(no subject)
Today I made a medicine bag. As part of our last class in my counseling and interview skills class, Dr. K left us with the gift of making our own medicine bag. She counsels Native Americans and has a spirituality that is closely linked to those she counsels, so this act was particularly significant to her.
First, she had cut up pieces of deer skin that one of her clients, a huntress, had shot with a bow and arrow and had tanned herself. Next, we were given cedar beads to put in our pouches, which symbolizes protection. Now, this next part may seem morbid, but she came across a dead red-tailed hawk just a few days ago. She viewed this more as a gift that she could use for this project. The feathers symbolize guidance.
We were also given red willow tobacco, which symbolizes communication and sweet grass, which symbolizes sweet memories. We were then given the choice between a red string or a black string to tie our bundles with. The red string signified healing while the black string stood for teaching and a little healing. I chose the black string even before she explained it, and I thought it prudent to follow my intuition in this case.
After we finished, she turned out the lights and lit a braid of sweet grass, allowing the aromatic smoke to fill the air. We then formed a circle and she gave a little speech. We ended by having a big group hug.
This was a particularly meaningful and spiritual event for me. In particular, the bit about the red-tailed hawk. It was no surprise to me later in life when I learned that the Native American symbolism for hawks was guidance. When I was about twelve or so a friend and I got lost in the woods. We had the choice of going either left or right. I looked up, not knowing what to do and saw a hawk perched upon tree branch. I asked it silently, "Which way do I go?" The hawk turned its head to the right. Which was the path home, of course.
Since then I have always felt that the red-tailed hawk has been "my" animal. I have always seen it as a symbol of protection on journeys. I usually see at least one hawk on longer car trips.
So, yeah. Good day. Sad that was the last class, however, but I do have one more class with her next semester and I work on her lab team.
First, she had cut up pieces of deer skin that one of her clients, a huntress, had shot with a bow and arrow and had tanned herself. Next, we were given cedar beads to put in our pouches, which symbolizes protection. Now, this next part may seem morbid, but she came across a dead red-tailed hawk just a few days ago. She viewed this more as a gift that she could use for this project. The feathers symbolize guidance.
We were also given red willow tobacco, which symbolizes communication and sweet grass, which symbolizes sweet memories. We were then given the choice between a red string or a black string to tie our bundles with. The red string signified healing while the black string stood for teaching and a little healing. I chose the black string even before she explained it, and I thought it prudent to follow my intuition in this case.
After we finished, she turned out the lights and lit a braid of sweet grass, allowing the aromatic smoke to fill the air. We then formed a circle and she gave a little speech. We ended by having a big group hug.
This was a particularly meaningful and spiritual event for me. In particular, the bit about the red-tailed hawk. It was no surprise to me later in life when I learned that the Native American symbolism for hawks was guidance. When I was about twelve or so a friend and I got lost in the woods. We had the choice of going either left or right. I looked up, not knowing what to do and saw a hawk perched upon tree branch. I asked it silently, "Which way do I go?" The hawk turned its head to the right. Which was the path home, of course.
Since then I have always felt that the red-tailed hawk has been "my" animal. I have always seen it as a symbol of protection on journeys. I usually see at least one hawk on longer car trips.
So, yeah. Good day. Sad that was the last class, however, but I do have one more class with her next semester and I work on her lab team.