MEDICINE WAYS II

An Invitation to Dance
Valerie Eagle Heart

I have danced so many Dances over the past 18 years…the Sun Dance, the Butterfly Dance, the Women’s Dance of Green Corn, the Water Dance, and the Sun/Moon Dance.  I have been blessed to be in service at all of these Dances, including the Women’s Web of Life Dance, and have received blessings beyond description for the sacrifice I chose to make at each of these Prayers, whether I was actually dancing or acting in a place of Service to All My Relations.

It is during the Summer Season that we find The People dancing their Prayers, in remote and obscure locations around the Planet.  Most of these Prayers involve sacrifices of many kinds, such as the costs of traveling at one’s own expense, and taking time away from family and work.  Once the dancers arrive at an event location, they may find themselves camping and dancing under the extreme heat of a blazing sun, in pouring rain, or roaring winds and every one will suffer variously from sunburn, bodily aches and pains and sheer exhaustion.

We can always find a very good reason for why we won’t possibly be able to participate in a Prayer Dance.   In my case, for the past 15 years something has happened in my life that would have provided such good reasons.   Yet my Heart always pulled me into the Dance Arbor, and I came to understand long ago that it is this Prayer which sustains me throughout the year.  It feeds my Heart, Mind, Soul and Spirit allowing me to move through the coming year with strength, compassion and, most importantly, Love.

It is difficult to describe with words what a Prayer Dance is like because these Prayers are not really ‘like’ anything else.  The names of the Dance remain the same from year to year, but the Dance itself will be different each time because in the Now Moment this is the only Dance there is.

If you are ever blessed with an invitation to a Prayer Dance, or are given the opportunity to be present in service at a Dance, I would suggest, with a full heart, that you accept the invitation!   Don’t worry about whether or not you know the appropriate dress or protocol.  Those who have danced before will always be willing to answer your questions.

And once there don’t worry about “messing up.”  Just keep your eyes, ears & heart open while keeping your mouth shut.  Follow direction from those who ‘know’.   Do your best to put the ego aside and be in your Heart not your Head.  The Dance Leader and those in charge will always know who is coming from a place of loving embrace for everyone.
This embrace is the most important attribute one can bring to any Prayer Dance.