Native Ritual Format-Stone Circle, Calling Quarters

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[cherokeewind]
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Native Ritual Format-Stone Circle, Calling Quarters

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Native American Stone Circles

I’m going to take a different approach and start with the center stone (rather than the outer circle). This is different than most stone Medicine Wheels you see on the Internet. That is because I’ve followed very close to Northern Plains Indian tradition. A total of thirty-six stones is used, but only twelve (outer circle) is needed for a ceremony.

INNER CIRCLE
In the very center of the inner circle is a stone. According to Native Americans, this stone was once called the MANY WORLDS or UNIVERSE STONE. The symbolism here represents the individual person and his or her connection to the Universe (Cosmos Stone). When Natives came into contact with Christian missionaries, the Christian name given, THE CREATOR STONE. Natives have used this for good PR. Recently I had one who is of a tribe, a Medicine Woman, post a comment to me on a Native message board..."Creator, when she speaks." If you caught the SHE in the comment...maybe it is Native American or perhaps some.

SACRED SEVEN
Around the Cosmos stone is placed seven stones. These represent the following.
1. Father Sky
2. Mother Earth
3. Grandmother Moon
4. Grandfather Sun
5. Star Nation
6. Planets (Other Worlds)
7. Wolf Road (Milky Way)

SPOKES
Between the center and the direction stone (outer circle) are four stones. Starting from each direction and moving toward the Cosmos, Sacred Seven. The elements are Air, Fire, Water, Earth. Not all Indians follow that order, so element is left blank here. Three stones represent the basic intents or associations for the direction. Most common color correspondences are Red, Yellow, Black, White or Yellow, Red, Black, White.

East-The Teacher
1. Element (Air)
2. Illumination
3. Wisdom
4. Clarity

Smudging: Tobacco
Season: Spring (Associated with morning)
Medicine: Healthy mind
Relationship: Sun
Life Phase: Elder


South-The Healer
1. Element (Fire)
2. Spirit
3. Trust and Love
4. Growth

Some Plains Indians use Earth as the element, with Black for the color of this direction.
Smudging: Sage
Season: Summer (Associated with daytime)
Medicine: Strong human spirit
Relationship: Mother Earth
Life Phase: Childhood


West-The Visionary
1. Element (Water)
2. Emotions
3. Dreams
4. Introspection and Experience

Some Plains Indians use Fire as the element, with Red for the color of this direction.
Smudging: Sweet grass
Season: Fall (Associated with sunset)
Medicine: Healthy emotions
Relationship: Moon
Life Phase: Youth


North-The Warrior
1. Element (Earth)
2. Body
3. Physical cleansing
4. Purity and Renewal

Some Plains Indians use Water as the element, with White for the color of this direction.
Smudging: Cedar
Season: Winter (Associated with midnight)
Medicine: Physical body
Relationship: Father Sky
Life Phase: Adult

OUTER CIRCLE
This is made up of twelve stones. Four stones are placed to represent East, South, West, North. Between each direction two stones represent the following.

East (left and to the right)
1. Northeast-Flying Beings
2. Southeast-Rooted Beings (Trees, plants)

South
1. Southeast-Earth Walkers (4-Leggeds)
2. Southwest-Ancestors

West
1. Southwest-Stone Beings (Minerals)
2. Northwest-Water Beings (Swimmers)

North
1. Northwest-Rainbow Spirits
2. Northeast-Earth Crawlers

These only make for general categories or a starting point. For example, an Eagle is a Flying Being. Not all Eagles get placed to the East. Golden Eagles are South, Bald Eagle the West, White Eagles associated with the North. Animals can be used like watchers or Guardians of the 4 directions. I use the Spotted Eagle for East, Coyote South, Grizzly Bear West, and White Buffalo Calf the North. Smudging is done first to prepare the permanent outdoor circle. But, you can set up one in your home for a ritual.

Calling the Quarters


Smudging can be used for this, pipes are the most sacred way.The Pipe is a symbol of male/female union in association with Father Sky, Mother Earth. The stem isn't suppose to touch the bowl during storage. A stem may be round made of Ash or more realistic of Cedar wood. Inserted into the bowl represents the energies of Earth and Sky.

The ceremony here is more or less a blend of Lakota tradition and other Plains Indian customs. But it is much the same, as done by other tribes. Chanunpa is the Lakota name for the Sacred Pipe used for the ceremony. This basic ceremony is often an important part of the larger tribal event.

The Native American Pipe Ceremony

The sacred pipe is preferred for group ceremonies, smudging is often used too. Indians are to form a circle. Tobacco can be offered to the sacred fire also. A pipe is loaded with tobacco (or a blend with tree bark), a pinch at a time to each direction. Some Natives sprinkle a pinch to the Earth, as an offering each step of loading. A prayer is said, during the loading of a pipe. The color of a direction usually is mentioned first. Followed by the naming of benefits we receive in prayer. East is the logical starting point, for this is where the Sun rises each day. The pipe is loaded and passed, smoked Sun-wise around the circle.

Let us begin. You hold the pipe bowl in the palm of your left hand, stem in the right hand to the East. Drop a pinch of tobacco with the left hand into the bowl. Say your loading prayer now. Do the same to the South, West, and North.

A prayer for loading may go like this:

"Red is the East. Red is the color of the Morning Star and the rising Sun. The East is where we find Peace through Knowledge. The Spotted Eagle, being all these things, it's feathers bring us insight and visions. The Red East is a place where peace, light and new life rise up each day."

"Yellow is the South. Yellow is the color of Spring and for the Yellow Hoop. We feel the warm South Wind, a time for planting seed. The South is where a sacred tree "The Great Mystery" had planted. As the pipe is loaded, so we give thanks for our strength, growth, and healing."

"Black is the West. Black is the color of Water and the Spirit World. The West is where we seek Wisdom from our Spirit Guides. A time to give thanks for balanced emotions sought through the braiding of the Sweet Grass. Here the Sun sets and the place rain originates. Of deeds done in the dark, the West is the end or finality of all things and will become final ."

"White is the North. White is the color of the Great Snow Blanket that covers Mother Earth. The North is where we learn Endurance and Prayer. White Buffalo Calf Woman, Ptecincala Ska Wakan Winan, came to us from the North. The North gives us cleansing, purifying and strengthening power. Those who have a vision of the White Eagle become healers."

Added Note

A pinch of tobacco is loaded for Mother Earth, lowering the stem to the ground. Green is the color of Mother Earth. Some include rocks, 4-leggeds, 2-leggeds, plants, minerals, and all other creatures (same pinch of tobacco). The pipe is now loaded to Father Sky, held with stem toward Grandfather Sun or Grandmother Moon. Blue is The Sky Father. To stand symbolizes union of Father Sky with Mother Earth.


In the stone Medicine Wheel, one which is permanent sacred space, there are seven stones around the center. In addition to Mother Earth, Grandmother Moon, Grandfather Sun, Father Sky, you have three more directions. Star Nation, Other Worlds or Planets, Wolf Road or Milky Way, not including the center. Center stone here just represents a person's connection to the Universe. Often referred to as The Creator Stone. Not all tribes used stone Medicine Wheels. A Sacred Pipe Ceremony can be done using three directions for loading in the center. The last pinch of tobacco loaded, is to Wakan Tanka, creator of us all. The pipe is held high, with both hands above the head.

The loading of the pipe for the center directions can be simplified. You should say and load as three directions.

After each pinch you could say:

"Green is the Earth Mother (Pipe stem to the ground). We are all of Mother Earth. All plants, trees, rocks, minerals, flying creatures, water beings, Earth crawlers, Earth walkers (4-leggeds), and 2-leggeds."

"Blue is the Sky Father (Pipe stem pointed toward Grandfather Sun or Grandmother Moon). I am standing here in union of Father Sky with Mother Earth."

"I offer this pinch of tobacco to Wakan Tanka (Both arms fully extended above the head, holding pipe level. Hang on to the stem and drop a pinch of tobacco into the bowl using your left hand). Oh Great Spirit, you are creator of all!"

In a sacred pipe ceremony, some tribes pass it around four times and for some it is done five. You receive the pipe hands turned palm up. Left hand under bowl with the right hand under the stem. To smoke the right hand is held top of the stem palm down. This is how the pipe should be held when passing it on. If the pipe still contains tobacco after passed around in a group ceremony, it is capped with sage for later. Otherwise the ashes may be (after ceremony) dumped on the ground.

In doing a personal private or family pipe ceremony, you can walk around your circle (inside edge) four times. The walking should be done first as a sealing of the sacred space representing the Sacred Hoop. Objects such as stones or seashells can be placed at the four directions, two between each of the directions, and the center. A temporary sacred space can be created this way.

In a group circle, each person smokes the pipe then passes it on around the circle Sun-wise (clockwise). The smoke is not to be inhaled, but mixed with air (from lungs) in the mouth as it is exhaled. Symbolizes the meeting of human with the divine. Before passing the pipe, a person smokes it to the Four Directions, Earth and Sky. A prayer is said then, for some personal need or desire.

Most tribes have rules or a tradition concerning who should be a pipe carrier. Cherokees never had a pipe carrier tradition, but others do. This only applies to those who know they are Native American and their heritage is one with a pipe carrier tradition. The stem should be removed when a ceremony is finished (if a traditional Chanunpa style pipe).

The Pipe

A traditional pipe will be made of pipestone, antler, wood, or clay. Later when Traders offered the Smoking Hawks, metal came into use. These have a hide gasket between the stem and axe bowl. Since it is hard to line up the hole of the gasket (once removed), you leave them joined. But, the stem can be cut and this way modified as to become a traditional Chanunpa. Clay pipes don't separate either, but they still can be used. A smudging clay pipe has a thick short stem and large solid bowl. This is so doesn't get too hot for holding to smudge.

Pipe bag is designed to hold a pipe bowl and a stem. A stem is stored in a compartment that separates it from the bowl. During a ceremony, the two are joined together representing union of Father Sky with Mother Earth. The pipe is normally lighted using an ember or coal, rather than a blaze. Some Native Americans like smudge sticks to start up a pipe. Of course, blowing out the flame after lighting a smudge stick.

Don't forget about thanking the spirits! Before opening your circle, thank the helpers and Wakan Tanka. This should be done in the reverse order that you loaded the pipe. Start by thanking the Great Spirit, Father Sky, Grandfather Sun, Grandmother Moon, Mother Earth, and then the spirit helpers (animals) of the 4 directions.
Cherokeewind
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Re: Native Ritual Format-Stone Circle, Calling Quarters

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NeverMoonAWerewolf
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Re: Native Ritual Format-Stone Circle, Calling Quarters

Post by NeverMoonAWerewolf »

This is very interesting, thanks for bringing it back up to save.
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