Thanksgiving Greetings

Thanksgiving greeting card
1900

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