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Turtle Island
My Philosophy and My Religion
Page II
My Ceremonies

        
The Ceremonies that I Perform Include:
--Some are Old - Some are New--
--My Methods of Practice - Some are Old - Some are New--
--I generally practice a blend of Lakota, Apsáalooke,
Tohono O'odham & Sawanokee [Sioux, Crow, Papago & Shawnee]
and my own styles--
(As you navigate through the various Ceremonies, you will see many references
to the Priest and Elders in the masculine. I am a man. It is natural for me to refer to the
Priest/Elder in the masculine and it saves 4 key strokes every time I don't have to type
him/her or he/she. I assure you I am not sexest and fully accept that the position of Elder
may be a woman and that the officiant may be a Priestess rather than a Priest.)

The Pipe Ceremony
(This Ceremony gets its own page & is the first step in all other ceremonies.)

Purification - The Sweat Lodge Ceremony

Presentation of the Young - Naming Ceremony
 
Coming of Age

Adoption

Marriage - Affirmation of Love
 
Keeping of the Soul

Ceremonies that I have participated in, aside from those listed above, include
The Vision Quest
(in which I will guide others, but it is an extremely personal event)
& The Sun Dance (which I am NOT Qualified to lead)
  

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Before we go any further, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I perform no ceremonies for profit.
I accept money only to cover expenses. If you wish to give travel expenses in the form of tickets,
pay for hotel rooms or provide other accomodations, buy meals yourself or purchase items needed for
the ceremony yourself, this is perfectly alright with me. I will accept donations to cover my work with the Boy Scouts
or to cover my special needs as a Stroke Survivor, but that is all. I do not sell any spiritual items such as
Pipes or Medicine Bags. I do accept pay for programs in which I will teach you
how to make these items for yourself or others. I seek, not to teach about "Indian Religion,"
only about my own beliefs within the framework of my understanding of the philosophy and the spirituality of my ancestors.
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Sweat Lodge Ceremony Tragedy
I wish to address one more issue before continuing; the tragedy of 10/9/09. James Arthur Ray, a charlatan, killed three people in a so called
"Sweat Lodge Ceremony."
 I say "so called" because no true Sweat Lodge Ceremony is, to my knowledge, aside from those in Hopi kiva's, performed in so large a lodge or
by so many participants at one time. Most importantly, no true Sweat Lodge is ever performed for the financial gain of anyone.
For anyone to prohibit another from leaving a Lodge when they are feeling any discomfort, physical or emotional, is not only in violation of
the laws of every state I know of (it would be "Unlawful Imprisonment" at the very least), but offends the sensibilities of all of the true
Sweat Lodge Priests I have ever known and probably, though I don't claim to speak for HIM/HER, offends the Creator, as well.
As to the just treatment James Arthur Ray will receive in the next life, I have no doubt.
As to his treatment in this life, the good people of Arizona have allowed this charletan to get off the hook this time but the Devil will get his due.
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                                                     A Word About Ceremony and the Sweat Lodge

    Ceremony plays a vital, essential role in Native American religions. Whereas western religions typically consider ceremony the servant of theology, Native American religions barely recognize the distinction between myth and ritual. 

    Often the ritual proves to be established and secure while the myth is vague and unclear. Indian ceremonies grew up within local groups; some elements of Indian ceremonials have been traced back to the Old World. The ceremonies were adapted locally, using both traditional and borrowed elements, to suit local needs. These ceremonies often began as practical actions. 

    Indians were eager to embrace ceremonies or portions of ceremonies that provided power to conquer the difficulties of life. As these practices developed, they were modified and imbued with additional meanings and purposes

    I believe in Ceremony. Ceremony brings order to the chaos of this world. It gives us structure. I, personaly, do not believe those ceremonies must be extremely ridgid affairs that allow no deviation as to procedure as long as the form is honored. This is also the view of many, though not all, of my teachers. 

    I'll start with the second ceremony on my list. This ceremoy is usually performed for infants at about one year old. The Presentation of the Young - Naming ceremony is a presentation to the Creator and the people of the Community. In the American Indian Community as in all tribal communities, "it takes a village to raise a child". The "Naming" part of this ceremony may be repeated many times in a person's life.
 
    Third on the list is the Coming of Age ceremony. This is a reaffirmation of the society's acceptance of the youth and the youth accepting their place in the community and their responsibility to it. This ceremony is celebrated for young people, usually at about the age of twelve or thirteen (but can be later) and after much counseling and discussion. 

    Fourth on the list is the Marriage or Affirmation of Love. This ceremony is not for everybody, especially if I am to officiate at the ceremony. Coupling two people is not to be entered into lightly. For me it means the linking of men and  women in a union from which it is possible to bring new life into the community and/or the display of their love to the community.
(If two people of the same gender wish to have a love bond, I do not begrudge them that right. I cannot, in good conscience, perform such a ceremony.)  

Sweat Lodges In Various Stages of Construction 
        

     In the old days the Sweat Lodge Ceremony was only for men. Now, with the blessings of all my teachers, it can be offered to everyone. At the wishes of the party requesting the sweat, I have poured an all men's or all women's sweat. When I am the sponsor I prefer a coed sweat. If any of the prospective supplicants are under 16, a parent must communicate their consent to me.
 
    Some of the tips (my requirements) about sweating. Each participant must have a towel or a blanket made from natural fibers (NO POLYESTER, OR OTHER PLASTIC FIBERS) to sit on, a towel to dry off with when the ceremony is over and either a another towel or blanket to wrap up in. It is often a shock to the system going from a hot, steamy environment to the chill night air. At all my sweats, water will be provided as long as you can drink from a common dipper. If you have any contagious disease, bring your own bottled water.
 
   I require a conversation, privately, with all prospective participants (with an adult of the same gender present in the case of anyone under 18). I don't want anyone getting into something that they are not prepared for. 

    Inside the sweat, the participant must participate. Each person is expected to offer prayers for themselves, the people they are close to and the world at large.  This can be very hard for some people, especially for the very young (or anyone who is not yet, emotionally, an adult and we all have our days when we are in that category). (If you think that could be a problem, see above.)

    I cannot stress enough, the need for everyone participating in the Sweat to communicate in an open and frank manner with the Creator, the Sweat Lodge Preist and each other, both outside of and in the Lodge.

If you believe as I do, or would simply like to learn more,
we can begin an e-mail discussion.
(I DO NOT PROSELYTIZE. I seek not converts or followers.)
If you would like me to officiate at a wedding or any other ceremony,
contact me  and we will make arrangements.

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HOME          TURTLE ISLAND PAGE I          PRAYERS

If you have any questions or wish to discuss a ceremony, you may reach me by email at:

shemaqua@bigbearsden.org

                            by writing

Shemaqua
127 - A King  Henry Way
Williamsburg, VA   
23188-1903,

by calling me at 757.253.6999,
                            or by sending up a smoke signal, using a drum, or communicating telepathically.
                            (I wouldn't count on those last three. You may not be a good sender or I may be otherwise occupied.)
                                                                                                                                       

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