The Give Away

I am the cave
who cradles the sacred
embers from the frigid momentum.

I am the embers
who patiently wait for spirit's
breath to stoke a flame.

I am the breath
who weaves a story
with its rhythm.

I am the story
who transmutes
all things given away.

I am the give away
reborn again,
and again,
and again.

I flow like water.

Each day.

~Words and sketch by Suzette Winona Summers©

I have been feeling the pull of the earth... the call to hibernate...to gather my strength and compost my experiences... It is that time... and soon it will be the time for new shoots to sprout forth from a dark nest. 

Synchronistically, I read this today on the Facebook page ShamanTube after I had already begun this poem:

 "It is in the Underworld...that seeds germinate and prepare for spring. Myths of descent and rebirth connect the soul's cycles to those of nature.”
― Terri Windling

Mother-Father God, Infinite Great Spirit that moves through all things, I pray that you bless the sacred waters that cover this Earth. I pray that you re-awaken our hearts and minds to the powerful healing that flows through them. Guide us, and lead us, in the ways we can bring change into the minds of those who do not see, or have forgotten the sacredness of water. Water is life. We give thanks for the loving water that flows through this world for the healing and survival of all living things. Bless the waters. Bless our hearts. Bless our minds. Show us the way. May your will be done. So be it. So it is.







Yesterday, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I was honored to share a blessing for the Ohio River, and all of the sacred waters of this planet. The way in which this came about was truly divinely orchestrated, and I am still in awe of the way the sacred moves within us, around us, and through us. 

Last week we were made aware that there was a chemical spill in the Ohio River, and that the chemical plume was headed toward Louisville. Of course, my heart was sad hearing of this, but I also know that we are not unique, and that the poisoning of the Earth's waters are happening every day. Water is sacred. So many have forgotten. 

The posts of local people on Facebook were sad, angry, and fearful about the chemical spill, and the way the water company was handling the situation. Although my heart was sad too, and that familiar fear and helpless feeling was creeping up inside of me, I felt that we needed to respond with a higher vibration. And with that inspiration, I wrote the above prayer, and shared it on Facebook.

A day, or so later, I became aware that a local woman, Melissa Rue, was working on organizing a Community Blessing For the Ohio River, so I contacted her asking for more information because I would like to attend. I told her that I was feeling a similar inspiration and had  written a prayer on my Facebook wall the other day. The universe  is a funny thing... She responded immediately, and saw our connecting as fate, and asked if I would be willing to lead the blessing. I was honored and in awe of the orchestration of the universe... of how when we allow spirit to guide us, wonders continue to unfold... and they continued...

My passion is to bring the ritual and participation of circle to people, and I was able to do just that. Women, men, and children stood close together in circle. A woman stood in each of the four directions and called in the spirit of that direction, with the support of the entire circle. I then said a prayer for the water, for our hearts, minds, and spirits, and asked that the Great Spirit that moves through all things would transmute the emotions of fear, anger, and helplessness into confidence, inspiration, strength and steadfastness. I prayed that we would be directed by Spirit rather than our egos as to the best ways we can work to protect and heal our waters. As I was praying a dear friend, Tara, held a bowl of water, and after the prayer, each person in the circle was invited to share their blessing with the water. 

One by one, people came to the bowl of water cradled with reverence by Tara to offer blessings. Women. Men. Children. Oh, the children. My heart bloomed with hope as I saw young girls with somber faces placing their hands upon the bowl, and speaking their blessings into the water. There–is hope. There–is power. I was in awe. What a blessing. 

What a powerful, amazing gift the creator gave me to be an initiator and a witness to such power housed in such gentle authenticity. And this is what I live for–to bring ritual, ceremony, and participation to the world. To teach our children the power of community, authenticity, prayer, and blessings.  I live for the moments when I can be a catalyst and a witness to women (and men) claiming their power, and using that power for the healing of this planet. 

In gratitude and abundant love,
Suzette