http://www.care2.com/greenliving/native-american-solstice-celebration.html
Native American Winter Solstice Celebration
No matter what our spiritual beliefs, or what part of the world we live, we all share the turning of the sun on the solstices. Winter Solstice on December 21 is the shortest day of the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. After the Winter Solstice, each day becomes longer until the longest day of the year arrives around June 21st.
Honoring the solstice is something lost to most of us, and it feels deeply meaningful, in a mystical sort of way, to choose to make a glimmer of connection. Here is a winter solstice rite observed by many Native American tribes. It is a ritual that honors your ancestors, belief system, and a way of offering prayer and gratitude:
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.
Traditional prayer sticks 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.
From Celebrating the Great Mother, by Cait Johnson and Maura D. Shaw.
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13 comments
add your comment »Winter Solstice is the REAL reason for the season. People have been celebrating at this time of year for thousands of years. Everything we associate with Christmas was stolen from various pagan celebrations.
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This very interesting I know I have always had a thing for rocks
everytime I go somewhere new I have to bring home a rock from that place I have them in the house in my car and in the garden
I have even got my husband doing the same thing when he goes somewher new by himself he is always bringing me home a rock that he found interesting now I know why
thanks for informing about this matter
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good info...
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Thanks wooddragon:
" Eye left my Seed in a Grove so deep, the Sun does not yet reach through the Trees. Now I am wed to the Wood and Goddess of all Leaves, and I can give the Green Blessing to whom I please"
All best and happy Yule !!!
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Wado Kat!;0)
Spring is coming, Spring is coming!! May this Solstice and turning of the Wheel bring you Love, Peace & Good Fortune in the Coming Year. Let us welcome the returning Sun with Hope & Joy.
Many Joyful YuleTide Blessings to you all..
Peace On Earth & To You All.
wooddragon
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Kudos, this is great !!!
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Wado for this post...
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Thanks for the info. =)
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ty for this post
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Cool ..........
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