Friday, September 05, 2003

Journey 10 - Eagle Rise/Fall Dance

I took a Journey using my Shamanic Drumming CD. The purpose was to learn how to use my new Rattles for healing People. I smudged the room with Sage and Sweetgrass, then lay down to the opening drumming sequence while asking to learn how to use my Rattles and imagining my opening scene. I met the Peace Eagle of earlier over the restaurant and climbed on her back. She took me higher and higher in loops, through a very pleasant layer of beautifully warm air. We then got up to the Cloud People, who were alive and smiling and speaking to us as we flew by. Suddenly there were little streamers of light in the sky, hanging down like ribbons, through which we flew. As we did so, little drops of purple-blue Spirit Essence were clinging to us. Ahead, we saw a Cloud Person Tipi, toward which we headed. As we went through this Cloud Person, we entered a very short tunnel that led to a more solid Plain of Tipis, where I was met by Eagle Claw. We walked together and I asked him to teach me how to use my Rattles to heal. He took me to a particular Tipi, which I entered. Inside was Two Feathers, my Guardian! She helped me dress in Deerskin leggings and a pull-over, open shirt of hide. We painted my face in red and white stripes, and my arms in yellow and black. I then went out and Eagle Claw led me to the Shaman Dancing Fire. Above this huge fire, which sat in the middle of a large opening, well up in the sky, were four loops of Eagles circling around a center point, lending the appearance of a four-leaf Clover. Each loop of Eagles was colored for the direction it was pointed toward (Red, Yellow, Black, White), and they were very vibrant. From the mid point of the loop down to the tip of the fire another set of Eagles were alternately diving straight down or going straight up, Blue as they ascended, Green as they descended. I then watched as the Shamans danced with their Rattles. As they moved straight toward the fire from a Cardinal direction, they were timed perfectly with the Eagles going up (that is, both the Dance in and the Flight up took the same time). They had their arms raised up, and were praying their prayer. As they went back out from the Fire, timed perfectly for the Eagles coming down, they were bent over and giving thanks. They did this 7 times. I was then allowed to participate, as if taking my turn, so I learned how to move back and forth in perfect unison with the Eagles going up and down, while praying and giving thanks. I then went back to the Tipi, where now a Council Fire with my Prayer Lodge Helpers was taking place. Also, the person I’m praying for, was in there, dressed normally. We smoked from my Pipe and passed it to her as well. The Woman in the Dress doll from the Amazon that our friend gave me was also there. She came up to me and whispered a new healing phrase: Shweshi Wasaji Omapu. The 2nd word is almost the same as the phrase given me by Eagle Claw for my Star Rainbow Healing Ceremony (Wasaja). She then took a mixture of Pipe ash, Sage ash and Sweetgrass Ash and sprinkled it over the person being prayed for while saying those words. After this healing ceremony, I thanked all my helpers. Then Peace Eagle took me through the sky again. This time the clear portion was a brilliant, glowing purple, while Cloud People came and went through it. I saw a Horse’s Face, and a Man Shadow (my shadow self?). I then drifted off deeper into the drumming, almost in a trance, and after a short while, realizing my lesson was over, I came back, once more thanked my Helpers, and took the Peace Eagle back to our world, retracing our steps. I had to bang on the CD player to complete my transition back to this time, since that part of the CD was unavailable. :) I then took my Rattle and actually danced the Colored Eagle Rattle Dance in my room for my friend, after which I “went in the Prayer Tipi” and anointed her, saying the new phrase 7 times. I then repeated the Dance for a person in Shaw’s who had told me this morning that she had lost all her belongings in an apartment fire caused by a neighbor’s air conditioner. She had no insurance and no place to go. I danced for her in a separate Dance, then likewise anointed her with the new phrase. As I moved forward with arms up, I said my prayer and saw the Blue Eagles flying skyward. As I moved back, bent down, giving thanks, I saw the Green Eagles diving downward. I was also aware of the looping Eagles above, dressed in their brilliant colors. A very moving and wonderful Dance of Healing, it shall serve me and others in good stead. I am always so at Peace after a Journey. A new landmark also has been reached in that I no longer react with internal churning when people are angry or disagreeing with me. I have reached that point of detachment where I view their tirade and anger with amusement and understanding..a sure sign of progress as my Shaman talents grow.