Sun Moon Dance
Sun Dance is one of the most powerful of Native American ceremonies. This form has been given by Joseph Rael (Beautiful Painted Arrow) and is being held by Nick Hurn, see our faculty page, in Norfolk from 26 to 29 August 2011. If you are interested in dancing, drumming or supporting the dancers or would just like to know more about this ceremony, contact Nick on 01603 300885.

Christianne describes how the Medicine Wheel teachings for the Four Directions worked for her in a teaching situation:

"I started teaching hairdressing at a local college. My students were aged between 16 and 18. I picked up the group after a difficult six months: tutors leaving, no organised lessons. They were despondent and disruptive. A small group who had run the show before |I arrived caused total mayhem. I was being tested. It struck me one day that the ringleader was probably sitting in the West. Sure enough she was in the Northwest. Before the next theory session, I labelled the seats, moving the ringleader into the South. The dynamics of the group changed that day. When I chose the seating I had control of my lesson."

Christianne further describes how the Four Directions helped a woman set boundaries in a business situation:

"I had been working with a young woman who has her own successful business. She was concerned about one of her clients. He was rude, aggressive and made her feel powerless. She was dreading their next meeting. Despite meeting all their agreed targets and exceeding them during the course of the year, he did not want to pay her for work already done and appeared to be angling for some future free business, using intimidation. We talked about power and formulated a plan so she would dictate where they both sat to discuss contracts, payment and future work. We thought she should direct her meeting from a position of power. He was placed in the South, a position of trust. The meeting was a resounding success. Her client paid her in full and she felt empowered enough to refuse him a future contract."

Here is a more personal example from Christine:

"Going to and from work I use gateways at particular places and birds, sometimes animals, trees, clouds, the sun, the wind, offer omens and teachings. I sing. At work, I work with the land, the trees, squirrels and birds. I'm often aware of the Directions - who sits where. I call on a particular Direction in a particular situation, or work with a Direction long term."

I ask all the animals to open their mouths
to howl this prayer for peace

I ask all the birds to lift their songs to the winds
and sing this prayer for peace

I ask all the trees and flowers, all that is green growing
to open their hollow throats where the sap runs
to call this prayer for peace

I ask the rocks to dream this prayer for peace

I ask the sand to rearrange its grains
and write this prayer for peace

I ask the ocean wave to shout this prayer for peace
or whisper it on the lonely listening beaches
where the rivers will send it upstream
in the willing breath of fish

I ask the deep wells to give rise to this prayer for peace

I ask the holy hills to toll this prayer for peace

I ask the stars to shine the spelling
of this prayer for peace

and the moon and the sun pause in the sky
as night and day, as right and left, as east and west
as all that is opposite yet may still come into balance
in harmony with this world, and in time

I ask for every candleflame to ignite this prayer for peace
so that this prayer is in the world and of the world
and becomes the world and the world is peace.

© 2003 Rose Flint, 8 Grosvenor Terrace, Larkhall, Bath BA1 6SR