|
Atagâ'hï, The Enchanted Lake –
Cherokee Westward from the headwaters of
Oconaluftee river, in the wildest depths of the, Great Smoky mountains, which
form the line between North Carolina and Tennessee, is the enchanted lake of
Atagâ'hï, "Gall place." Although all the Cherokee know that it is
there, no one has ever seen it, for the way is so difficult that only the
animals know how to reach it. Should a stray hunter come near the place he
would know of it by the whirring sound of the thousands of wild ducks flying
about the lake, but on reaching the spot he would find only a dry flat,
without bird or animal or blade of grass, unless he had first sharpened his
spiritual vision by prayer and fasting and an all-night vigil. Because it is not seen, some people
think the lake has dried up long ago, but this is not true. To one who had
kept watch and fast through the night it would appear at daybreak as a
wide-extending but shallow sheet of purple water, fed by springs spouting
from the high cliffs around. In the water are all kinds of fish and reptiles,
and swimming upon the surface or flying overhead are great flocks of ducks
and pigeons, while all about the shores are bear tracks crossing in every
direction. It is the medicine lake of the birds and animals, and whenever a
bear is wounded by the hunters he makes his way through the woods to this
lake and plunges into the water, and when he comes out upon the other side
his wounds are healed. For this reason the animals keep the lake invisible to
the hunter. Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney.
From the Nineteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology
1897-98, Part I. [1900] and is now in the public domain. Elder's Meditation of the Day - September
4 "the Elders say that if you want
something good, you have to suffer for it." --Chuck Ross, LAKOTA People sometimes have a misconception of
sacrifice. This is a strong word for Indian people. On the other side of
sacrifice is another whole world. During sacrifice, our beliefs are tested.
We may all have good beliefs but if you test a good belief, then you get real
beliefs. Real beliefs make new people; real beliefs make new self images.
Real beliefs allow determination and desires and faith to come true. Good is
always available to us but we often can't bring it within until we let go of
the old ways. We let go of the old ways by suffering. Suffering is only
letting go of things that don't work anymore. On the other side of suffering
is a new world. Creator, help me to let go of old ways. Let
my old thoughts and beliefs be abandoned. Every change is preceded by
struggle. Help me go through the struggle today. |
|
From Blue Panther, Keeper of Stories |
|
As in the long
ago time, traditions were passed down to the next generation by
keepers of stories. Due to
circumstances in history many of our relatives have not heard the stories. This site will be a place to come and help
us connect with the knowledge of the
elders of the past. The lessons taught
in the stories are needed in this time.
With Respect, Blue Panther |
