Sacred Earth Prayer Circle Facebook 3-28-12
I have lit my candle, the flame is dim, and darkness is all around. We have come out to Yavapai Point at the Grand Canyon to watch the sunrise. We have been waiting for what seems like hours, huddling together for warmth. We have no campfire so we each have our flashlight as there are no lights here and we have a lantern we have circled around; each telling of their anticipation waiting for the first light. Some have been here before; others have never seen the Grand Canyon and are waiting for what others are telling them they will see. No matter how many photos you have ever seen of the Canyon, nothing can compare to seeing it firsthand.
The night is clear, and the stars have been bright. We have watched the crescent moon and stars move across the sky. It is still cold this time of year and we all are bundled up. We are not sure how much snow we might see in the canyon thismorning. It is 28o F. so we move around to each take our turn at the outside of the circle. There is no wind, it is perfectly still. The stars are beginning to fade and the sky is turning pale lavender with a pink stripe on the horizon. We each ask for guidance and say a prayer before the sun rises.
As it gets a bit lighter the canyon walls begin to appear, more and more detail can be seen. Ravens are beginning to take to the air and birds of all kinds are chirping and calling for the sun to come up. We can see a light fog down into the canyon by the river and some snow is scattered over the canyon shelves. A few morning clouds are on the horizon, but nothing to obscure the sunrise. Various hues of pinks and purples give way to blues and yellows as the sun peaks its first rays over the rim. As it gets higher in the sky the layers of color in the rocks become much more prominent and the color changes with each minute the sun get higher in the sky. The view is breathtaking and then suddenly a huge condor swoops past us, and his wing span is so wide he makes it dark again for the moment he passes. We watch as he drifts on down into the canyon hunting for some breakfast. The colors of reds, gold and grey rocks against the white snow and greens of the juniper, cedar and pines are absolutely beautiful. Now that we can see all the way down into the canyon and see the mighty Colorado River flowing and the white caps over the rocks so far down. The air is crisp and so clear it hardly seems what we see is really so far away. The ravens come to sit on the rail seeming to talk to us, possibly telling us a story of how the canyon came to be.
I bring a bit of sage I had brought and held my arm out over the cliff, “May we each appreciate the majesty of Mother Earth. The beauty here reminds us of the many places on this earth of beauty, I ask that we also see beauty in the smallest of things in our everyday lives. May each of us take responsibility to do what we can to protect her for future generations.” I crumble the sage and allow the morning light breeze to take it from my gloved hand. The sun’s rays are already beginning warm the air. A grey feather falls in front of me and I catch it.
As I turn to pass the talking stick to the next who wishes to speak, I notice all the mouths are still hanging open in awe around me. I smile and offer the talking stick, poking you to get your attention to take it….when a raven lands on the stick! I look at him and tell him "thank you for joining us". He hops down then flies off over the canyon, higher and higher until he is but a dot in the sky. May he carry our prayers up to the Creator.
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