Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

"Ohenton Kariwahtekwen"

Greetings to the Natural World


The following words are based on the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation for Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. They come to us from the Native people known as the Haudenosaunee, also knows as the Iroquois or Six Nations - Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora, of upstate New York and Canada. These words are still spoken at ceremonial and governmental gatherings held by the Six Nations.


To be a human being is an honor, and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life.
Mother Earth, we thank you for giving us everything we need.
Thank you, deep blue waters around Mother Earth, for you are the force that takes thirst away from all living things.
We give thanks to green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor.
Thank you, good foods from Mother Earth, our life sustainers, for making us happy when we are hungry.
Fruits and berries, we thank you for your color and sweetness. We are all thankful to good medicine herbs, for healing us when we are sick.
Thank you, all the animals of the world, for keeping our precious forests clean. All the trees of the world, we are thankful for the shade and warmth you give us. Thank you , all the birds in the world for singing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy.
We give thanks to you, gentle Four Winds, for bringing clean air for us to breathe from the four directions.
Thank you, Grandfather Thunder Beings, for bringing rains to help all living things grow.
Elder Brother Sun, we send thanks for shining your light and warming Mother Earth.
Thank you, Grandmother Moon, for growing full every month to light the darkness for children and sparkling waters.
We give thanks, twinkling stars, for making the night sky so beautiful and for sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants.
Spirit Protectors of our past and present, we thank you for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony with one another.
And most of all, thank you, Great Spirit, for giving us all these wonderful gifts, so we will be happy and healthy every day and every night.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Love,
Pagan Sphinx



16 comments:

  1. Thank you - and may yours be blessed and restful, too.

    That is a beautiful prayer. I've always been impressed with the Iroquois, with their culture, history, and government. We read a lot about them in NY, where I grew up.

    Here in Hillsborough, NC we have a Tuscarora Street, named for that sixth nation, which left NC hundreds of years ago and joined the other five nations in NY.

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  2. Oh! And I LOVE that turtle! And that tiny tree on his back!

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  3. It doesn't get any more beautiful than that! Thank you so much for sharing that with all of us, to remember and to practice. We owe Native Americans so much, we took their country and we have not treated it or them well. Perhaps that is part of the price we are paying today in so many ways. And the painting is terrific!

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  4. This is so beautiful, Gina. Thank you and I wish you and yours peace and joy.

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  5. I love, love, love this! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours too.

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  6. Thank you, Gina. That is beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your lovely family.

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  7. Happy Thanksgiving dear Pagan Sphinx!!!

    You are a treasure and I wish you and your family peace and happiness always.

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  8. Back atcha, PS! (I'm thankful for getting to know your blog---and by extension, you---in the past year) :-)

    ***

    Here in Hillsborough, NC we have a Tuscarora Street, named for that sixth nation, which left NC hundreds of years ago and joined the other five nations in NY.

    Whereas in Central Pennsylvania (where I used to live), there was a Tuscarora Ridge/Trail/Tunnel, marking out the route they took to get to NY!

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  9. Well said! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours to!

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  10. What a most delightful and wonderful image! Happy thanksgiving to you too.

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  11. that's beautiful Pagan

    I'm hugging you all :)

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  12. I feel the love, Dianne!

    Thanks for stopping by, everyone! I'm pooped. Two pies and one cranberry relish made last night. One pie made by WP. Turkey's in the oven and WP's Lithuanian potato dish. Two veggie dishes all ready to go. Mashed potatoes and gravy comin' right up. Plus my favorite: mashed yams.

    This year, I have nothing Portuguese for the Thanksgiving feast. It is, after all, an American holiday. But Christmas/Solstice - there will be lots of Portuguese food and traditions.

    Love you all!

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  13. Now see? Those people knew how to be thankful! If our forebears could have seen the world through those eyes, it might be a very different world indeed.

    If you'd like to see more from the heritage celebration I have a whole gallery up of shots I took there. Not a lot of variety unfortunately, because I was very late in getting there, but it certainly offered some very colorful opportunities.

    Thanks for sharing this. It's beautiful!

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  14. thank you for this beautiful and moving blessing...

    and many blessings to you and yours this thanksgiving day..

    ReplyDelete

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