Chenheart .. Haven't heard from you in a few days .. Everything okay ?

chenheart said:

Thanks, you! I am doing
Thanks, you! I am doing pretty darned well, all things considered! I had a wonderful experience on Saturday night, as a matter of fact.

Once a year, there is a healing ceremony held at night outside on the Reservation. This is a powerful, moving ceremony called a Bear Ceremony, and specific men, spiritual, caring tribal men travel to neighboring tribes to heal those who are in need, be it a healing of spirit, attitude or of course physical nature. No one knows why anyone else is there, and who they are concerned about~ just that the blessing is available to them.
At about 10 PM, the Bears come out... These men wear actual Bear skins, including the heads and paws, and they pray for and with the tribal people while dancing around a huge firepit which has been "fed" with salmon and honey. People who want to can dance with the Bears as they circle the fire-pit...it is a very special, actually awe-inspiring event.

Unbeknownst to me, my Reggie had arranged for me to be singled out~ I was led to a chair where Bears touched me, hugged me, stroked my hair and face, with both their paws and with eagle feathers. I was sitting near the fire, and was tended to for about 15 minutes. Reggie arranged for Siobhan to be sitting next to me, and she was also encouraged to be strong and let go of negatives. One of the Bears gifted Siobhan an eagle feather as a reminder of the strength and dignity she can call on.

I so appreciated the loving care being shown to me by my new family and old friends from the tribe...and of course that my sweet Reggie wanted me to be a part of something so amazing.

So, I have been taking care of me~ and the regular every day concerns of life, too!

Thannks again for asking...and I hope, hope, hope to be part of the Great Long Beach Invasion of 2010!

Hugs,
chen♥

chenheart said:

And what's to say that you
And what's to say that you don't have a grey wolf spirit guide? For this Tribe, bears, eagles, dolphins, and owls are also significant and powerful. In their folklore,while traveling over a rainbow bridge which connected the mainland to their island home, the tribal families were told not to look down into the ocean as they crossed. Those who looked fell into the ocean and were instantly changed into dolphins, so their lives were all preserved. In September, when the tribe makes its annual ocean voyage via a traditional plank canoe, hundreds upon hundreds of dolphins jump and play and swim alongside the canoe...it is incredible!

chenheart said:

It truly is! Reggie just
It truly is! Reggie just built a new canoe for the voyage; it took him over two years, what with letting the wood dry, and weather, etc etc. The canoe is 30feet long, with 11' paddles, made completely of redwood planks and inlaid with abalone which two of our friends from the Tribe designed and made. The canoe is lashed together with cordage and epoxy...no nails or metal hardware anywhere. The epoxy is not a big deviation from the way the original canoe builders made the boats~they made an epoxy from pitch and tar which, when mixed and heated makes glue. Her native name is Muptami, which means "Deep Memories". That is also Reggie's native name! Once a year, in September, the paddlers, ( and of course Reggie is one of them!) make the ocean voyage to the island of their ancestors~ the families and friends camp on the island and welcome them home. The crossing takes about 12 hours...sheer human power! It is so touching and meaningful to see the paddlers come ashore! We have a big celebration with about 200 of us camping for the weekend. I am thankful that I may still be healthy enough to make the journey...it is an important part of our lives.

Hugs,
Chen♥

chenheart said:

Thanks, you! I am doing
Thanks, you! I am doing pretty darned well, all things considered! I had a wonderful experience on Saturday night, as a matter of fact.

Once a year, there is a healing ceremony held at night outside on the Reservation. This is a powerful, moving ceremony called a Bear Ceremony, and specific men, spiritual, caring tribal men travel to neighboring tribes to heal those who are in need, be it a healing of spirit, attitude or of course physical nature. No one knows why anyone else is there, and who they are concerned about~ just that the blessing is available to them.
At about 10 PM, the Bears come out... These men wear actual Bear skins, including the heads and paws, and they pray for and with the tribal people while dancing around a huge firepit which has been "fed" with salmon and honey. People who want to can dance with the Bears as they circle the fire-pit...it is a very special, actually awe-inspiring event.

Unbeknownst to me, my Reggie had arranged for me to be singled out~ I was led to a chair where Bears touched me, hugged me, stroked my hair and face, with both their paws and with eagle feathers. I was sitting near the fire, and was tended to for about 15 minutes. Reggie arranged for Siobhan to be sitting next to me, and she was also encouraged to be strong and let go of negatives. One of the Bears gifted Siobhan an eagle feather as a reminder of the strength and dignity she can call on.

I so appreciated the loving care being shown to me by my new family and old friends from the tribe...and of course that my sweet Reggie wanted me to be a part of something so amazing.

So, I have been taking care of me~ and the regular every day concerns of life, too!

Thannks again for asking...and I hope, hope, hope to be part of the Great Long Beach Invasion of 2010!

Hugs,
chen♥

mwallace1325 said:

What a wonderful ceremony to be part of
How wonderful it must be to be lucky enough to see this ceremony, much less to be singled out to be prayed for. Of course you know how awesome your Reggie is and may you and your family all enjoy the benefits of this ceremony for years and years to come.

marge