Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Going to Water


As I write this on Tuesday night around 10 pm, the Presidential race is too close to call -- who knows what the morning will bring...

As this seemingly interminable election season draws to a close, I've found myself thinking about the Cherokee custom of 'going to water' -- a cleansing ritual  described as being "for the explicit purpose of rekindling relationships, requesting forgiveness for inappropriate conduct during the previous year, and cleansing the minds of Cherokee people of any negative thoughts toward others.  . . .  "

I think the American people as a whole could use this ritual -- no matter who we voted for, no matter who wins. . . 



And I'd really like to see the entire Congress wading into the Potomac, reciting the traditional prayer

  "First, let us remove all negative thoughts from our minds so we can come together as one."
 
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21 comments:

Ms. A said...

Drown me.

Victoria said...

Vicki, I'm watching President Obama's victory speech right now (it's 10:47 in California). I hope that the country can come together and there won't be a lot of nastiness.

Going to bed now...

Vicki Lane said...

Yes, I'm still up (2 am) and watching the victory speech too. Am so happy.

Brian Miller said...

i would agree we need this ritual...that was on my mind last night as i watched...and as i wrote for today...i am very pleased with how the election came out...a deep breath and now i think we need to heal....

A Bit of the Blarney said...

A wonderfully hope-filled post! Have a grand day! Cathy

Miss_Yves said...

In France, we applause this victory!

Barbara Rogers said...

Yes! I actually woke up at 4:30 to find results...didn't stay awake that late. I'm glad. The energy was certainly frantic before the final results. Cleansing and forgiving!

Alan Burnett said...

In fact it brought a rather large sigh of relief - on this side of the Pond as well as your side. Congratulations America.

NCmountainwoman said...

Yes, lead us to the water. Cleanse and make whole.

Wayfarin' Stranger said...

It's a good thought, Vicki, and I join you in wishing for harmony. I'm just not optimistic that the other side will ever put the well being of the American people above partisan ambitions.

MarthaV said...

Amen.

MarthaV said...

Amen.

Jean Baardsen said...

I am so happy and so relived! Love your photos, as always!

Folkways Note Book said...

Great thoughts - great post -- Barbara

Polly Iyer said...

I hate to agree with Wayfarin' Stranger, but this is a particularly recalcitrant group of politicians on the right. I hope we're both wrong. Your idea of cleansing is much needed. Maybe they can all take a bath and wash away their nastiness.

dannie said...

I pray that we will come together now, as the United States.

Darla said...

This is such a beautiful, peaceful post, Vicki. Thank you. Truly. Many blessings to you ... and to our world.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Wouldn't that be great?

jennyfreckles said...

There seemed to be a collective "phew" over here... And reading the President's victory speech one can only say 'Hear, hear'. It sounds as though it will be tough going, but I do think we all, in all democratic countries, ought to try to work together better, within and across boundaries.

nina said...

vicki, our friend kay led me here. and i agree with you wholeheartedly. for three years, i've been the trail beside the O river just inside the park, in cherokee. i pass the sign every time that speaks of going to water. yesterday morning i took my pup walter, as i always do, and visited each of the three pebble beaches that we pass along the way. i sifted through water-tumbled stones to find the smoothest shapes - the cylinders, the ovals, the rounds. i carried them home with me. i'll make jewelry with these sacred tokens. it was a time of reflection, relief, gratitude for the way things turned out overnight....
three years ago, just after i began walking the river, i found a metal rectangular open framed piece, something that had washed up onto the pebble beach. i carried it home and made myself a necklace with these words within the frame: Shall We Gather. let's. x

Brenda said...

Have been away from blogger for a couple of weeks, so had to come over here to November 6 and 7th to read the posts and comments. I was up till 2 am too, in a state of relief and disbelief alike, joy and wonder, and renewed belief in our country's political process. I had been so sure after Citizens United, that we'd just kissed goodbye to anyone other than big money interests being able to choose our leaders. What a glorious night. I am still glowing two weeks later.