Each day has a moment of eternity waiting for you. Each day has a portal, a threshold, a liminal moment in which everything could open up and reveal itself to the eye that can see. ~ WilliamBlake ~
here’s a long moment of eternity to share with you and a wonderful practice to begin and end the day with, a wonder-filled way to luxuriate in reverence…
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address Greetings to the Natural World
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue.
We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and
all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give
greetings and thanks to each other as people.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all
that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It
gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of
time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our
thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many
forms- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one
mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were
instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as
food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the
Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye
can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms.
With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing
Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we
harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables,
beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw
strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send
them a greeting of thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all
the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We
are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as
food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are
glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families
of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter
and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of
the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet
and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move
and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day
they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their
leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful
greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We
hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we
breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions
they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send
our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings,
live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that
renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres
underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to
our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun.
Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light
of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send
greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother,
the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over
the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face
we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children
here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother,
the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like
jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and
bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they
guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and
thanks to the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who
have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony,
they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind,
we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or
Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation.
Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all
the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send
our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the
things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If
something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings
and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
~
