More than twenty years ago, on Thanksgiving day, I was taught to perform a version of a Native American Ceremony, called the Corn Bowl, by my teacher, Grandmother Bernice Falling Leaves, the leader of the medicine lodge I belonged to.
There were almost forty of us at the Thanksgiving dinner table that year. There was also laughter, jokes and mountains of food. The energy of celebration and gratitude for all that we had and each other was thick and sweet. After dinner we gathered in the big room by the fireplace and finished the day with the Corn Bowl Ceremony.
I’d like to share the essence of that ceremony with you.
In the Corn Bowl Ceremony, each person’s prayers for the year are placed into a sacred vessel or “Corn Bowl” prepared and used exclusively for that purpose. Our bowl, that Thanksgiving was sprinkled with corn pollen and meal by Grandmother Bernice. It was then infused with prayers, songs and blessings.
I was taught that the Corn Bowl Ceremony is traditionally done at the time of the new moon that marks, or is near the Fall Equinox, or in this case, Thanksgiving. It honors the harvest and sets the energies for the coming year’s abundance, health and harmonious relationships.
As we gathered in a circle, we asked that all the energies of earth and heaven be present with us. We honored the gifts they brought and thanked them for their support. The bowl began to move around the circle from person to person, starting with Grandmother. Along with the bowl an ear of dried corn was also passed from hand to hand. Each of us took a kernel or two, even four and infused them with our prayers for the coming year. One kernel each, for our families, our communities, the world and ourselves. Many of the prayers were spoken aloud, some were whispered, others held silently in the hearts of those saying the prayers. When all, including the children, had offered prayers, the bowl was passed one more time. This time, as it was held, one by one, prayers were literally breathed from the heart into the bowl. We ended with a water ceremony.
The public part of the corn bowl ceremony was complete for the year.
The “keeper” of the Corn Bowl, me, had the sacred responsibility to safe-gaurd the community’s prayers. The Corn Bowl sat in the center of my altar. Every New Moon I blessed imbued it with the intention that each prayer be lifted to heaven, come to fruition and “grow corn.” I did this task with the seriousness and respect it deserved. I was synchronized and tuned to the ebb and flow of the moon and the seasons in a way I have not been since. I completed the full cycle of the year. All 13 new moons. This brought us back to the time of harvest. Another year’s Corn Bowl ceremony. Another “keeper.”
Once again, this year, Thanksgiving falls on the New Moon.
With deepest respect and gratitude for all those that have come before and in the essence of Grandmother’s precious teachings, I offer this story and the meditation below. I give this as a blessing and an opportunity to anchor in your own thanks-giving for the past year and your prayers for the coming one.
Gathering the pure creative potential available in the dark of the moon, and using the scared container of CCT™ for this work, we sow the seeds of our prayers. May they all “grow corn.”
Click on the link below to listen to the New Moon Healing Meditation. At one point you will be asked to pause the recording and speak what you are most grateful for, allowing the energy of appreciation to fill you and all you hold in gratitude. There will be another pause to anchor in your own prayers for yourself. It is useful to write down your prayers and tuck them away. Keep them safe, until next year. This mediation will link will be available until November 30.
New Moon Healing Meditation Be sure to click the back button to return to this page.
The container for this work, and all the work I do, is Crystalline Consciousness Technique™ (CCT™). For more information about it and how it works, click here.
May all your prayers be lifted to the heavens to rain gently down around you with joy, love and sweet celebration.
If you enjoyed the New Moon Meditation and would like to know how to receive additional support to move with ease and grace through the holidays and into the new year, check out the Holiday Energy Spa here.
Photo credits: Melani Marx
All photos used in this post were taken while using the Healing the Earth protocol. Unleash your creative energies. Class begins December 2, 2011.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful! all around. THank you for sharing your story, your photos, and the meditation. I’m grateful to have you in my life! Hugs
<3
Thank you, Clea! You are a blessing in mine as well! xo
Deeply moving, Melani. I am so grateful for you and your gifts!
Thank you, gia. Likewise!
Thank you, Melani, for this beautiful gift on this day. Thankful for you.
You are most welcome, Deb! Deepest blessings!