The Sacred Circle Mrs. Jennifer Montgomery MKS102009-2010.

The Sacred CircleThe Sacred Circle

Mrs. Jennifer MontgomeryMrs. Jennifer Montgomery

MKS10MKS10

2009-20102009-2010

Native HistoryNative History

► In the beginning Glooscap was In the beginning Glooscap was created; son of the Creator, a Man-God created; son of the Creator, a Man-God and teacher to the Mi’kmaw people.and teacher to the Mi’kmaw people.

Glooscap’s CreationGlooscap’s Creation

►Glooscap was created when 3 strikes Glooscap was created when 3 strikes of lightening hit the red earth…that is of lightening hit the red earth…that is how the Mi’kmaw explain the “red” how the Mi’kmaw explain the “red” colour of their skin.colour of their skin.

Glooscap’s LessonGlooscap’s Lesson

►One of Glooscap’s first lessons was One of Glooscap’s first lessons was about the shape he found everywhere about the shape he found everywhere in nature. Glooscap knew this shape in nature. Glooscap knew this shape must have been special to The Creator must have been special to The Creator because he used it in so many because he used it in so many designs…designs…

The Sacred CircleThe Sacred Circle

►……that shape was the Sacred Circle.that shape was the Sacred Circle.

When you observe nature you When you observe nature you use your eyes...use your eyes...

…they are circles.

The sun, moon, and stars are The sun, moon, and stars are circles.circles.

Birds build their nests…Birds build their nests…

…in circles…so do ants.

Berries and fruits are circles.Berries and fruits are circles.

Frogs eggs…Frogs eggs…

……and mushroomsand mushrooms

Trees grow in circles…??Trees grow in circles…??

Yes, they do.Yes, they do.

Water forms circles…Water forms circles…

The Eagle will fly higher and The Eagle will fly higher and higher toward The Creator…higher toward The Creator…

…in a circle.

Other Circles…Other Circles…

►The seasons change in a circle:The seasons change in a circle:

spring, summer, fall, winter and around spring, summer, fall, winter and around againagain

►Life is a circle:Life is a circle:

Birth, teenage, adult, elderBirth, teenage, adult, elder

Can you think of any other Can you think of any other circles????????circles????????

The Sacred CircleThe Sacred Circle

► The Sacred Circle, is a very powerful symbol The Sacred Circle, is a very powerful symbol of Native American spirituality. of Native American spirituality.

► Because it is a circle, it represents the many Because it is a circle, it represents the many cycles that appear in the natural world: the cycles that appear in the natural world: the cycle of night and day, of the seasons, and of cycle of night and day, of the seasons, and of birth, life, and death. birth, life, and death.

InterpretationsInterpretations

► Each Nation has its Each Nation has its own understanding of own understanding of the Sacred Circle; the the Sacred Circle; the colours, order, and colours, order, and other details may other details may differ. differ.

► This does not mean This does not mean that any one that any one understanding is right understanding is right or wrong; each Nation or wrong; each Nation received teachings received teachings that work best for that work best for them. them.

The Four DirectionsThe Four Directions

► The Mi'kmaq Sacred Circle contains four The Mi'kmaq Sacred Circle contains four colours: red, white, yellow and black. Because colours: red, white, yellow and black. Because the circle represents the passage of the sun the circle represents the passage of the sun and the seasons, discussion of the Circle and the seasons, discussion of the Circle usually starts in the East direction, where the usually starts in the East direction, where the sun rises, and travels in a clockwise direction. sun rises, and travels in a clockwise direction.

► The East, then, is seen as a direction of The East, then, is seen as a direction of beginnings, including infancy (the beginning of beginnings, including infancy (the beginning of life) and spring (the beginning of a new year.) life) and spring (the beginning of a new year.) The West is seen as a direction of endings, and The West is seen as a direction of endings, and is the direction the spirit travels when it leaves is the direction the spirit travels when it leaves this Earth.this Earth.

The Meaning of the Four The Meaning of the Four Directions Directions

East Birth Air White Receives energy Environmental Wisdom & Logic

South Youth Water Red Gives Energy Emotional Aspect

Trust & Innocence

West Adult Earth Black Holds Energy Physical Aspect Introspection & Insight

North Elder Fire Yellow Determines Energy

Spiritual Aspect Illumination & Enlightening

The Sacred CircleThe Sacred Circle

THE SACRED CIRCLETHE SACRED CIRCLE

““You have noticed that everything an Indian You have noticed that everything an Indian

Does is In a circle, and that is because the power of theDoes is In a circle, and that is because the power of the

World Always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. World Always works in circles, and everything tries to be round.

In the old days All our power came to us from the sacred hoop of theIn the old days All our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the

Nation and so long As the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The Nation and so long As the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The

flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quartersflowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quarters

nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave

rain and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This rain and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This

knowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion. Everything the power ofknowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion. Everything the power of

the world does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earththe world does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earth

is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.

Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.

The Sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does The Sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does

the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle

in their changing and always come back again to in their changing and always come back again to

where they were.”where they were.”

-Black Elk-Black Elk

Discuss…Discuss…

THE SACRED CIRCLETHE SACRED CIRCLE

““You have noticed that everything an Indian You have noticed that everything an Indian

Does is In a circle, and that is because the power of theDoes is In a circle, and that is because the power of the

World Always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. World Always works in circles, and everything tries to be round.

In the old days All our power came to us from the sacred hoop of theIn the old days All our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the

Nation and so long As the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The Nation and so long As the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The

flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quartersflowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quarters

nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave

rain and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This rain and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This

knowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion. Everything the power ofknowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion. Everything the power of

the world does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earththe world does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earth

is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.

Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.

The Sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does The Sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does

the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle

in their changing and always come back again to in their changing and always come back again to

where they were.”where they were.”

-Black Elk-Black Elk

The AssignmentThe Assignment

► Create a Sacred Circle based on your personality, Create a Sacred Circle based on your personality, experiences and characteristics that follow the experiences and characteristics that follow the guidelines of the Mi’kmaq Sacred Circle. You will guidelines of the Mi’kmaq Sacred Circle. You will create four circles each divided into four sections. create four circles each divided into four sections. Your circle may take the form of a Bristol board Your circle may take the form of a Bristol board presentation, a booklet, a website, PowerPoint, or presentation, a booklet, a website, PowerPoint, or other teacher approved format. On each section / other teacher approved format. On each section / page of the assignment you will include one part of page of the assignment you will include one part of the sacred circle and how it relates to you. the sacred circle and how it relates to you.