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In this section, learn about sacred teachings from past Full Circle weekends.
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Coming Full Circle with our own Medicine Wheel.
South Medicine
West Medicine - Introduction
West Medicine - Direction of the Darkening Land
West Medicine - Cherokee Story of the Bear Man
West Medicine - The West Full Circle
West Medicine - Full Circle Healing & Wellness
West Medicine - Full Circle Exercises
East Medicine
North Medicine
Natural & Plant Medicine
Coming Full Circle with our own Medicine Wheel.
FULL CIRCLE: "Medicine Wheel"
FALL - Sept. 26-28, 2003: Cherokee, North Carolina
The theme is "Coming Full Circle with our own Medicine Wheel." Based on Cherokee teachings and "old wisdom", we will create our own personal Medicine Wheel. We will reconnect with nature as we seek communications about our natural intelligence, purpose, and direction. For those who have been coming to Full Circle, it will be a culmination of many teachings. For first-timers, it will be a self-discovery and connection to their spirit guides. We will also be exploring various ways of healing.
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South Medicine
FULL CIRCLE: "South Medicine"
SPRING - Apr. 11-13, 2003: Cherokee, North Carolina
The theme for this Full Circle was South Medicine, based on Cherokee teachings and "old wisdom". The focus was on the Sacred Seven, South plant Medicine, and activities as a way to better understand our innocence as a child in nature. The inner circle teachings focused on natural healing and protection with the elements of nature.
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West Medicine - Introduction
FULL CIRCLE: "West Medicine"
FALL - Sept. 20-22, 2002: Cherokee, North Carolina
INTRODUCTION
This is a journey in time, in a sense without time. You are welcomed, even invited to join the circle, family if you will, of those who came before us, called our ancestors, and those we remember with honor and praise. Each of us in this circle are of Mother Earth, for she gives us life. We survive on her presence. You are in the Great Medicine Wheel of life. You are the manifestation of life from the Great One with choice. As it is known, you are the protector of life, and you are a helper in this ultimate challenge of existence and survival. You are you, with all your strength and frailness; boldness and blunder, you become your own choices. You will learn that influence and interference is just that, but you have the choice on how to use or not use either as you carve a new circle and a new perception of you as a part of "we" as the Circle of Life. This is Full Circle. This becomes your shield of truth. In the circle, we will touch and be touched by our human emotions and feelings as we touch Mother Earth. This is the traditional way of focusing our oneness with everything around us as we realize that all we really have is a perception of ourselves. In the circle, others have a perception of us as well. We are like the animals, trees, and plants, and we touch each other in some way. These things in nature communicate with us in ways and with senses we may not understand; although, our ancestors do, and they send messages to us through nature and through those chosen to hear the other worlds. You have come to Full Circle, now it is time to come full circle.
There is a circle in spirit that are our teachers from afar, and yet, the Cherokee and other American Indian elders believe the spirit exist in every leaf and flower in nature. These elders teach us to honor the drum, which is the center of Mother Earth, our heartbeat, and the beginning of our lives in the Circle of Life. As an elder said, "The Eagle feather is one of our first lessons of life. The drum is our first lesson of life's beginning with the heartbeat of Mother Earth. From there, our vision is what we make it." Another elder said, "Differences are only in our minds and our perception of things, such as the physical differences of an object. To an extreme, one person's fears may be another person's excitement. But for everything, even a simple rock, there is an imagination that paints our mind." In this Full Circle, we will look squarely at those differences and paint the picture we choose that is comfortable to us in the colors we choose, in the way we imagine it to be.
While we are here to focus on the West Medicine with the bear as our animal guide, we must go back to one of the first teachings. The Medicine Wheel reflects our way. As one elder said, "it (the Medicine Wheel) is a mirror for us to see ourselves, as there are four feelings that express ourselves in the mirror of life. We may feel fear, we may not feel at all, we may feel something special, or we may feel the presence of something peaceful with a presence that we cannot easily explain. We will return to the basic Medicine Wheel with seven stones in the center where the drum beats. There are four stones that take us to the outer circles edge in four directions from the center circle. There are 12 large stones that mark the outer circle that represents the Universal Circle. Each stone represents everything that has energy in life, from plants as helpers to the colors in the skyway. Everything in nature understands the sharing of all things in the teachings of "give-away." Man alone follows the path of greed and sharing with expectation. Therefore, he has to learn about harmony women seem to innately understand and respect with nature. However, this same human spirit acts as an "apportioner" of things and is able to organize and construct as a protector of all things. This gives the humans a place of their own; otherwise, they may not survive in nature without help from the animals. Humans are, well, just human.
As humans we are gifted with our own Medicine, as long as we follow the animal spirit of nature. In other words, we are people of the animal spirits, as they have given their spirit for our existence. This has been told to us by our ancestors. Each animal spirit having its own characteristic and spirit energy in the circle of "spirit way." Understanding of these things is through Vision Quest or seeking the way of our purpose and gifts to share with others. We learn about the way of right relationship, our true perceptions of the self, and our place in the Medicine Wheel. We learn of the Four Winds. We learn that the humans and lonely in the larger scheme of things. We learn that we have to be able to feel and to share our feelings. We learn that we are beings of light and energy like the Sun. That is why we are Eagle Dancers of the Sun, touching everything and touching nothing. What become important is not the "I," but the "we" in our lives, because we are never really alone.
Nature teaches us to create our own Medicine Shield and be the maker of our own Mask; the shield becomes our weapon of peace and the mask becomes our cover that is removed with the dance of life. We become the keepers of our own shield and the shield of those in our families that have come before us as teachers, healers, spiritualists, planters, and helpers. We think of following and humility, not leading and boasting. We finally understand that we are all Indians at heart. We earn our names and know the signs of truth. We tell the stories that our ancestors tell, and we craft our own. We learn the way of the people, and we become the people of Medicine. We finally understand the lessons of honor, respect, ceremony, sharing, dance, song, and drumming. We laugh at the Rabbit and Coyote stories as we seriously understand the energy and feelings of nature to laugh at ourselves in our own way. We learn the Four Directions and dimensions of the inner-self as we dance the story of life. We stand in harmony and balance on Mother Earth with all things in the Universal Circle. We have come Full Circle. We give thanks to our Grandfathers and our Grandmothers. We give thanks to the Great One.
J.T. Garrett, Ed.D., Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
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West Medicine - Direction of the Darkening Land
FULL CIRCLE: "West Medicine"
FALL - Sept. 20-22, 2002: Cherokee, North Carolina
WEST, THE DIRECTION OF THE DARKENING LAND
West, The Direction of the Darkening Land
Earlier Cherokee stories told of a place in the direction of the West that was called the "Darkening Land." In the myth, "The Daughter of the Sun," it was the Sun's daughter that the Little Men took the box containing the daughter. The Darkening Land has "special spirit Medicine" where the "ghosts people" dance in a circle. If the seven Little Men could somehow have the spirit ghost touch the rods with their energy while they touched the daughter with the energized rods in the circle. Then they were to place the daughter in the box and not opening it until they were home again. This metaphor has been used in ceremonies since earlier time. One elder said that the last "ghost spirit dance" was performed in 1924 in North Carolina to recognize this traditional ceremony. To better understand why and how this all started, the story of the Sun helps in understanding misunderstanding.
As the story goes, the Sun lived deep in the sky vault, while the daughter lived in the middle of the sky arch that goes West to the Grandmother's home. The Sun would start her journey in the early morning headed to the Grandmother's home, with a short visit at noon with the daughter. The Sun could not understand why the little people on Mother Earth would look up at her and make faces. She remarked many times to her brother, the Moon, about them squinting and never smiling at her. Moon said that he liked how the little people would look at him and smile, which made Sun very angry. She was jealous and decided to cause much heat down on the little people.
The people and animals of Mother Earth were getting sick from the intense heat, even Mother Earth was drying up with pain and parchment of her skin. A Council was called to decide what to do about the Sun causing a great fever and drying the planting fields. First they decided to make some Medicine to change two of the humans into large snakes that would sit near the door of the daughter's house until the Sun would emerge at noon. Their plan was to bite and scare her into hiding. She startled the snakes. One of them had a rattle that shoot when he was scared or during ceremonies. The light and heat was so intense when she opened the door that his rattle made lots of noise. The Sun was startled and she dropped her blanket of diamond shaped sewing patterns that her daughter had gifted her onto the snake. Both snakes were singed by the intense heat and retreated. To this day one of the snakes is called the Diamondback Rattler and the other is called a Copperhead, because only his head was sticking out from under porch when the Sun opened the door and singed his head.
The daughter came out to sit in a rocker on the porch when the quiet Copperhead slowly eased near her and bit her many times on the leg. Both snakes, or little men quickly fled back to Mother Earth for fear that the Sun would turn them into just a dry skin that she would put on her wall for decoration. The Sun came back by to have a tonic drink with her daughter that she had learned from the grandmother. She found her daughter lying there not breathing. She was so upset that she retreated and refused to come out at all. With so much darkness on Mother Earth, the.plants would not grow and some of the little people turned themselves into Owls and bats so they could see in the dark. A Council was held to decide how to take the daughter to the Darkening Land in the West so she could breath again, and so the Sun would come back out again.
Seven little men were chosen to build a box with sourwood rods to touch the Spirit Ghost when they danced. They got the daughter to the West, which took seven days. The seven men each stood near the female leader of the dance to have her touch the sourwood rods that were placed in the box with the Sun's daughter. As they were returning to the middle home in the skyway where the Sun had retreated, they hear a noise in the box. They remembered the instruction to not open the box, whatever might happen. The voice said "I cannot breath in this box." The little men continued their journey, still hearing the voice call to them for help. Near the end of their journey, they were afraid she would perish if they did not give her water to drink and open the box enough for her to breath. They hear a fluttering sound inside the box, then they heard a Redbird cry of "skwish, skwish, skwish!" in the woods. They closed the lid and continued the journey home. When they got there, the box was opened ...but it was empty! The Sun cried and mourned her daughter. The tears were flooding Mother Earth. A Medicine Man brought the little Redbird to the Sun, who told her she was her daughter. The Sun was so glad that she agreed to shine down brightest when she would see her daughter the Redbird while continuing to make the journey each day to visit the Grandmother. The little people dance with joy while wearing the brightest flowers and feathers they could find, which pleased the Sun. To this day, the Redbird is honored and believed to carry messages to her mother, the Sun for a plentiful planting and harvest season.
J.T. Garrett, Ed.D., Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
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West Medicine - Cherokee Story of the Bear Man
FULL CIRCLE: "West Medicine"
FALL - Sept. 20-22, 2002: Cherokee, North Carolina
THE CHEROKEE STORY OF THE BEAR MAN
The Cherokee Story of The Bear Man
There is a story of a man that was hunting in the Smoky Mountains on a cool and crisp mountain morning. He shot a Black Bear with a large obsidian arrow that went quickly and straight to its intended designation. He was a very good bear hunter. Little did he know that this Black Bear was no ordinary bear. The Black Bear started to run, when the hunter shot another arrow into him. The Black Bear stopped and slowly pulled the arrows out and handed them to the hunter. "You don't need to shoot me anymore, because you cannot kill me," said the Black Bear, then he invited him to go back to his cave with him for something to eat. Knowing what the hunter was thinking, he said "Don't worry there is plenty to eat there, and you can stay with me for the night." The hunter went with him.
As they got to the cave in the mountains, there was something going on in the adjacent cave. Black Bear said the bears were having a Council with the chief White Bear. The hunter sneaked a peak, and the bears smelled the hunter. As the hunter retreated, one of the Brown Bears said, "Why do you smell so bad?" Chief White Bear invited the hunter and Black Bear to join them. While food was scarce in the mountains, a bear scout said there were chestnuts and acorns that were knee deep to a grasshopper in the low country. With joy, they started to dance the Bear Dance. One of the bears noticed the bow and arrows of the hunter and asked, "Can we try this?" The hunter thought he better, since he was in the presence of so many bears. They tried but the string would get caught in their claws, so they gave them back to the hunter. It was a fun time of dance and songs, until it was late and time to rest.
Black Bear and the hunter went to his cave. The hunter had chestnuts, acorns, blackberries, and huckleberries to eat until he was full. It was strange to the hunter because he could not see any food there, but Black Bear would turn around and there they would be. The hunter stayed with Black Bear for most of the winter. One day the hunter noticed that he had long black hear growing all over his body and that he began to gate and walk like a bear. Black Bear said that living in the caves would do that to you, but he knew it was time for the hunter to go back to his people. Besides, it was close to time for the grand hunting time. Said Black Bear, you know they will come and hunt me for my furn and my meat. The hunter did not want to leave. Black Bear said, "Just cover my blood with the leaves, then look back as you leave."
The next morning Black Bear and the hunter were awaken by the sound of hunters and dogs that were barking. The hunter saw the bears and started to shoot them with arrows. They drug them outside, skinned them and prepared them for the journey home. Further back in the cave, the hunters saw their long lost hunting friend, but he had long black hair all over him. So they brought him with them to return home. Before leaving he asked to cover the blood with leaves. As they left, the lost hunter turned back to see Black Bear appear from the leaves, then go back into the cave.
As it was in those days, when a hunter or a lost child was kept by the animals, they would be shut up for seven days and nights until the animal nature left them. So they shut up the lost hunter, but his wife heard the news. She begged to see him, but the watch-keepers refused. On the fifth night, she snuck in while they were asleep to see her lost husband. She took him home, but his spirit left him early one morning before the end of the seven days and nights.
Some say that he was given in spirit so the bears could continue to exist, while some say he should have stayed the seven days and nights in fasting to get the animal spirit out of him. An elder told me that sometimes this happens when the hunter kills a "spirit animal" or "spirit bear" in this case. He said the old ones taught them to sing and dance the Bear Dance or the dance of the animal they were hunting to let the animals know they were coming. Also, they were taught to give thanks to the spirit of the bears or animals being hunted and call upon the chief of those animals to ask for the furn to stay warm for the winter and for the meat to survive. As it is in nature, the animals will give of themselves for the humans, knowing that the hunters will give thanks and cover their blood with leaves so they can live again.
J.T. Garrett, Ed.D., Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
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West Medicine - The West Full Circle
FULL CIRCLE: "West Medicine"
FALL - Sept. 20-22, 2002: Cherokee, North Carolina
THE WEST FULL CIRCLE
THE WEST FULL CIRCLE
Full Circle uses Inner-Circles for teaching, transition, healing, ceremonies, and meditation. It is a way to explore, inform, interact, and share in a small circle of about seven participants, while the larger circle of participants listen. West Medicine targets the following areas:
1. Self-awareness (Knowing).
2. Release or relate to fears (Being).
3. Life-purpose (Doing).
4. Elimination of discrepancy (Courage).
A process of "Rebalancing" is used to give us permission to find our path of harmony while checking our choices when we are out of balance and harmony. In a sense, it is to restore our integrity and flow of choices for continued response to the challenges each day in our lives. As Michael Garrett says, "The path of harmony is always within our grasp. We are the music. We are the harmony; and we are the circles. Ultimately, it is we who are the source of wellness and unwellness. "
Rebalancing is more about correcting the choices or the manifestation of those choices than it is about making judgement about what we or someone else has done wrong. We want to focus on "getting it right" and following choices towards the "way of right relationship." Choices are important, because it is the absence of choice that can lead to the pathway what we call "mental or physical illness." Rebalancing or correcting the balance is something like changing the weight or position of the weight on a tire for the car to run smooth on the road.
The Rule of Opposites is a lesson in traditional teachings about the choices we make often to do just the opposite of what we intend. The arrow must shoot straight and be almost perfect in structure to hit the intended target. Anything less will do just the opposite of our intent, which is to have a crooked arrow that will not hit the target. Imperfection with the arrow and other weapons in earlier years would have meant your own life at risk. However, imperfection was built into most items of ceremony and life with things made by hand to demonstrate that we are imperfect beings. A crooked arrow was not one of those choices.
The Rule of Opposites helps us to plan and organize our lives with the choices we make. Do we want to be independent or dependent? Do we finish school or find an excuse not to finish school? Do we fact our fear or use our fear as an excuse not to progress for fear of failure? The answers may be reasonable choices to deflect or avoid our fears, and that may be a good choice for us at the time. Here again, Rebalancing is a way to look at the opposite direction or choice to reverse what has been done. Do we use an injury as an excuse to be disabled, or do correct and relearn a way to use our abilities? Do we confront our inner fears or focus on efforts to avoid them. There is a Dimension of Generosity that help us to give and to be a helper to others. However we can exaggerate our empathy and overdo or over step the boundary, or have someone be co-dependent on us, rather that helping them balance their own direction and life. There is a Dimension of Independence that allows us to be strong for ourselves and others. This is different that the person who over-reacts to situation and shows a lack of self-confidence and anger of being out of control. There is a Dimension of Mastery that gives us a sense of competency and achievement. This is different that a person who cheats or takes the short cut while others take the time and dedication to master something. There is a Dimension of Belonging that calls for mutual trust and support. The opposite person may manipulate persons and situations to get what they want, which is usually ultimately to control or win for attention. The dimensions help us as a reality check on where we want to be in the circle.
There is a seven-step process to Rebalancing as follows:
1. Define the relationship and your view or perspective and understanding in the circle.
2. Discrepancies must be clearly defined through assessment and reality check with where you are going, what you are doing, or what the ultimate goal is in the relationship in the circle.
3. The source of imbalance is to be revealed.
4. The extent of imbalance and willingness to "be" at that level of imbalance in the relationship in the circle.
5. A strategy to Rebalance and/or acceptance of the exaggeration in the dimensions for maintaining relationships.
6. The appropriateness of acceptance and choice have to be in balance for harmony in relationships.
7. Follow-up and support that is mutual and trustworthy must be checked and monitored with feedback to reassure the value of the relationship in the circle.
Restabilizing may be necessary in every way of right relationship to have a reality check for continued harmony and balance. It may even be necessary to have "inner-circles" to explore clearing and to reaffirm intent, goals, and to shore-up feelings in the way of right relationships. It may be necessary to re-frame a situation; have a "clearing-way," or Rebalance the direction. Again, this is a choice, especially for those persons who are experiencing loss, instability, and a crisis situation. As an elder said, "Things come in their own time, sometimes. At other times, we choose when it is time to heal."
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West Medicine - Full Circle Healing & Wellness
FULL CIRCLE: "West Medicine"
FALL - Sept. 20-22, 2002: Cherokee, North Carolina
FULL CIRCLE HEALING AND WELLNESS
FULL CIRCLE HEALING AND WELLNESS
The dimensions of Belonging, Independence, and Generosity are inner, rather than outer in terms of influence and interference. People have the power to change if they want to. We are a process of birth, transformation, death, and rebirth. Traditional "old wisdom" in ceremonies focus on symbolic deaths and rebirths, as well as forming through us." This is a time of coming together for sharing, healing, support, and release or "give-away" as an experience of moving energy and releasing emotional bottlenecks. Traditionally it was a way for individuals to be empowered beyond their own energy level and state of being. It was sacred and ceremony was sometimes used as a spiritual opportunity. A prayer-chant with the rattle or drum with somber music was used for the coming-together. It is a shifting from the "'doing state to the being state with openness and healing." The past, present, and future were all in one time, so to speak where the circle becomes the teacher.
A "Talking Stick" is used to guide the experience, usually of laurel or sycamore. It is the "Honored One" as the group leader, counselor, or elder passes it clockwise with instructions. There is a "warm-up" and instructions as the energy is set for an inner-circle experience. It is important to understand that entering and leaving is with permission of the circle. Sometimes an Eagle or another type of bird feather is used as a talking stick, or even an energy stone such as a crystal "power stone."
Instead of a leader, per say, it is important to be a facilitator. Traditionally, the leader would be an "elder who was calm in spirit and patient in person." There may also be "helpers" in the circle who provide support. These are usually energy workers who are healers as well.
The objective is "Good Medicine" and bringing about harmony and balance. There are exercises that are sometimes used such as:
The I-Me (W-E). The story of Jim-nik and Mi-kih or Jim and Mike is used to show how one is dedicated to planting and caring, while the other just wants to get it done so he can go play ball or fish. The "I" becomes the projection of not listening or being selfish, while the "Me" is the inner person. This is a reality-check group approach to clarify our actions and reactions.
The Healing Circle (E-W). This is a special circle for energy work with support to a small group that is an immediate reaction or decision to "heal one's self" with guided energy work. There is usually a prayer chant with visualization or hands-on healing or energy work. Exercises such as "the energy ball" and "hands-together-apart" or "hands-up and hands-down" are used to practice and visualize energy involvement and used individually and within the group. Another exercise is to "move energy, around the circle while visualizing the flow in one direction, then in the other." Visualization can also be used to send negative energy to Mother Earth, while drawing or filling energy from the Universal energy of the Sun and the Skyway or "Thunder Beings."
The purpose of the Healing Circle is to facilitate the healing process, which can take place after the energy circle work. The intent is to facilitate harmony and balance.
Friendship Circle/Dance (E). The circle activity that moves like the snake and spirals around until it comes to a stop in the middle is fun for children and adults. It is a reminder of being child-like in holding hands and to reinforce friendship in the circle. The drum usually starts very slow, then increases tempo as the "head person" leads the circle. There were several ways to have and lead the Friendship circle and dance around the traditional fire in earlier years. It reinforces "coming-together" of participants in the friendship circle.
Mirroring (S-N). It is a way to restate a person's position as unconditionally true and emulating the same position. Exaggeration can be used as a reality-check, while awareness and understanding are the goals of a Mirroring exercise. It is also a way to play on the Rule of Opposites. The objective is to clarify, re-frame, and then mirror back a new perspective for the person or the group to ponder and accept or reject, based on their own choice.
Split-Self Technique or Approach (S-N). It is a role-playing approach that has the leader or someone else in the group acting in the role of the person with a discrepancy. in some action or opinion. The leader may "hear" something said or not said (non-verbal) in the group such as "I'm kind of lonely or Nobody cares what I think." That is played-out by the leader or someone picked from the group, which is usually setup in advance. The person then reinforces or counters the statement to clarify the discrepancy experienced. The self-defeating thoughts, feelings, and behaviors then are discussed with regard to choices and how it affects others feelings.
Renaming (W). While naming is a traditional ceremony and cultural way of American Indians, Renaming is a way that everyone can see themselves another way by choice. Words with names also has to do with our own feelings of worth. A name can be changed, such as the Cherokee using names to describe something about a person or an animal name. The question is asked, "What would you rename yourself, if given permission or simply choosing to do it?" Names such as with children can be detrimental to children, such as Fat Albert.
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West Medicine - Full Circle Exercises
FULL CIRCLE: "West Medicine"
FALL - Sept. 20-22, 2002: Cherokee, North Carolina
FULL CIRCLE EXERCISES
FULL CIRCLE EXERCISES
There are several exercises that have been given names from the traditional way they were used or from a Cherokee word with that meaning.
Sharing a Meal. The traditional and cultural way of preparing and sharing food with "coming-together" is a family, clan, and tribal group activity. It shows respect for the cultural gathering and an opportunity to "let your hair down." It is also just to have people feel good.
The Talking Circle. This is explained above.
Time-perspective. This is an assessment and therapeutic approach to share and find mutual understanding within the group. It is the current perspective that is a springboard for discussion and for defining the discrepancy of the person and/or the group. The discrepancy is about the knowledge of the self from past experience and ways of coping, the present view of self, and the goals of the future for the self or the group. These components are interrelated and inter-functioning that influence the goals and sense of purpose that come "full circle." This time-perspective is: Knowing (self-awareness)-past function Being (inner-circle)-present function Doing (life-purpose)-future function Questions are asked about past (best things that have happened to you and what did you learn); present (how you see yourself, reality-check, how you are framing it or discrepancy, what is working for you.); future (what it holds for you and what you look forward to).
The Four Directions. East: Something changing towards more at one with self, others, and environment. South: Something found that brings out the child in you or you enjoy. West: Something you are doing to increase self-awareness or improve life and work. North: Something you are doing to find inner calm or relaxation and wisdom learned to share with others. The group answers these questions: 1. Belonging (E)-Who or what are you a part of? 2. Mastery (S)-What do you enjoy doing/well? 3. Independence (W)-What do you believe or what is important to you? 4. Generosity (N)-What do you have to share?
"Transitioning." This approach is more in-depth in sharing an understanding of the source and extent of imbalance. The transition is what a person has experienced in coping and views helpful in dealing with a present situation or discrepancy. Clarification is used to "help" a person draw parallels or connections and recognize patterns or separation of thought, feelings, or behavior in dealing with a difficult experience. Questions are asked to have the group remember a tough experience and how they "transitioned" through it.
Natural Consequences. This approach is used with "Transitioning" for more in depth understanding of source and extent of imbalance or disharmony. "Transitioning" seeks parallels between past experiences and the present. Natural Consequences draws on how a person or the group has integrated the new experiences of past and present. The purpose is to increase self-awareness, further clarification of life lesson and purpose, and a better understanding of change and opportunity for choice. Questions are asked to consider what would be different (discrepancy) if something else had been done, or what are the negative consequences (discrepancy), or what would happen if ....?
Sourcing. This is an approach to "Rebalancing." What is our source of fear, knowing that a certain action or reaction has a purpose or function. The person or group decides a particular experience that stimulates a negative thought/feeling/behavior, then it can be changed to a positive situation. This is put into words about what you are saying to yourself. The questions are asked to clarify what makes one afraid, what purpose or function it serves, and what choice a person or group wants to do about it. The person or group also considered the consequences.
This allows for a deeper understanding of the fears and guides choices to focus on an attitude towards positive living rather than avoidance or deflection. This is in an effort to deal with discrepancies and to "Rebalance."
Reframing. Based on lessons learned about the Rule of Opposites in Full Circle, "Reframing" uses perspective as a tool in the process of understanding and the choice to change. The questions include: What if?, Could it be that?, Have you ever thought about?, Is it possible?, Maybe?, What would it mean if? Ultimatley, perceptions of choice affect choices made. "Reframing" is a way to confront and offer alternative ways of perceiving things with a subtle invitation to choose what is the "Good Medicine" choice, so to speak.
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East Medicine
FULL CIRCLE: "East Medicine"
SPRING - May 17-19, 2002 Cherokee, North Carolina
The year 2002 is the lesson of the Eagle, which is strength, commitment and compassion. The Cherokee wisdom of the East is related to the Sun, light energy and beginning of life. Participants will learn about the East plants and "helpers" of male and female energy in healing. There will also be a special "clearing-way" ceremony on the mountain to celebrate life.
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North Medicine
FULL CIRCLE: "North Medicine"
FALL - Oct. 5-7, 2001 Cherokee, North Carolina at the Holiday Inn
Each date begins a 7-day cycle
October 17 - A Time for Life Planning
Make decisions for self about things that are “dragging you down.” I am ready for something. Ask yourself, “what.”
October 24 - Time of Love Medicine
About making new, and renewing old friendships.
Be worthy of having a friend.
Am I of that state of mind?
Am I worthy of being/having a friend?
Feel it, then, it will be.
This is an “I feel worthy time”.
November 5 - A Special Day
Mental health day
Take 24 hours for yourself.
Be alone
(Re)create your walk on Power Mountain, or somewhere else, or take a walk.
Feel, sense; everything is a gift.
Put everyone and everything else on hold.
Just be - and you will realize the gifts you have received.
A focus day.
November 24 - A Clearing Cycle
Time of choices
Put yourself first
Find a sense of where you are
Something good is coming around the corner.
A time for integrity and wisdom
Speak with like minds (integrity and wisdom)
Don’t talk with people who are negative or who will bring you down.
December 1 - Time of Starting; Renewals
Don’t move things, but allow things to move around you Don’t worry about what’s going on around you.
Don’t let outside influences or interferences affect you
Be in a calm place; be the oak tree with roots in the ground
“Toot your own horn” - positive attention to yourself
Time to forget some things
Time to forgive some things
Time to pay attention to you as a whole; family
Look to the stars and give thanks.
December 10 - Time for a Change, a New Look
Create a new you [in moderation...$$ (smile)]
Be ready for new and positive changes
The minute you change, expect others to change how they react to you.
NEXT FIVE MONTHS:
Don’t “sit on your hind horse.” Seize the opportunity
While things are flying around, stand back with calm and assurance and don’t let anybody get in your space.
January - Time of calm. Get in your place and stay calm.
February - Time of warmth. Keep yourself warm and calm. No coldness from others.
March - Time to get out of your shell. Renewal. New life, new friends.
April - Calm rains will bring you to your Crystal Lake. Find yourself. Don’t let other rain on your parade/life.
May - Time of personal freedom.
Connect to the stars.
Time of intuitive observations. Follow your gut. You ARE you.
Focus on others. You are a helper, now be a helper.
Plant flowers, trees.
Renewal
A Prayer
“Oh Great One, may we always seek to walk the way of right relationship, in harmony and balance, being a keeper and protector of Mother Earth. Wa-doh!”
JT Garrett Ed.D, Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Each date begins a 7-day cycle.
October 17 - A Time for Life Planning
Make decisions for self about things that are “dragging you down.” I am ready for something. Ask yourself, “what.”
October 24 - Time of Love Medicine
About making new, and renewing old friendships.
Be worthy of having a friend.
Am I of that state of mind?
Am I worthy of being/having a friend?
Feel it, then, it will be.
This is an “I feel worthy time”.
November 5 - A Special Day
Mental health day
Take 24 hours for yourself.
Be alone
(Re)create your walk on Power Mountain, or somewhere else, or take a walk.
Feel, sense; everything is a gift.
Put everyone and everything else on hold.
Just be - and you will realize the gifts you have received.
A focus day.
November 24 - A Clearing Cycle
Time of choices
Put yourself first
Find a sense of where you are
Something good is coming around the corner.
A time for integrity and wisdom
Speak with like minds (integrity and wisdom)
Don’t talk with people who are negative or who will bring you down.
December 1 - Time of Starting; Renewals
Don’t move things, but allow things to move around you Don’t worry about what’s going on around you.
Don’t let outside influences or interferences affect you
Be in a calm place; be the oak tree with roots in the ground
“Toot your own horn” - positive attention to yourself
Time to forget some things
Time to forgive some things
Time to pay attention to you as a whole; family
Look to the stars and give thanks.
December 10 - Time for a Change, a New Look
Create a new you [in moderation...$$ (smile)]
Be ready for new and positive changes
The minute you change, expect others to change how they react to you.
NEXT FIVE MONTHS:
Don’t “sit on your hind horse.” Seize the opportunity
While things are flying around, stand back with calm and assurance and don’t let anybody get in your space.
January - Time of calm. Get in your place and stay calm.
February - Time of warmth. Keep yourself warm and calm. No coldness from others.
March - Time to get out of your shell. Renewal. New life, new friends.
April - Calm rains will bring you to your Crystal Lake. Find yourself. Don’t let other rain on your parade/life.
May - Time of personal freedom.
Connect to the stars.
Time of intuitive observations. Follow your gut. You ARE you.
Focus on others. You are a helper, now be a helper.
Plant flowers, trees.
Renewal
A Prayer
“Oh Great One, may we always seek to walk the way of right relationship, in harmony and balance, being a keeper and protector of Mother Earth. Wa-doh!”
JT Garrett Ed.D, Member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
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Natural & Plant Medicine
FULL CIRCLE: "Natural & Plant Medicine"
SPRING - May 4-6, 2001 Cherokee, North Carolina at the Holiday Inn
Purpose of this Full Circle:
NORTH: Bring helpful information and resources to the circle of friends on natural and plant Medicine
SOUTH: Provide participate activities for learning and sharing enjoyment
EAST: Focus on a positive healing experience that will transcend to everyday life
WEST: To provide a resource of seven herbal products for the individual's Medicine Bag. This include natural helpers as well, such as stones, song, dance, and new products.
COUNCIL OF WOMEN:
MEMBERS: Sue Conklin, Jeanne Stacy, Jeanie Campbell, Lynda Ruf, and Elane Lang
Activity is to teach respect for female energies and what must be valued for the survival of life here on Mother Earth. Plan an activity for Friday and Saturday night. The Council will plan a gifting and recognition of the elder women as Beloved Women. One person will work with someone from the Men's Council for a joint activity for Saturday evening. Planning and involvement of the Full Circle family can begin before Full Circle.
COUNCIL OF MEN
MEMBERS: Ben Perchik, Ron Patrick, Bill Hunt, Mike Ruf, and Chick Reeder
Activity is to teach responsibility of the male energy for honoring and protecting Mother Earth (and women). An activity could be planned for Friday and Saturday night. The Council will recognize the elder men or Beloved Men. One of the men will work with someone from the Women's Council for planning a joint activity for Sat evening. Consider the role of men in earlier survival of the family and tribe.
EARTH & WATER COUNCIL
EARTH CIRCLE: Jeannie Adair, June Read, Blair Caudle, Rebecca Van Der Goot, Dale Stacy
WATER CIRCLE: Tess Talon, Susan Auger, and Keith Davis
The Earth & Water circles are special inner circles for learning and sharing of survival ways. These were focused and skilled activities used traditionally for improvement and competition. Stories, personal experience, and show & tell can be used to emphasize learning without interference. A talking stick can be used, or interactive within the inner circle first, then bringing in the larger circle. Dance and movement, song and instrument, and pictures/visualization/vision might traditionally be used. On Sat or Sunday morning, plan to have a healing activity for Mother Earth and with water.
EARTH & PLANT COUNCIL
MEMBERS:Dee Weimer, Uwaya Erdmann, Peggy Adair, Simon Ferguson, and Julia Blackwell
Mother Earth provides natural and plant "helpers" for food, medicine, and healing. This council will focus on bringing this information to participants. In a traditional way, this is done with inner circle sharing that focuses on choice, not persuasion. The focus is also on encouraging seeking. Plan ways to show, then use an inner circle to answer questions asked by the larger circle. "Helpers" include plants, trees, stones, gifts of nature, and ways to create calm, and healing. Song, dance, drumming, crystals, feathers, and any of nature's gifts can be used for teaching.
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