 |
SPIRIT
LODGE
LIBRARY
Myth
& Lore
Page
80
|
(Main
Links of the site are right at the bottom of the page)
Some of the 86 pages in this Myth & Lore section are below.
The rest will be found HERE
Turkey, the Peace Eagle
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TurkeyThePeaceEagle-Unknown.html
Native American Legends
An American Indian Legend - Nation
Unknown
Our
"Elders", tell us the Legend of the Turkey is not
one we need to explain the Great Mystery and how it functions.
So came the Story of the Peace Eagle (Turkey) to the Eastern
People.
In the First World we were pure Intelligence
and therefore experienced full consciousness. We were not lost
in form and matter. We could integrate and disconnect as we
willed it so. We were of pure energy and light. We were of all
colors. We broke this direct connection when we moved in greed.
We took what was not given and felt separation. The greed destroyed
our balance and harmony. We turned from honor and trust worthiness.
We tried to hide and moved deeper into form and matter, hoping
to not be discovered. We lost knowledge of who and what we were
and turned further from our Source.
In the Second World we began the
wheel of return. We became more and more of the state of impermanence.
So things became very in-balanced.
Humans became fearful and unsure. We lost understanding of the
Creators Patterns and fell into suffering and the illusion of
separation became larger than our faith and we drifted in an
ocean of tears and painful remorse for our act of greed and
for breaking the trust of Creator.
As each World ends and we renew our
great wheel of life we begin the journey of return to full consciousness
and direct interaction with the Creator. Always the Creator
extended love and guidance. Offering us always the path of harmony
and truth.
We must choose the journey we will
take and keep the faith. There were the Real People who remained
strong and pure. They keep showing us the path of Return and
healing us. Always our cry for help was heard and the Wisdom
Keepers come to show us the Way. Many creations of the Creator
has tried to help us over and over. Humans kept betraying his
Relations and would allow greed to overcome his heart and mind.
In each World, more and more of our
relations turn from us and will no longer trust us as mankind.
Our very existence has been placed in jeopardy. And many times
the Creator has taken us back to the beginning again, to try
and show us our Path of Return.
The Storytellers were the historians
of the Real People. And in the story we were given the lessons
and messages we need to understand what we have lost.
So in the days past when our People
were overcome with plight and hunger it was the duty of the
Chiefs to hunt and provide for the people. The Chief was sad
because his people had nothing to eat and were very hungry.
He could not hunt the Bear anymore because the Bear said, "If
you eat me", I will give you diseases of the heart, for
you have become a heartless people."
The Deer said, "If you eat of
me", you will get rheumatism and your joints and bones
will stiffen and swell with fire because you have lost beauty
and grace. You have become embittered and crude. You abuse and
rape even your children, destroying their innocence. The Rabbit
said, "If you eat me", you will have weaknesses of
the mind and become forgetful. You will feel chilled and then
the fires of your Spirit will burn you with fever. You will
suffer duality and fear of everything.
The Squirrel said, If you eat of
me, I will give you vertigo, and all you eat will burn your
insides. Your stomach will bleed. The great Animals all cursed
humans with illness. Humans no longer held a place of Honor
in the Circle of Life. They were not honored in the hunt and
he forgot the way of appreciation. Life was filled with pain
for Humans.
In these days, the "Chief"
was leader of the People because they trusted him and knew he
protected his people. He was the "Father" of the "Nation"
or "Tribe of People". He ate only after his People
were all fed. He slept under warm blankets only if everyone
was covered and warm. The People called upon him for a great
council. They turned to the "Chief" and ask, "When
will the animals come back, when will you hunt again, we are
starving and growing weaker. Many are dying and are no more.
We must have food soon or we shall all perish." Many shouted
to him to call war upon other nations of people who they thought
had more than them.
The "Chief" was a man of
great faith. he was trusted and always honored all his relations.
He was brave and had great courage, "Chiefs" from
many Nations knew of his valor. He loved his people and gave
his life for them. He saw all his children thin and gray. He
heard the babies and old people crying and his heart hurt. He
had tried to help the People understand how things would need
to change, he saw their greed and self-destruction. He did all
he knew to lead them towards honorable living again. His example
was not enough. And some even hated him for it, and said he
was a weak man to be so righteous.
So the "Chief" prepared
himself to hunt. He Prayed and did the Ceremonies of the Ancients
ways to honor all life. He remembered the wisdom of his Grandfathers
and Elders. He walked through the forest for 28 days, fasting,
to find a solution to feed his people. He said, "Creator",
what can I do? We are a wicked people. We have forgotten to
give appreciation and offering before the hunt, and taking only
what we need. We have wasted and killed without honoring our
faith. Now none come to us in our hunts, they curse us when
we eat to survive. It is true we have taken even when we had
more than we needed, and let food sit and rot. We have begun
to war with each other for possession of things and taking a
person's freedom away. For all this and more I come to you seeking
atonement. My People are hungry, our children are starving.
I offer myself in complete giveaway to Creator so my people
can be fed. He prayed long and hard. He chanted all his holy
words. I ask to have a relation that my people will feel safe
to eat, and that will not give them diseases. The Standing People
(Trees), knew him well and told him the "Real People"
must learn respect. The Plant People in the forest had remained
the only friend of humans. They said to
him, "Put your heart to the Mother of all form here, (Earth).
She has love unending and she heals all form and matter that
is of her. Humans has forgotten how to call upon her. The "Chief"
lay upon the "Earth Mother" and spoke to her of respect,
and promised he would always live by the rule and measure of
respect if she would help him and his People. He cried and his
tears fell upon her soil. She felt his truth and goodness. The
Earth Mother extended herself again to her Children. "Earth
Mother", said to the "Chief", You must live by
this law you have made "Respect". Appreciate everything
in your life, that my body brings to your day. All has purpose.
There is only The One That Is All Things. Do not waver from
your word. Hold your word as valuable as your next breath.
"Creator" looked upon this
and saw this "Chief". Love was again being shown for
the gift of life and the Good Earth. He lifted the Chief into
the "Dream Time Lodge", so he could be with the "Chieftains"
of "The Elder Fires".
The "Chief" was given a
vision of a "Turkey", it was the color of the "Earth",
and the "Chief" knew this was good. He thought the
people will know this is a gift from the "Creator"
and is safe to eat. The feathers were also shiny and was like
a star filled midnight sky, the "Chief" thought and
the lights of the "Sky Nations" are there as well.
He watched as the "Peace Eagle", (Turkey) walked about.
He walks as a noble one of great dignity. He will help the people
find dignity again. The wise "Chief" was humbled by
how this creation was. Then he saw the beautiful fan as the
"Turkey" spread its tail feathers, and the "Chief"
said, this is good, the people will recognize the sacred ceremonial
fan and know it will give us back our strength and make us strong
again. Then the "Turkey" spread its wing feathers
toward the ground and began to dance. The People will return
to the ancient ceremonies of harmony and flow with the great
cycles of "Sky" and "Earth".
The "Chief" thought, how
will we know it is okay to eat him? We cannot kill the sacred
messengers for food. And this is a sacred one. It must speak
to my people to let them know it has come as give away, to be
eaten.
At that moment, the "Turkey"
looked at him and spoke, "Chief", I have been given
for only one purpose, to feed you. Your prayers have been pure
and your deeds of valor are many. My body will give humans more
energy for his muscles than any other, it will carry no curse.
My feathers will dance with you and you "Chief", will
wear my feathers as your cape, to remind all of the unending
love, that surrounds all creation. In my feathered cape you
will walk proud and free. My bones will give you tools to provide
all other needs you have. At my breast over my heart will be
a bone that will remind you how "Creator" fulfilled
your wishes. Keep this bone as my example to you humans and
spirit are bonded in Life. Make the part of me that touches
the sacred ground of the Earth Mother your offering to the Fire,
so I may return as often as you need me. Keep this agreement
with "Creator", and you will not hunger again. I have
a message. . . the message is Love and Trust, it says The One
That Is In All Things calls to The people to return to honor
and harmony. To live in Peace and create beauty where ever you
are. Live in Respect and all shall flourish, we are one.
The "Chief" said, "Sacred
Bird", my people will not understand all this. they will
be afraid to eat so "Sacred a Being". We have suffered
many generations now and trust is not the way we live
anymore. They will need to hear you
tell them, and if you speak such wisdom they will even be less
certain they should hunt and feast upon your body. They have
become superstitious in their beliefs and practices now. They
no longer remember where they come from or who they are. The
"Sacred Bird" said, I will do what must be done, let
us return to your people they are growing weaker and soon will
perish if we do not go now.
The "Chief" made cornmeal
offering of appreciation for this vision and gift. As he started
back to camp to tell the people about the "Turkey",
it began eating his cornmeal offering. he made a trail of cornmeal
which the "Turkey" ate and followed him back to his
people, arriving very fat, having eaten so much cornmeal.
The "Chief" came to the
"Clan Mother" and said, "Creator" has sent
us this "Sacred Bird" for food. The "Clan Mother"
watched how noble and dignified the "Turkey" walked.
Holding his head with a manner of courage and strength. She
said, "We can no longer trust the words of the "Chiefs"
and "Warriors". Times before they said it was okay
to eat from the hunt and we have diseases of the heart and mind,
and aching bones. How can we eat such a fine bird? Birds are,
"Creators" messengers.
The Chief explained his vision and
that he gave appreciation and made a cornmeal offering. And
then what he thought was a vision became real and the "Turkey"
started to eat the cornmeal. At this point, the "Turkey"
came closer showing no fear, as all the other animals would,
and run from humans. This one walked among them knowing no fear.
"Clan Mother" saw it was the color of the Earth and
felt her woman spirit stir inside her being. The "Turkey"
spread its tail and she saw it was in the shape of a ceremonial
fan. Then he spread his wing feathers down and danced. "Clan
Mother" said, how can we eat of this, it dances and is
a "Sacred Messenger".
The "Turkey" walked into
the middle of the circle of people who had gathered to see this
"Sacred Bird" and looked at the "Chief"
and said, gobble me up. The "Chief" jumped up, and
stood back in shock. What is it you say to me? The "Turkey"
walked closer to him and said again, "gobble me up."
The "Chief" looked at his people and knew they all
had heard the "Sacred Bird" speak. Now the people
would believe and eat of it.
So they prepared as they had been
given instructions to do. The "Turkey" said, you will
rub my body before you eat it with spices and herbs. The garlic,
to surrender to the Holy of all Holies. Cinnamon to open it
to the powers of procreation. Nutmeg for the "Creators"
spirit of the Evergreens and knowledge of eternal life. Honey
to maintain gentle nature and serenity. Peanut oil to enhance
assimilation and reconstruction of wholeness and vitality. this
was placed upon his body after all his feathers were plucked
carefully, so as not to break or damage a single one. A great
fire was made for roasting the "Turkey". They put
ground corn and a few whole kernels inside. They turned it over
and over cooking it evenly. The "Clan Mother" was
glad to see how the People were laughing and happy as they prepared
for the feast. Her "Woman Spirit" felt the union with
"Earth Mother" again and she felt the first tears
of joy come.
Soon the Turkey was ready to eat
and it was very big. The "Clan Mother" carved the
turkey from the bone carefully as to not break any. She found
the "Wish Bone" and it was as the "Sacred Bird"
had said. She fed all the families. Our "Chief" does
not eat unless everyone else has been fed.
The "Clan Mother" came to the "Chief" and
said, "Chief", my arms are tired from carving so much
"Turkey" and feeding all the People. Will you help
me carry this "Turkey"? And the "Chief"
helped bring the abundance of "Turkey" to the people.
The "Clan Mother" said,
"Chief", it is time to feed yourself and your family.
When the "Chief" saw all the meat that was left, he
was surprised and asked, has everyone been fed? "Clan Mother"
replied, Yes "Chief". Everyone has had two servings.
"Clan Mother" went to the
fire and she too was surprised to see the "Turkey"
had totally replenished itself. The "Chief" was fed
"Turkey", and all his family ate heartily. As they
ate all felt humble for all that was being given and felt their
minds, bodies and spirits healing and becoming whole again.
The "Turkey" replenished
itself again and again. The People ate of this "Turkey"
all year long, always with appreciation. they used every part
of the turkey, recognizing its complete give away. Everyone
was gifted with a turkey feather.
After all went well for a full change
of seasons, one morning as "Clan Mother" went to the
fire to prepare the food, she saw two eggs. She knew these were
the seeds of the "Sacred Bird" and that it was pleased
with the "Peoples" offering and trusted them again.
She kept the eggs warm and cared for them as a Mother would
any child. She sang love songs and sang stories to the eggs
as they incubated. She knew if it was to reproduce, it would
need to have "Woman Spirit" of the "Great Bird".
She made offerings to the "Earth Mother" for this.
And each day sang her woman's way chants. The first egg opened
and it was the Hen. She reminded them of the subtle beauty of
woman. The females do not need to decorate themselves extravagantly,
because they already have inner wisdom and beauty. The second
egg opened and it was the male, and with beautiful feathers
so man would remember his role and do as he was to be in the
Earth. Today the "Turkey Cape" is worn by the most
noble, courageous and generous of men.
The people ate in abundance from
then on. They always remembered to give appreciation every day
and were always blessed abundantly. Abundance comes when we
show appreciation and Thanksgiving. The celebration and feast
is the time of friendship and appreciation. Friendship is when
we know we are all inner connected, and reflective of each other.
The time of Friendship and Thanksgiving is every day.
The "Woodland Peoples"
said let us have a seasonal celebration when we seek one we
do not know well or is new to our lands and bring them to our
feast of Friendship and make them welcome. This is the "Feast
of Friendship". Today it is called Thanksgiving. For The
Real People, it is celebrated at the Full Moon of November.
The white meat of the "Turkey" has the highest protein
of all meats. The dark meat has fats needed to assist the body
to generate heat. The "Real People" will not eat from
the knee down of the Turkey for that is the part that moves
in the auric field of the planet herself and belongs to the
Mother. The feet and lower leg is given to the Fire. The Wish
Bone is saved intact and strung as ornaments. The Turkey is
Sacred to the Eastern Woodlands People. Its Feathers are used
in all Sacred Ceremonies. It is a messenger of Innocence, Compassion,
Abundance, Trust, Dignity, Peace and Eternal Love. It calls
all Mankind to practice Respect.
This is how it was told to us by
our Elders as children at Thanksgiving.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Libraries
are on this row
|
|
|
INDEX
Page 3
(Main Section, Medicine Wheel, Native Languages &
Nations, Symbology)
|
|
INDEX
Page 5
(Sacred Feminine & Masculine, Stones & Minerals)
|
|
|
|
back
burner for a while
|
|
|
©
Copyright: Cinnamon Moon & River WildFire Moon (Founders.)
2000-date
All rights reserved.
Site
constructed by Dragonfly
Dezignz 1998-date
|
|
