Walking lightly on the Sacred Earth, discover the evolution of Medicine People, visiting outstanding cultural, historic and spiritual sites over the Northern Plains area. See petroglyphic messages etched in stone, hear stories and explanations from the Old Ones and learn perspectives from the traditional Oyate of modern tribal society. Walk beyond the Western world to an ancient cultural realm where the truly important things of life are recognized, revered and celebrated. This is definitely one for your 'Life List'
We begin our exploration of the Sacred Earth at an ancient rock art site which lies on a Spiritual Axis in the Black Hills before moving toward a Sacred Vortex and Lakota place of genesis - Wind Cave. We learn of the Sacred Women: The Holy Messengers, Ptehincala San Win and Heovesta’e’e, and in Paha Sapa – the holy land of the Lakota and Cheyenne peoples we explore the physical and spiritual Staff of Life; Tatanka, the Buffalo. Our journey leads us next to stand before the Cheyenne’s Holy Mountain, Nóávóse, known to the Lakota as Mato Paha, and to mainstream visitors as Bear Butte. As a ceremonial venue this mountain is a place of prayer and peace; please understand that we do not utilize the State hiking trails out of respect to those undertaking tribal ceremony.
The power of the Thunders! We ascend toward The Nest of the Thunder Being and Wakiyan Paha on the Ceremonial Journey. At this Place of the Thunders - Hinhan Kaja Paha, Black Elk experienced much of what embodied the story of his life as told in Black Elk Speaks. Traveling westward we hear ancient tribal explanations of a sacred rock’s creation. We learn of The First Medicine Person, of Prophesies, and of the Sun Dance and stories are told of The Spirit of the Bear and Transition here at the place the Cheyenne call Nahkohe Vee’e and the Lakota call Mato Tipila. This day is dedicated to the Bear’s Lodge (Devil’s Tower).
Yet further westward in the path of the setting sun, we learn of the Thunder’s Altar, The Gourd Buttes and the Spirit Lodge. Then, atop Medicine Mountain in the Bighorns we discover the stone-formed Medicine Wheel. We discuss the Massaum Ceremony, “the medicine dance of the ancients,” in which the wolf, and the “Wolf’s Lodge,” is essential to creation, to life, and renewal in the spiritual and physical. This day involves some walking – please wear comfy shoes and take water.
Following the path from the Ancient Ones to Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull) we visit with much respect the Sacred Deer Medicine Rocks where high above human reach Sitting Bull’s vision of victory at the Little Bighorn is carved in stone and soldiers with no ears are depicted in the rock, falling upside-down into the camp and we witness the scar of lightening seared into the rock face. As our time on this Sacred Earth journey draws towards a close, we traverse the open prairie back toward the Heart Of Everything That Is – He Sapa Wakan – the Black Hills.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 (Thurs, July 30): Arrive at RAP and shuttle to hotel.
Day 2 (Fri, July 31): An ancient rock art site and the Lakota place of genesis - Wind Cave.
Day 3 (Sat, August 1): In Paha Sapa, the Black Hills, discover the physical and spiritual Staff of Life; the Buffalo.
Day 4 (Sun, Aug 2): The Cheyenne’s Holy Mountain, Bear Butte.
Day 5 (Mon, Aug 3): The Nest of the Thunder Being and Wakiyan Paha – Harney Peak in the Black Hills.
Day 6 (Tues, Aug 4): Nahkohe Vee’e (Cheyenne) Mato Tipila (Lakota) mean Bear’s Lodge (Devil’s Tower).
Day 7 (Wed, Aug 5): The Thunder’s Altar, The Gourd Buttes and the Spirit Lodge.
Day 8 (Thurs, Aug 6): The Medicine Wheel in the mountains
Day 9 (Fri, Aug 7): The Northern Cheyenne reservation
Day 10 (Sat, Aug 8): Depart
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
We don't charge people single supplements, and we don't ask people to share hotel rooms. We are happy to provide add-on experiences for tour members; please discuss possibilities and pricing with Sarah.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
South Dakota
Wyoming
Montana
Local Culture
Native Americans
Cultural Journey
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