http://www.care2.com/greenliving/2-winter-solstice-projects.html
2 Winter Solstice Projects
Each solstice falls upon the ecliptic midway between the equinoxes, when the sun reaches that midway point, generally about June 21 and December 21. Winter Solstice on December 21 is the shortest day of the year. After Winter Solstice each day becomes longer until the longest day of the year arrives around June 21st. The solstices have been observed and celebrated by cultures throughout the world.
A central aspect of the winter solstice rites observed by many Native American tribes includes the making and planting of prayer sticks. Prayer sticks are made by everyone in a family for four days before the solstice. On the day named as the solstice, the prayer sticks are planted - at least one by each person - in small holes dug by the head of the household. Each prayer stick is named for an ancestor or deity.Here’s how to make a prayer stick; they are usually:
- Made out of cedar and are forked;
- Are equivalent to the measurement from the maker’s elbow to the tips of
their fingers; and - Are taken from a tree that the maker feels connected to.
- Tobacco is offered to the largest tree of the same species in the area and
permission is asked to take a part of its relative. - The bark can be stripped.
- The bark can be carved on the stick.
- One feather should be added to the prayer stick; traditionally this is a
wild turkey feather. - A bit of tobacco is placed in a red cloth and tied onto one of the forks.
- Fur or bone from an animal that the maker wishes to honor is tied onto the
stick. - Metal or stones should not be tied to the stick.
- It is also customary to say prayers silently as one makes the prayer stick.
Next: Winter Solstice Project #2
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222 comments
add your comment »VERY NICE IT'S ALL GOOD THANKS CARE2
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It is memorial and interesting...
Thanks for the artickle.
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This artickle and some of the notice writen reminds me with my mother who used to ask me when I was a child to collect such stones smooth rounded ones , she used to arrange them in a certain way and shape them... it is beutiful... and good to remember mothers .. God Bless all mothers.
Thank you for reminding me.
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Thanks for giving message and really i like your article and it is very good and interesting plz keep up it.
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It is interesting
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We live in the far North. Right now during the winter solstice the sun comes up at 10:10 and sets at 3:40. It never rises past the 10:00 position in the sky, traveling at that height all day long. The light that we get is soft and warm - like living under the glow of candlelight. Every year on the night of the solstice we put on all of our Arctic gear, take the CD player and go into our back yard and dance under the millions of stars. Some years we have even had an Aurora Borealis sky. It is so romantic that it is positively corny and I hardly mind at all that last night I got a frost bitten nose. Again.
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thats really interesting. thanks for the info!
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When I was small I used to collect lots of stones from the places I and my parents went to. ;D
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I collet smal stones from different places I visit. I think this article is really super. Keep collecting stones, anyone who is doing it, and if you are not, do it. Rock on.....
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I went to a solstice festival yesterday, and it was amazing. With all of the dancing, drumming and fire, I didn't feel (too) cold! HAPPY WINTER!!
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