|
This page is a dedication to my Native American
heritage.
The Ten Native American Commandments
- Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
- Remain close to the Great Spirit.
- Show great respect for your fellow beings.
- Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.
- Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
- Do what you know to be right.
- Look after the well-being of mind and body.
- Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
- Be truthful and honest at all times.
- Take full responsibility for your actions.
CHEROKEE PRAYER BLESSING
May the warm winds of heaven
Blow
softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your mocassins
Make
happy tracks
In many snows.
And may the rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.
Legend of the Dreamcatcher
Long ago when the world was young, an old Lakota spiritual
leader was on a high mountain and had a vision. In his vision, Iktomi, the great trickster and teacher of wisdom, appeared
in the form of a spider. Iktomi spoke to him in a sacred language. As he spoke, Iktomi the spider picked up the elder's willow
hoop which had feathers,horsehair, beads and offerings on it, and began to spin a web.
He spoke to the elder about the cycles of life; how we begin
our lives as infants, move on through childhood and on to adulthood. Finally we go to old age where we must be taken care
of as infants, completing the cycle. "But", Iktomi said as he continued to spin his web, "in each time of life there are many
forces; some good and some bad. If you listen to the good forces, they will steer you in the right direction. But, if you
listen to the bad forces, they'll steer you in the wrong direction and may hurt you. So these forces can help, or can interfere
with the harmony of Nature. While the spider spoke, he continued to weave his web.
When Iktomi finished speaking, he gave the elder the web
and said, "The web is a perfect circle with a hole in the center. Use the web to help your people reach their goals, making
good use of their ideas, dreams and visions. If you believe in the great spirit, the web will catch your good ideas and the
bad ones will go through the hole." The elder passed on his vision to the people and now many Indian people hang a dream catcher
above their bed to sift their dreams and visions. The good is captured in the web of life and carried with the people, but
the evil in their dreams drops through the hole in the center of the web and are no longer a part of their lives. It's said
that the dream catcher holds the destiny of the future.
~~Author Unknown.~~
My Native American totem is the butterfly. Adopt yours
( yes, you will know it when you see it) by clicking on the pic above.
The Butterfly Legend
According to Native American legends, if you have a secret
wish, capture a butterfly and whisper you wish to it. Since butterflies cannot speak, your secret is safe in their keeping.
Release the butterfly, and it will carry your wish to the Great Spirit, who alone knows the thoughts of butterflies. If you
set the butterfly free, you are helping to restore the balance of nature, and your wish will come true. ~Unknown
|
