![]() ![]() Then the pipe was passed to the next man, to continue around the group until all participants had done the ritual four times. The supplication to the Great Spirit was repeated. He passed the pipe to the man at his right, the Oglala chief, Sun Cloud. He drew the smoke deep into his lungs, held it there for a moment, then exhaled curls of smoke that went heavenward. As I share your breath, Grandfather, open my heart and mind to receive and accept your sacred message, he invoked. Next, he saluted each of the four directions: the east to summon enlightenment and peace, the south where warmth was born, the west which brought rain, and the north which offered fortitude. ![]() Standing Tree raised the pipe upward to honor Wakantanka-the Great Spirit-and downward to honor Makakin-Mother Earth. His wrinkled fingers packed tobacco inside it, then took a burning stick from the fire and lit the fragrant contents. The Oglala shaman lifted the sacred catlinite pipe and fingered the smooth red bowl on a four-foot stem that had ceremonial beads and feathers attached at the joining point. Before I speak it, let us prepare ourselves. ![]() As the sun last slept, Grandfather gave me a vision, Standing Tree told the men gathered in the meeting lodge at their winter camp in the Black Hills. ![]()
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