Some years ago a dear friend of mine talked to me about the wonder of snake medicine. Now, for those of you who don't like snakes, hang in here with me, because this concept can be exhilarating.
He suggested that when a snake glides across the earth, the earth becomes excited by the touch. I like to think of it as its silky body caressing the earth being like a lover's touch, and to such a touch—the earth simply must respond.
This month, many of us are making our final preparations for SpiritQuest. As I reflect upon previous questing years, my heart opens as I remember the sweet prayers offered for Mother Earth at our sacred fire. It is as though our prayers excite the earth and Mother responds in the most miraculous ways.
Over the years we have witnessed her response to our prayerful touch through the life force of the animals who visit us, and watch over us, throughout the ceremonial week. One year, we were visited by a skunk. Now that might not sound very miraculous, but when you realize what this skunk did and you know the medicine of the skunk in relationship to the ceremony—well, we were inspired.
Skunk, as I learned from my elder, is sacred to the Cherokee people. The reason, I was taught, is that skunk can defend itself without ever doing permanent damage to any creature that would intend to harm it. Skunk's form of protection is both very creative and highly effective.
That year, our major ceremony for the week was from Cherokee tradition. Skunk wandered up to our camp fire near the kitchen and circled the outside parameter of the fire area. It then wandered down the creek to where our sacred fire was kept burning 24 hours per day. At that circle, we humans walk around the circle counter clockwise, keeping our hearts ever near the sacred fire. Skunk did exactly the same thing, walking around the sacred fire area—counter clockwise—and then left the circle completely. When the fire tender told us the story, everyone in camp considered skunks visit to be a great blessing.
During another quest, we had been hearing the sounds of turkeys in the woods around us, catching a quick glimpse of one now and then. Turkey is also sacred to the Cherokee. My friends who hunt, tell me turkey can be a very clever bird. (Did you know that turkey was nominated for consideration as our national bird?) Turkey was considered to be so special by the Cherokee that the Chief wore a ground-length cloak made of turkey feathers. So, we were quite happy to know that turkey was with us during our sacred week of prayer and Cherokee ceremonies.
We had two questers questing that year—each alone in their sacred spot in the woods fasting and praying for their sacred song (their unique song connecting them to Spirit). Early one morning as the sun began to a rise a woman and her mother were tending the sacred fire, when a turkey walked up the path and stopped just feet from them. The turkey turned its back to them, and spread its anterior feathers into a great fan. It then left. Immediately, the mother and the daughter turned to each other and one of them said, "Oh, one of our questers is ready to come down." And indeed, one of our questers did come down.
This is how we were meant to live with Mother Earth. In as much as she provides for us, I believe we have the wonderful opportunity to excite the earth with our prayers for her well-being. And we know from our own experiences, she does respond!
Find out more about SpiritQuest at
http://www.spiritquest.infoLast day for early registration is Saturday, May 31st, so sign up now!
