Daughters of the Earth

August 2008

As we move into this heat, this time of transformation, look for woodpecker to remind you to find your own rhythm. Listen to your blood sing in your veins and embrace your own good walk, for our path through life is ultimately our own. We certainly have situations within our families that affect us or influence us, but in the end the way we live our lives, the choices we make and indeed our own happiness is our responsibility alone.

If you find yourself in a dysfunctional family or workplace, always being rocked to and fro by circumstance, then picture a baby's mobile wildly swinging... picture what happens when you gently pull down on any one of the little toys hanging down from its cross bars. The mobile slows and soon stops swinging all together. You can be that part of the mobile that stops swinging first, and your own peace can then show others that peace is possible, that peace is preferable... and perhaps they too will stop swinging and seek to walk in a more thoughtful manner as well.

No individual, no culture, no government, no society has the power to force us to be something we are not. There is always another chance to do things differently, to find your personal place of being the person you wish to be, your highest self. Every moment of every day gives us the opportunity to step off the path which is not bringing us what we need to live a healthy life, and step onto another. Make the conscious choice to be unafraid, refuse to be unhappy, seek your joy deep within your own heart and enjoy this miracle of life. The Cherokee People say that a spirit must try 10,000 times and fail before it is allowed the privilege of being born into a human body. Why should we waste this precious time blaming others outside ourselves for our problems? If you take responsibility for every "bad" thing in your life (and realize that there are no inheritantly bad things... just opportunities to learn and grow), then you have the control, the power to decide for yourself on how to remove that thing from your life. Take responsibility - not blame. The "evil" you may sense in the world is fear... looking that fear in the face and recognizing that you have the power to stop being afraid, sending love to those who consider you their enemy, surrounding yourself with people, ideas, thoughts and words that uplift you and make you feel capable and worthy, will go along way to bringing you and yours health and comfort on all levels. Come join us at a drumming circle soon!

"The survival of the world depends upon our sharing what we have and working together. If we don't, the whole world will die. First the planet, and next the people."

"Imperfections" - A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One pot had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to her house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream... "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? "That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.

Here is an offering from our Sister Lisa... a writing of comfort by Carolyn Joy Adams:
"Your life is a sacred journey, and it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous risks, embracing challenges at every step along the way... You are on the path exactly where you are meant to be right now... and from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, beauty, wisdom, power, dignity and love."

As the 'webspinner' and Keeper of the Daughters of the Earth Women's Lodge, I am in hopes that this site will be a haven, a place to come and rest and learn awhile between our gatherings. Those of you who have not sat in Sacred Ceremony with your sisters, are encouraged to join us whether you live in the Tampa Bay area or are just passing through. We are a Lodge, a Circle of women of all ages who have been meeting for eleven years. Ours is a family which honors all tribal nations and we welcome all our sisters - of the blood, or of the heart. We are all related. Daughters of the Earth is the women's Circle of Wolf's Heart Lodge, where we meet with our brothers also once a month. Hope to be able to meet you soon... go to the Poetry page to see an original poem by our own Bright Star Woman (entitled I am a Wild Woman) and have fun exploring this site!

We are all filled with a longing for the wild. There are few culturally sanctioned antidotes for this yearning. We were taught to feel shame for such a desire. We grew our hair long and used it to hide our feelings. But the shadow of the Wild Woman still lurks behind us during our days and in our nights. No matter where we are, the shadow that trots behind us is definitely four footed.

There are many native wisdom quotes offered to the People, but our women were (and are) wise as well. Wintu Woman once said, "When we Indians kill meat, we eat it all up. When we dig roots, we make little holes. When we build houses, we make little holes. When we burn grass for grasshoppers, we don't ruin things. We shake down acorns and pine nuts. We don't chop down the trees."

A Salist woman, Mourning Dove [Christine Quintasket] (1888-1936) told us that, "Children were encouraged to develop strict discipline and a high regard for sharing. When a girl picked her first berries and dug her first roots, they were given away to an elder so she would share her future success. When a child carried water for the home, an elder would give compliments, pretending to taste meat in water carried by a boy or berries in that of a girl. The child was encouraged not to be lazy and to grow straight like a sapling."

A little night music
the Harvest Moon - she stands alone
she whispers to us
"it's time to bury the hatchet,
but not in our hearts"

Feathers on a string - prayers hung in peace
a moment of silence for the eternity of noise
the night crickets chirp over us
"it's time to heal not just for ourselves -
but for all our relations"

The trees sway beside us
the sky's breath passing through limb and leaf - straight to our eardrums
"walk tall amongst each other, let your souls sing in unison"
their roots wiggle under our feet
"plant seeds of love"

The stars shine across our collective faces
their story of light beaming across millennia
"walk in beauty"

We as women have shown the world kindness, gentleness and love. This has been given through the blessings of Creator, but we have also been given something else that we are only now discovering. The Great Spirit gave us the blessing of being a warriorwoman and now our fire is high! We are no longer anyone's slave or prey, but are taking back our life... and those who know us at our core are amazed at our strength. No longer will we live the lives of others, but we will hand back responsibility and blame to those who earned it. For we also have Bear and Wolf inside us in a way that makes us powerful and uniquely strong. Our women's Lodge - Daughters of the Earth - awaits your return to yourself. As the blood of your ancestors (white, black, yellow, brown or red) call to you, you will answer when it is time.

Cherokee prophecy tells us that there will be a Third Shaking of the Earth. It's not going to be a good thing to see, but we will survive it... and when we survive it, there's going to be another attempt to make a circle of the human beings on the earth. This time the Native people will not have to petition to join but will be invited to enter the circle because they say the attitude toward us will have changed by then, and people will let us into the circle, and all the four colors of the four directions will share their wisdom, and there will be a peace on earth. This is coming close.

THE VOICE OF THE DRUM
Just like humans, each drum has its own very unique voice and vibration. Each animal from which the drum is made has its own unique Medicine; its spirit is part of the drum. In order to give a drum its voice it needs to 'woken' in sacred ceremony. Until the ceremony takes place the drum should not be played. The drum should always be placed skin-side up as a sign of respect.

"In early days we were close to nature. The good earth, the blue sky, the flying of geese, and the changing winds. We looked to these for guidance and answers. Our prayers and thanksgiving were said to the four winds. To the East, from whence the new day was born, to the South, which sent the warm breeze which gave a feeling of comfort, to the West, which ended the day and brought rest, and to the North, the mother of winter whose sharp air awakened a time of preparation for the long days ahead. We lived by God's hand through nature. "

The life of an Indian is like the wings of the air. That is why you notice the hawk knows how to get his prey. The Indian is like that. The hawk swoops down on its prey; so does the Indian. In his lament he is like an animal. For instance, the coyote is sly; so is the Indian. The eagle is the same. That is why the Indian is always feathered up; he is a relative to the wings of the air.

- Black Elk

Anisoquili (Many Ponies) - Keeper of the Lodge

Come, sit by our fire you are welcome here, our friend. Toss some tabacco as an offering in smoke to Creator. Speak softly or remain silent. Watch the smoke rise above the trees as thoughts rise to meet the heavens... songs carried in the breeze.

Want a little Cherokee Language Lesson?
Redbird - do tsu wa
Silver Owl - a de lv u ne ga u gu gu
Earth Flower Woman - e lo hi no hu tsi lv ha a ge yv
Many Ponies - ani so qui li
Thank you - wa do
I love you - gv ge yu hi
okay - ho wa
please - ho wa tsu
wolf - wa ya

"I swear I will not dishonor my soul with hatred, but offer myself humbly as a guardian of nature, as a healer of misery, as a messenger of wonder, as an architect of peace."

What does our Moon Lodge offer you? Here is a place of safety, where you are able to explore your own spirit without judgement, without question. Here is a place where when you speak, you are listened to and when you reach out, your hand is taken. We are your sisters, walking this Earth Path, pulling our power up from the Earth; working and laughing and praying together to form a haven of women connected to nature, connected to Creator, connected to ourselves... and that's everything. We are a Native American teaching Lodge, and welcome all women who have come to this Road through blood, through the Land, or through Creator. We have been gathering in Tampa Bay for eleven years... and we miss you. Peace... it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

Join us soon!

Pow Wow Girls!

"I am poor and naked, but I am the chief of the nation. We do not want riches but we do want to train our children right. Riches would do us no good. We could not take them with us to the other world... We want peace and love."

Red Cloud (Makhpiya-luta) , 1870

Prayerstick / Prayerfeather
Single feather, or feathers together with other materials such as wood, stone, and wild plants, used as forms of prayer in religious practices of Pueblo and Navajo cultures (American Southwest). Varying widely in size and complexity, these religious objects are referred to as prayersticks in the ethnographic literature of the Navajo and Pueblo groups and as prayerfeathers in the literature of the Hopi. Among the Zuni, prayersticks are placed at shrines on various occasions during the ceremonial year as prayers for the well-being and fertility of Zuni people, crops, and livestock. Among other occasions, they are made as part of the annual late autumn Shalako performance concerned with successful hunting and agriculture. Among the Hopi, prayerfeathers are used in all religious performances and are included in some as part of the dress of participants; they are also used in the ceremonial first planting of crops and placed at the shrine in every Hopi field. During Soyal, the Hopi winter solstice performance, prayerfeathers are made for all of the villagers, their fields, and animals as prayers for the physical health and general well-being of all. Among the Navajo, prayersticks are included in the medicine bundles of Navajo healers and are used in Navajo healing performances.

Ever wonder if reincarnation is really possible? If I can come back, I want to, yet again, come back as an Indian woman. I want to come back with a mind fierce and sharp, with a spiritual faith that never waivers or doubts, a smile that is warm, with a body divine, with golden brown, tan or dark skin draped in red and gold... and whether young or old, always have enough money so the words "past due" aren't in my vocabulary. I want to be a sister to my sister. A woman wise when choosing my mate or a date. I want to be able to cook frybread, meat pies, corn soup with skillet bread and rice and raisins all at the same time. I want to come back an NDN WOMAN with self-esteem worthy of being treated with respect from my Tribe. A woman with patience, love, and wisdom for children and the ability to teach our children traditional ways to keep our culture alive. I want at least one beautiful piece of turquoise and silver from the Motherland on my finger.

I want to come back with the strength and courage of Lisa Tiger, the voice of Karen and Kathy Antone, the political knowledge of Wilma ManKiller, Winona LaDuke and Ada Deere, the determination of LaDonna Harris, the spiritual poise of Melinda Miles, the business savvy of Iola Hadden, the eloquence of Sheila Tousey, the talent of Irene Bedard and the artistic eye of Dana Tiger. I want to never let what a person say or do change my demeanor; to be humble; love and be loved unconditionally. I want skin that is flawless and soft, eyes of discernment, lips which speak ONLY the truth, hands of gentleness, and feet of prosperity. I want to be a lawyer to enforce the laws which man has broken. If reincarnation is real, please let me come back as an NDN WOMAN!!!

"...it doesn't have anything to do with the color of your skin-it's the way you live your life. The only thing we have to give is the way we live our lives. If you live on this land, and you have ancestors sleeping in this land, I believe that makes you native to this land. It has nothing to do with the color of your skin. I was raised not to look at people racially. What I was taught is that we're flowers in the Great Spirit' s garden. We share a common root, and the root is Mother Earth The garden is beautiful because it has different colors in it, and those colors represent different traditions and cultural backgrounds."

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE...

enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to
something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour
a youth she's content to leave behind
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry
a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored
a feeling of control over her destiny
how to fall in love without losing herself

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship
when to try harder... and when to walk away
that she can't change of her hips, the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over
what she would and wouldn't do for love (or more)
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally
where to go - be it to her best friend's kitchen table or a charming inn in the woods when her soul needs soothing
what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year