(Translated into Norwegian by Sjamanistisk Forbund)
This prayer is suited for opening the sacred space or a medicine wheel.
NOTE: When you open a circle or a medicine wheel, it is important to call in the seven directions. This allows you to make use of the power of the wheel for reverent and focused communication with the Spirits. The directions will always answer you when you call on them, which can feel like energy streaming into your hand, your arm, or down through the crown chakra. People often report a sensation of "shivers" and "goosebumps". Sometimes it is simply a certainty that the Spirit, your ancestors, animals and guides are now around you.
As preparation, take a little cornmeal or tobacco (Herbs. Ed. note.) and go outside as soon as you can, at or just after sunrise (or at the start of the ceremony. Ed. note.). You use your right hand when giving an offering in these ceremonies.
Begin facing east, holding a little cornmeal/tobacco/herbs in your outstretched right hand, and say:
"To the East: To the new day, to the inner light / to the light without. To the golden eagle. To the enlightened one. East, gate of the dawn, thank you for your wind, for the awakening of life. May my eyes look toward the sky and see the freedom of the birds. May my thoughts be aware of the gifts in every moment.
To the East: I call on your power and spirit, come in."
Drop a little of your offering onto the ground. Then wait until you receive an answer.
Turn toward the South and say:
"To the South: For trust and innocence. To the little mouse. To the deer and the good road home. South, sacred fire and creativity, I seek your life force in good union. Thank you for the knowledge of all relations, for music, dance, art, and the things that bring joy and community. I ask that my life may unfold in harmony with my kin in all worlds.
To the South: I call on your power and spirit, come in."
Drop a little of your offering onto the ground. Then wait until you receive an answer.
Turn toward the West and say:
"To the West: To my inner dark waters. To the black bear, the brown bear and the raven. To the sacred road. West, the power of the places between the worlds. I turn to you to find my way, in the unknown. And the known. Thank you for the lightning and the cleansing rain, for the things that teach me compassion and nourish my understanding. Thank you, panther, for the strength of solitude and the quiet pursuit of truth.
To the West: I call on your power and spirit, come in."
Drop a little of your offering onto the ground. Then wait until you receive an answer.
Turn toward the North and say:
"To the North: Home of the ancestors and of those who have gone to the place of wisdom. To the white buffalo, the snow leopard, the moose and the beaver. North, to the sacred mountains, I turn to you in prayer for wisdom. In the place without shadow I seek the perspective of life and the right path. Thank you for shelter and food. I ask to be allowed to live on Mother Earth in awareness and gratitude. May I have respect for all my relations in all worlds.
To the North: I call on your power and spirit, come in."
Drop a little of your offering onto the ground. Then wait until you receive an answer.
Kneel down and place your hands on Mother Earth, lay a little of your offering in a circle, and say:
"To Mother Earth, you who embrace all living things with your care, gifts, life force and peace. Hear my prayer for those on two legs and those on four, for those who fly, crawl, swim, walk and run, for all your children."
Turn toward the east again and raise your arm toward the sky. Imagine that you are standing at the centre of a circle and move your hand in a circle (sunwise, beginning in the east) three times while you scatter cornmeal (offering) around you.
Say: Father Sky, you who surround all living things with a circle of light, warmth, clarity and visions. Hear my prayer and give me the courage to show my inner light, my true self, to the world. Give me humility and enough confidence to also help others to shine.
Turn toward the middle of the circle (if you are in a group, or in a medicine wheel). Hold both hands over your heart, while you say:
"To that place within me, where the six directions meet. May I live from this day in this centre of wholeness and balance."
End with these words:
"Thank you for this day. Thank you for this opportunity to serve."
If you are alone, or if the group wishes to continue with silent individual prayer, you may hold the cornmeal/offering to your heart and say to your creator:
"Creator, hear me. I speak to you."
Then say what is on your heart.
When you are finished, blow your prayer into the cornmeal/offering and lay it gently on the ground, or you may let the wind people carry it away.
