Ceremony

 

 

This is what I know from my teachings:

Ceremony is the act of certain protocols, prayers, chants, drums, rattles, songs, stories, smudging in a culture, prescribed sacred objects, following cultural protocols.  A ceremony can vary, but not greatly, from one part of culture to another.  Ther are many kinds of ceremonies, but space where it is to be held is made sacred, by cleansing and purification.  It must be said that a Medicine Lodge can be within one’s soul, it does not need to necessary be in a lodge, dedicated sacred space.   

Ceremony can be between two people to many people.  Some are healers/those who run the ceremony, some are witnesses, some are supporters.  Those involved in a ceremony are taking part in deeply sacred protocols that promote inner strength, and draws the participants in to a cohesive spiritual group that is enforced by cultural values and protocols. In all cases, there is purification of the area and the participants through cleansing of mind, body, and spirit by one or more of the sacred medicines:

Cedar is used for attracting positive spiritual feels and emotions.  It is said to waken ‘all my relations”, to protect the participants while in ceremony, in part.  Sage is the cleanser (there are different kinds of sage used for different purposes – for instance, there is woman’s sage that brings strength, wisdom, and clarity to a ceremony) that purifies space for ceremony.  It can be loose, rolled in a ball, braided, and/or can be tied with red, yellow, black, white or green ribbon.  The smudge must be kept going for the whole ceremony so someone is in charge of keeping it so.

Sweetgrass can be used in ceremony along with other sacred medicines.  It teaches us kindness especially to those who may not be kind to us.  It does not to break and represents the braid of Mother Earth; the three strands in the plait represent, mind, body and spirit.  It, also represents past, present and future as well as grandparents, myself, and grandchildren. 

Tobacco is the first medicine of a ceremony.  It activates all the other medicines.  It is used as honor gift for helpers.  It is offered in the picking/gathering of the other medicines. 

Any ceremony is done to strengthen personal ties to mind, body, spirit, to strengthen ties with Creator, and to strengthen ties with all one’s relations (including helpers).  The medicines help participants be more receptive, more honest, more spiritual and open physically, intellectually emotionally and spiritually to the purpose of the ceremony.  It creates a spiritual bond between participants. 

Stories are told in the ceremony.  Some are humorous, some are deeply personal, some are told through music of the drum.  Those running the ceremony are not the ones doing the work.  They are facilitators.

Ceremonies are very sacred and should only be done by those who are qualified to do so.  There is protocol in that, as well.  Much respect must be offered, as well as great gratitude shown for the exhaustion that comes to those who heal afterwards.  There is always an honor gift given (never gifts of the white horse – money).  The ceremony will be distinct to the healer as he/she will have been given their own directions as how to run a ceremony.  All in all, ceremony promotes gathering, promotes teachings, encourages love and sharing, and promotes culture.  Non-native participants can only be involved if invited to do so. 

Our home is full of peace and the sacred scents of healing.  We have been participants and witnesses of one of the great ceremonies – healing ceremony, where all the protocols were followed that lead to the billowing of the smudge the invitation of ancestors, the gathering of ‘all the relations’, and sweet flow of healing tears.  Great care, compassion and gratitude needs be shown those who run the ceremony.  With Creator's help, all will have slept deeply and well within the embrace of the remembered scent of the smudge.

 

©Carol Desjarlais 1.28.24