I returned to Dreamy Draw Park on Friday, February 26, shortly before sunset. I first noticed that the Pleiades constellation was directly overhead after it became completely dark and the stars started appearing in the night sky. Also known as the Seven Sisters, this constellation comprised nine stars and played an essential role in my story. Since the Pleiades were directly overhead, I couldn’t help but wonder if a large part of my downloads and inspirations were coming from this place in the sky.
I began my journey at 3:12 PM on February 29, 2016. Please note that All My Relations is a prayer of oneness and harmony with all life forms: other people, animals, birds, insects, trees and plants, rocks, rivers, mountains, and valleys.
A few days before my journey began, I suddenly remembered a ceremony I had participated in during the 72 Days of God while attending a Two Spirit Gathering in Montana on July 17, 2010.
Here’s an excerpt:
“I attended the opening ceremonies of the Montana Two Spirit Gathering. That afternoon, I attended a private ceremony and got ”painted” by a Blackfeet tribe member. It was an amazing personal experience. During the ceremony, the Blackfeet tribe member painted my wrists and face and then asked me to walk out into the field, look up at the Sun, and speak, “Creator! See me!” I was then instructed to stand completely still for several minutes with my eyes shut while looking directly into the Sun. Once I finished revealing myself to the Creator, I was asked to return to the group. At that point, the tribe member informed me that I should continue to wear the paint for the rest of the day, and only after the Sun had set entirely should I remove the paint from my body and face. “
And so, I decided to incorporate these two concepts into my ceremony. However, I would use a paste created by mixing coconut oil and cornmeal instead of body paint.
February 29, 2016 – Leap Day
Direction: North
Element: Earth
Offering: Corn
On the first day, I lit a white candle on my apartment’s altar and headed to Dreamy Draw Park. I arrived at the park at approximately 2:45 PM. A few minutes later, I gathered my things and headed straight for where I had performed all of my new moon ceremonies during the last chapter of my story.
I arrived at my location at 3:10 PM. I waited until 3:12 PM and then began my ceremony. While shaking my Hopi rattle and repeating the following mantra;
The Father and I are one.
I stand before thee in the Light of the Christ.
For I am Light
I am Light
I am that Light.
…I greeted the six directions: north facing Hopi, east, south, west, above and below.
I placed 123 kernels of corn on the ground as an offering and applied a paste made of coconut oil and cornmeal to both ankles, wrists, and forehead. I then stretched out my arms and legs in both directions.
And with the following intentions: selflessness, fulfillment, completion, universality, universal understanding, interrelatedness, compassion, idealism, tolerance, forgiveness, generosity, benevolence, humanitarianism, emotionalism, and justice, I humbly come to you for myself and all of humankind.
I spoke the following words: Creator, I humbly come to you for myself and humankind. I stand before thee in the Light of Christ completely naked, just as I am. Please see me for who I am—all my imperfections and flaws. I humbly come to you openly and honestly, revealing my true nature and hiding nothing. I kept the remaining part private.
I continued to face the Sun until I felt my prayer was received. I laid down a rose quartz crystal I had taken during my initiation.
I closed my ceremony with the I am Light mantra, packed my things, and returned to my vehicle.
After sunset at 6:24 PM, I removed the coconut oil and cornmeal from my body and face. At that point, the first day was complete.