Sundance Gratitude

 Image: Sundance by Joanne Bird

Just got some wifi access after a week out on the Sundance grounds. Watching Christian do this ceremony for 4 days, along with the 100+ other dancers, with people supporting every round by praying and dancing along in the arbor surrounding the Sundance Tree, was one of the most profound experiences of my, and his, life.

It was hot in the shade, meanwhile the dancers were out there under the sun, no food or water, praying while the singers and drummers sang the prayer songs. It is a huge physical, mental, emotional and spiritual committment and I am in awe of all the men and women who do it.

It was a time where time stopped and who we really are, and what really matters in life is felt deeply and strongly by everyone there. I am so grateful for the experience.

Sundance Ceremony

We are on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation for the next few weeks, preparing for Christian to Sundance. I'll have wifi access very rarely so just wanted to pop on and let you know in case you are looking out for a message and wondering where I've got to! Haven't dropped off the face of the Earth entirely, although surrounded here by the Badlands and Prairie it could certainly seem so, in a good way.

Christian has been coming to the Rez here for 20 years. In 2009 a medicine man did a special ceremony to help us conceive, and Jaxon came along in 2011. Our committment with that ceremony was that Christian would return to Sundance, to give thanks, once our child or children were born. This year the stars were aligned allowing us to get back here, and here we are.

A lot of people think of Native Americans as tribes that used to exist long ago, but they are all still here today. Over 550 tribes living on 300 reservations across the US, still practicing their ceremonies, and praying for the people and the Earth. Amidst everything they have gone through, and are still going through today, they continue to pray, to do ceremony, and have faith in the Creator. I wanted to say this because I know that so many people aren't aware that Native American ways and people are still very much here today.

Thousands of men and women Sundance across a lot of these reservations every Summer, sending prayers out for humanity and Mother Earth. Thank you to all of the brothers and sisters that do this. They all appreciate prayers being sent their way, to help them through what is an awe-inspiring 4 days without food or water.

Aho, Mitakuye Oyasin.

(c) Dana Mrkich 2015 

Venus & Jupiter Meeting

 

Venus/Jupiter are together in the skies right now. It's the perfect time to open yourself up to the possibility of Receiving something that would truly nourish your body, heart and soul.

Sit quietly with yourself for a few minutes. Close your eyes. Give thanks that you now receive that which you truly most need right now. Share your gratitude prayer here if you'd like others to give it some extra love and support.

(c) Dana Mrkich 2015

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We are citizens of a cosmos

What a sight in the sky the other night: clear twilight blue, Full Moon Rising in Capricorn to the left of us, and Venus next to Jupiter in the constellation of Leo to the right of us. Nights like this remind everyone who chooses to look up that we are part of something so much bigger than us. These planets, and this Earth, have been here long before us, and will be here long after.

I am reminded of this constantly as we drive through this part of the US that I love so much with real life faces in the rocks staring off into the distance. The stories they could tell! 

It is so easy to get bogged down with stuff that in the grand scheme of things will not matter one iota when it comes time to pass on from here. When you catch yourself worrying about something, take a moment to ask yourself: Have I been in this situation before? Has it all worked out okay before? How will I feel about this situation on my last day of life?

Do you believe that there is something greater than you looking out for you? Connect with that energy and invite it into your heart.

When we see politicians and other head honcho's holding on to their illusion of power, determined to fight to the last breath as they try to maintain an outdated system of control as is being so vividly represented right now regarding who marries who (congratulations US and Ireland, sigh Australian government), know that we are seeing a dying system thrashing against an emerging, awakening new humanity. One that truly knows, in our heart of hearts, what is important, what is good and right for all, what is kind to the Earth, what is healthy for us and our children.

Our collective awakening is not about some ethereal connection to Spirit that lasts 10 minutes during meditation. It is about - among other things personal to each individual - recognising ourselves as Citizens of a Cosmos that is so much bigger than us. It is about remembering who we are in the grand scheme of things. It is about walking and living a higher truth and consciousness in every aspect of our lives, in every system in our society, on this planet Earth. I am so happy and excited that we are seeing more and more evidence every day that this is the direction millions of people are choosing to go toward.

We don't know what will happen in our tomorrows. We don't even know if we are guaranteed a tomorrow. What we can do is live a good day today, and have every intention to make our tomorrows great ones for ourselves, our family, our community and our planet. And when our days or the days of our loved ones are not so great, we at least now have such a greater knowing of how to deal with those days in a better way than we would have in our yesterdays.

How are your days going these days?

(c) Dana Mrkich 2015