Medicine Wheel Sun Dance
Wednesday, July 18th
Chapter 3

It's very late and tomorrow is a long day but I want to write down a few notes.

I had a wonderful morning. Dar has left his (big, ceremonial) drum in our camp. No sooner had the music started then the folks started gathering around. It was fun. Our 'singers' are in fine form this year, I think.

Then we had an all women's sweat. After I had made that bundle for Mark yesterday, I started on a new one for me. It is beaded within a (medicine wheel) circle the colors of red, yellow and white. I didn't have any black beads so I used a bear out of snowflake obsidian. (Those four colors represent the four directions.) It's nice. And it feels good.

During the women's sweat, I had a very clear vision. Mark's new name is 'Many Hands'. And the green bundle is truly his. The design on the bundle was interpreted like this: The center is him.... and the elongated bugle beads around the center in a sunburst fashion represents the many hands that are out there to connect to if he finds he needs that. (He will be going to Switzerland after Sun Dance. I'm really gonna miss him.) Afterwards. I talked to Tu Bears about the vision and she agreed. Tonight was to be the Adoption ceremony but it was postponed.

After lunch, we gathered up at the arbor again. This time we are preparing to go get the tree. The tree had already been picked out and marked. We were led (quite a ways, I might add) single file by the elders and the virgins (this year, it was a set of twins who were absolutely precious) to where this tree stood. (It is thought in my heritage that because virgins are pure of heart and body, they 'see' better than the older folks and have a clearer connection to which tree is willing to give up its life for our ceremony.) The girls took the first whack at the tree with an axe that almost weighed more than them! Smile. There elders were there to help them of course. Then each person got to take a swing. After one's swing, you could pick up a wood chip. After the elders came the 4 year dancers; after that, the 3rd year and so forth through the dancers. Then the supporters got to go down one by one and swing the axe. The ropes that had already been attached to the tree were held tight by those at the other end of them. Then the tree is lowered gently into waiting arms. Not one twig or leaf is to touch the ground. Then we began the walk back to the arena. We stopped 4 times, honoring each direction with a prayer. I followed behind picking up any leaves or twigs that had fallen in this journey. (They will be burned in the first fire.)

Once we got back to the arena, the tree was lowered onto waiting tree stumps (to keep it off of the ground). Before the tree is lowered into Mother Earth, there is a Blessing Ceremony that happens. In my heritage, we have what is called, "Sacred food". These consists of dried meat, corn meal, cherries, and water. During the blessing, a bit of each is poured into the hole. Then we draw on the power of the buffalo by putting in a buffalo kidney (for purification) and a buffalo heart (It is said, we are all of one heart.).

After the blessing, the tree is then hung throughout its branches with waluta bundles and prayer ties. (We had *lots* of waluta bundles to tie on. At our last fundraiser, I set up a spot where I passed out strips of fabric in the 7 colors, some tobacco and some pieces of string. I gave the teaching of what waluta bundles are and then showed them how to make them. In this way, we were able to carry many prayers to Sun Dance with us.) More ropes were secured to the tree for use later in the Piercing Ceremonies.

And then the tree went up. It was a very emotional experience. It was beautiful with all of those colorful bits of fabric blowing in the breeze.

I went back up to pick up some more wood chips (Actually this is no-no but my reasoning was honored by the Intercessor, Bob Center.) and on my way back to camp, I ran into Bill, the Head Firetender. I offered my help to him if he should need it. He said, As a matter of fact, I need help right now. I told him let me get to camp to pick up some warmer clothes (the sun was setting and it was sure to be cool/cold by the time I found my way back to camp) and I'd be right back.

I was there for the lighting of the arena fire. There is a ceremony that goes with it. This is the Lakota way. (The Chahta way is different.) The logs from last year's tree were cut a good yard long. 3 logs are laid on the bottom of the firepit going North to South. They represent Mother Earth, the Sky Nations and the Creator. Then 4 logs are laid on top of those, going East to West, representing the four directions. Those four logs create a platform for the rocks that are to be used in the Arena Sweat Lodges. A specific number of rocks, chosen by the Head Firetender, gets laid in. Then dried grass was stuffed in-between the wooden cracks, then kindling and so forth until a teepee like structure is built.

A can of coals was brought from the fire in the Community Sweat Lodge firepit. Some were put around the base of the 'teepee' in each direction. The fire took off immediately. It was magnificent.

I am tired. I'd better get to bed. The dancers enter the ring tomorrow at sunup. I'm ready.

Nite...