The Circle of Life ~ Part 3

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect ~ Chief Seattle, 1854

Shayla's bag for her ashes

 Throughout my adventures on Maui, I learned that I was not in control of this journey. People came into my life and even if for a short time, left their mark on my world. This was the case when I was seeking to honour Shayla in the last part of my ‘releasing her.’ 

The evening of the Fire Ceremony, I went to where Shayla's ashes had been released and took this picture

Before I left Canada, I contacted the Métis Society. I wanted to know what I should do with the beautifully crafted Medicine bag, which held my daughter’s ashes. I took away from the conversation that burning it would be the best option. 

Shortly after my daughter had passed away, I found a bag amongst her things. It contained a braided piece of sweet grass, a pebble and sage that was bound together with string. Shayla had participated in smudging ceremonies and joined in sweat lodges.
It is interesting to note in sweat lodge ceremonies, red-hot rocks fuel the purification process that aids spiritual growth . Finding these items brought me a sense of peace as I know my daughter was proud of her Aboriginal roots.

When the original plans and location to burn the bag fell through due to monsoon rains, time was not on my side. The day before I left Maui, Terry and I had gone to check out our options. We soon discovered an area at the ocean. I began to look around and soon discovered this was a party location. I knew I would be returning with a bag to clean up whatever rubbish I could.

Amongst the rocks Terry finds a sea cucumber to show me

Nothing could take away from the stunning display of scenery before us

Later at sunset, Terry and his sons, Andrew and Terrance picked me up and we went to the spot. Once there, we set out to clean the already established fire pit. I was not comfortable with the stuff I saw that had been previously burned and we removed as much garbage as possible. We glanced over to the underbrush to see a tent had now been pitched. Suddenly, two young girls emerged and introduced themselves. Megan and Hannah were from Red Deer, Alberta in Canada. They had rented bicycles and were touring the Island. From the moment I met them, I sensed that where they had set up camp was not a safe location. During my time on Maui, I noticed several posters asking questions about the disappearance of 27-year-old Carly “Charli” Joann Scott, and 46-year-old Moreira “Mo” Monsalve. Their Missing Persons pictures are still in my mind and the sad fact that Carly is over five months pregnant, is heart wrenching. 

After explaining our purpose for being at this spot, I invited both Hannah and Megan to join us in the Burning Ceremony. While the fire was being made by Terry, Terrance and Andrew, I was taking in the spectacular sight of whales breaching. The sea was engulfing the lava stone, while the sun filtered through the wisps of clouds.

We shared in fresh Coconut around the warmth of fire and sheltered by a dazzling night sky

A hole in the floor of Heaven

 I gazed at the bag that once contained Shayla’s ashes. It was created by my daughter’s Aboriginal mentors, Richard and Simone Gauthier. Richard had cut his first sash in half and woven it onto the bag. The Métis infinity symbol was beaded onto it and the circle of life was affixed in symbolic colours. I found this beautiful stated passage that reflects the Spirit. 

The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is
in everything where power moves. Our teepees were round like the
nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop,
a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children.
~ Black Elk, Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux 1863-1950

 

Before this ceremonial burning, I had researched the importance of this final release. What I was doing was vital to give blessing of the past energy to transcend to the highest sacred path. In studying local tradition, I found out the Hawaiian name for Angel was ‘Anela’ and means: Follower of the light. I felt profound relief in knowing all things connected to Shayla were coming full circle.

As we gathered together and the embers were at their hottest, I laid upon the fire- her ash bag. Since there is no obligation to speak during a Fire Ceremony, I chose to play two songs as a tribute to the life of my 21 year old daughter. As the bag slowly burned- representing the past- I placed on it, an offering; the piece of sweet grass once belonging to Shayla. I filmed the entire occasion and took many photographs. 

An additional offering of things I wanted to release Forever...

The Tortilla Shell fossil stone pictured assisted me in taking hold of life occurrences that were in my past, nightmarish. Every life lesson has provided the opportunity to use the tools given for the advancement of my soul and spirit. I decide whether the experiences I am granted will strengthen me as a person or try to make me a victim. I choose to be a Survivor and released anything negative that has tried to attach itself since Shayla’s death. I also offered to the element of water, a silver shell with the word “IMAGINE” on it- I let go Forever of someone else I once loved- which set me Free. 

*The value of imagery in Native American ceremony is important, for the Spirit of God is real. This is a way of demonstrating our gratefulness and thanksgiving to God. When we pray to our Source and Supply who is God; He can, will and does affect our lives. So honoring Him and showing Him respect is part of this ceremony.

"Therefore I say unto you, what things you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them." Mark 11:24*

I felt such an incredible presence when the bag was turning into ashes and later in the quietness of my room; I viewed the powerful images within the flames of the fire. These unusual snapshots will never be published, as I continue to want my privacy respected. What I will share… is the decision by Terry and myself to pack the young ladies up and bring them back to a safe place on Maui, was a wise choice. As a mother, I could not imagine leaving them behind, knowing there were other loved ones missing. I also acknowledged the reality that had we held the burning a week earlier, on another part of the Island, our paths would never have crossed with Megan and Hannah. 

  

I trust that my sweet Anela was watching over us that fateful night and brought each one of us together as threads in the web of life, to be part of a beautiful release…

By TL Alton 

*Credit given to: http://www.drstandley.com/nativeamerican_fire.shtml