We have returned from the 2006 All My Relations Sundance, Sharing the Vision of the Condor and the Eagle. John was with us as Steve Purkaple finished John’s four-year Sundance commitment. Many had visions of John. The following vision came from a 1st year dancer who had never met John except to see him dancing. He remembered him because of his distinct “chicken” style dancing reminiscent of prairie chickens.

The weather was uncompromising the first few days of this year’s Sundance with heat indexes at 100% and temperatures over the 100-degree mark. The “new bee” was having a tough go at it, because by the third round on the first day, most Sun dancers had sweated out any precious fluids that had been stored in their bodies. As ”new bee” was struggling, the “chicken dancer” appeared up in the branches of the Tree, casually sitting on a chair covered by a blue star quilt. John said, “I do not have to do this anymore”, and proceeded to share how to make it to the fourth day without water or food. John visited until the dance was completed.

Additionally, visions of Mother Earth seem to abound among Sun dancers, visions showing Mother Earth as healthy and glowing with vibrant energy. John came in another’s vision saying,

“Mother Earth is fine…it’s the people who need the ceremonies.”

When Steve completed John’s commitment, he gifted us with the medicine he danced with. A vision signaled the time of the Parting of the Ways Ceremony that John had taught, (see below John’s words on it from his former website).

So Janisse, Dave and I will be heading to Lake Michigan, where John’s ashes were given back to Mother Earth and thank John once again for his teachings. We will honor the vision, “John was telling the Younce family to do the parting of ways ceremony”…(and we thought he was done giving us direction!!!).

Thank you Steve!

Hugs, Tracy – take what you want…find your truths…leave the rest - I share because I care.

Parting of the Ways Ceremony

This ceremony is designed to create a sense of completion and resolution primarily in relationships.

In many cases, the parting of ways refers to the mutual disagreement and dissolution of a partnership. In a teacher/student relationship, the parting of the ways refers to a break in teaching, as the student is ready to stand in their own power. In most cases, the ceremony is done because of physical separation or death.

In this ceremony it is good to go to a stream or lake. It doesn’t matter if those in the relationship are all present. Each person receives a blessing and a smudging. After a calling song, each person speaks of the goodness between him/her and her/him, speaks of what is unresolved and what is complete. Then the Pipe is smoked. After that, tobacco is offered and each offers a prayer for the well being of the other. Objects that represent the relationship of the past are smudged and buried if appropriate.

Then each person does a ritual cleansing in the water, and offers a prayer or song to the Sun in thanksgiving for the gift of life.

Then the leaving song is sung. If those who were involved in the relationship are present, they each leave the place by a different route being careful not to look back.