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Cherokee Winds & Other Stories
LESSONS FROM THE FOREST   NVWATIYI, Place of Good Medicine
UNOLI -  CHEROKEE WINDS
There is a full moon shining down on the ceremonial circle. The Black Jack Oaks and tall Lodge Pole Pines surrounding it whisper as the winds weave through their branches. I listen to this gentle music, this ancient spoken language and think about the four windshields that surround our hemisphere. As Ani-Yvwiya,we call these the Adawi, the Guardians of the Four Winds, Unoli (Directions).If you see an aerial picture above the atmosphere you will see these Adawi and understand why they are called guardians.
The entrance to the ceremonial ground faces east. Further east is the ancient well; itelf on an east-west axis with steps on the east side and a raised area of what was once solid stone on the west side. To the west of the ceremonial ground a creek bed wraps around. To the east and west, water, and in the center is the fire of the ceremonial ground. The ceremonial ground had been an obvious choice. Tall trees had made this natural circle; this moonlit opening. Is all of this coincidence? It doesn't feel like it. It feels old, as old as the winds.

Come with me now as we walk the ceremonial circle and honor Unoli and All That Is.

As we enter, we turn and face East. We address this direction as Gigagi'i, The Red One, or Nvda, the Sun (also Moon). We breath in deeply connecting with this, the place of Spirit, Sun and Sacred Power. We think of inspiration, vision, integrity, and clarity. It is the place of Spring, planting, new beginnnings, creative energy and the element Air.The east is marked by the color red, which symbolizes success, triumph. We give a prayer of thankfulness and think about these things as we walk towards the South. May our journey be Red.

We stand facing the South. It is addressed as Unega, the White One, or Yehowa, the Sacred Name of the Creator.This is the place of our natural environment; the spirit of peace and growth. It is the place of the Grandmothers and Warriors who know the futility of war and so strive for peace. In this place of Summer, we take charge of our thoughts so that we may create a world that is White, full of peace, balance and serenity. We give a prayer of thankfulness, as we walk this White Path of Peace towards the West.

We stand qietly breathing in, breathing out slowly and fully as we face West, the place we call Gvnagi'i, the Black One,or Ama, Water.We are standing in the place of the physical body; of purity and strength. In this place of Autumn and the element Water, we think about unconditional love, about our journey's end and transformation. We give a prayer of thankfulness and journey on to the North, thinking about these things and how they are manifesed in our lives.

We address the North as Sagonigi'i, the Blue One, or Dohiyi, Truth.We clear our minds for this is the place of the mind. We reflect on truth and wisdom. Do we see things clearly as they are? We pray for wisdom so that we may be renewed through the darkest of times. This is the place of Winter and the element Earth, of challenges that strengthen,a time of silence and reflection; a time for going within. We give a prayer of thankfulness. With a feeling of renewal we walk towards the center, the Sacred Fire.

We stand hiyani, here in the center, as we face the Fire, Atsila. We give a prayer of gratefulness and compassion for Elohino, our Mother Earth.We say a prayer of gratefulness and joy for Galunlati, the Sky Vault, the Heavens above.It is then that we address Ayehli, the center that connects all things, the Sacred Fire that burns in eah of us.We make offerings of cedar, tobacco, or cornmeal for all this and much more.

We have walked the circle of being, the seasons and stages of healing and growth. As we have walked we have become connected to all things, for all things share this circle of life. Even the Stars are born, grow and end in a transformatin of energy. This is our life. It is all life. We are whole, and we are one with all that is. To hi u a lu ni, we sing as we leave, Serenity, it surrounds.

Aisv Nv wa do hi ya do
      Walk in Peace
THE SEVEN CEREMONIES OF THE CHEROKEE
NOTE: This is just a listing of the seven ceremonies and their Cherokee names. Click here for more in depth information.
FIRST NEW MOON OF SPRING  Igv yi go ge yi
Held at the first New Moon of Spring.

NEW GREEN CORN    Se lu tsu ni gi sti sti
Held when the first ears of corn became fit to taste

RIPE GREEN CORN   Do na go hv i or
 Tvg(i) nv ka huk(a) ni.
Held when the corn crop matured.
GREAT NEW MOON   Nu wa ti E qua
Held at the New Moon of Autumn.

FRIENDS MADE NEW   A ta hu na
Held ten days following NuwatiEqua.

BOUNDING BUSH   E la wa ta le gi
This was probably held around the time of the
 Autumn Equinox.
UKU DANCE   Ukan Ga lis gi a
This was held every seventh year and replaced the Great New Moon Ceremony.
CEREMONY
Why Does it Matter?
Why do we, as human beings, seem to have a need for ceremony as evidenced throughout countless ages? In almost every culture known, ceremony plays an important, if not a focal part. It becomes part of a cultures identity, defining who we are and incorporating our most basic beliefs. It identifies, seperates and celebrates the stages and seasons of life. It keeps us connected, reminded and centered to the heart of our truths. It helps us to reach beyond the day to day struggles of our reality into the realms of the spirit and the inner self, making those realms more tangible, more 'real'. It broadens our views and helps us see the larger picture, the grander purpose and thereby makes our struggles less overwhelming. It gives us strength. It gives us hope.

Ceremony punctuates and celebrates the seasons of our lives. It defines who we are
and who we wish to become.   To participate in ceremony is to celebrate life.

 

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