The Sacred Smudging Ceremony From ancient traditions, herbs and plants are used to perform the sacred smoke blessing. It is a ritual of cleansing and purification for the physical and spiritual bodies. Smudging calls on the spirits of scared herbs and plants to drive away negative energies and to restore balance. Smudging is used to cleanse and balance the auric energies of people, and used to clear space energy within home and work environments. Smudging is also used to cleanse and remove negative energies from crystals, gemstones and other natural and healing objects. Originally, native traditions used mixtures of sacred herbs and resins burned in a special bowl or shell. Smudging sticks are now available, which are made from dried plants and herbs tied in a small bundle. Smudging is viewed as a way of shifting between the levels of the material, physical, and spirit realms. There are many methods of smudging. The most common method is by lighting the herb or plant, extinguishing the flame, and wafting the rising smoke around the person, area or object, while sending out a prayer or blessing. Herbs most often used in smudging are sage and sweet grass. Sage drives out negative thoughts, energies, spirits and influences. Sweet grass is used to attract positive energies, after the negative energies are banished. Other herbs and plants used in smudging are, lavender, copal, cedar, juniper and mugwort.

The Sacred Connections in the Tree of Life From the teachings of the Cherokee it is said; within the Tree of Life, there are Sacred Directions. It is also said that the Creator planted a Sacred Tree for all the people of the Earth. And in this tree, they would find healing, power, security, and wisdom. We are all like the Sacred Tree. We live and experience changes of the seasons, and the changing of our lives. "The tree embodies the sacred connection of all things in the Universal Circle of Life." Within the Tree of Life, we are connected to Father Sky, symbolic of the wind, and wisdom; Grandfather Sun, symbolic of the fire, and security; Mother Earth, symbolic of the life, and healing; and Grandmother Moon, symbolic of the water, and power.

The Four Directions of the Universal Circle Four Sacred Directions in the Universal Circle of Life, are observed in the Cherokee Tradition. Each represents a specific color, direction, attribute of learning focus, and path to follow. This clockwise circle represents the spiral of life, with the directional energy that influences it. The Center is for the Creator, and the Four Directions of the Universal Circle. The Four Directions provide guidance in understanding our behaviors and directions. The Directions provide us balance and we must find the harmony in relationship to all that exists in our environment. The Four Directions also connect us with the spirit of the animals and birds as our brothers and sisters in the Universal Circle. In traditional teachings, the circle represents an omni-present energy that exists in the universe - which is, the never-ending Circle of Life.

EAST	SOUTH	WEST	NORTH
Color - Red Direction - Spiritual Path of Sun	Color - White Direction - Natural Path of Peace	Color - Black Direction - Physical Path of Introspect	Color - Blue Direction - Mental Path of Quiet

Legends of the Dream Catcher The Dream Catcher is hung above a bed or space to filter out bad dreams and thoughts, allowing good dreams and thoughts to come through the web and travel to the receiver. There are many legends told of the Dream Catcher. One legend is traced back to a Sioux woman whose child was tortured by nightmares. After a time, she asked a medicine woman, known as "spider woman" for advice. She was told to fashion an eternal circle out of willow branches and weave the net of life with threads. It would be there in the web that the bad dreams would be entangled, and the good could come through. Another legend tells, "A spider was quietly spinning his web. It was beside the sleeping space of Nokomis, the grandmother. Each day, Nokomis watched the spider at work, quietly spinning away. One day as she was watching him, her grandson came in. "Nokomis-iya!" he shouted, glancing at the spider. He stomped over to the spider, started to hit it. "No-keegwa," the old lady whispered, "don't hurt him." "Nokomis, why do you protect the spider?" asked the little boy. The old lady smiled, but did not answer. When the boy left, the spider went to the old woman and thanked her for saving his life. He said to her, "For many days you have watched me spin and weave my web. You have admired my work. In return for saving my life, I will give you a gift." Soon the moon glistened on a magical silvery web moving gently in the window. "See how I spin?" he said. "See and learn, for each web will snare bad dreams. Only good dreams will go through the small hole. This is my gift to you. Use it so that only good dreams will be remembered. The bad dreams will become hopelessly entangled in the web."

The Medicine Wheel The Medicine Wheel symbolizes the Four Sacred Directions and the Center which stands for the point of creation, and the Creator. Feathers, and other carved animal depictions, as well as small medicine bags are often bound to a Medicine Wheel. These symbols represent the wisdom, introspection, and the healing powers contained within the Medicine Wheel. The Medicine wheel is regarded as a replica of the universe and it embodies the elements which are seen as a part of it.

Personal Medicine Shield The Medicine Shield symbolizes the Seven Sacred Directions as well as animal, plant, earth and spirit energies for whom the shield is fashioned for. The Medicine Shield, like the Medicine Wheel, is regarded as a replica of the universe and the elements it embodies. The outline of the shield forms the boundary that protects the bearer from unwanted events. Often feathers are bound to a Medicine Shield. These are symbols of the wisdom, introspection, and the healing powers of a medicine man. Medicine Shields always should reflect the truth of abilities portrayed. On a level that cannot be perceived by others, a Medicine Shield reflects what is essential to the inner self of its bearer an what will is possessed. Medicine Shields are often made for specific ceremonies, and as symbols of good luck and healing.

Legends of Spirit and Thunder Beings In Native Traditions, there are many stories told about Spirit and Thunder Beings. The Spirit people are sometimes seen by medicine men and women, and by the wise elders. They are said to brings messages to earth from the spirit world. The Thunder Beings are said to be the ones who bring thunder, lightning and rain to replenish our earth.

The Sacred Pipe The Sacred Pipe was often lit and smoked while the Council was assembled. It is a symbol of Peace, Brotherhood, Council and Prayer. It was first smoked to the Great Spirit, in Heaven, then to the Four Winds, His Messengers, and to Mother Earth, through whom he furnishes our food. The sacred pipe was smoked by each Council member, and then passed in a circle, like that of the Sun. Rising from the east, moving southward and then setting in the west.

The Painted Drum The drum itself plays a significant role in the traditions of the Redman. The painting displayed on a drum represents the symbolic intervention intended in accessing other worlds. Energy is created from the music and conveys between the bearer of the drum and the power it manifests. Music created by the drum is seen a connection to the spirit world. The drum is in shape of the universal circle of life, and serves as a ceremonial tribute to physical life, and life in the spirit world.

The Storytelling Pottery Native Americans are famous for their fine talents in making pottery. The intricate designs used in indian pottery-making have been handed down for generations. Found in each unique piece of pottery are symbols and images that tell stories of the ancestry of the tribes.

Seven Clans of the Cherokee Bird Blue Deer Long Hair Paint Wild Potato Wolf

Resources for more Native Traditions of the Redman
	All Books Written By: J. T. Garret and Michael Garret   Dedicated to the teachings and ancestry of the Cherokee.
	Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation - http://www.nc-cherokee.com   Official Website of the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North   Carolina.
	Museum of Cherokee Indian -http://www.cherokeemuseum.org   Official Website for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.
	First People - http://www.FirstPeople.us   Website dedicated to the First People of the America's and Canada.

Personal Message From Pamela This page is dedicated to all Native American Indians, and to their sacred traditions, for which I am proud to belong. I have been taught of my heritage and relation to the Cherokee, through my Maternal Grandmother. She has crossed over now, but through Spirit and unconditional love, she continues to guide my path. In my personal life and beliefs, I hold the ancient ways dear to my heart and soul. I pay tribute and practice many of these sacred traditions daily. And with assistance from Spirit and my guides, I continue to teach my sons and others who are guided to me for learning. With many blessings of love and light, Pamela