The Eighth Fire, The Fork in the Road
The Gathering Spot is a PEERS empowerment website
"Dedicated to the greatest good of all who share our beautiful world"
The Gathering Spot is a PEERS empowerment website
"Dedicated to the greatest good of all who share our beautiful world"
Man, you knew he was on the right track when he said he was originally looking for answers for just his own people and then realized the Law of One truth that the message was/is for all peoples and lifeforms.
"The dreams that we have belong to all people"
"The visions that we have today define a direction"
"What this is really about is Lighting the Fire inside"
I can see Ra and so many other faithful Guardians and the Brothers and Sisters of Sorrow and Brotherhood/Sisterhood of Light doing gleeful backflips of blissful joy every time they see one more "get" what this man gets so well...
I want to go to the Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng, Manitoba, Canada now!!!!
http://www.ritesofpassagevisionquest.org/
here is the SOAR Corporation
http://www.soundofamerica.com/
http://www.the8thfire.org/
http://www.the8thfire.org/8thfire/SantaFePressRelease.pdf
Chris,
Did you happen to see this. I was lifted up when I read it on the 8th Fire.org site.
For those of us who remember when we were Spirits
Who remember that we are Spirits
We understand we are on the Spirit Journey.
The Circle of Life which starts in the Spirit World
and which takes us back there.
Chief Noel Starblanket
I have always wanted to go on Vision Quest or Walk About, or Spirit Walk, and have not ever found the opportunity. Rights of Passage/Vision Quest has a program where you don't need to go to California or anywhere except in your own local wilderness. I am going to check into it, though I would dearly love to go the Turtle Lodge. Turtle is my personal totem and spirit animal. Would you believe? That is one reason I posted that video. My other spirit animal is Owl. They have both appeared to me in dreams. But Owl was the Spirit animal of my youth, and Turtle is my elder totem.
L&L
Berry
Let me know what you find out about Vision Quest technique and guidance. This forum would be a perfect place to share experiences and techniques that have become successful methods for others. What a shame! This should already be so natural that it would seem quite silly to bring it up, like asking for someone to show you how to breath or walk or dance.
Let us return from the dessert of ignorance and pride to the knowledge of our true Selves, the epitome of humility, to return and accept one's inherent power of Conscious Will...
This is from the Cristal Link website. It is detailed information regarding vision quest.
Vision Quest
A vision quest is a rite of passage, similiar to an initiation, in some Native American cultures.
In traditional Lakota culture the Hanblecheyapi (vision quest, literally "crying for a vision") is one of seven main rites.
Vision quest preparations involve a time of fasting, the guidance of a tribal Medicine Man and sometimes ingestion of natural entheogens; this quest is undertaken for the first time in the early teenage years.
The quest itself is usually a journey alone into the wilderness seeking personal growth and spiritual guidance from the spirit, sometimes Wakan Tanka.
Traditionally, the seeker finds a place that they feel is special, and sits in a 10 foot circle and brings nothing in from society with the exception of water.
A normal Vision Quest usually lasts two to four days within this circle, in which time the seeker is forced to look into his soul.
It is said that a strong urge to leave the Quest area will come to the seeker and a feeling of insanity may set in. However, the seeker normally overcomes this by reminding him or herself of the overall outcome of the quest, causing the mind to stop wandering on random thoughts. The individual can generally find solace in the fact that he or she will not die in just two to four days.
Some have claimed grand visions on their first Vision Quest while others have not. It is an individual experience and often subject to the emotional, spiritual, and physical make-up of the person.
Native American totems are said to be capable of speaking through all things, including messages or instructions in the form of an animal or bird.
Generally a physical representation of the vision or message such as a feather, fur or a rock is collected and placed in the seeker's medicine bag to ensure the power of the vision will stay with the individual to remind, protect or guide him.
Since the beginning of this cycle of time, humanity has returned to nature to connect with spirit and to seek answers to problems of the physical realms, especially in this timeline when the messages of prophecy reveal themselves to the seeker.
There is something about being alone in the wilderness that brings us closer and more aware of the 4 elements and our connection to a creational source. We go to seek truths and divine realization, just as many of the ancient prophets did in their time.
In its own way - the vision quest is an Initiation not unlike the days of the ancient mystery school teachings where one learns about themselves and the mysteries of the universe are often revealed to them. It is a time of internal transformation and renewal. Who am I? Why am I here?
In a vision quest, conditions are set up that allow the soul to move beyond the illusions of the little self and enter the unity of the inner whole. It is a time of fasting - praying - and being in nature.
It is a period of solitude in which we seek an inner revelation - a vision -which grants profound meaning and direction to our life.
This initiation leads to maturity and an understanding of our responsibility to ourselves, our society, our natural environment, and our soul.
Though the Vision Quest is associated with Native Americans traditions - it is practiced all over the world.
As an expression of the archetypical "Heroic Journey," the vision quest has been enacted in religious pilgrimages, mythological tales (including the story of the search for the Holy Grail), and our own daily pursuit of truth and purpose.
Today, there are companies which sponsor vision quests. They provide a wilderness area in which it is to occur, and they give instructions and guidance before and after the event.
In Native American traditions these times of inner trial are marked liked passages. Time is set aside to honor them.
It might take a day, a week, a month - whatever is necessary to complete the transformation and get the answer one seeks.
Preparation:
- able to fast
- able to camp out for long periods of time
- knowledge of first aid
- prepare sleeping equipment - or sleep on the ground.
- knowledge of spiritual things like meditation
- bring a spiritual instrument so you can play or chant
- be comfortable with the solitude
- if the weather permits you may wish to remove all clothing or cover yourself in a blanket
Now you are ready to go out alone in nature to spend the time seeking greater truths.
They may come as a vision you see in third dimention - a dream - a connection with nature - through meditation
You may not understand the vision when you receive it. It may take time for you to process.
A sacred circle of stone is placed on the ground. The individual remains in the circle for a certain period of time.
Sometimes a helper will check on the person - in cases of bad weather or to be sure the person is okay.
In many instances one is taken out of their body and are confronted by both the angelic and the demonic aspects of their own fears.
This transformational experience has been sometimes been done with the use of natural psychedelics such as peyote, mescaline, and the South American Iawaska plant during sacred initiation rites. These plants were held as sacred teachers from the plant kingdom. The insights during the sacred space allowed the veils between this world and the next to be pulled back and for the individual voyager to transcend himself and this dimension.
When the quest is over the person leaves most often with a message.
The benefits of a vision quest
Curing illness - I have spoken with people who have been diagnosed with illnesses like cancer - and have returned after two weeks with nothing to drink but water - no food - and have been cured.
You are given a vision that will help you soul help its issues and move into its spiritual space.
Confidence. If we emerge from the wilderness alive and healthy, we feel more certain of our abilities and our strength, because we have survived raw nature and our own imagined limitations. We did alone, but we also discovered additional sources of power from beyond us.
Stronger connections to creation. We enhance our link to nature, humanity, and spirit.
Appreciation of life. We cherish it more intensely, after facing possible dangers and death in the wilderness. Our temporary deprival¹s also increase our appreciation of our friends, our food, and our material comforts.
The realization that we have our own source of wisdom. The vision comes to us directly, intimately - without books, churches, or religious teachers.
Our connection to source - oneness of the universe
Meeting your spirit guides - or spirit self so we understand who is guiding our path
Find You Power Animal
From Black Elk
A Vision Quest is an experience of deeper understanding of Nature and Spirit. It is a ceremony practiced by American Indians.
To prepare for this "insight" one must first cleanse the body and mind by going through a Inipi or sweat lodge.
Then with the help of a Holy Man is told certain things and must go to a spot, usually on a holy mountain, and stay 2 or 3 days
During this time no food is eaten and one does not sleep but spends the time in deep prayer and observation.
Many times, but not always, there is a vision. This vision is then shared with the Holy Man to help learn of its meaning.
Sometimes the meaning is not shown for several years afterward.
This is part of a vision quest I was told to share with all who may be interested.
Once, I went to pray at the top of the sacred mountain of my ancestors.
As I climbed to the top I heard voices singing as the wind blew the leaves.
At the top I saw, made from many stones, a large circle with a cross inside.
I knew from my teachings that this represented the circle of life and the four directions.
I sat down by the edge of this circle to pray.
I thought this is only a symbol of the universe.
"True," a very soft voice said.
"Look and you will see the Center of the Universe.
Look at every created thing."
As I looked around I saw that every created thing had a thread of smoke or light going from it.
The voice whispered, "This cord that every created thing has is what connects it to the Creator.
Without this cord it would not exist."
As I watched I saw that all these threads, coming from everything, went to the center of the circle where the four directions were one place (the center of the cross).
I saw that all these threads were tied together or joined here at this spot.
The voice spoke again, "This is the Center of the Universe. The place where all things join together and all things become one. The place where everything begins and ends. The place inside everything created."
That's when I understood that all of creation, the seen and the unseen, was all related.
The voice spoke one last time, "Yes, now you know the Center of the Universe."
I pray to the four directions.....hear me.
I pray to the West which gives us rest and reflection.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
I pray to the North which gives us patience and purity.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
I pray to the East which gives us energy and emotions.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
I pray to the South which gives us discipline and direction.
I thank you for these gifts for without them we could not live.
Grandmother, share with me your wisdom, and I thank you for this gift.
Grandfather, share with me your strength, and I thank you for this gift.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
I am disappoinhttp://www.crystalinks.com/visionquest.htmlted that the pictures didn't come through. If you want to see the original go to this link.
http://www.crystalinks.com/visionquest.html
L&L
Berry
Thanks for the excellent recipe for Vision Quest!!!
I emailed the 8th fire website yesterday to say hi and lend my support and appreciation, and to ask about Turtle Lodge events:
Love the movement that is so well equipped to help usher in a
new age of peace and harmony, an age that finally dismisses the ways
of unbalanced unnatural "wealth" and poverty and most naturally
invites the sustainable ways of a resource-based social construct and
economy that leaves money and poverty and neglect and war and crime
far behind. An age that finally provides for more efficient spiritual
evolution and leaves history-repeating insanity far behind.
Much of what is focused on in your movement I have learned from The
Law of One - Ra sessions, 106 channeled sessions from 1981 by one who
would not refer to itself as an ascended master, but is, nevertheless,
a 6th density social memory complex that was around for the somewhat
supernatural (actually quite natural once we begin to understand and
practice our true potential just waiting for us to wake up to it)
construction of the pyramid at Giza, and came back to try to right
some of those teachings that went a bit astray a long time ago.
There is much wonderful synchronicity happening right now that helps
one to know they are on the right track as we prepare for better ways
on this planet. Watching the introduction video for the 8th Fire made
me want to go to Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng, Manitoba. Are there any
upcoming events scheduled for Turtle Lodge???
Love/Light,
Chris Bowers, Liberty Lake, WA
here is the reply from Cindy:
Hi Chris,
Thanks for this email message.......here's the website for the Turtle
Lodge http://www.theturtlelodge.com the biggest event they have is
every September...called Igniting the Fire
We are also doing 8th fire events around Canada and the US with the
elder, Dave Courchene http://the8thfire.org/screenings.htm
http://www.the8thfire.org/screenings.htm
Peace and all
the good,
Cindy
Cindy
Pickard
Director & Producer
RITES OF PASSAGE, ACA
830.966.6170
http://the8thfire.org
http://www.ktc.net/ritesofpassage
This is a piece I teach in drum circle. It seems to belong with your posts above. I've highlighted what to me is the most important for us in this time- I believe in us we see the Oshkibimadazeeg.
Shine my brothers and sisters, the time is now to choose the right path.
with love, kristyne aka onesong aka song_onthewind.
The Prophecy of the Seven Fires
according to The Mishomis Book by Edward Benton Banai
Seven prophets appeared to the people. The First Prophet told the people that in the time of the First Fire they would leave their homes by the sea and follow the sign of the megis. They were to journey west into strange lands in search of an island in the shape of a turtle. This island will be linked to the purification of the earth. Such an island was to be found at the beginning and at the end of their journey. Along the way they would find a river connecting two large sweet water seas. This river would be narrow and deep as though a knife had cut through the land. They would stop seven times to create villages but they would know that their journey was complete when they found food growing on the water. If they did not leave, there would be much suffering and they would be destroyed. And they would be pursued and attacked by other nations along the way so they must be strong and ready to defend themselves.
The Second Prophet told them they could recognize the Second Fire because while they were camped by a sweet water sea they would lose their direction and that the dreams of a little boy would point the way back to the true path, the stepping stones to their future.
The Third Prophet said that in the Third Fire the Anishinabe would find the path to the lands prepared for them and they would continue their journey west to the place where food grows upon the water.
The Fourth Prophet was two who came as one. The first told them to expect a race of people who had light skin. The future of the Anishinabeg would be known by the face the light-skinned people would wear. If they come in brotherhood there would be a time of wonderful change. New knowledge would be joined with the old knowledge and the two peoples would join to make a mighty nation. Two other nations would join to make four and they would become the mightiest nation of all. If they brought only their knowledge and their good-will they would be like brothers.
The second being of the Fourth Prophet warned the light-skinned race might wear the face of death that would almost look the same as the face of brotherhood. "If they come carrying a weapon and if they seem to be suffering, beware. Behind this face is greed. You shall recognize the face of death if the rivers are poisoned and the fish are unfit to eat."
The Fifth Prophet said that in the time of the Fifth Fire there will be a struggle between the way of the mind of the light-skinned people and the natural path of spirit of the many nations of natural people. "As this fire loses its heat there will come among the people those who promise great joy and salvation. If the people accept this promise and abandon the old ways, the struggle will continue for many generations. This promise is false and it will nearly destroy those who accept it."
The Sixth Prophet told them that in the time of Sixth Fire it would be clear that the promise accepted during the Fifth Fire was false. "Those who were deceived by this promise will take their children away from the teachings of the elders. The elders will lose their purpose in life and many will become sick and die. Many people will be out of balance and the cup of life will become the cup of grief."
The Seventh Prophet was younger than the others who had come and there was a glowing light from his eyes. He said that there would come a time when the waters had been so poisoned that the animals and plants that lived there would fall sick and begin to die. Much of the forests and prairies would be gone so the air would begin to lose the power of life. The way of the mind brought to the red, black, and yellow nation by the white nation would bring danger to the whole earth. In this time there will arise Osh-ki-bi-ma-di-zeeg, a new people who will emerge from the clouds of illusion. They will retrace their steps to find the treasures that had been left by the trail. The stories that had been lost will be returned to them. They will remember the Original Instructions and find strength in the way of the circle. Their search will take them to the elders and the new people will ask for guidance. But many of the elders will have walked the Path of the Souls to the Star Web. Many elders will have forgotten their wisdom and they will not be able to help. Some of the elders will point in the wrong direction and others will remain silent because of their fear. Some of the elders will be silent because no one has asked them for their wisdom.
If the New People will find trust in the way of all things, in the circle, they will no longer need the selfish voice of the ego and they can begin to trust their inner voice. Wisdom will be once again be found in dreams of the night and of the day. The sacred fire will once again be lit. The Light-skinned People will be given a choice between two paths. If they choose the right path the Seventh Fire will light the Eighth Fire and final fire of brotherhood and sisterhood. If they choose the wrong path, remaining on the path of the mind, then the destruction they brought with them will come back to destroy them.
This is a piece I teach in drum circle. It seems to belong with your posts above. I've highlighted what to me is the most important for us in this time- I believe in us we see the Oshkibimadazeeg.
Shine my brothers and sisters, the time is now to choose the right path.
with love, kristyne aka onesong aka song_onthewind.
The Prophecy of the Seven Fires
according to The Mishomis Book by Edward Benton Banai
Seven prophets appeared to the people. The First Prophet told the people that in the time of the First Fire they would leave their homes by the sea and follow the sign of the megis. They were to journey west into strange lands in search of an island in the shape of a turtle. This island will be linked to the purification of the earth. Such an island was to be found at the beginning and at the end of their journey. Along the way they would find a river connecting two large sweet water seas. This river would be narrow and deep as though a knife had cut through the land. They would stop seven times to create villages but they would know that their journey was complete when they found food growing on the water. If they did not leave, there would be much suffering and they would be destroyed. And they would be pursued and attacked by other nations along the way so they must be strong and ready to defend themselves.
The Second Prophet told them they could recognize the Second Fire because while they were camped by a sweet water sea they would lose their direction and that the dreams of a little boy would point the way back to the true path, the stepping stones to their future.
The Third Prophet said that in the Third Fire the Anishinabe would find the path to the lands prepared for them and they would continue their journey west to the place where food grows upon the water.
The Fourth Prophet was two who came as one. The first told them to expect a race of people who had light skin. The future of the Anishinabeg would be known by the face the light-skinned people would wear. If they come in brotherhood there would be a time of wonderful change. New knowledge would be joined with the old knowledge and the two peoples would join to make a mighty nation. Two other nations would join to make four and they would become the mightiest nation of all. If they brought only their knowledge and their good-will they would be like brothers.
The second being of the Fourth Prophet warned the light-skinned race might wear the face of death that would almost look the same as the face of brotherhood. "If they come carrying a weapon and if they seem to be suffering, beware. Behind this face is greed. You shall recognize the face of death if the rivers are poisoned and the fish are unfit to eat."
The Fifth Prophet said that in the time of the Fifth Fire there will be a struggle between the way of the mind of the light-skinned people and the natural path of spirit of the many nations of natural people. "As this fire loses its heat there will come among the people those who promise great joy and salvation. If the people accept this promise and abandon the old ways, the struggle will continue for many generations. This promise is false and it will nearly destroy those who accept it."
The Sixth Prophet told them that in the time of Sixth Fire it would be clear that the promise accepted during the Fifth Fire was false. "Those who were deceived by this promise will take their children away from the teachings of the elders. The elders will lose their purpose in life and many will become sick and die. Many people will be out of balance and the cup of life will become the cup of grief."
The Seventh Prophet was younger than the others who had come and there was a glowing light from his eyes. He said that there would come a time when the waters had been so poisoned that the animals and plants that lived there would fall sick and begin to die. Much of the forests and prairies would be gone so the air would begin to lose the power of life. The way of the mind brought to the red, black, and yellow nation by the white nation would bring danger to the whole earth. In this time there will arise Osh-ki-bi-ma-di-zeeg, a new people who will emerge from the clouds of illusion. They will retrace their steps to find the treasures that had been left by the trail. The stories that had been lost will be returned to them. They will remember the Original Instructions and find strength in the way of the circle. Their search will take them to the elders and the new people will ask for guidance. But many of the elders will have walked the Path of the Souls to the Star Web. Many elders will have forgotten their wisdom and they will not be able to help. Some of the elders will point in the wrong direction and others will remain silent because of their fear. Some of the elders will be silent because no one has asked them for their wisdom.
If the New People will find trust in the way of all things, in the circle, they will no longer need the selfish voice of the ego and they can begin to trust their inner voice. Wisdom will be once again be found in dreams of the night and of the day. The sacred fire will once again be lit. The Light-skinned People will be given a choice between two paths. If they choose the right path the Seventh Fire will light the Eighth Fire and final fire of brotherhood and sisterhood. If they choose the wrong path, remaining on the path of the mind, then the destruction they brought with them will come back to destroy them.
Krystine,
I do send my gratitude to you for posting the Anishnabe legend of the previous 7 Fires. This is so very instructive and sets the scene for the Eigth Fire. I had indeed wondered about what had gone before the Eigth Fire and you have offered that beautiful information.
I am always in admiration of the prophecies and legends of the Native Americans whose verbal traditions are so very revealing in this present time. Again I say thank you,
Love and Light,
Berry
offer my deepest heartfelt thanks for posting that illuminating post Kristyne!!!!
I could connect many of the fires to things we know in history, as if the messages have the power to awaken the mind to look back in solemn preparation of looking forward, which serves to further balance the Nows that we ride upon. I could see my heart jumping for joy at the opportunity to sit with the elders and receive the smiles and welcome of the camp circle in the form of the turtle's shell, as we weep and laugh in celebration of right and harmonious choices made that form the path to a brighter more harmonious future, full of real knowledge and understanding, absent of fear and deceit, crime and punishment, the future that was always our potential Now, but for the asking and willing.
This is so especially timely as we watch the despotic nature of greed and false wealth and arrogant ignorance crumble before our eyes. I love what is happening right now. I have been intuitively urging for it for quite a while now, as I am sure so many have. We are witnessing the 4th world war - not a war fought with bombs and guns, but a spontaneous groundswell grassroots level uprising of people from all nations and tribes of praise and strong valid intuitive hope for things to come, as if there is a very natural knowing that springs forth at the proper time, as per the will of the One.
There really is something very true about the claim found in Law of One and Course in Miracles that it really does only take one to "get it", and that one becomes the cornerstone of an inevitable movement toward the culmination of that free will choice, that the One are many and the many are One - that there is a parabolic curve to the "doubling effect"power of each as each joins the cornerstone!!
I found myself chanting a tone, as I do often now in search of the intuitive tone that comes in honor of the search for it, and I immediately recognized thankfulness and sadness in the same tone of praise and hope. I know that all of this is not going to go completely smoothly, and some, maybe many, maybe me, maybe you, will pay a great price in resolve of the built-up karmic inertia, but I stand willing to pay the price in heartfelt thanks and honor/duty of the wonderful harmonious result that is really already here - time is simply catching up to it, and that is just fine with me, for are we not all One already?
I have also been having rant and rage moments in my thinking lately concerning that utterly ridiculous and self-centered saying, "not in my lifetime!". Why not in "my" lifetime? Should it be left for our children or our children's children? Who are we to assume that all this should not come crashing down in our lifetime? Because I am, after all, me??? I wish to offer a new general retort to such utter nonsense - the next time I hear that tripe come out of anyone's mouth, I shall offer them the refreshing consciousness-awakening consideration,
"YES!" "Yes, IN MY LIFETIME!!!"
"This cyclic insanity ends here and NOW!!"
"Let's get this over and done with right NOW!!!"
"NOW is the time, for later is an illusion!!"
Love/Light, Chris
ahhh Chris, but when you say 'your lifetime' you limit yourself to the physicality that you know now. Frustration with others who still walk with eyes open and do not see- just love them- they wouldn't understand where the anger comes from and they carry enough of it to consume them as it is. Just love them.
Remember - open hearted and fearless - you/I/we have no beginning and no end. We are one in the circle of eternity, the spiral of all life. When I look around and listen to the news, both political and economic this is my attitude- give freely from the heart, openly without the least fear or feeling of lack, for in so doing, we acknowledge to the Universe the faith that we ARE provided for, that we will always BE provided for. In opening our pockets, homes, hearts to others and acknowledging love instead of fear or judgement or greed we demonstrate our wholeness and that love is all that matters. We demonstrate our trust in the One and each other. So much we are lead to believe we 'need' is illusion. (I wish I knew how to convey that to the young people I see struggling right now)
I speak little of the times I have left the physical realm, but I tell you with utmost sincerity there is nothing to fear in leaving these bodies behind us. Nothing to fear if the world as we know it were to end tomorrow. Nothing to fear if the worlds economies come to a screeching halt.
Whatever is to come washes us clean and makes us white as snow. Purified by fire, wind, water, spirit- let it come.
I'll be in Nashville for most of next week, all of you be well and blessed. kristyne
Thanks for the "Light" snack!!!
Perfectly said, and I would love to hear more (sometime when you have the time) about your occasional absence from body. There are times when I become quite emphatic here on the TT portal because I know I will not shock like-minded souls here, so one might think that I might go from here and unwittingly overwhelm others not so ready for a deluge of information, but rest assured, I am gentle with such messages, as my faithful guides give perfect guidance at any given moment as it is their endless joy and honor to do so, and I always feel like someone going along for the ride, the amazing ride, the neverending ride...
Have a wonderful time in Nashville next week!!!
Love/Light, Chris