Shamanic Healing Ceremony
In preparation for the Ceremony, we create the sacred space by placing flags made of cotton: yellow to the East, red to the South, black to the West and white to the North. Sage and sweetgrass are sprinkled throughout the sacred space. Sage is lit in a clam shell container and, using an eagle’s feather, the sacred space is smudged.
The chanupa, sacred pipe, is unwrapped, each piece is smudged, put together, smudged and kinnickanick (tobacco) is also smudged, prepared to be placed into the pipe. The chanupa represents love, mercy and healing grace from Wakan-Tanka, the Great Mysterious, as expressed through the life of Ee-shua (Jesus). In effect, we are holding Jesus in our hearts. The smoke represents the sending of our prayers to each of the Higher Powers.
The ribbon shirt Rev. Carl wore and the chanupa, both gifted to him by his mentor Ted Silverhand, Tuscarora Seer (prophet). The ribbons on the shirt represent the prayers being sent to the Great Spirit.
The leader raises the chanupa and points it to the sky, stem first, and says, Thank you Wakan-Tanka and Tunkashila (grandfather) for the gift of your Son who, by his example, has shown us how to live humbly, with love, compassion and mercy for our fellow peoples and for the chanupa which, as we smoke it in reverence, reminds us of your unfailing love and healing grace. Thank you for providing the Holy Spirit, represented by the six Powers which, together, provide us with the knowledge and wisdom to live in peace, be fruitful and multiply in this earthly dimension and enable us to become one with You in the great beyond. Have mercy and help us.
Facing West, the leader states: As we begin this ceremony, let us contemplate the words of Ed McGaa, Eagle Man. “We should understand well that all things are the work of the Great Spirit. We should know that He is within all things: the trees; grasses, rivers, mountains and all four legged and winged people; and even more important, we should understand that He is also above all these things and peoples. When we do understand all this deeply in our hearts, then we will fear and love and know the Great Spirit, and then we will be and act and live as He intends.”
The leader points the chanupa, stem first, to the West, and states: We acknowledge the life-giving rains from the West as the power to make life even as the Creator has the power to make life. As the Sun goes down in the West, it is a time for rest and reflection, with little distraction. We open ourselves to the messages from the Great Spirit, his angelic helpers and spiritual guides, as well as our ancestors who continue to protect and guide us throughout our earthly journey. Have mercy and help us.
The leader then points the chanupa, stem first, to the North and states: The cold North has Mother Earth rest beneath a white mantle of snow. As we rest and endure, we focus on the truth of the word of our Creator, cleanse ourselves and strengthen our resolve to live in harmony with all of His creations. Have mercy and help us.
The leader points the chanupa to the East, stem first and states: Peace begins with knowledge. To have peace, one must first become aware of knowledge, which comes forth out of the dawn, the East with each new day. When you have knowledge and it is discussed and considered with others, it can then become wisdom. When asked by Wakan-Tanka what he would want more than anything, King Solomon stated he wanted wisdom so that he could best serve the Great Spirit as he led his people in the ways of the Lord of all. Have mercy and help us.
The leader points the chanupa to the South, stem first, and states: The Sun rises higher and higher as the South power advances with summer. We give thanks for the abundance, the primary gift of this power, including the medicine from roots, stems, herbs and fruits. To be thankful and appreciative for what we receive from the Creator adds strength when we ask for blessings, healings and mercies for ourselves and peoples throughout this earthly dimension and beyond. Have mercy and help us.
The leader points the chanupa to the earth, stem first, and states: Mother Earth is the provider. She is our home. Without Her we would not be able to live this earthly existence and learn the lessons which will enable us to transcend our carnal natures. The Creator has given us authority over His dominion and as we protect our Mother Earth, so we will be protected. We acknowledge our sacred duty to enable Mother Earth to provide for future generations as She has provided for us. Have mercy and help us.
The leader points the chanupa to the sky, stem first, states: We give thanks for the life giving air we breathe and for the signs and wonders that our Creator provides us from above so that we can better understand and communicate the message of peace, love, mercy compassion and harmony, which is core to our earthly survival and spiritual growth. As Lord Ee-shua was taken up into the air, so shall we rise to be one with the Creator. Have mercy and help us.
The leader lights the chanupa and passes it around the circle, clockwise. Each participant seeking the blessings of the Creator, Wakan-Tanka, touches the pipe to their lips and takes a puff or not as each desires, then continues to pass it clockwise until all have touched the chanupa and the kinnickanick has been smoked. (In this case I played the role of each participant as if there were seven people participating.)
The leader states: As the Christians partook of the wine and bread representing the blood and body of Lord Ee-shua so we partake of the symbol represented by the chanupa. We humbly give thanks and accept the blessings of Wakan-Tanka. We pledge and commit ourselves to protecting His creations and serving as examples for all peoples how to live in harmony and grow spiritually so that all may know the healing love and grace offered by our Creator, here and in dimensions beyond.
The leader continues to conduct the healing ceremony as each participant gives thanks for the healing related to the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical issues of concern to each. (I thank each of you who joined with me, sending your prayers of healing to the All That Is.)
The leader closes with a prayer by the Dalia Lama.
May I become at all times, both now and forever a protector for those without protection, a guide for those who have lost their way, a ship for those with oceans to cross, a bridge for those with rivers to cross, a sanctuary for those in danger, a lamp for those without light, a place of refuge for those who lack shelter and a servant to all in need. HO!