For 15 years, I facilitated a Sacred Space study group. We met weekly and studied a specific plant, bird or animal. In a meadow near my home outside Philadelphia, we were studying the flower Indian paintbrush (Castilleja mutis). It is a striking scarlet flower that helps open the mind to the special realms of nature.
It was a lazy summer day. We had brought our lunch and our constant companion when visiting the meadow: my little dog, Tricksy. We planned to reflect on the flower silently; afterward, we would share our insight.
Before beginning, we expressed thanks for the flower’s beauty and wisdom. We asked to have a deeper understanding of how it could help us, family, or others. We had spread our blankets out on the earth under some very tall trees so we could look up into them as we reflected. We looked not so much at the trees, but through them.
What we saw is always present in the natural world; we had just never seen. We saw circles, as wheels, in every part of the trees. Some circles were gently moving; some were seen as huge circular designs weaving remarkable patterns across the trees. The circles seemed to bind the trees together in an exquisite, moving tapestry. The trees were meshed together in a unique blend of unity and harmony.
Later, observing the meadow, we noticed that circles were an integral part of every plant and the grand design of the meadow.
The circle is a sacred form of the Truth of Harmony that represents wholeness, unity, perfection and infinity. In the natural world, it exists everywhere as a basic form of life. As the tires on a car allow it to move smoothly down the road, circles allow everything to move through space smoothly, in a synchronized harmony.
The following is a famous interpretation of a circle by Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux medicine man (1863–1950).
“You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle; everything the power of the world does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same, and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.”
A goal of sustainable gardening is to highlight the unity of all life and celebrate circles by including circular designs or structures throughout the landscape.
To our ancestors, a walk in the wild was like going to the grocery store. The recognition of food and medicinal plants was commonplace. Life evolved through deep, personal relationships with the earth. Keen observers of the earth, they learned that the earth is a self-contained, self-reliant and self-resilient ecosystem. It was every-one’s responsibility to care for the earth.
I first encountered the concept of the “Circle of Life” from Sandy Taylor, a friend and director of a nonprofit organization—Rainbow Child International—which offers environmental and multicultural programs. A student of indigenous wisdom, she was taught about the earth through the circle. “The circle, a sacred form of harmony, represents the unity of all life on the earth, which is interrelated and interdependent.”
This ancient, deep-seated belief became a standing foundation for planetary health that has existed for thousands of years. With a commitment to preservation, ancient edible gardens not only offered a road to physical and mental health but also ways to sustain the health of the Circle of Life.
With an understanding that the earth is alive, a consciousness to whom attunement can be made at any time, all life on earth is part of an Earth community. A garden is the perfect example of a place where that can be experienced and learned. With ingenuity and the American brand of freedom, E pluribus unum, restoration of the Circle of Life is possible. Your edible landscape can be a model for survival, a beginning for growing gardens with a conscience.
1.How does the garden make a difference for the next seven generations?
2.How does the garden affect your family? Neighbors? The Circle of Life?
3.What do you want to learn about the earth? Wind? Water? The Circle of Life?
Life in all its forms is bound together by a common thread. Each is an essential part of the circle of life. This is beautifully demonstrated by the indigenous peoples’ way of referring to life in all its forms as “People.” For example, all trees can be known as Tree People; different flowers can be called Flower People; Air People refers to those creatures who fly as the Butterfly People, the Winged People; Water People are those who live in water; the Two-Legged People are humans, and the Four-Legged people are those who walk on four legs, as the Bear People or Wolf People. In this book we can include all the Bean People, Herb People….
Ways to support the Circle of Life
1.Honor the earth and remember All is One—One is All.
2.Grow at-risk plants whenever possible, e.g., two black-eyed Susan species are considered to be endangered: Rudbeckia missouriensis and Rudbeckia scabrifolia.
3.Attract and provide for birds, butterflies, bees and other beneficial critters.
4.Plant natives and historical trees.
5.Purchase heirloom seeds; save your own or leave them on the ground for the birds and renewed growth.
6.Express joy, gratitude or compassion for the Circle of Life, family, friends and the planet.
7.Have ceremonies expressing wisdom, talents and gratitude for the Circle of Life.
8.Place seating to best experience the beauty of your garden during different times of the day, even in the moonlight.
9.Improve the soil for growing healthy plants.
10.Have thoughts, actions, words, or feelings that support peace and harmony with the earth community. As an example, when planning a new garden bed, ask yourself what would be harmonious for the entire property.
11.For artful naturalism, include curves, ovals, rounds or arches throughout the landscape design.
12.Include space in your garden to honor relatives and ancestors; e.g., plant a tree or a special flower.
13.Design garden areas enclosed with a Medicine Wheel, or install a classical seven-path labyrinth. Both offer personal healing and energize the atmosphere.
14.Create magical spaces for children to rest, imagine or reflect; e.g., place a seat in a vine-covered grotto or where looking up into a tree is possible.
15.Ask yourself often, “How can I diminish harmful imprint on the earth and wildlife?”
16.Be a working partner with the planet.
17.Recycle natural items, e.g., add shells, make stone towers, use branches from pruning for flower stakes, or make weed barriers from old, eco-friendly rugs.
18.Senses are rewarded by a diversity of plants and species.
19.For an alliance of spirit, nature and beauty, set aside a wild space and make it off-limits to everyone. The tiny microbes in the soil will thank you for not stepping on them. As an example, I chose an area in my backyard underneath a huge eucalyptus tree. To keep mowers and weed whackers out, I placed a fence on one side, with strong shrubs and flowers along the other edges.
In the fall of 1990, The Wolf Clan Teaching Lodge invited Elders from around the world to gather at Grandmother’s home, to share their wisdom and create a vision of peace. The event was to be known as Wolf Song One. Many elders arrived, several from the jungles of Central and South America, some for the first time leaving their home; one lay dying to be carried onto the plane. They came to keep the Sacred Teachings alive. We were asked to give the name Indigenous to Native People and to begin the tradition of honoring Nine Sacred Directions.
The Sacred Directions offer an opportunity to focus the mind. To each direction, Native cultures assign a specific season, an element, animal, and a symbolic meaning.
I was taught that at birth, spirit guides from each direction teach wisdom from their different points of view. Throughout life, these experiences develop earth awareness and allow us to make deeper connections to the circle of life.
The influence from the sacred directions helps to build personal skills of creativity and inner harmony. Through these skills, we learn to appreciate who we are and we also learn to appreciate others. This is our mission in life. This process, known as the Beauty Way, awakens the spiritual nature and fills the heart with an inner peace and contentment.
Experiencing nature with one’s inner senses results in receiving valuable insight for life.
A student expresses personal truth in her journal at Melinda Joy’s Shamanic Journey Class, Los Angeles 2011.
East: Inspiration, clarity of
vision, growth, new beginnings
South: Love, trust, communication; change lessons into stepping stones for love
West: Honor; going Within; relatives, ancestors, goals and achievements
North: Wisdom, gratitude, unity, health and healing
Above: Sky connections, dream thoughts
Below: Earth connections
Within: Truth
Love: Energy
Peace: Wholeness
Grandmother taught to celebrate and honor the teachings of ancient indigenous ancestors. They are teachers of peace. Our elders tell us that we enter this Earthwalk as I AM to become WE ARE. We are individualists living in a world of unity. We are peace-seekers in search of Inner Truth.
We Celebrate and honor our Ancient
Ancestors, the Teachers of Peace.
We honor their purpose and their presence.
Our Elders tell us we enter the Earthwalk as
I Am to become We Are.
We are individualists living in a world of unity,
uniworld—our unity and the unity of others.
We are influenced by the Nine Sacred
Directions.
We work with our own creativity; we share it with
Harmony; we teach Harmony with
appreciation and gratitude.
When we learn to appreciate who we are, we learn
how to appreciate others.
This is our mission in life.
The following is a shamanic ritual that will stimulate intuitive insight.
Honor the four elements in your garden design—Earth, Fire, Air and Water
1.Earth Element: Choose a special place to install a circle of 12 stones, marking the directions of East, South, West and North. In the center place five smaller stones to represent Above, Below, Within, Love, and Peace.
2.Fire Element: Burn sage incense as you walk through your garden; plants love to be smudged, especially ones that are infested with bugs.
3.Air Element: Hang a wind chime on a tree to capture the wind and move your prayers into the garden to bring healing and positive chi.
4.Water Element: Install a birdbath next to a shrub. Be sure to change the water everyday. Walk through your landscape to find any place that water can be collected and utilized.
Just as the cornerstones of a building are the fundamental basis of the structure, the truths of Peace, Joy, Love or Compassion, and Harmony are the cornerstones of life. I am bringing them into this discussion of the circle because they are a part of the Circle of Life.
These four basic truths or powers can align with your mental, emotional, or spiritual self. Oneness with nature is a peaceful act that always has everlasting effects upon the collective consciousness. Like ripples made on the surface of a pool of water, the energies activated with positive prayer or sacred ceremonies can radiate several miles into the air.
It is an ancient belief that each thought, action, or spoken word moves across the Great Web of Life; its influence is registered, with or without conscious awareness.
The Truth of Peace
The dictionary states “Peace is harmony in human relations, tranquility and quietness.” A soft, pure white cloud in the light blue sky gives an experience of peace. It can be felt in that gentle summer breeze meandering through your garden. Peace is being in the presence of a soft, white rabbit or a gentle deer. You can experience peace on a silent night when the snow is gently falling. The truth of Peace is similar to Shambhalla as it is uncovered from deep Within.
Being at peace with your Inner Self guarantees that there is at least some peace in the world. Once discovered Within, you can easily share this inner peace with others as compassion. Loving compassion is the key to generating world peace. As you walk a path of peace, life flows more smoothly, and there is a greater awareness of the many little miracles that grace your life each day. Imagine that you are not only “at peace” or “in peace,” but that you are peace. This is the deepest truth.
The truth of Joy is an emotion of sudden pleasure. Joy is found in you. It creates a sense of exultant satisfaction. When we walk in Joy, we feel bubbles of intense delight. Choose to make Joy a central part of each day. Choose to have fun, to smile. Expect a miracle. Make Joy and laughter central ingredients of your life. Children do this automatically. As adults there is a tendency to put aside Joy and that exciting sense of wonder. Looking back at a favorite garden, what brought you Joy?
When the sun’s light hits the earth’s atmosphere, light explodes into tiny rainbows of Love and Joy that fill the air. Any time you feel a lack of Joy, simply breathe deeply to be filled with sun’s light. Visualize the energies of Joy pouring into you. Give thanks for being filled with happiness.
The Truth of Love
The truth of Love can be experienced in the exquisite beauty everywhere in nature. When moments are taken to quietly observe, the heart and soul can be deeply healed by the truth of Love. Ask yourself and each person who lives in your home: At what favorite place in nature have they felt this Love? When you experienced an awe-inspiring moment at the edge of beauty in the majesty of the earth, it is an experience of Love. While in the experience, take a deep breath to become one in the breath with the beauty, and allow the beauty to wash over and through you with deep gratitude and appreciation. It’s the fire that is able to melt the bonds of isolation and abandonment. It generates a warm glow of self-acceptance and lights the path of self-discovery and self-worth. Compassion is Love in action. Every act of Peace is an act of Love.
Mr. Webster tells us that harmony is an “agreement in feeling, approach, or action.” A very popular example of harmony is the spontaneous interaction of notes in a chord of music—pleasing sounds, pleasing experience. When the three truths of Peace, Joy and Love come alive within your being, there is a sense of Harmony. Lives are balanced and less stressful. Timing improves—being able to do the right thing at the right time, be in the right place at the right time. Life is filled with a deeper sense of satisfaction and confidence.
The earth moves at a slow rhythm, closer to that of a flower blooming. Calling the mind to the deepest part of the heart’s sensory system, or the inner senses, develops your ability to attune to that rhythm. Remember when you held a conch shell to your ear and heard the ocean waves? In the same way you can hear the space between your heartbeats or see the space between physical perception and your inner sight.
The goal is to see, hear, or feel at deeper levels of the mind. When you are walking in your garden, hold the intent of seeing a flower’s rhythm. Allow your inner senses to take you on a tour of your garden.
This is a prayer created at an international symposium, “The Meaning of Peace,” 1991, officiated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I was invited to attend with other educators, religious leaders and native people. It has been taught to children all over the world and used at the beginning of any event to bring a sense of common ground.
I offer you peace.
(Hold both hands to each side, palms forward, elbows bent.)
I offer you friendship.
(Place the palms together with the fingers pointing toward bent elbows.)
I offer you love.
(Touching the heart first, hold hands outstretched in front of you.)
I hear your needs.
(Cup right and left hands behind both ears.)
I see your beauty.
(Place the palms over the eyes, then hold both palms forward at the side of the head.)
(Cross the arms over the chest, with the fingers touching the shoulders.)
My wisdom comes from a higher source.
(Move the right hand downward from above the head, palm down; at the same time move the left hand upward from below the waist, bringing palms together in front of the heart.)
I salute that source in you.
(Holding palms together in front of the heart, look another person in the eyes and bow to them.)
Let us work together.
(With palms together, intertwine fingers.)
There are special times during each year when the stage is set by the universe for us to experience intense moments of well-being. To experience and share such powerful moments, the equinox and solstice times are excellent days for gathering family and friends of all ages. There is a journey of discovery that revitalizes and empowers your life.
In the fall of 1981, my friend Indigo and I began gathering people together for annual Medicine Wheel gatherings to be held at equinox and solstice times. We spent many hours researching how other cultures honored these special times. We discovered that people as far back as 5000 B.C. created ceremonies to share their gratitude, and give honor to their community, family, ancestors, the universe, and the earth.
Although the approaches we used were eclectic, we always included walking in honor and gratitude through the Nine Sacred Directions. The gatherings were held in public parks or backyard gardens throughout the Philadelphia area. These ceremonies deepened friendships and allowed children to be bonded to a larger family community. Taking part in so many transforming experiences enhanced personal growth and nourished my soul.
The most important work to be done is creating opportunities in which people can share their thoughts and feelings about life and the natural world. During the equinox and the solstice times, the Great Mystery sets the stage, and those who come to express their praise and gratitude are rewarded with personal growth, profound insight, and lasting fulfillment. The mind, body, and soul are always healed and taken to another level of being.
Honoring the Sacred Cycles in Your Life
The following are some ways that were used through the seasons to help people be more grounded, attuned, and focused. At the beginning of each gathering, while people are arriving, each person is given two small pieces of paper to write one or two goals for the season. One is kept in a sacred spot in their home and the second is burned in the fire during the ceremony.
I recommend not more than one or two goals for the year. This allows a focus on your goals until they have been reached. As soon as the goal has been achieved, then choose another one. A more narrow focus allows greater awareness of change and achievement. As the answers become goals on which the mind can focus, growth is easier to see and your life is more manageable. For deeper understanding of what has been received or achieved, read over your notes again at the end of each year.
I invite you to design your own ceremonies through the year. Remember to include a special area for people to say prayers while lighting a candle for a friend or a loved one. Choose a purpose or focus for each ceremony and plan for a positive effect to be felt for the next seven generations.
The winter solstice, in late December, begins an important cycle of life. In the winter, landscapes lie dormant. Growth pauses. It is the best time to make plans or choose specific goals for the next year. I have always thought of the process as similar to planting a garden. Each year choices are made for which seeds to plant or what changes are wanted. Which “weeds” to pull out of the garden? Ask….
What do I want to achieve in the next year?
What seed(s) do I want to plant for my life during the next year?
What new plants do I want to include in my landscape to bring joy and nutritional value?
What changes do I want to make in my life? In my landscape?
Spring Equinox
The spring equinox, in late March, is a time to begin building the foundation to achieve your goals. Tell others about your goals; network. This is the time to stretch your mind by trying out new ideas. Plan on doing whatever is necessary for the seeds to grow. Ask….
What steps do I need to take to achieve my goals?
Do I have any resistance anywhere?
What actions, words, thoughts, or emotions will help my seed(s) grow?
What changes do I want to make in my life to achieve my goals?
The summer solstice, in late June, comes into view. It is the season for garden parties, enjoying abundance and sharing with friends and family. Whatever happens between now and the autumn equinox reveals the fruit of your seed(s) planted at the winter solstice. Ask…
What is blooming or growing well in my landscape?
Where is the abundance?
What is my favorite bloom? The worst?
What issues in my life have I become more aware of?
What lessons have I learned?
How can I change a lesson into an opportunity to grow as a person?
How can I celebrate the achievements I have made or am now making?
How can the earth, wind, water or any part of the Circle of Life be acknowledged or celebrated?
Autumn Equinox
The autumn equinox, in late September, is the grand finale of the cosmic cycle of seasons. Now, the fruit is harvested. Take stock of the many blessings that have been received, and give thanks. Tell others what happened to you. Begin the walk into the West by slowing down. Ask just before the winter solstice:
What are the fruits of my seeds, planted at last year’s winter solstice?
What have I achieved this year?
What has been received, learned, enjoyed since the beginning of the year?
Who am I today?
Where would I like to go with my life?
What seeds do I want to plant at the winter solstice for the next year?
For an Autumn Equinox, 1991, Melinda Joy leads a Blessing Ceremony. It’s a time to slow down, look over the past year, make a list of your blessings, give thanks and reflect on who you are today.
An ancient song for honoring the Circle of Life:
Earth Song
The Earth is our Mother,
We must take care of her.
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
With every step we take
We bless the Mother Earth.
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
The Sun is our Father
And we must honor him.
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
With every breath we take
We honor Father Sun
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
Hey-Yana Ho-Yana Hey-Yana
Below is an ancient native prayer that Grandmother Twylah would recite every morning with all who were present at the Wolf Clan Teaching Lodge, and which has been a significant part of my life since I began studying with her. Grandmother suggested that we say it every morning. It has been my inspiration before all my classes and workshops as a continual reminder that the guidance from Within and the metaphysical support of the Circle of Life is the most important ingredient of my life and happiness.
Reflecting my life and the Circle of Life in my garden has been a source of Joy, Peace, and Harmony that has given me a better understanding of the truth of Love.
Oh Great Spirit,
We awake to another sun.
Grateful for the gifts bestowed
Granted one by one.
Grateful for the greatest gift
The precious breath of life;
That guide us day and night
As we walk our chosen paths
Of lessons we must learn—
Spiritual peace and happiness
Rewards of life we earn.
Thank you for your Spiritual Strength
And for our thoughts
to praise;
Thank you for your
Infinite Love
That guides us through these days.
