This is the Fall 1996 issue
of
* The Sweat Gazette online *
Serving the Ventura County
Native American Community
* Lady Moon *
Desert Cahuilla story of
the Moon's Creation
A very very long time
ago, the Lady Moon walked the Earth and lived among the people. Her
beauty and her goodness were a blessing to all who came in contact with
her. Her countenance was radiant. Her body was plump and soft
so the children loved to sit on her lap and bask in the glow of her love
for them ( which was exceedingly great! ) She always had food to
share with the children so they were never hungry in her presence.
She also had entertaining stories to tell them so they could learn and
grow in a good way.
One day Coyote was out
adventuring. He was looking for trouble to get into again. He saw
Lady Moon talking with the children and knew that he must have her as his
wife. He was drooling so much at the sight of her that saliva ran
down his chest and formed a puddle at his feet. When he came forward
to meet her, he walked through the muddy puddle of spit. So his paws
were covered in muddy spit. He was a real sight to see!
He asked Lady Moon to
come along with him to his den. She refused his advances. But
then Coyote told her, " If you do not come with me and marry me, I will
kill the children."
Poor Lady Moon.
She was sickened at the thought of even one of the little ones being harmed
by Coyote. In sorrow, Lady Moon walked off into the night.
She walked far from the village. Looking to the night sky she cried
out to Creator to save the children and at the same time save her from
having to marry that despicable coyote.
So strong were her cries
and so powerful her love for the children, the Creator heard her voice
clearly above the din of all the voices in the Earth that night.
Having pity upon the predicament she was in, Creator drew her up into His
heart. In drawing her into His heart, He drew her into the night
sky. Safe now from Coyote's clutches she could continue to watch
over the children she loved so much.
The next morning the children
went looking for Lady Moon, but they could not find her. They found
her track leading from the village, but then the tracks just stopped.
The children cried and cried that first day without Lady Moon.
However, that night the
children squealed with glee when they saw Lady Moon rise above the mountains
into the night sky. Ever since that day, she has been in the night
sky, smiling down on all the children of the people.
If you have eyes that
truly see, ears that truly hear, and a heart that is open, you too see
the Lady Moon beaming her love down upon our hearts and heads.
Also since that time,
you will sometimes see and hear Coyote out on the desert. He looks
up to Lady Moon and howls his longing for her. He begs her to come
down to him and be his bride. Poor Coyote, he does not know that
her love is for him too. If he would stop wanting her as wife, he
would see she loves him as a mother loves her little one.
* Solitude *
Personal growth is enhanced
by solitude and quite. In the time period in which we find ourselves,
time to be truly and completely alone is hard to find. In our own
homes the telephone, television, and radio are at risk of constantly intruding.
Even without these intrusions, the neighbor's weedblower and traffic from
the highway frequently bombard our already over-taxed senses.
We all need time alone
to pray and go within ourselves. We need time to listen to our dreams.
We need time to listen to our own thoughts. We need time to listen
for Creator's voice. More than anything else, we need to hear Creator
speaking to us from the center of our heart. Until we can come from
that true center, the good we can bring to our brothers and sisters is
haphazard at best.
Time given to quiet is
an essential component of the balanced life. In the daily routine
of most people, this time can most often be found at the beginning and
the end of each day. Archie Fire Lame Deer in his book, " Gift of
Power " talks of the early training given to him by his Grandfather.
His Grandfather, Henry Quick Bear, would wake every morning at 4:30 or
5:00 A.M. He would get up, get a glass of water, and thank Wakan
Tanka for a new day. The sun would rise with Archie's Grandfather
ushering in the new day with prayer and song. Quick Bear would end
the day in the same manner.
The hours when the Earth
is quiet and serene is most conducive to introspection and reflection.
For myself, when I wake my first thoughts are to thank Creator for this
Red Road I have been given to live and for all the richness of my life.
If I have had any experiences/dreams during the night, I reflect upon them.
I write in my journal, and then I rise with a song of thankfulness.
Through the day, I frequently turn to Creator, both to thank Creator and
to seek guidance. I talk to Creator as I would talk to my Mother,
Father or Beloved. At the end of the day I write in my journal and
read uplifting books. As my head hits the pillow, my heart seeks
again contact with Creator, a prayer of thankfulness on my lips.
Each of us is given the
freedom within the space of our heart to choose how to live the life we
have been given. Take responsibility for you life. If you do
not like the way it is unfolding, maybe it is time to make some changes.
Many of us move through life as a victim of circumstances. Creator
has given us tremendous power. Whereas it is true, we cannot always
change outer circumstances, we can always change how we think about those
circumstances. An attitude of peace and thankfulness has the potential
to change the whole texture of our life. An incredible reservoir
of power has been given to each one of us. We only need tap into
the source. That source is Wakan Tanka.
There is no place that
does not posess the source of life which is Creator. However, some
places and times are infinitely more conducive to knowingly touch that
center. Find where that place and time is for you. The time
you spend in that quiet center will positively enhance all other aspects
of your life.
" The smoke is the same
as our minds. It can drift into the mystic unseen worlds. All
we have to do is let it go. "
~ Red Moon ~
If you have time please
sign our Guestbook
and let us know that
you were here.
this cute graphic set was designed by
Full Moon Graphics.
This page was created by
~ Miranda ~
From Miranda's Den
July 20,1998
