This is a circle; there is no beginning and no end. No one is more important than another, just as no part of our planet is more important than another; all are inter-related each depending on the other to make it work as it was intended. All I wish to do is to create an environment for your thoughts and words to flow freely from your heart. Each person who participates is welcome to create their own vision, share a poem, a prayer, a song, or words of gratuity, the story continues with each of you. Each culture brings new things, sometimes it is the first time another has heard that point of view, the more we share, the more likely we are to understand each other and create more understanding around the world.
This evening we have chosen to take this well-marked path over the bridge with a narrow creek flowing beneath it and up some steps to a winding road. The road is very narrow, and there is plant growth from the tree line which shows the road used to be wider. This once was an old road between two small villages that today has been by-passed with a road for auto traffic, and left for us to enjoy. We see a deer bound across in front of us, some rabbits munching along the path and birds are swooping across the pathway as the darkness gathers. We continue down to where we find a grove of 28 oak trees, planted in a circle many years ago. In the center are a few rocks with a place that has been used many times in the past for fires. The path we enter comes from the East. One person goes in first and smudges the area with smoke from sage, cedar and sweetgrass. Then they smudge our fire starter who does his duty and builds a small fire. Soon the only shadows come from the light of our fire, as the sky is now filled with stars and the sun is visiting those on the other side of the Earth.
We walk inside and sun-wise around the circle each stopping at the entrance to be smudged and cleansed. We stop at each of the four directions to say a silent prayer and leave a small token relating to the direction on that side of the fire, until we have all been all the way around the circle. On the East side of the fire I leave a feather gifted to me on the wind to honor the winds that bring us wisdom; on the South side I leave a sunstone to honor the fire and passion within each of our hearts; on the West side I leave a large clam shell filled with water for each that follows to use or add to, to honor the healing and cleansing waters that flow above and below the earth, to ask for rains to quench those that thirst, and heal those that need healing; on the North side I leave a small stone that I found that reminded me of my father’s rock garden to honor those who have come before us and those who will come after us. I add some rose petals to the fire in honor of the memory of those who I have loved and have moved on beyond the veil, as well as those who I will share love with in the future, I offer to each member a blessing of healing, of peace and to understand there is beauty where ever we turn if we choose to walk that path of beauty because it comes from within us. During this time of the waning moon, let go of the things that do not bring you peace within. May each be inspired to offer healing gifts. As I turn to pass the talking stick to the next person in the circle we are joined by a raven who is watching us from above.
