hollis would share he was from the last generation to be raised completely within the native tradition and he was trained in the Mide’wiwin ways. 

When Hollis was five, he was thought to have died of an illness.  His aunt was quietly sitting with him for almost an hour after she thought he had passed away, when he ‘woke up’ saying that he had a vision in which he was instructed to share the pipe with people of all races.  He was taken to the circle of elders to share his vision.  They instructed an older brother to make a pipe for him which was kept for him until he was older. Hollis lived his life as a member of the tribe in all ways until he was 52.  Then he left the reservation to fulfill his mission. 

As we prepare to pour lodge, I got to thinking about ceremony and what we have been taught. One very particular principle that John would say Hollis Littlecreek was very clear about was, “Ceremonies have been created to serve the people.” And John Many Voices Armbruster continued to share this universal principle.

This simple idea is sometimes forgotten in our passion of belief. In the fervor of dedication, folks often rush to the idea that the ceremonies, the organizations, the structure of our faith, which we call religion or the ways, are more important than the people who look to them for solace, comfort, and guidance.

John would say, “When the ceremony and the people who implement them become more important than the people the ceremonies are designed to serve, then success is unattainable.” This is a very basic premise. Its simplicity is its strength and it is what we support as Earthkeepers.

The Important Questions

Because of the pervasive and powerful influence ceremony has on humanity, it becomes essential to consider the ceremonies one participates in. Remember, identification in ceremony has the power to cripple as well as to heal.

Identification can be used to uplift falsely. This is done by creating the illusion of superiority of a set of beliefs, practices and even a way of life. This sense of superiority is highly motivating and gives many people the security and continuity that the state of the world seems to sweep away in our everyday lives. This superiority also may serve to galvanize a group into a more cohesive force. However, all of this is a false sense of community and security.

Identification in this form creates a tremendous weakness of the soul. The weakness is created when we define the connection to our Creator by using some quality of our relationship with others as a standard…more wealthy, poorer, better looking, smarter, more oppressed, more spiritual etc. Whatever standard we use, it makes our relationship with our Creator less direct and less personal. It is an outside connection, not an inside connection. It propagates the myth that ceremony, ritual or spiritual leaders are more important than the participants they serve.

Folks might want to ask themselves:

• How do the ceremonies I participate in, serve me?
  • Do these ceremonies help create a relationship with my Creator?
  • Do these ceremonies connect me to the higher energies and create integration and healing?
  • Do these ceremonies and the energy surrounding them help me see clearly new avenues for spiritual growth?
  • Do the focus of these ceremonies harness energy to propel me forward in my spiritual growth?

We have found that the beauty of ceremony is that it is designed to let you see your most uplifting and divine aspects. These aspects may not be readily apparent to you. Ceremonial Practice, in it most successful form, strips away the barriers of your own perception to reveal the love within that is interconnected to the divine love.

As Earthkeepers, ceremonial practice unlocks the encoded destiny for each of us stored in the vibrational frequencies of Mother Earth and our DNA. Our access code is accepted as our hearts come online with the pulsating beat of the planetary heart. As John would say, “Our lives become a sacred act, a ceremony celebrating the Gift of Life that we so graciously treasure from our Creator”.

So it is no small thing to have our ceremonies serve the participants.

Thank you Hollis, John and most of all Creator for showing us about ceremonies, so we might connect.

Hugs, Tracy ~ Each person is responsible to find the truths they came to learn on Earth. We share what has come to us…take what you want…leave the rest.  May each person come in-sync with Mother Earth so each might find their Ways.

Folks preparing to enter circle at an Earthkeeper Dance

At ceremony on Saturday, we were asked, “Why is ceremony so powerful” or as we would rather say, energetic.

Regarding Ceremony

First we must say, no matter how much we discuss and examine the ways of ceremony, it is important to understand that the energy of every ceremony is still in the magical discovery and joyful revelation of the Great Mystery of Life itself.

Having said that, we share that we have come to learn that the energy produced by ceremony, or what folks may call power, comes because of those participating, which includes their songs and the sacred implements used. It is through the participants that the ceremony comes to life and takes on a life force.

We have learned and been taught that it is a mistake to think that ritualistic actions are the energy behind ceremony. On the contrary, the energetic changes due to ritualistic activity are only the underpinnings of Ceremony. What transforms the energy is the consciousness of the participants. Understanding this, helps one understand why John Many Voices said, “Ceremony must serve the people”.

We have come to say, ceremony must serve the participants, because the word “people” has become synonymous with humans, and humans are not the only ones consciously participating in ceremony. Participants include the earth, wind, fire, water, sacred directions, or what we call - All Our Relations, who come…each bringing their prayers. And the synergistic energy resulting from ceremony comes from the blending of all present. Thus the ceremony brings the participants into what John Armbruster called, “a shaft of light” which vitalizes and expands the energetic field of the planet. So participating in ceremony is no small act.

So often we humans do the reverse regarding ceremony, having the participants serve the ceremony or more specifically the ritual. When this happens, the energy dissipates and energy blockages often form. So it’s good to remember that ceremony needs to serve the participants.

We have learned that all ways are sacred…one type of ceremony is not more holy than another type of ceremony, or one way of praying is not more holy than another way of praying, or one sacred object is not more holy than another sacred object. Assigning importance is a human action and ego based. To Creator, all ways and things are holy, whether considered great or small.

Regarding Universal look at Ceremony

We conclude with a universal look at ceremony. Ceremony transcends the individual cultural experience and is a part of a greater planetary and universal mind. To see ceremony only from the viewpoint of a single culture is to look with only our eyes, not our heart. For us as Earthkeepers, it is from the heart that ceremony comes. It is done for the planet. It is done for the participants. It is done as an expression of the power of our personal Creator. We know ceremony as dynamic and ever changing as is the energy of the planet and each individual. The wisdom of any tradition must serve the participants and All our Relations.

Thank you Creator for being so patient with us and loving all equally.

Tanakia, Dave and Tracy ~ Each person is responsible to find the truths they came to learn on Earth. We share what has come to us. Take what you want…leave the rest. May each person come in-sync with Mother Earth so each might find their Ways.

As the Spirits prepare the way for the 2007 Earthkeeper Family Ceremonies, our 13th year of doing ceremonies at the Dunes of Lake Michigan, may we come together on April 14th, 2007, in harmony to pray for others.   John Armbruster shared a ceremony that prepares us:  

This ceremony should be treated like a vigil. Take an evening and start at dinner and go until midnight. In that span of time make several rounds of prayers with breaks in between.

Open with a prayer and the making of an altar. Those who are ill, those in need of healing or those who are experiencing difficulty, should have pictures on the altar. The opening prayers should state their problems and a prayer for spiritual help and support should be made. 

Then break for dinner. 

The second round should include a calling song followed by prayers by each person attending for each person on the altar. A closing song ends the round.

Take some time to talk together and be with one another.

The third round should involve the offering of tobacco and burning sage and cedar to “clear the air around the people who are experiencing difficulty.” A pipe filling song and prayer song should be next. Again prayers are made by each person attending for each person on the altar. A single closing prayer should emphasize surrendering the outcome to the higher power, whatever that happens to be for each person in the group.

Take some time to feel yourself release the people you are praying for to the higher power.

The fourth round starts with the  smoking of the Pipe (Chooch). A celebration song is appropriate. This will be the round where each person attending will make a prayer about seeing each person on the altar being better, having a better life and better health. A final song ends the ceremony. 

~ John Many Voices Armbruster

The ceremony is done in preparation for the 2007, Earthkeeper Family Ceremonies in Appreciation of the Ancestors who Ride the Winds that starts April, 21st.

Ceremony:   Healing Prayers Ceremony 

Date:            Saturday, April 14, 2007 

Time:            5:00 pm to 12:00-ish midnight

Place:            Wilson Shelter, an outdoor shelter, Indiana Dunes State Park, north of Chesterton on Hiway 49. We will have a fire in the fireplace.

Bring:    

Thank you John for gifting us all with the ceremonies. 

Hugs,  Dave, Tracy and Janisse ~ Take what you want…leave the rest…we share because we care.