In the late '80's I had a vivid dream. It haunted me for months. Little did I know this dream would take me into experiences beyond anything I ever imagined.
After an "Inipi" or "Sweat Lodge" where I was visiting in Green Grass, South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation, I told the dream to a Medicine man. The dream happened to be one that was foretold in prophecy regarding the White Buffalo Calf Pipe. The prophecy was that one or two members of various tribes would have this exact and specific dream and would come to the Buffalo Calf Pipe with it.
The requirement for fulfilling the dream was to fast and pray on a high hill. I was told I had 4 years to prepare. And I took 3 and one half years to do it. I really didn't feel worthy or ready or any number of excuses I held at the time. But after 2 years, I asked my elder uncle to help me prepare for a "Vision Quest" or as it is called in Lakota - "Hanbleceya".
I spent a year and a half preparing by fasting regularly, spending much time in prayer, by attending various ceremonies, especially "Sweat Lodge". Even though I spent so much energy and time preparing, I still wanted to delay the event. But one night a mysterious and still unexplained event happened.
I had just gotten into bed and was ready to fall into a deep sleep. I pulled the blankets up and nestled in, shut my eyes and started to drift from this world. Suddenly, something fell on my chest. It felt heavy. I was startled and a little frightened. Not knowing what to expect, I quickly got out of bed and turned on the lights. There on top of my blanket was a perfectly round ball of South Dakota sage. As soon as I saw it, I heard someone say, "Go on the hill to fast and pray in the middle of May". Without a doubt I knew this was true. I also knew the sage came from another world. I didn't have any South Dakota sage in my house. Nor did I have any kind of sage rolled into the shape of a ball.
After this event, many mysterious and wonderful things occurred. But I will save the stories for another time. Instead, I will briefly tell you what happened during the Vision Quest (Hanbleceya) as I wrote it for the drawing I made of my vision.
"On a high hill, the woman stood alone with her ceremonial pipe. She lifted her voice in a song calling the one she had awaited many years, the Medicine Bear. The Bear heard her song, felt her heart and approached. The woman and Bear loved each other so much that they merged into one being. Just before they became one, the Bear said: "It is the women who know of pain and suffering and it is the women who are the true healers. Many women will dream of me."
Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related)
Paula Bidwell
Native Talisman Art
This drawing and other vision art are available on the web. Please see my website at: http://www.nativetalismanart.com
Or visit my Etsy store at: http://nativetalismanart.etsy.com
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