EXIT STORIES AND TALES
APACHE ....... ORIGIN OF FIRE
Long, Long ago, animals and trees talked with each other, but there was no fire at the time.
Fox was most clever and he tried to think of a way to create fire for the world. One day he decided to visit the Geese, whose cry he wished to learn how to imitate. They promised to teach him if he would fly with them. So they contrived a way to attach wings to Fox but cautioned him never to open his eyes while flying. Whenever the Geese arose in flight, Fox also flew along with them to practice their cry. On one such adventure, darkness descended suddenly as they flew over the village of fireflies. In mid-flight the glare from the flickering fireflies caused Fox to forget and he opened his eyes. Instantly his wings collapsed. His fall was uncontrollable; he landed within the walled area of the firefly village, where a fire constantly burned in the centre.
Two kind fireflies came to see the fallen Fox, who gave each one a necklace of juniper berries. Fox hoped to persuade the two fireflies to tell him where he could find a way over the wall to the outside. They led him to a cedar tree, which they explained would bend down upon command and catapult him over the wall if he so desired.
That evening, Fox found the spring where fireflies obtained the water. There also he discovered coloured earth, which when mixed with water made paint. He decided to give himself a coat of white. Upon returning to the village, Fox suggested to the fireflies, Let’s have a festival where we can dance and I will provide the music.
They all agreed that would be fun and helped to gather wood to build up a greater fire. Secretly, Fox tied a piece of cedar to his tail. Then he made a drum, probably the first one ever constructed, and beat it vigorously with a stick for the dancing fireflies. Gradually, he moved closer and closer to the fire. Fox pretended to tire from beating the drum. He gave it to some fireflies who wanted to help make the music. Fox quickly thrust his tail into the fire. Lighting the bark, and exclaimed, "It's is too warm here for me, I must find a cooler place. Straight to the cedar tree Fox ran, calling “bend down to me, my cedar tree, bend down. Down bent the cedar tree for Fox to catch hold, then up it carried him, up and over the wall. On and on he ran with the fireflies in pursuit.
As Fox ran along, brush and wood on either side of his path were ignited from the sparks dropping from the burning bark tied to his tail .
Fox finally tired and gave the burning bark to Hawk, who carried it to brown Crane. He flew far southward scattering fire sparks everywhere. This is how fire spread over the Earth. Fireflies continued chasing Fox all the way to his burrow and declared, forever after, Wily Fox, your punishment for stealing our fire will be that you can never make use of it for your self.
For the Apache nation this too was the beginning of fire for them. Soon they learned to use it for cooking their food and to keep themselves warm in cold weather.
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THE MEDICINE TREE
There were two Native American Nations that were in a great war with each other. It was decided that the Nations should meet with each other to try to create peace. The place to meet was across a bend on a free running river, between and neutral to both Nations. They met and peace was seen under the shade of the small strong tree.
The Shamans, feeling the healing power of the tree, decided to call it "The Medicine Tree"
The tree through many moons grew as the world and society grew around it. A highway was put beside the tree. ‘The Medicine Tree’ grew proud and strong taking the pains of those that came to her to heal.
The society around the tree decided they wanted a bigger road, but low and behold, a simple tree stood in the way. Late one night someone poisoned ‘The Medicine Tree', releasing poisons deep into her mighty roots. Now it was thought it would not take long before she was to go, fall over withering in dying pain. For years she fought it and stood strong in the ground, never would she fall till it was her time to go.
This young lady passed the tree, at first thinking the offering were just an act of modern day vandals.( Little did she know ! ) Later she saw a painting of scarves on a branch and something drew her to this painting. Puzzled at the strong pull, she asked the artist why does such a simple painting hold such a spiritual power? She was told of the legend and soon recognized the tree she had long ago passed was ‘The Medicine Tree’. The offerings were not that of vandals, but of those the tree had help heal.
Now the lady stopped by the tree to see what energy it would hold, she had no pain in her heart to heal. The energy was powerful and she sat at the base of the tall tree and felt the pain of the poison deep within her roots. The lady gave her some energy of her own to help the mighty tree see its way through the pain man had caused her.
Now years went by and the lady stopped at the tree every time she passed by. The lady tried to keep her heart pain free every time she visited the mighty tree. The tree would seek it and take it and the lady would in return give the tree as mush energy as she could spare. Now the lady soon fell in love with that simple but mighty ‘Medicine Tree’. She longed to visit it every chance she got and the conversations were passed between the ladies soul and the tree. Soon the lady had her best friend in the tree. She would stop and talk, sing, and chant just to be with the tree.
One time the lady stopped when there was heavy smoke in the air, the forest around the tree was in a great blaze. She cried in fear this would be the last time she would see her friend, she knew the government and fire-fighters would do nothing to save ‘The Medicine Tree". They had long wanted the tree gone and this would be a natural way to make her disappear.....As the lady hugged her friend, she could feel the heat of the fires already alive inside her. With all her energy and might she cast a circle of protection around her mighty friend. With tears in her eyes, she whispered her good-byes in case her circle would not defend.
Now the fires roared through and burned the forest down all around, they raged for weeks. The lady wanted to be with her so bad, but the roads man had built, had been closed. No news was covered on the tree, only stories of homes in the area lost had been covered. She thought of her friend everyday, and asked all officials that came her way, “What has become of ‘The Medicine Tree”? No one knew or should it be said, that no one cared, for it was a simple tree in the way of building a bigger road.
The road opened and the lady rushed down to see what had become of her friend. In a ten foot circle stood the tree. All around her were the ashes of everything that had burned but not one piece of bark had been touched by the fire. The lady cried in joy and hugged her dear friend. Her friend laughed in Wisdom saying "They can't have me yet; I still have more healing left in me!" When something is meant to be, it will stand tall and proud. It will not disappear till it is time for it to go.
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DREAM CATCHER LEGEND
Long ago, when the world was young, an old Lakota spiritual leader was on a high mountain and had a great vision.
In his vision, Iktomi, the great trickster and teacher of wisdom, appeared in the form of a spider. Iktomi spoke to him in a sacred language that only Spiritual Leaders of the Lakota could understand.
As he spoke Iktomi, the spider, took the elder's willow hoop which had feathers, horse hair, beads and offerings on it and began to spin a web. He spoke to the elder about the cycles of Life ....and how we begin our lives as infants and we move on to childhood and then to adulthood. Finally, we go to old age where we must be taken care of as infants in the complete cycle." But" Iktomi said as he continued to spin his web, "in each time of life there are many forces .......some good some bad. If you listen to the good forces, they will steer you in the right direction but if you listen to the bad forces, they will hurt you in the wrong direction. He continued, "There are many forces and different directions that can help or interfere with the harmony of nature, and also with the great spirit and all of his wonderful teachings"
All the while the spider spoke, he continued to weave his web starting from the outside and working toward the centre. When Iktomi finished speaking, he gave the Lakota elder the web and said " see, the web is a perfect circle but there is a hole in the centre of the circle" He said, " Use the web to help yourself and your people to reach your goals and make good use of your people's ideas, dreams, and visions. If you believe in the great Spirit, the web will catch your good ideas and the bad ones will go through the hole”.
The Lakota elder passed on his vision to his people and now the Sioux Indians use the Dream Catcher as the web of their life. It is hung above their beds or in their home to sift their dreams and visions. The good in their dreams are captured in the web of life and carried with them, but the evil in their dreams escapes through the hole in the centre of the web and are no longer a part of them. They believe that the dream catcher holds the destiny of their future.
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BLACK ELK OGALA SIOUX HOLY MAN 1863-1950
Black Elk Ogala ( Sioux ) 1863- 1950
You have noticed that everything as Native Indian does is in a circle and that is because the power of the world always works in circles and everything tries to be round .......
The sky is round, and I have heard that the Earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind in it's great power whirls . Birds make their nests in circles for theirs is the same religion as ours ......Even the seasons from a great circle in their changing a lw a y s come back again to where they were . The life of man is a circle from childhood to childhood and so it is in everything where power moves.
Mourning Dove ( Salish ) 1888- 1936
Everything on the Earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian Theory of existence.
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CHIEF SEATTLE
Chief Seattle,
" I will follow the white man's trial. I will make him my friend, but I will not bend my back to his burdens, I will be cunning as a coyote. I will ask him to help me understand his ways, and then I will prepare the way for my children and their children. The Great Spirit has shown me a day will come when they will outrun the white man in his own shoes"
" In the early days we were close to nature. We judged time, weather conditions and many things by the elements .......The good earth, the blue sky, the flying of geese and the changing winds. We looked to these for guidance and answers. Our prayers and thanksgiving were said to the four winds to the East from whence sent the warm breeze which gave a feeling of comfort, to the West , which ended the day and brought rest and to the North, the Mother of winter whose sharp air awakened a time of preparation for the long days ahead. We lived by Great Spirit's hand through nature and evaluated the changing winds to tell us and warn us of which was ahead. Today we are again evaluating the changing winds. May we be as strong in spirit and equal to our Fathers of another day in reading the signs accurately and interpreting them wisely.
May Wah-Kon-Tah ..the Great Spirit
Look down upon us, guide us and inspire us, and give us courage and Wisdom. Above all, may he look down upon us and be pleased".
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CREATION OF LIFE AND EARTH
Before the world came to be, there lived in the sky-world an ancient chief. In the centre of his land grew a beautiful tree that had four white roots stretching to each of the four directions, North, South, East, and West. From that beautiful tree, all good things grew. Then it came to be that the beautiful tree was uprooted and through the hole it made in the Sky world fell the youthful wife of the ancient chief, a handful of seeds which she grabbed from the tree as she fell, clutched in her hand. For below there was only water and water creatures who looked up as they swam. Someone comes said the duck we must make room for her. The great turtle swam up from his place in the depths. There is room on my back the great turtle said. But there must be earth where she can stand said the duck and so he dove beneath the waters but he could not reach the bottom. I shall bring up the earth, the loon said and he dove too, but he could not reach the bottom. Finally the muskrat tried. He dove as deeply as he could, swimming until his lungs almost burst. With one paw he touched the bottom and came up with a tiny speck of earth clutched in his paw. Place the earth on my back, the great turtle said as they spread the tiny speck of earth it grew larger and larger until it became the whole world. Then the two swans flew up and between their wings they caught the woman who fell from the sky. They brought her gently down to the earth where she dropped her handful of seeds from the sky world. Then it was that the first plants grew and life on this new earth began.
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LEGEND OF THE JUMPING MOUSE
There was once a little mouse. He and his friends loved to spend the evenings listening to the old ones tell stories. His favourite story so far was the story of the far Off Lands. So much did he love this tale he would dream of the Far Off lands every night.
One day, the little mouse said to himself "I simply must see these far off lands". That very morning, he set off on his journey. He would travel almost the entire day, stopping only for rest and food.
He came to a riverbank and his heart fell. "Oh how will I ever get across the river"? From behind him, he heard a gravely voice. "Don't you know how to swim"? He looked and saw a frog standing among some cat nine tails. "Swim? What is that"? asked the mouse. The frog jumped into the water and began to kick her legs. This is swimming silly the frog said. Now, why do you want to cross the river anyway? “I have been dreaming of the far off lands for many nights. I simply must see it”! exclaimed the mouse.
My name is magic Frog, said the frog and I will help you. Bend down low and jump as far as you can. The mouse jumped and he felt a strong feeling in his legs. They seemed much stronger than before, and he noticed that he had jumped further than he had ever been able to before. Why thank you Magic Frog, that was good medicine you gave me.
Magic Frog said you will experience many hardships on this journey but if you keep hope alive within you, you will reach the Far Off lands and I now give you a new name, you will now be called ‘Jumping Mouse’. She waved and hopped back off into the cat -tails .jumping mouse leaped across the river, and turned to wave, but Magic Frog was gone. In the back of his mind he could still hear Magic Frog's words "keep hope alive within you”. Jumping Mouse continued on until nightfall, then dug a hole and went to sleep. The next day, Jumping Mouse reached the prairies. He was walking along when he saw a huge boulder ahead. As he got closer, he saw that it was not a boulder, but a large buffalo lying on the ground. ”My friend” said Jumping Mouse “why are you lying here as if you are dying"? “ I am dying” said the buffalo. I drank from a poisoned pool of water and now I have lost my sight. I cannot find the cool waters to drink or the sweet grass to eat. I am lying here waiting for the end. Jumping Mouse said “I am Jumping Mouse, my friend Magic Frog gave me some medicine powers. I am not as strong as her, but I will help you. I name you ‘Eyes of a Mouse’”. No sooner had he said this when the buffalo blinked his eyes in amazement. He snorted with happiness. Jumping Mouse heard this, but could not see it for he had given away his sight. "Why thank you my small Friend” said ‘Eyes of a Mouse’. This is a wonderful gift you have given me. Climb onto my back and I shall carry you to the edge of the prairie. Jumping Mouse climbed onto the mighty buffalo’s back and in this way he reached the edge of the prairie. When they arrived, Eyes of a Mouse said “I am a creature of the prairies so I must stop here. My friend how will you make it if you cannot see”? Jumping Mouse said “there will be a way; I have hope alive within me. He waved goodbye to Eyes of a Mouse and turned to the mountains. He walked a ways and dug a hole and fell asleep. Jumping Mouse awoke with the sun, and felt his way along the mountain path sniffing for and occasionally nibbling on small grasses and suddenly he bumped into something. He felt fur beneath his little paws. He sniffed and realized he had just stumbled upon a wolf. Jumping Mouse asked “why are you just sitting there in the middle of the path”? The Wolf sighed, “I was once a very proud creature with a very keen sense of smell. Because I was too proud I have had this gift taken away. I have learned to be humble, but now I cannot smell to find food to eat. I will surely die”. Jumping Mouse was saddened by the wolf's story. “I have just a little medicine left. Please let me help you? I name you ‘Nose of a Mouse’. The wolf breathed in and sniffed the mountain air and danced in a circle and howled with joy. “I can smell the trees and the flowers again”. Jumping Mouse heard the wolf's joy, but alas he could not smell the trees or flowers for he had given his sense of smell away. “This is truly a wonderful gift you have given me said Nose of a Mouse, you must let me carry you over the mountains and to the far Off lands”. Jumping Mouse was then carried over the mountains and soon his wolf friend knelt down so he could carefully climb down. “Little friend I am a creature of the mountains and I cannot go on. But how will you get along not being able to smell or see”? Jumping Mouse said “there will be a way, hope is alive within me”. The two said goodbye and Nose of a Mouse trotted back into the mountains. “I am here at last said Jumping Mouse I hear the leaves rustling through the trees. The sun warms my body .I feel the wind but I will never be as I was. What am I going to do”? Jumping Mouse began to cry. Jumping Mouse heard a gravely voice. “Magic Frog, is that you”? “Yes my friend, it is Magic frog. You have suffered greatly on your journey and experienced many hardships, but it was your unselfish heart and your generosity that helped to bring you here. You have nothing to fear my little friend”. Next Magic Frog said “jump high Jumping Mouse jump high!“ Jumping Mouse leapt straight up and he felt himself changing. His paws stretched out and became very powerful. He moved them up and down and soon he was feeling the wind streaming over him and under him. He looked down and he could see the mountains far below. He breathed in, and could smell the pines and the earth. From far below, he heard Magic Frog calling “Jumping Mouse, I give to you a new name. You are now called Eagle and you will live in the far Off lands forever
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TRUE MEANING OF THE STAR PATTERN .... LAKOTA
Wakan Tanka ( the great spirit) intended that we must always hold the Black Hills special to our hearts, so we are reminded every night that we have a sacred home, and all one has to do to be in the ‘Heart of Everything that is’ is to look at a star pattern and be spiritually with the Black Hills. A constant renewal of relationships by travelling home to that special place with the stars.
So tonight, walk outside and look up. See the Black Hills sacred ceremonies of spring and you will understand and know why this place is special and stands first among all places of Grandfather Sky, and return in the manner the Lakota have done for thousands of years, to ‘The Heart of Everything That Is‘ to the heart of our home and the home of our heart.
Then when the sun passes through each part of the star pattern, prepare to travel home and renew the circle once more. That the four children ( North, South, East, West) of the earth shall all live well altogether and with their generations, walk on the sacred red road in a dancing manner.
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COLOURS ( LEGEND OF THE RAINBOW )
Once upon a time the colours of the world started to quarrel, they all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favourite.
Green said" Clearly I am the most important; I am the sign of life and hope. I was chosen for the grass, trees, leaves, for without me all animals would die. Look over your majority and you will see that I am that majority".
Blue interrupted " You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you all would be nothing".
Yellow chuckled "You all are so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow; the moon yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun".
Orange started next and began to blow her trumpet. “I am the colour of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges and mangoes. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise and sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you".
Red could stand it no longer. He shouted out "I am the ruler of all of you; I am blood Life's Blood! I am the colour of danger and bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause I bring fire into the blood. Without me the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the colour of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy".
Purple rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp. "I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me they listen and obey".
Finally Indigo spoke. Much more quietly than all the others but with just as much determination. “Think of me, I am the colour of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all would be superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace".
And so the colours went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarrelling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening and the thunder rolled and boomed. The colours crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamour, Rain began to speak “You foolish colours, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me". Doing as they were told, the colours united and joined hands. The rain continued. "From now on when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of colour as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow".
And so whenever a good rain washes the world and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate each other.
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JOURNEY OF AN EAGLE
He glides up observing and there was a time when he has seen the true beauty and goodness in this garden. He has seen the water sparkling from its purity flowing down noble mountains as he felt the refreshing power of clean air as he worked with the winds to fly.
He heard the rumbling roar of the great herds of buffalo moving across the plains and he has seen Mother Earth green with healthiness as she raised healthy children with healthy minds and bodies.
In carrying out his duties he has seen the countless offerings of the indigenous people striving to exist in the true perfection of a two legged in harmony with Mother Earth.
He has seen the happiness of the children as they played with pureness in their hearts and he knew that the Great Spirit had smiled down upon us with his blessings.
He has seen the arrival of the newcomers who disrupted our sacred way of life with the desire of stealing our homelands.
He has seen the courage of our warriors defending Mother Earth not afraid to die for they know their Spirits will return to the Great Spirit.
He has seen the suffering of the indigenous people being hunted down like a wounded deer and he has seen the real freedom of life disappear from this land. Even his own papers and he sees his sacred feathers being sold for those papers.
Today as he flies above the clouds in space once only reserved for them, he hears the charge of the iron birds crashing through the clouds.
He avoids the clouds of filthy air which lingers over bee hives of busy people hurrying to satisfy their own taste of honey.
He is sad to see his own die from the lightening power of endless wires and words cannot explain the hurt he feels when he sees his own kind in captivity displayed for curiosity.
He sees the indigenous people still trying to be sacred in ceremonies, but suffering more from the heart of Father Sun because the poison has weakened the sacred blanket in the sky.
He sees the Great Spirit medicine, the food and plants placed on Mother Earth with the purpose to nourish and heal being poisoned.
He sees the poisoned water enter the bodies of men and animals, causing sickness. He sees all natural life trying to do their duty on a tired overworked Mother Earth, and his tears fall as he sees the women and he feels the pain of Mother Earth.
He hears the humble cries of our holy people asking for a sign from Great Spirit. He circles over the people letting us know that Great Spirit has heard our prayers.
His heart gladdens when he dances with us for he knows we still honor him. He sends us a warning for he has spoken with Great Spirit. The Great Spirit is offended because the sacredness of his life is disturbed. He is a witness to all the deeds of man, and he never forgets. He is Eagle.
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THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE BUFFALO
One summer a long time ago, the seven sacred council fires of the Lakota Sioux came together and camped. The sun was strong and the people were starving for there was no game.
Two young men went out to hunt. Along the way, the two men met a beautiful young woman dressed in white who floated as she walked. One man had bad desires for the woman and tried to touch her but was consumed by a cloud and turned into a pile of bones.
The woman spoke to the second young man and said " Return to your people and tell them I am coming ". This Holy woman brought a wrapped bundle to the people. She unwrapped the bundle giving to the people a sacred pipe and teaching them how to use it to pray. "With this Holy pipe, you will walk like a living prayer" she said. The holy woman told the Sioux about the value of the Buffalo, the women and the children. "You are from Mother Earth" she told them,”What you are doing is as great as the warriors do".
Before she left, she told the people she would return. As she walked away, she rolled over four times, turning into a white female buffalo calf. It is said after that day the Lakota honoured their pipe and buffalo were plentiful.
Many believe that the buffalo calf, Miracle born August 20, 1994 symbolizes the coming of humanity into a oneness of heart, mind, and spirit. The chance of a white calf being born is one in six billion. The only other documented white calf was Big Medicine who was died in 1959 and lived for 36 years.
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TRADITONAL TALKING STICK
The Talking Stick is a tool used in many Native American Traditions when a council is called. It allows all council members to present their Sacred Point of View. The Talking Stick is passed from person to person as they and only the person holding the stick is allowed to talk during that time. The Answering Feather is also held by the person speaking unless the speaker addresses a question to another council member. At that time, the Answering Feather is passed to the person asked to answer the query. Every member of the meeting must listen closely to the words being spoken, so when their turn comes, they do not repeat unneeded information or ask impertinent questions. Indian children are taught to listen from age three forward; they are also taught to respect another viewpoint. This is not to say that they may not disagree, but rather they are bound by their personal honour to allow everyone their Sacred Point of View. People are responsible and are required to make their own Talking Stick. The Talking Stick may be used when they teach the children, hold council, make decisions regarding disputes, hold Pow Wows gatherings, have storytelling circles, or conduct a ceremony where more than one person will speak. Since each of material used in the Talking Stick speaks of the personal Medicine of the stick owner, each Talking Stick will be different. The Qualities of each type of Standing Person (Tree) brings specific Medicine. White Pine is the Peace Tree, Birch Symbolizes truth; Evergreens represent the continued growth of all things. Cedar symbolizes cleansing. Aspen is the Symbol for seeing clearly since there are many eye shapes on the truth. Maple represents gentleness. Elm is used for wisdom; Mountain Ash for protection; Oak for strength; Cherry for expression, high emotion, or love. Fruit Woods are for abundance and Walnut or Pecan for gathering of energy or beginning new projects. Each person making a Talking Stick must decide which type of Standing Person (Tree) will assist their needs and add needed medicine to the councils held. The ornamentation of each stick all has meaning. In the Lakota Tradition, Red is for life, Yellow is for knowledge, Blue is for prayer and wisdom, White is for Spirit, Purple is for healing, Orange is for feeling kinship with all living things, Black is for clarity and focus. The type of feathers and hide used on a Talking Stick are very important as well. The Answering Feather is usually an Eagle Feather, which represents high ideals, truth as viewed from the expansive eye of the Eagle, and the freedom that comes from speaking the total truth to the best of one's ability. The Answering Feather can also be the feather of a turkey, the Peace Eagle of the South, which brings peaceful attitudes as well as the give and take necessary in successful completion of disputes. In the tribe that see Owl as good medicine, the Owl feather may also be used to stop deception from entering the Sacred Space of the Council. The skins , hair, or hides used in making a Talking Stick brings the abilities, talents, gifts and medicine of those creatures beings, to council in a variety of ways. Buffalo brings abundance; Elk brings physical fitness and stamina; Deer brings gentleness; Rabbit brings the ability to listen with big ears; the hair from a horse's tail or mane brings perseverance and adds connection to the and to the spirits of the wind. If an illness of heart, mind, body, spirit has affected the group gathering, snake skin may be wrapped around the Talking Stick so that the healing and transmuting of those poisons can occur. The Talking Stick is the tool that teaches each of us to honour the Sacred Point of View of every living creature.
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THE LEGEND OF THE CEDAR TREE
A long time ago when the Cherokee people were new upon the earth, they thought that life would be much better if there was never any night. They beseeched the Ouga (Creator) that it might be day all the time and that there would be no darkness.
The Creator heard their voices and made the night cease and it was day all the time. Soon, the forest was thick with heavy growth. It became difficult to walk and to find the path. The people toiled in the gardens many long hours trying to keep the weeds pulled from among the corn and other food plants. It got hot, very hot, and continued that way day after long day. The people began to find it difficult to sleep and became short tempered and argued among themselves.
Not many days had passed before the people realized they had made a mistake and, once again, they beseeched the Creator. "Please," they said, "we have made a mistake in asking that it be day all the time. Now we think that it should be night all the time." The Creator paused at this new request and thought that perhaps the people may be right even though all things were created in twos... representing to us day and night, life and death, good and evil, times of plenty and those times of famine. The Creator loved the people and decided to make it night all the time as they had asked.
The day ceased and night fell upon the earth. Soon, the crops stopped growing and it became very cold. The people spent much of their time gathering wood for the fires. They could not see to hunt meat and with no crops growing it was not long before the people were cold, weak, and very hungry. Many of the people died.
Those that remained still living gathered once again to beseech the Creator. "Help us Creator," they cried! "We have made a terrible mistake. You had made the day and the night perfect, and as it should be, from the beginning. We ask that you forgive us and make the day and night as it was before."
Once again the Creator listened to the request of the people. The day and the night became, as the people had asked, as it had been in the beginning. Each day was divided between light and darkness. The weather became more pleasant, and the crops began to grow again. Game was plentiful and the hunting was good. The people had plenty to eat and there was not much sickness. The people treated each other with compassion and respect. It was good to be alive. The people thanked the Creator for their life and for the food they had to eat. The Creator accepted the gratitude of the people and was glad to see them smiling again. However, during the time of the long days of night, many of the people had died, and the Creator was sorry that they had perished because of the night. The Creator placed their spirits in a newly created tree. This tree was named a-tsi-na tlu-gv {ah-see-na loo-guh} cedar tree.
When you smell the aroma of the cedar tree or gaze upon it standing in the forest, remember that if you are Tsalagi {Cherokee}, you are looking upon your ancestor.
Tradition holds that the wood of the cedar tree holds powerful protective spirits for the Cherokee. Many carry a small piece of cedar wood in their medicine bags worn around the neck. It is also placed above the entrances to the house to protect against the entry of evil spirits. A traditional drum would be made from cedar wood.
The Creator did not make the people because of loneliness, but because the Creator wanted to show generosity and love to the people. Accept the blessings and the gifts given and always give thanks for them.
RETURN TO MENU SELECTIONOur thanks to Caretkr for sending us these stories and tales
