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Four Tobacco Ceremony – Vision Quest Opening Ceremony
22/04/2023 @ 10:00 PM
R1850
Until we meet at the sacred fire,
Introduction
The “Four Tobacco” Ceremony draws from an ancient, timeless ceremony rom South, Central, and Northern America.
“Tobacco” in the title, The Four Tobaccos, refers to a “medicine”. So it may also read as, The Four Medicines Ceremony. This is because the sacred tobacco is the medicine of prayer – and through a sacred use of it Great Mystery leads us to knowing all our other sacred medicines. Many believe tobacco is The First Medicine, and through it we discovered all the other medicines we needed to live healthily and contently as sacred human beings.
Throughout the ceremony, we focus our full attention on the sacred fire, shaped like an arrow into the half-moon altar.
We begin with the Purpose Tobacco, which the ceremonial leaders will use to state and support the intended purpose of the ceremony. At this time a pouch is passed around containing sacred tobacco followed closely by another containing corn husks for all present to construct a personal prayer smoke. This is an opportunity to speak from the heart about needs praying about personally.
After the smoking, the medicine is then passed around the circle, followed by the first prayer songs round. For purposes of singing the prayer songs, a staff and gourd is passed around the ceremony space, accompanied by a peyote drum.
Once the medicine and instruments have made their way around the circle (once or twice), the ceremonial father calls the firekeeper to bring the Midnight Water for purposes of the Midnight Water Prayer Smoke.
A further round of medicine is now introduced, and the prayer songs commence again.
It is then time for the Power Tobacco which is a crucial point in the ceremonial journey. With this tobacco, there is a weaving of great clarity, and much opportunity for healing and integration.
Another round of sacred prayer songs follow the Power Tobacco Prayer, after which the final round of medicine is administered.
The Ceremonial Mother and other women then leave the ceremonial space to take care of the Morning Water and the sacred food. This is the time for the Earth Mother. It is now time for the Morning Prayer Tobacco, which is a time for stillness and deep listening. The Morning Water and food are then sent around the circle and we sit in the celebration and gratitude of accomplishing our ceremonial purpose together.
Until we sing together again around the sacred fire,
Aho Mitakuye Oyasin