A Stone Ceremony

I had a dream for ceremony last night.

This could be used for anything where a groups intention (and the lesson of intention) is needed.

A larger area, preferably an outdoor field big enough for a 60 to 100 ft. diameter circle.

There would be a facilitator with a drum to give instructions and prayer.

There would be at least three assistants… I am seeing younger children, maybe 6 or 7 years old. They each would wear a white robe. Under the robe they would be hiding Heyoka costumes/masks for later in the ritual.

A larger group of people (say 48) gather  in a circle around a central altar… (multiple of 8 would be ideal).

They circle evenly around the altar and space themselves about 4 feet apart.

The facilitator places 4 larger stones at East, South, West and North in order with proper invitation and welcoming and request for their presence. The facilitator may also rattle and smudge each person in the circle.

The facilitator talks to the participants while the assistants distribute five stones (about 2 inches in diameter) to each participant (stone could be collected by participants during earlier walk).   They can be doing this while following behind the facilitator who is rattling and smudging.

The message given involves having a focused intent behind their prayer. About not being distracted. About recognizing and using a group energy to accomplish their intent.  About focusing the energy down tighter and tighter into a tangible blessing.

With the stones in hand, a short drum and meditation is given for participants to bring their intent and energy into being. They then place one stone at their feet and say

I am an energy being with the intention  to give of myself for the greater good of the whole.
Through the grace of a greater Spirit, of my guardians and guides, and of my ancestors, I join my energy with that of this sacred circle.

The next step is for them to join with one person next to them so they are paired up. Together they look upon each other and bring their intent and energy together. They leave another stone, so there are sets of two stones around the circle. They speak the statement as before.

At this point, a signal is made to the assistants who take off the robes and become Heyoka. They then run around the circle and try to distract the participants. The facilitator tells of the lesson of the Heyoka and the importance Heyoka plays in the Making of Prayers. (They show the opposite to give perspective, they help keep the intention at the forefront of thought, they provide a needed balance to the Making of Prayer, they keep the participants grounded).

The next step, the participants step forward into groups of four. Once again they look upon each other and combine their intention and energy. Each leaves a third stone, so this circle is made up of sets of four stones.  They speak the statement as before.

The Heyoka continue to play.

The next step, the participants step forward into groups of eight. They combine energy and leave their fourth stone. This fourth circle contains sets of eight stones. They speak the statement as before.

The next step all of the groups step forward into a tight circle and leave their fifth stone, making a circle of stones.  They speak the statement as before.

The Heyoka now step back outside the farthest circle to just observe quietly.

The participants now turn in silence and walk, as if on a journey, back to their single stone on the edge of the larger circle, paying particular attention to all of the stones left on the ground.


This is my Journey,
Nate Long "Owl"