CRC Blog

18 Responses to “CLARITY”

1. The Barn Says:
   February 8th, 2009 at 5:29 pm

   I’ve seen the same look in the eyes of Sun Dancers, when they have finished a 4 day dance with absolutly no food or drink during that special healing dance.
   This ritual you are doing at your home is a vision quest. Hanblecha.(that word roughly translates, “To sit and cry in the night”) First you purify yourself in am Inipi Ceremony, then you go up on a hill and make an alter to sit upon. There you will sit for 4 days and nights, with no food or drink. It is in the evening that one should stay awake and speak to the universe, and all those questions you seek answers to are asked. The night belongs to the Spirits, and if you are to recieve your vision, it will be with the help of those spirits that you are given it. Keep in mind, some of those spirits are your relatives, and ancestors. They want us to have that “Claity”, or vision, but we must be humble enough and strong enough to recieve it.
   When you come down off the hill to have your vision explained by The Medicine Man, you will throw a huge feast for your helpers. The ones who kept a fire lit for those 4 days for you.
   And when you do finally get to eat for the first time, the feeling is best described in this video.
   I still think you should experience your own Hanblecha CRC. You are too connected to the Native Peoples of this land. I’m going on the hill in May. I still need firekeepers for me.
   ANNA? It’s in Southern Colorado. You want to keep fire for me for a shift or two?
   Be well all,

2. Anna Says:
   February 9th, 2009 at 10:24 am

   Tales of the Thief- Coyote

   Coyote, had no need for fire. So he seldom concerned himself with it, until one spring day when he was passing a human village. There the women were singing a song of mourning for the babies and the old ones who had died in the winter. Their voices moaned like the west wind through a buffalo skull, prickling the hairs on Coyote’s neck. “Feel how the sun is now warm on our backs,” one of the women was saying. “Feel how it warms the earth and makes these stones hot to the touch. If only we could have had a small piece of the sun in our teepees during the winter.”

   Coyote, overhearing this, felt sorry for the men and women. He also felt that there was something he could do to help them. He knew of a faraway mountain-top where the three Fire Beings lived. These Beings kept fire to themselves, guarding it carefully for fear that man might somehow acquire it and become as strong as they. Coyote saw that he could do a good turn for man at the expense of these selfish Fire Beings.

   Where in Southern Colorado? The first PAH was held in Grants. Later on I went to the Indian village and saw many things.

3. CRC Says:
   February 9th, 2009 at 10:51 am

   I am always blown away by the stories and wisdom everyone leaves here. Thank you.

4. The Barn Says:
   February 9th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

   30 miles from Walsenburg CO. Anna. You in?
   Be well,

5. Anna Says:
   February 9th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

   What does a firekeeper do? What kind of sweatlodge?

6. The Barn Says:
   February 10th, 2009 at 9:22 am

   When a person goes up on the hill to pray for the 4 days, there must be a small fire kept lit during that entire time. As the one going on the hill, I must make the arrangements for fire keepers to work shifts keeping that flame flickering. The lodge where this sacred fire is kept is a Sun Dancers Inipi Lodge.
   Before a vision seeker goes up on the hill, he or she must sweat first, the fire that is for that 1st sweat is the one that is kept. After the Medicine Man determines it is time for the seeker to come down, the fire keepers get the Grand Father Stones red hot once again for the last Inipi Ceremony that the vision seeker tells his or her vision, and it is interpreted by the Medicine Man. Then it is time for the feast and give away ceremony.
   I need to get enough people to help me that I can schedule 6 hour shifts for those 4 days. When a person gooes up on the hill it is usually in the evening, so most likely the first shift will be a 6 to midnight, then a midnight to 6 a.m., then a 6 a.m. to noon, and so on. That would mean 4 people per day, but I’d like to have 6 to be able to have backup if needed.
   Being a fire keeper is a good time to contemplate and pray. It is always quiet, and the firekeeper makes sure it is quiet for those who are up on the hill.
   Food will be provided, and I would need to know if you were serious ahead of time, so I could make lodging arrangments for you to stay in the dome house. This place where I go is a Native American Church, and there are all kinds of ceremonies conducted here. 2 months after Hanblecha( Vision Quest) is The Sun Dance, And many other ceremonies throughout the year.
   I would be honored to have a woman with your intelligence and constitution keeping fire for me.

   And CRC? This is still open for you to be my helper as well. After all… You are walking the C’unka Luta Was’te. (The Good Red Road)Because of your tight schedule, I would schedule you for either the begining or the end days, but would not expect you to stay for all 4, although most decide that they will stay. It’s that powerful.
   Be well,

7. Anna Says:
   February 10th, 2009 at 10:44 am

   My main problem is my horses, Bee and Diamond. Bee is still a big baby, they didn’t even put shoes on her.

8. Doug Says:
   February 10th, 2009 at 11:05 am

   Brodda! No sweat! I just
   got your message. We’re bro’s no matter what! I feel blessed that our paths crossed.

   Catch ya on the next wave!

   H/P

   May 26, 2008 3:34 PM

   Hi Anna! Does Bee and Diamond still wonder past
   your fence line?

   Peace out,

9. California Yanqui Says:
   February 10th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

   Barn If I can I will set aside a day or two to watch your fire. I need a new set of surroundings for awhile anyway.

   CRC, always amazing with the perspective. Video by lantern light, and large curd cottage cheese with cracked pepper. Never had it with cracked pepper before.

   How do you say the pressure of the world seems to smother ones soul? Extinguished the fire of life by the brutality, and lack of civility, and respect for each other as we wake each day to a new world. Is it getting better; or is getting worse?

   I think I’ve broken out for awhile, and will definately behave better towards those that care.

   The parable of the pitcher or the glass?

   I enjoy your blog and your sunday wisdom..

10. The Barn Says:
    February 10th, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    Anna. If you can make it for just a day thats ok. Do a day shift and then head back home.
    Yankee? You would be a welcome addition to my journey. Last week in May. You are slated.
    Be well all,

11. Roberta Says:
    February 11th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    Watched a great documentary about President Lincoln’s pre-presidential days. The PBS channel was having their pledge drive, so we got to hear from the writer, director, actors, historians during their intermissions.

    Fascinating that when the lawyers travelled the “Circuit”, which was the Central Illinois area (population of nearly 300,000 or 600,000 compared to Chicago’s 10,000 at that time – Central Illinois was the place to sell your lawyer skill and work your political agenda to get elected) – when the lawyers travelled they customarily slept 2 to a bed, sometimes 3.

    The documentary had the Lincoln character in bed with 2 other men and a 4th lawyer sleeping on the floor. Then someone said how that would be “unacceptable” by today’s “standards.”

    How very intimate it would be to sleep overnight at an Inn with 2 of your co-workers in the same bed! You would have to smell their hair oil or body odor sometime during that event. It’s pretty cozy 3 in a bed! So when did we give up this sort of intimate sensuality with each other? When did we put our sensory gift on hold and become, internalized and cerebral?

    You talk about balance CRC, and that’s the ticket. There is sexuality in advertising and music and movies, all around us. But little things, like the taste of cottage cheese and pepper, the everyday sensualities, those are reason for celebration.

    Tasting the cottage cheese is a great metaphor for many things. But it is simply what it is too – tasting the cheese & pepper. What an intimate experience that you have shared with us.

    Lincoln’s 200th birthday is this week and the doc is available at 150 Public TV Stations and is worth the viewing. Was filmed in Central Illinois where Lincoln actually walked and some of his contemporaries’ descendents are in costume in the movie.

    And it has a happy ending!

12. Anna Says:
    February 13th, 2009 at 11:56 am

    I’m doing a painting on the egg of a Mystic Warrior from a old old book, it also has paintings of Sundancers with paint on their bodies. I’m still thinking about it Barn. What kind of food at the feast? In Santa Fe on the street corners, they have Indians who play the flute, it sounds so mystical.

13. Anna Says:
    February 13th, 2009 at 11:58 am

    I only eat cottage cheese with pineapple, maybe peaches…….

14. Roberta Says:
    February 14th, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    Anna – I thought you were going to say you only eat large curd cottage cheese and cracked black pepper – LOL Today – Valentine’s Day – let’s eat kisses!

15. Doug Says:
    February 14th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    CRC, back in 2005, Artie the Hobo dubbed a tribute to your blue flaming heart. I state opener with a gracious heart. And from the bottom of my graciousness, I want to wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to every heart, may these days be filled with lots of love! Because, I do worry bout every heart.

    Brudda Barn, you’re some writer! I foresee a Barnbuster on the horizon! forget the blockbuster. Surf’s up!

    Cali, so good to read your comment. Hope you’re feeling better. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. Feel better, friend.

    Anna, you are a walking encyclopedia of life. You have some brilliant mind. It looks like you and Roberta need to team up. Between the exchange of wisdom over large curds. Forgetaboutit! We’re talking Cheese wiz.

    I better end here, for fear of getting the hook!

    Much love!

    And so…

    All For One, One For ALL

16. joy Says:
    February 15th, 2009 at 3:10 am

    Your description of eating the breakfast sausage just made me smile

    Oh, the cottage cheese part was awesome. I take so much for granted about all the food I inhale. I never really savor anything anymore, just feel like I’m trying to fill the hunger void. This made me want to slow down, as well as not eat so much junk food.

    I’m glad to know you’re doing well.

17. Anna Says:
    February 15th, 2009 at 9:11 am

    Roberta, is that you singing on your “My Space”? If so, you have a beautiful voice.

    My mother in law use to say, “You are such a Peach.” I thought she said something else……..

    I put salt on my grapefruit……..

18. Roberta Says:
    February 17th, 2009 at 11:27 am

    Hi Anna! Those are my songwriters and artists on MySpace. Send me a friend request – Have we got a song for you!