Conclusion
Every great dream begins with a dreamer.
Always remember, you have within you the strength,
the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars,
to change the world.
–Harriet Tubman
This is a time like no other. We cannot go back to the dim past of the goddess and the grandmothers of culture, to a time that seems lost like the fading of sunset. None of us really know exactly where we came from, but we do know that we must evolve or die. The sacred feminine is one key, but so is the sacred masculine. We must recognize that we each, both individually and collectively, have the power to dream a different dream. We can dance the wonder of the universe in every form, in all its diversity. It seems we have no choice at this point. And so I encourage you: do not waste your life.
I conclude this book with a story from the Lakota nation of the Great Plains. This story is old, but it is new too; it is the story of a sacred woman who is bringing a message of truth and peace, a message that is sorely needed in today’s world. It is a message of deep reverence: reverence for our mothers and fathers, our grandmothers and grandfathers, reverence for our children, and reverence for our dear Mother Earth. Long ago, White Buffalo Calf Woman brought the sacred pipe to the people, and I believe she is still bringing it, she is still carrying the story we so desperately need to hear. She carries the wisdom of our interconnectedness, and the ability to steward this incredible earth. She carries the power to walk with grace and strength even in the face of obstacles. She holds the deep well of love for all of our relations. It is my sincere hope that as we call in the power, love, and wisdom of the sacred feminine, we will find and use the medicine of White Buffalo Calf Woman to heal our planet.
The White Buffalo Calf Woman and the Sacred Pipe34
Two young men were sent out to scout for game, as it was a time when little food was available, and the people in the camp were hungry. The men set out on foot, as this was also the time before horses, the great Spirit Dogs, were given to the people. After a long time hunting with no luck, the two men climbed to the top of a hill and looked to the west.
“What is that?” asked one young man.
“I cannot tell, but it is coming toward us,” said the other.
And it came toward them. At first it seemed to be an animal, but as the form came closer, they realized it was a woman. She was dressed in a white buffalo skin and carried something in her hands. She walked so lightly that it seemed as if she were barely walking at all, instead floating along the surface of the earth with her feet barely touching.
The first young man realized she was a divine being, and his mind was filled with good and beautiful thoughts. But the second young man only saw her as a beautiful young woman, and his mind filled with bad and desirous thoughts. As she came close to them, he reached out to grab at her. As soon as he did, there was the sound of thunder and a flash of lightning. The young man was covered by a cloud. When it cleared away, there was nothing left but a skeleton.
Then White Buffalo Calf Woman spoke clearly and directly. “Go to your people,” she said, holding up the bundle in her hands so that the remaining young man could see it. “Tell your people that what I bring is a good thing. It is a holy gift to your nation, a message from the Buffalo People. Put up a medicine lodge for me and make it ready. I will come after four days have passed.”
The young man followed her directions. He went back to his people and told them the message of the White Buffalo Calf Woman. The crier went through the camp and told everyone that something sacred was coming and all things should be made ready. They built the medicine lodge and made an earth altar that faced the west.
After four days had passed, the people saw something coming toward them. As it came closer, they saw that it was the White Buffalo Calf Woman. In her hands she carried the bundle as well as a cluster of sacred sage plant. The people welcomed her into the medicine lodge and gave her the seat of honor. She sat down slowly, peacefulness emanating from her being. Slowly she unwrapped the bundle and showed them what was inside. It was the sacred pipe. She held it up and explained the meaning of the sacred pipe.
“The bowl of the pipe,” she said, “is made of red stone. It represents the flesh and blood of the Buffalo People and all other peoples. The wooden stem of the pipe symbolizes the plants and trees, and all living, growing, green things of this sacred earth. The smoke that passes through this pipe is the sacred wind, the breath that carries prayers up to Wakan Tanka, the Creator.”
When she finished showing them the pipe, she then taught the people how to hold it and how to offer it to the earth and sky and the four sacred directions. She told them a great many things to remember.
“The sacred pipe,” said the White Buffalo Calf Woman, “will show you the Good Red Road. When you follow this Good Red Road it will take you in the right direction.” She smiled at the people gathered in the medicine lodge, then stood up and said, “Now I will leave, but you will see me again.”
She left the lodge and the people followed her outside. She began to walk toward the setting sun and as the people watched, they saw her stop and roll once on the earth. When she stood again, she was a black buffalo. She walked along farther, then rolled again on the earth. This time she stood up and was a brown buffalo. Again she walked farther, again she rolled on the earth. She stood up as a red buffalo. Finally, a fourth time, she walked farther, rolled again, and stood up as a white buffalo calf. She continued to walk as a white buffalo calf until she disappeared into the horizon.
As soon as the White Buffalo Calf Woman was gone, herds of buffalo appeared around the camp. Now the people could hunt the buffalo, and they gave thanks with the sacred pipe for all the blessings. As long as they followed the Good Red Road of the sacred pipe and remembered what the White Buffalo Calf Woman had taught them, that all things were as connected as parts of the pipe, they lived happily and well.
34. This story by Joseph Bruchac is reprinted here with his permission from the following source: Michael J. Caduto and Joseph Bruchac, Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children. Golden, CO: Fulcrum, 1989.