Reply #36: They stole the blood [View All]

[drfemoe]

It was a sacred ritual. It was stolen (like everything else) by the xtians.
They (at least attempt to) steal everything that possesses Power.
*****
Fasting, dancing, and touching "Medicine" is followed by being ceremonially "scratched." This returns to Mother Earth a portion of own's body which She has nourished. The people hold that their blood is the only valuable thing they own; they freely give it.

Scratching, held to be beneficial, purifies the body and strengthens the people. It promotes endurance and general health--it is always considered a "preventive" measure rather than a "curative" act. Most of all, it is communion with Mother Earth, One Above and the community, a recognition of all they share.

Many Women note drops of blood always precede or accompany the inflow of Sacred Power. For men, could this ceremonial scratching with gar teeth or other needle-like implements be a form of communal male menses? Does shed blood signal purification? Are men now able to receive an infilling of Sacred Power--such life-giving or sustaining Power as Women possess? Some think so. (When ceremonial leaders or a group of men step inside the circular shell midden ring marking the boundaries of the Square Grounds, their female nature surfaces, a transformationalism of sorts.)

Before and after scratching, "White Drink" (called Black Drink by anthropologists) is taken which cleanses both actually and symbolically. Through these actions all are purified, cleansed, and brought together in unity and oneness, that is, wholeness with Creator, the Source. With all now capable with Power, all may now safely peer through the "portal."

In culmination, the community feasts, a great feast of Earth fruits. In thanksgiving for all that is and will be, the feast is first shared in portion with the Sacred Fire, center of all these activities and visible heart of the community.

http://www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/Museum/culture/THE%20FIRE.htm
(paras added for clarity)