Hi I have just returned from a magical trip to the States. I had the great honour of being adopted by a Cherokee clan-The Wind Clan- Children of the First People. My full medicine name is now Swift Horse Blue Water Spirit Woman.
I was also given the great honour and responsiblilty to bring back some ashes from the ceremonial fire. You might ask why these are so special?
During the Clan Gathering there was a day of ceremony. At the begining of ceremony the Chief, Bluewolf Kicking Bear, poured some ashes from a vase into the newly lit ceremonial fire.
As he did this he told us that he'd been given these ashes by Talking Bird-clan medicine man-who'd been given them by Five Horses-another clan's medicine man who'd been given them by Rainbow Eagle-an Apache Chief-who'd been given them by a relative of Geronimo who said they came from Geronimo's last ceremonial fire before he died at the beginging of the 20th century.
Everytime a ceremonial fire is lit ashes from the previous fire are added, so these ashes have a direct link to Geronimo.
On the evening of the ceremonies Talking Bird-who is an ordained minister of the Native American Church-gave me some ashes form the fire and requested that I bring them back to England and share them with those on the Path. He said it felt appropriate as it is the 400th anniversary of English settlers arriving in Virginia and it is a closing of the circle!
So I am inviting anyone who is interested to a Ceremonial Fire Gathering on sat 23rd June.
I have been given permission to run a women's tobacco ceremony too.
Is there anyone who is a pipe carrier who would like to do a Men's Pipe Ceremony?
I won't post my address but anyone who is interested I live in Kent and you can email me
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
Hi seersha
WOW, what an experience. Afraid that I wont be able to come but thanks for inviting everyone. Would it be possible for photographs to be taken and put somewhere so whoever can't come can see a bit of the experience?
Enjoy this special evening...........
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
Wow seersha
What an honour and a privilege. I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for you to be able to attend this ceremony. Where was it in the States? Would you be able to give us a few more details? Was it a big gathering? (Sorry to be so nosey but I find it fascinating to picture other peoples' sacred ceremonies.)
Anyway I think it's great that you have invited us all to your Sacred Fire and I would really really like to come but I live in London and have no transport. If any other HPers within easy reach of North London are going and could offer me a lift, I'd be so grateful. (If I'm meant to be there, I'll be there!)
With love
Sunanda xxx
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
Hi Sorry Sugray but it is not possible to photograph ceremony.
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
sounds fantastic seersha.......and for a moment i read it wrong and thought you said geronimo's ashes went in the fire:D....has anyone come foward to run the mens pipe ceremony?
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
Hi Wolfen Not so far but there is still time.
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
what time do you think the ceremony itself will be complete?
I am working out how to get back to London from Kent using the train.
tigress
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
Hope to start at about 6ish, I guess the ceremony itself could take an hour or so depending on how many people turn up so hard to say then we are going to share food afterwards.
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
Dear Seersha
I was just wondering if you had not seen my post (No. 3) above. A line in reply would have been appreciated.
I hope you have a wonderful ceremony.
With love
Sunanda x
PS Had a quick look at your website. It's very fine but did you know that 'anorexia' is spelled wrongly on the homepage?
RE: Ceremonial Fire-Geronimo's Ashes
Thanks for that! I've read it so many times trying to get everything right! At the moment there's no-one that I know coming by car from London. If that changes I'll let you know.