We have been walking for quite some time toward the sound. The roar of a raging river is getting very close. As we follow the pathway, suddenly there it is, springtime’s melted snow rushing over rapids, waterfalls and swiftly moving on its way. We stand there in awe of its beauty and power, the energy is exhilarating, as well as peaceful after staring at it a few minutes. We walk along the bank until we find a widened area in the path where others before us have rested.
We gather some broken branches and start a small fire. Once it has died down, we sit around it and everyone brings their offerings out of their packs. I bring out my bundle of herbs, and set them aside. I also brought some Oreo’s, and pass them around. Please do not untwist or eat these until everyone has one. Others come walking down the path and join us, we offer each a cookie also. Now I untwist my cookie, please everyone untwist your Oreo. These cookies are symbolic; they have two sides and a creamy middle. When we untwist them the filling sticks mostly to one side. Like everything in life there are two sides, light and dark, up and down, front and back, sometimes we prefer one side, sometimes the other. The middle is the balance or the center. Both sides are equal, yet many of us tend to choose one side over the other always, others switch back and forth, as if to be fair to both sides. Others prefer to take the center first and then that equals out both sides; and others tend to put the whole cookie in their mouth at once. How does the way you eat your sandwich cookie reflect on how you make your choices?
The herbs I brought this evening are thyme, for courage; sweet pea blossoms to help us feel the pulse of Mother Earth, and sage for healing and cleansing. I crush them and sprinkle them into the fire. May each of us have courage, feel the beat of the Mother, and find healing in the words spoken this evening. May we know that we are strong enough to handle whatever comes our way as long as we are connected to the web of life and the natural world, and that within us is the power to heal ourselves from our greatest fears, and to be grateful for what we have now as well as the lessons learned from things we have lived through.
The steady roar of the river and the pounding on the rocks is felt in the ground, we can feel the energy of the Earth and it gives us strength and courage. The water carries on our messages of healing, as does the smoke rising to the Creator. The river continues to let us feel its power and the stars are brightly twinkling as if the ancestors are pleased.
We are together ONE voice spreading out into the Universe, each time this is read, prayers are repeated, gifts are shared to all who visit this page. All spiritual paths are welcome, please be respectful to all.
I pass the talking stick on to whoever would like to give a blessing, or say a prayer. I thank each of you in advance for participating. Each blessing and prayer read gives it that much more energy to reach where it is intended to reach. May your path be easier to follow, your prayers answered and you feel the love and peace shared by all.
Aho.
Aho.
