SUMMER SOLSTICE

THE SUMMER SOLSTICE
21st JUNE
The Festival of the North
Together with the growing light we travel another month and a half around the Sun, and on the longest day of the year we celebrate the Summer Solstice. It is the Festival of the north, because there is no night in the north of the Earth and the Sun will be shining for twenty four hours. Here the secret of the Sun is revealed and says to us “Behold, as you see me now, throughout the round of night and day, so I am with you always, even if you cannot see me." The light of the Great Father shines in all its brilliance and energises us with his masculine power. In the light of the summer sun everything comes to blossom. The highest point of the Sun fills us with the power of the animal spirits. The North is the place of the animals on the Shamanic Medicine Wheel, and at this time our animal allies and totems come to us with all their power. They help us to enlighten our heart so we can set our inner animal free so that its instinct, its clarity of action and knowledge may take hold in our minds. Our Ancestors symbolically lit bonfires at this time that burnt day and night, symbolising the Sun burning all day and night in the North. The fires helped and can help us purify ourselves by thrusting our false thinking into the flames. Through this purification our Higher Self bursts from its cocoon of Lower Self and shines in the centre of the Heavens like the Pole Star in which all knowledge, logic and power of mind are integrated.
We start to respect ourselves and the role of others; if we call upon the sacred four and fourteen for help-- they talk to us directly on this day. We can throw of our ego and unite with our animal nature and our ally in the realm of the animals, who will give us guidance and direction during the upcoming descent into the dankness. For in the ensuring days ahead our Great father Sun will leave his lofty throne and begin his descent into the depth of the dark realm. Thus, at the Sun's highest point, we are celebrating also the reappearance of darkness.

THE BEARCLAN SCHOOL FOR SHAMANIC STUDIES
E Mail thebearclanuk@yahoo.co.uk

GRANDFATHER'S PRAYER FOR TODAY
May we never forget that what we do today has been influenced by what we did yesterday and will influence what we do tomorrow and seven generations into the future.

THE PROMISE OF OUR TOMORROWS
The promise of our tomorrows depends on how we honour the blessings that are ours today.
Can you hear the voices of the children yet unborn.
Do they call to you with gratitude, or do you hear their scorn?
Are we so wrapped up in taking that we forget to give?
Do we waste the abundance of resources and forget how the children will live?
Have we killed the promise of tomorrows yet to be?
Or will we stop the plunder of greed’s insanity?
The children of the future sing out in the night.
Their song asks for mercy, a release from their plight.
You can make a difference, you can show you care.
By honouring all the blessings you have,
IF YOU DARE!
Have courage and be proud of all the love you can give.
It is felt by the children yet to live.

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GRANDFATHER PETER

Skennen kenhak O:NEN! Let there be Peace NOW

Grandfather's Prayer for Today

GRANDFATHER’S PRAYER FOR TODAY.
My Creator, help me never to be ashamed of reaping what I have sown.



"Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us; our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life."
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
"The ideals which have lighted my way and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty, and truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, and luxury have always seemed to me contemptible."

"We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality."

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity."

"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."

"The effort to get at the truth has to precede all other efforts."

"In the middle of every difficulty, lies opportunity."

"Oh, Youth: Do you know that yours is not the first generation to yearn for a life full of beauty and freedom? Do you know that all your ancestors felt the same as you do and fell victim to trouble and hatred? Do you know also that your fervent wishes can only find fulfilment if you succeed in attaining a love and an understanding of people and animals, and plants, and stars, so that every joy becomes your joy and every pain, your pain?"

"Look deep, deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."
"One should not pursue goals that are easily achieved. One must develop an instinct for what one can just barely achieve through one's greatest efforts."

"The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life."

"To become truly loving, find someone who truly loves. Empty yourself, and let their love fill you. Then, keep not the love you have found to yourself. For only in giving it away, will you always have it."


Every man stamps his value
On himself...man is made great
Or small by his sown will.
J.C.F. von Schiller

GRANDFATHER PETER

Skennen kenhak O:NEN! Let there be Peace NOW

Grandfather's Prayer for Today

GRANDFATHER'S PRAYER FOR TODAY.
I looked at Grandmother Moon last night in all her fullness and splendour and a thought came from within me. The ancestors, many moons ago, when this earth began, saw the same splendour I am experiencing now.
THANK YOU!
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“The most common trait of all primitive peoples is a reverence for the life-giving earth, and the Native American shared this elemental ethic: The land was alive to his loving touch, and he, its son, was brother to all creatures.”

GRANDFATHER PETER(Tread softly on the Earth Mother)

Grandfather's Prayer for Today

GRANDFATHER'S PRAYER FOR TODAY.
May we never forget that words spoken without thought can lie, but words from the heart fly straight and true.

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“Democracy means to us Indian people, 'I am going to steal your land"

GRANDFATHER PETER(Tread softly on the Earth Mother)

Grandfather's Prayer for Today

GRANDFATHER'S PRAYER FOR TODAY

My Creator, in the remembering times may I never forget the memories you have blessed me with.

Throwing the Memory Back
Our old ones talk of throwing the memory back and usually accompany this with the hand movement, The hand movement is one of a cupped palm that starts at the ear and continues past the back of the head. It appears to be a gesture of telling someone to come toward you but is meant to throw something over the shoulder and past the head. This is the throwing of the memory back.
We all carry a genetic coding for our bodies and our people also know that we carry a genetic memory coding. This memory goes beyond this time and lets us connect with our ancient ancestors and their times. We carry them sometimes in the story telling, also in the knowing about things with no prior physical connection and with a "gut feeling".
It is a relating in all ways both with the mind the body, spirit and soul. This way is not unique to the American Natives but to all cultures and people. Many have forgotten how to remember,and have never been taught or are unaware how, so are now seeking their connection through other cultures and heritages.
The good thing about getting old is that you have some memories to fall back on and to remember.

Like the first sight of your first-born's head appearing into the world.
The smile and feeble gripping of the hand as a loved passed over onto the blue road.
Seeing a pack of wolves come into your camp after calling them in for two months.
Seeing the sunset while sailing among the Caribbean Islands.
So much to remember, and very little time to forget.

I have certainly been blessed.

MIIWETCH/ NYWEH, GITCHI MANITOU
GRANDFATHER PETER(Tread softly on the Earth Mother)