The First Nations believe when you are going through a hard time or a problem and a feather appears on your path. This can be a message from Great Mystery that you will be blessed with spiritual support and guidance. If it is a small feather, you must accept this feather to place it in your sacred bundle or your personal, sacred altar. If it is a large feather, you must accept this feather and use it as your smudging item in your smoke prayers.
The Spirit that dwells in this Winged-one will come to you as your guide to help you with your problems and will protect you from harm. This is powerful medicine. It will become one with you and spiritual gifts will manifest within you from the attributes of this specific Winged-one. For you will now be able to summon this Spirit Guide whenever you use this Sacred Feather in your Smoke Prayers. You can also hang it on your Dreamcatcher or Medicine Shield for protection from bad medicine. Whenever a Winged-One places a part of itself to you, then the Spirit of that Winged-one has been asked to be your Spirit Guide. You may learn and work with this Spirit Guide for a short or long duration. You will know when your journey together ends.
In Native American culture it is believed that all things possess an inherent virtue, power, and wisdom. The Feather, for example, is a powerful symbol that signifies honor and a connection between the owner, the Creator, and the bird from which the feather came. It symbolizes trust, honor, strength, wisdom, power, and freedom. It is an object that is deeply revered and a sign of high honor.
Native American warriors were awarded a feather when they won a battle or were particularly brave in war. When a feather falls to the earth, it is believed to carry all of the bird's energy, and it is perceived as a gift from the sky, the sea, and the trees. Feathers may arrive unexpectedly but not without a purpose.
A Sacred Feather may be used by an Elder in a Naming Ceremony. The feather will be touched on both of your shoulders and on top of your head while saying your native name out loud, announcing your name to the universe. Most commonly, your special feather can be used as a Prayer Feather. Keep it wrapped in a special cloth or box. Before making your Prayer, it is wise to smudge your Feather with Sage when you bring it out of its protective space. Hold your Feather up high above your head to honor Creator, then a little lower for Father Sky, and downwards to Mother Earth. Face each of the directions by pointing your Feather to East, South, West and North. Then point it back to Creator, or hold it on your heart as you make your Prayer.
Walking in Beauty: Navajo Way Blessing Ceremony
In beauty I walk With beauty before me I walk With beauty behind me I walk With beauty above me I walk With beauty around me I walk It has become beauty again Today I will walk out, today everything negative will leave me I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body. I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me. I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me. I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me. I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.
In beauty all day long may I walk. Through the returning seasons, may I walk. On the trail marked with pollen may I walk. With dew about my feet, may I walk. With beauty before me may I walk. With beauty behind me may I walk. With beauty below me may I walk. With beauty above me may I walk. With beauty all around me may I walk. In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk. In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk. My words will be beautiful.
I walk the Path of Beauty
Blessings and Good Medicine!
Wind Daughter Panther Wind Woman, Medicine Chief of the Panther Bear Tribe
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CD "Singing with the Wheel"
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