The Earthkeepers

I was asked at the Earthkeeper Dance in Appreciation of Mother Earth, what does it take to be the ceremonial leader of the Blue Heron People. And I smiled as I think we are all our own ceremonial leader if we chose the work. I said,

“Well, traditionally, one is chosen to be a ceremonial leader (as John surprisingly did with me). And yes, years of experience and wisdom help. But the most important part is…you have to be willing to do the work”.

It’s a 365 day walk which includes praying with the sacreds, supporting the Elders, doing sweat lodges, clearing the land, getting firewood & stones, Chooch ceremonies, talking circles, prayer ties, teaching circles, daily prayers, various ceremonies, dance rounds, dealing with issues, and being on call 24/7…to name a few…lol. And John Many Voices always sressed that,

“Earthkeeper ceremonial practice is not just a sweatlodge, or a drumming circle, or an encampment, or a dance, or a talking circle, or a web of life council, or a medicine wheel ceremony, or a pipe ceremony. It is a way of life.”

The Elders share,

“The Red Road is not for the faint of heart or spirit as it’s the hardest way you will ever love. Only those who are serious about the ways should enter the Red Road. Walking the Red Road is a metaphor for living within Creator’s Ways — a life of truth, friendship, respect, Spirituality, and humanitarianism. Walking the Red Road is mainly in our heart. It’s a way of walking with the earth instead of upon it.”

And we add,

“It is packed full of lessons and often a lonely path. If you commit to the ways, you no longer can just stay at home or show up and have another do the work.

However, I have found the blessings that come from Creator are well worth the effort.

Thank you Creator for these Ways. Thank you to those who kept them alive. Thank you John and Grandma.

Hugs, Tracy ~ each person is responsible to find the truth’s they came to learn on Earth. We share what has come to us. Take what you want…leave the rest…we share because it’s time.

…and the blessings come…

The day after this post, as we were doing ceremony with the sacred bundles from the Dance in Appreciation of Mother Earth, a Hawk landed on the railing of our porch. He held a vigil there until we finished the prayers, staying long enough after the ceremony for Janisse to snap a photo. Such a wonderful honoring of the prayer ties of the Blue Heron dancers and people. Thank you Creator. Thank you Mother Earth. Thank you Winged-ones. 

Dave said it was probably John checking up on our work…lol.