Prayer For The Earth

Long ago 
the ancients say
this land was free 
and we shared it all
with the mountains and the sea
the birds and the trees we lived in peace
long ago
before those others came
and built fences
by cutting the trees 
dug miners
 by cutting the earth 
removed her blood
the oil that lies within
formed long ago 
like us
who lived in peace


the birds sang less
without the trees
the land became dry
without the birds
to plant the flowers
and we too became quiet
watching our mountains die
listening for the birds
that no longer flew--
but still we lived in peace


what sustained us
through all those years?
the nights of silence
and the songs of the frogs


for we know 
as the ancients said
this land will again be free
and we will again share it all
with the mountains and the sea
the birds and the trees
for we still live in peace
and we wish you the same
for we are all one


HARRIET KOFALK, indigenous Costa Rican

Cherokee Prayer Blessing

May the Warm Winds of Heaven 

Blow softly upon your house. May the Great Spirit Bless all who enter there. May your Mocassins ... Make happy tracks in many snows, and may the Rainbow Always touch your shoulder. 

Do Shamans Pray?, by Astara May

Many religious people believe that matter and life were formed through the sounds and words of a creative being, for it says in the bible, Genesis, “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light…,  Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters…,  Then God said…”, so on and so forth.  Religious people are not the only ones that use the power of prayer.  There is evidence of shamans from thirty thousand years ago that led scientists to believe that not only were these shamans using the power of prayer, but also chanting, singing, and other sounds like drumming and rattling.  Shamans have always understood that it is the actual “sound” that holds the power to heal oneself, others, animals, plants, and Earth.

Shamans from all across the world and time use the powers of prayer, chants, and songs to heal the sick and dying.  Even now days, our modern society is rediscovering these wonderful powers of sound.  All of the healing songs and chants that the shaman uses originate as a prayer.  Through drumming, chanting and singing the shaman can move more freely between the worlds, and in being able to do so can perform miraculous healings.  In one of my favorite Shamanic books, written by Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman, called Awakening to the Spirit World, they say, “Shamans frequently sing and dance for many hours before they do any journeying or healing work.  Singing is an extremely powerful tool, and Sandra Ingerman teaches that when you truly sing with passion, energy moves from your head into your heart.”

Quote of the Week

Grandfather,

Look at our brokenness.

We know that in all creation

Only the human family

Has strayed from the Sacred Way.

We know that we are the ones

Who are divided

And we are the ones

Who must come back together

To walk in the Sacred Way.

Grandfather,

Sacred One,

Teach us love, compassion, and honor

That we may heal the earth

And heal each other.

By,  The Ojibway 

Quote of the Week

I have come to terms with the future. From this day onward I will walk easy on the earth. Plant trees. Kill no living things. Live in harmony with all creatures. I will restore the earth where I am. Use no more of its resources than I need. And, listen, listen to what it is telling me.

by, M.J.Slim Hooey