I was excited to find these videos of some Lakota Ceremonial songs. I have posted a Sun Dance song, a Pipe Honoring song, and the Four Directions Song in the side bar. You have heard me sing each of these at one time or another.
Music is very important in ceremony as it calls the ancestors and spirits to the ceremony. We will go over the lyrics and interpretations at a later time. For now, simply enjoy the power of Lakota music.
The annual reading speaks of the need to examine self and see your self as you truly are and not as you believe yourself to be.
The February reading continues on this theme with the the need to look more closely at our relationships (Ose Odi)and what beliefs (Iwori Meji) we act out in our personal,intimate relationships that could lead to the loss of the relationship (ibi Odi Meji). Now is the time to be truly honest withourselves before attempting to be honest with others. We have been believing something about ourself that is not true. See Blog Spider Who Sings for hte rest of the reading.
“…the energy of abundance is a deep, endless river. For every drop flowing out more will always flow in. It is up to you to create a clear vessel in which to hold the water”. Read the rest at
http://spiderwhosings.dragonheadmusic.com
Spider Who Sings has a new personal blog giving daily, weekly and monthly readings. Spider will also be posting articles on personal healing and alternative healing practices. You can also schedule a persoanl phone reading using Skype. Check out Spiders blog for more info.
Ifa, as an earth based spiritual practice, has much in common with Native indigenous practices which is why we include it,here, on songs for the lodge. This connection between Native Indigenous and Africans is sound from a historical perspective as scholars have long documented that Africans came to the Americas long before Columbus and in doing so brought and mingled their traditions with the local populations. It is because of htis connection that Africans were able to run into the “bushes” of Florida and live with and marry among the Seminole and Cree People without harm.
We find that the blogging still going on tying the sweat lodge deaths to the anger around cultural appropriation issues inappropriate and heartless. No participant deserved this to happen.
We know that lodges are safe when facilitated by individuals who know the cultural, spiritual and safety practices of the purification ceremony. Lodges facilitated by non First-Nations people are also beneficial, when conducted with cultural-spiritual integrity and strict adherence to safety protocol. Spirit is not limited by our cultural-racial identities and is not mono-lingual. A friend of mine has an ancestor that speaks Twee. I understand and can interpret only when I listen with my higer emotions.
