The Earthkeepers

On Saturday we danced our 8th Earthkeeper Dance in our 13th year of ceremonies at the Indiana Dunes. We came together in gratitude of Creator, Mother Earth and the Ancestors. We began our prayers on the beach of Lake Michigan, and the winds laughed at the ambitious schedule that had been set. And as we stepped into the waters, the schedule dissipated, and we purified our bodies and Spirit, preparing for the ceremonies that were yet to come.

(Photo’s by Vera)

As the song John taught us, “We dance, we sing, we pray, ei cheeco Mantiou” resonated on the wind, we entered into Sacred time. We stepped into the circle honoring those that have gone before us…

(photo on back of dance T-shirt)

 …and began our work to prepare the way for those who are yet to come.

We shared with love, laughter and tears as we honored the Ancestors. And Creator, Mother Earth and the Ancestors responded by helping us do the work we had come to do.

Each of us experienced the dance differently because it mirrors or reflects that which is within us. And through the grace of Creator, that which is in need of change and healing makes itself known, giving each of us an opportunity to transform and be in joy.

In the weeks to come, be mindful, as there is work the Ancestors have yet to fulfill. Be attentive as tests may come and you may experience your “buttons being pushed” so to speak…pushed so you might transform and be in joy. This is the way of ceremony. Go within and know.

May Creator bless our journey on this Sacred Hoop.

Hugs, Tracy ~ Each person is responsible to find the truth they have come to learn on Earth. We share what has come to us. Take what you want…leave the rest…we share because it’s time. May each person come in-sync wih Mother Earth so each may find their Ways.

The children’s honoring ceremony is very dear to my heart. It is a time to turn to the children and express not only our affection for them, but to help them begin to realize that we see purpose to their lives. With our acknowledgement of this, we hope that they will also begin the process of finding within themselves that sense of purpose and direction that will carry them through the difficult times ahead of them and will glorify and enliven all the wonderful experiences of life that are still unrevealed to them.

This is not an easy process. It is best to take a full day to work with the children and the adults who are supporting them. Often the children feel that the ceremony is really for the adults and not for them. This is partly right and is not to be denied. The trick then is to establish a positive link between the ceremonial activities and other activities that they enjoy.

Camping, games, and free play are important. A wide range of ages is helpful, because it is like a chain of understanding… each age group relating in some ways to those older and younger than them. 

We have seen positive results with red rover red rover, crafts - key chain making with putting prayers into them and other craft work to bring out creativity. Having the children take over the drums worked. Having a very focused teenage leader was very productive for the children’s talking circle.

The honoring dance is based on a simple fact. The children will be the ones to touch the future, not us. It is their future we are deciding every day. Though it is up to them to make of it what they will, we are leaving them the starting point which will define their world view and influence their decisions for the rest of their lives.

In this way, during the honoring dance, the alter or tree which is the central part of the dance is touched only by the children. The adults touch the alter by touching the children. This can be a very powerful image. A very telling comment on one of the very compelling facts of life. 

When we talk about the past and future minds, we are referring to the fact that so much of our time is spent contemplating and contending with the past or planning, worrying, or dreading the future.

It is important to understand that in both cases the power to change always lies in the present. Our lack of awareness of the present will rob us of golden opportunities to absorb the joy and uplifting quality of the world around us. To do this we have to have an open channel to the energy of living all around us. Sorrow, regret, disgust, hurt, jealousy, anger, all sap us of the energy to see, taste, touch, FEEL the moment with all our senses and with all that we sense is us. Worry, dread, hopelessness, and hope can all turn our attention from the blessings we are receiving every moment of the day.

Drumming, singing, dance all help to strip away the dark smoke of our illusion… it is the illusion of being in the past or future. In addition, acceptance of the past will release us from that past. Faith and releasing total control will free us from the future. In the present we can let our energy flow into everything we do or everything we experience. In that way, our essential selves, the part of us that is sincere, exuberant, confident, and committed will produce the future one present moment at a time.

— John Armbruster

With great sadness, I report that John Hopkins, son of Cynthia Hopkins, left this life recently– he was 43. Cynthia, who led the Sedona Encampments after John Armbruster hit the road in the early 90’s, is offering a memorial ceremony on Saturday, June 30th at 3 pm in Camp Verde, Arizona. If you would like more info, please call Cynthia at 928.567.6855.

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.