Bear
Spirits and Sacred Arrow | |
| Bear
Spirits and Sacred Arrow SBT05
- $85
plus s/h |
Treasure box includes:
The pipestone arrow is hand carved by Lakota artist Alan Monroe. It has a hole drilled so it can be used as a pendant, zipper pull, keychain fob, rear view mirror hanging or anything else you can think of.
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About PipestonePipestone, also known as catlinite, is a form of clay called argillite with a high iron content that colors it a deep red to pale orange. Pipestone was discovered in southwestern Minnesota by the Sioux Indians, who consider it a sacred material and use it to carve pipes and other ceremonial objects. It is easy to carve because of its lack of quartz. Read about stones The quarries located at Pipestone National Monument are considered sacred to many Native American people. Read more about Sacred Red Pipestone from Minnesota. |
About Alan MonroeAlan Monroe was born in Hot Springs , South Dakota and is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He graduated from Hot Springs High School and studied business and art in Nebraska, Tennessee, and South Dakota. Alan creates his Northern Plains artwork from hides, stone, leather, and wood. He learned the basics of quill working, weaponry, sculpting and pipe making from traditional and contemporary artisans in his family circle. He is a fifth generation master pipe maker. In his sculptures, Monroe works with a variety of materials such as pipestone, bone, wood and alabaster. He creates small objects like fetishes to large pieces than can weigh hundreds of pounds. Monroe's work can be seen in many galleries and museums across the country and he has won many awards. About Lakota Sioux |
Native American Bear SymbolismBear is considered the most powerful of all of the animals and is one of the most popular subjects of Native American carvers. Bear is a spiritual guide and represents strength and self-knowledge. Bear has supernatural powers and great healing powers. Bear is a symbol deliberate action, introspection, soul and insight for the past and the future. The Bear is the guardian of the West an is one of the animals of the Six Directions. Bears are the main figure in the Mountain Way, an important Navajo ceremony. Bear claws are a traditional adornment to pendants and bracelets. |
© 2009 Horsekeeping LLC © Copyright Information The Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessing - Smudging | |||||||||||
What Herbs are used for Smudging? | |
Cedar Sage Sweetgrass |
A smudge kit contains herbs, a "bowl" or shell, and a feather to direct the smoke. The entire kit can be carried in a medicine bag.
Each part of the smudge kit and the smudging process signifies one of the four elements, that, when used, evokes the fifth element, life energy.
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The shell represents WATER
- The unlit herbs and ashes represents the
EARTH
- The lit herb represents the FIRE
- The smoke represents
the AIR
Before you begin, be sure the area is well ventilated because the smoke, carrying the negative energy, must have an escape route.
Take normal precautions to prevent an unwanted fire, such as placing your smudge pot or shell on a non-combustible surface.
Gather your smudge kit and a means to light the herbs. Long wooden matches are the best because a candle can add dripping wax to the process and a lighter, is well, kind of out of character.
Light the herb and when a flame appears, put the herb out so it will smolder and smoke. Before you smudge another person, an object or a place, you should smudge yourself. You can do this by bringing the smoke to you and rolling it in swirls over your head, shoulders and around your body. Send the smoke away with the feather.
When smudging a place, such as a room or car, pay homage to the cardinal directions which include the east, west, north, south, up and down.
When you are finished smudging, extinguish sweetgrass by damping the braid against the shell. For sage, you can crush it against the bowl or shell or in a bowl of sand.
