15 15 Sweat Lodge Visions 3

Preparing for the sweat lodge the men all stripped down to their loincloths and rubbed tallow on their bodies. The interior of the lodge was much like a sauna. Cedar log sections were placed with hides for seats. Drums were placed next to those. Embers of a long smoldering fire were covered by round stones heaped up to radiate the heat. Sage, Mint and other fragrant herbs were then placed atop the stones. Next water was added to create steam. Taking their seats the men began to drum and sing, occasionally taking sips of water and using feather fans to move the steam around and toward them. Sweat slick they continued to sing as Grandfather chanted. Throwing herbs down among the embers, smoke started to rise and take shapes. Grandfather took out his hide painting and stopped chanting. Waving his hand his two sons stopped singing and quieted the drumming down to the rhythm of a heartbeat. Slowly he unfolded the hide painting and started to speak with his two sons over the painting and visions from the night sky on the birth of the triplets. He spoke of the talk from his youth with the wolf clan friend he had made. Adding more herbs to the embers again he called to the messengers of the Great Spirit. As the smoke billowed, twisted, and changed shapes to become the patterns of animals, grandfather looked over to see a small face peaking from under the hide hung over the doorway. Clearing his throat as to summon the boy for a water gourd and to not out him to the other two, Fire Fox obeyed and brought a gourd for each of the men and took out the empty ones before returning with a full ladle to pour over the hot rocks. Grandfather nodded pleasingly. Pulling the boy to his lap he moved his hands to and fro to summon the first messenger to convey from Great Spirit. First was the Owl to impart that this would be a good year for the arrival of new pups and turned to face Snow Fox and give a blessing of healthy strong daughters and safe delivery by his wife. Stunned Snow Fox dropped his drum and stick. Snow Owl laughed heartily at his dumbfounded brother. Mean while Fire Fox grumbled, 'Sisters, I don't want pesky girls following me all over and taking my place in my fathers heart. Clingy, crying little, balls of fluff sticking all over everyone getting their way with big puppy eyes. Humph!' Picking back up the drum he began the beat again glaring at Snow Owl. Owl also looked to the doorway as he spoke of the foundling and the gift that she carries. She needs great care. This gift will be the mates of the sons of the chief. This time it was Snow Owls turn to be dumbfounded.

Next was the Coyote to speak of mischief coming to the mountain in the form of huge dogs with no fangs (horses) that will wreck the crops if not tamed. But once tamed can do the work of 20 men and move things faster than 50.

Next came the Raven, she spoke of people in black wearing shiny crosses and speaking sweet words in languages unknown to the people of the mountains. They are not to be trusted fully but are beneficial to survival when the ghost white people come. She also warned the men to care for any children who come their way and teach them the old ways and traditions so as they never become lost over time. Do so away from the eyes of the people in black as much as possible as they will not understand.

Next was the Turtle warning of great changes and the slow movement of the tribes to come in the distant future. Also of the changes in the animals that give their lives to become the food of the tribes and how they will one day become scarce or no longer exist in the mountains due to greed and over hunting. Over hunting was unheard of to the mountain peoples as greed was not in their natures. They only took what was needed and prayed to the soul of the animals in thanks for their sacrifice to save the peoples and tribes from hunger.

Lastly was the wolf and fox who came together as a combined message. They spoke of great evils coming to the lands, horrible weapons that spit fire and metal with voices like thunder claps, the corruption of the hearts of men, lastly of the stripping of the land from the tribesmen and forced long walk to an unkind land far from their traditional homelands. Those who once were viewed as friends would be the ones to turn away and break the promises to the tribes. A man on a hill that was saved for not would be the one to order it. The paths would bare white violets for every tear that fell from the eyes of the women and children.

Trembling Fire Fox hid in his grandfathers arms. Just as the visions and messengers started to fade; a dove appeared and spoke of centuries in the future that there would be peace and prosperity and acceptance of the tribes, but it was hard fought for and slow in coming. Grandfather would have gone to the kingdom of Great Spirit before it would come to pass. There was a girl of blue flame on a land foxes far from the tribe lands who awaits a boy of red flames to find her. The vision ended with the face of a beautiful girl in strange clothing sitting in a white structure singing in ancient fox language watching the sunrise. Glancing from his Grandfathers arms Fire Fox was lost for words and felt a funny feeling in his chest. Reaching out as if wanting to pull her out of the vision all he could grasp was the lingering smoke.