The Sacred Circle

1. The Sacred Circle Mrs. Jennifer Montgomery MKS10 2009-2010

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

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

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

5. The Sacred Circle • …that shape was the Sacred Circle.

6. When you observe nature you use your eyes... …they are circles.

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

8. Birds build their nests… …in circles…so do ants.

9. Berries and fruits are circles.

10. Frogs eggs… …and mushrooms

11. Trees grow in circles…??

12. Yes, they do.

13. Water forms circles…

14. The Eagle will fly higher and higher toward The Creator… …in a circle.

15. Other Circles… • The seasons change in a circle: spring, summer, fall, winter and around again • Life is a circle: Birth, teenage, adult, elder Can you think of any other circles????????

16. The Sacred Circle • The Sacred Circle, is a very powerful symbol of Native American spirituality. • Because it is a circle, it represents the many cycles that appear in the natural world: the cycle of night and day, of the seasons, and of birth, life, and death.

17. Interpretations • Each Nation has its own understanding of the Sacred Circle; the colours, order, and other details may differ. • This does not mean that any one understanding is right or wrong; each Nation received teachings that work best for them.

18. The Four Directions • The Mi'kmaq Sacred Circle contains four colours: red, white, yellow and black. Because the circle represents the passage of the sun and the seasons, discussion of the Circle usually starts in the East direction, where the sun rises, and travels in a clockwise direction. • The East, then, is seen as a direction of beginnings, including infancy (the beginning of life) and spring (the beginning of a new year.) The West is seen as a direction of endings, and is the direction the spirit travels when it leaves this Earth.

19. The Meaning of the Four Directions

21. The Sacred Circle THE SACRED CIRCLE “You have noticed that everything an Indian Does is In a circle, and that is because the power of the 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 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 quarters 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 knowledge 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 earth 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. 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 in their changing and always come back again to where they were.” -Black Elk

22. Discuss… THE SACRED CIRCLE “You have noticed that everything an Indian Does is In a circle, and that is because the power of the 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 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 quarters 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 knowledge 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 earth 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. 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 in their changing and always come back again to where they were.” -Black Elk

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