CEREMONY TO HONOR MOTHER EARTH
To celebrate Earth Day or to honor Mother Earth, this ceremony can be done by an individual or a group. It is based on Native American ceremony and includes the Four Directions. In a sacred manner, sage may be burned and the smoke used to cleanse each person before they enter the circle. Find a place in nature (back yard, park, wilderness area) that is suitable. Place your sacred objects on a blanket or cloth in the center of the circle. Have everyone gather in a circle facing inward, if this is a group ceremony. You may drum or sing to set the sacredness of the ceremony.
Open with a short introduction about why you are here and what your purpose is, i.e., pray for Mother Earth, celebrate Earth Day, etc.
Face East: Spirit of the East, we ask that you be with us as we pray for the healing of Mother Earth. Let us reawaken to our responsibilities as caretakers for the Earth and all our relations as the dawn breaks bright in the morning sky.
Face South: Spirit of the South, we ask that you be with us as we pray for the healing of Mother Earth. May we strive to bring peace and happiness to all our relations here on this Earth and may we walk the green path of conservation.
Face West: Spirit of the West, we ask that you be with us as we pray for the healing of Mother Earth. May we re-examine all our actions and choose the ones that save our Mother the Earth. Let us practice all that is shown to us to reuse and share all that we have.
Face North: Spirit of the North, we ask that you be with us as we pray for the healing of Mother Earth. May we take right action to encourage others to follow the green path. May we make decisions for Mother Earth for the Seventh Generation.
Face Center: Heart of our Own Hearts, be with us as we pray for our Mother the Earth and her healing. May we also be healed from any past errors that injured our beloved Mother.
Face the Sky: Father Sky, we ask that you be with us as we pray for the healing of Mother Earth. May we always choose actions to keep you clear and free so that your blessings can flow down upon us and upon the Earth.
Face the Earth: Mother Earth, hear our prayers. We come to you humbly to pray for your healing and to ask your forgiveness for any wrongs we have done to you in the past. We pledge to be better caretakers and protectors of your many blessings.
At this time each person in the circle may offer their own prayers for the healing of Mother Earth or for peace on earth.
A drumming round or song or dance may be offered at this time.
The final prayer is now given: O Great Spirit, we are your children and the children of our Mother the Earth. Help us to be respectful to all beings, to be good caretakers of our own hearts and of the hearts of others. Help us to know we are always in the Great Circle of Life standing with you in the Center. Show us the way to walk in beauty with all our relations. Ah ho.
When the prayers and offerings are finished, begin the closing.
Face East: Thank you Spirit of the East for being with us today. We release you now understanding that life is eternal and that the sun will rise again to illuminate our hearts. Thank you.
Face South: Thank you Spirit of the South for being with us today. We release you now knowing that we can always learn something new to bring peace and happiness to the world. Thank you.
Face West: Thank you Spirit of the West for being with us today. We release you now holding in our hearts the great responsibility for doing all that we can to protect our Mother the Earth. Thank you.
Face North: Thank you Spirit of the North for being with us today. We release you now acknowledging how important it is to think before we act. We will think about the seventh generation in all that we do so that our children’s children will be able to walk the green earth. Thank you.
Face Center: Thank you Father Sky and Mother Earth for birthing us, for keeping us safe in our youth, for teaching us as we grow into adults, and for holding us in your arms as we close our lives. We are now and forever your children. May we always walk in beauty upon our Mother the Earth. And so it is.
The ceremony may end with drumming and a circle dance around the center altar.