Prayers, Offerings, Sage and Cedar by Tony Cherette

Sacred Masculine

Prayers, Offerings, Sage & Cedar

By Tony Cherette

Prayer is a topic that has so many lenses to look through. There is no shortage of information on how prayer is used by many cultures around the world and how prayer assumes many guises and forms.

When a spirit decides to make its descent into or onto this land, it will sometimes appear to a potential parent in a dream. Yes, in an actual nighttime dream.

In fact, many times, this is how the first contact is made between a soul and its potential parent(s). That dream is considered the message from the ancestors in answer to a person’s prayer. Once the dream is pondered, it is sometimes shared with an Elder or wise person for interpretation and guidance.

Signs or omens are oft-times present to help this new “family” figure out the how and when of a successful join. What that means is Asema (tobacco) is offered, and prayers are uplifted to that soul who is considering making a journey into the family. This leads us right back into the complexity of prayer and its guises here. Let’s explore.

Fast forward if you will to the birth of the child, and you will find prayers are sent upon and through Eagle feather(s), cedar, sage, or any combination of the four sacred medicines, during the process and immediately after. This is done to ensure a proper thank you to the ancestors and for this Indian child to feel immediately safer near the plant medicines after making the journey.

For Native people, when we experience any of those, one of the first things we do is “lay down tobacco.” In our culture, tobacco is the first step to get the Creator’s (Mother/Father Deity), attention. Many wonder why we continue to do that. Here’s why. When Creator made the 4 Nations, tobacco was given to the Indian nation to effectuate communication. It’s no more complicated than this. Tobacco has a particular vibration that is attuned to Creator’s ear, much like other medicines in other Motherland’s do.

Once tobacco is laid down (meaning lit), people then may take a feather in their hand, or simply sit quietly and begin their discussion with the Creator. We have prayed this way for tens of thousands of years, and it is a spiritual practice that is somewhat unique to this Island.

In doing this action of altar construction, these younger generations are finding their own way to prayer. To connection. To community. To a desire to share and grow and find a place in the Universe.

After all, isn’t that the common point between Native prayer ritual and Western prayer ritual? Connection, community, and finding a place?

No matter the tribal culture you find yourself from, do a little digging today and find out the traditional ways your culture prayed.

You may find it involves so many delightful and life-affirming rituals; it will make you feel more grounded.

Prayer is your voice put into motion.

Migweetch! Tony

Anthony D. Cherette is a Medium with 35 years of experience. He is also an Elder and registered tribal member of the Annishnabeg Nation.

Anthony is also a legal professional, a parent, a community activist and Two-Spirit human. He is a contributing writer of Star Nations Magazine who is happy you are reading his articles.

www.starnations.org