January 2008

Hau kola na tiyospaye (Hello friends & extended family),

Welcome to all new Circle members! Each section of the Circle of Nations newsletter is written 'facing' one of the four sacred winds, beginning with the east, then the south, west and finally the north. This is to honor the old ways. It is to teach and to help us to focus and find the center. I have designed the Native Circle website in the same spirit. I welcome you all to the Circle....

EAST - Wiyohinyanpata - Yellow (Four Winds)
Beginnings....
I stood outside tonight with my little dog for the longest time just listening to the wind. I took in the briskness of the nighttime air, the shadowy silhouettes of the barren trees of the forest against the twilight sky, and the empty frame of my tipi, its streamers dancing quietly in the breeze. I lingered there in that place and soaked in the wisdom of it. Inside my house, TV news shows blabber on and on about all kinds of things we are supposed to worry about, and the usual slowness of this time of year adds a little spice to that stew. But tonight I stood, like I do so often, in the real world - the natural world - and heard a much different message. Do you know a tree does not care one bit about the stock market? Or that birds are not republicrats or demopublicans? Are you aware of the fact that squirrels don’t give any thought whatsoever to job security, or that an eagle can fly over the border to Canada or Mexico and back to the U.S. without a Passport? That’s right, the natural world and all its amazing beautiful creatures are not concerned at all about any of these things. You see, long before the madness of today’s mixed up, crazed, rat-raced, break neck paced western society, there was the sacred rhythm, peacefulness and balance of the natural world, and we were intimately connected to that world. Well that world hasn’t gone anywhere. It is still out there! And whenever you start to feeling stressed, depressed or worried, it is good to go and enter into the quiet stillness that is the natural world, and sit with it for a while. Always, you will return refreshed, renewed and at peace with life. So, as we look forward into 2008, may you see obstacles as opportunities, failures as possibilities, and endings as beginnings....

SOUTH - Itokagata - Red (Red Earth)
A word from Peggy....

Hello friends
Wow!! Jan, 2008, a new year to write our hopes and dreams upon. I have always been one for settings goals. I unconsciously set them. I was hoping this year not to set them, to truly go with the flow and be alive in each moment. But I am just me, what can I say, hoping and trying may be the best I can do. But it is sunny and beautiful today and here I sit with you all over a cup of coffee.... life is good.
Our 2008 schedule is being up loaded on to our website as I speak. I want to point out some new things to you for 2008. We expect to perform 20 to 30 concerts this year all over the USA. You can purchase a season pass, which entitles you to VIP seating at all concerts. It is a great deal for $45.00 and even a greater deal with the new Elk Dreamer CD at $50.00. Please check out all the fan savings incentives and see what will fit best for you.
Fan Savings, Incentives and Opportunities
We have a full schedule of retreats this year, something for everyone.... check them out and make sure to get your registration deposits in early to save a space.
Retreats Schedule
We still have some of the first series of the John Two-Hawks Signature Flutes left. We have been so thrilled with the response we are getting to these incredible flutes. We expect to have a second series starting in the summer of 2008. We will keep you informed.
JTH Signature Flute
As I read the morning newspaper, I am absolutely dismayed at all the craziness going on in the world. This may be a good time to keep my head firmly stuck in the sand, because at least I can hear the sound of the waves and feel the warmth of the sun and the cool sand on my face there. I certainly don't want my mind and heart to dwell in media hell. What to do… “doing” just doesn't seem to be helping. Perhaps “being” will have an impact. I know it will on my life, which may flow over onto the others in my world. I will smile and pray and hope for better.... that, my friend, may be the best I can do.
Take some time today to do a little dance of gratitude.
love ya all,
Peggy
Red Earth
The Official JTH Site


WEST - Wiyohpeyata - Black or Blue (We are STILL Here!)
As I have shared with many, the West direction is very important to me. It is the place of twilight, darkness, shadows and storms. And I have often spoken about how these realities affect our lives. Well I would like to offer you yet another thought from the West wind which blows so strongly within my spirit.... With all storms there is at least some destruction. But that destruction is never the ultimate point of any storm. You see, the ultimate purpose of all storms is to strengthen, and bring forth new life. So they come, then knock things around a bit, shake things up, and even bring some things to an end. But hidden within all endings is a brand new beginning! And something new and incredible is waiting to spring forth from the seeds which were planted by the storms. So, as you leave one year behind and begin another, may you find the strength hidden deep within your seeds of hardship, and use it to bring forth amazing new things. May dreams be realized, hopes be fulfilled and wishes be granted. For as difficult as they often are, the storms are the unheralded givers of change, and new life....


NORTH - Waziyata - White (Words of Wisdom)
A few thoughts for the new year....

May others be as kind to you as you are to others....

May the rain make you smile as much as the sun....

May you know that courage and fear are relatives....

May you know that your happiness depends only on you....


May Wakantanka encircle you and yours with faith to believe, hope for the future, and love for all....

As always, in the spirit of mending the sacred hoop of the nations of the world
Your Oglala Lakota friend and brother,
John Two-Hawks
http://www.nativecircle.com
http://www.johntwohawks.com
Reprinting of this Circle of Nations newsletter is encouraged! All I ask is that it be printed in its entirety, with no changes, and that I be given proper credit, unless I have otherwise okayed it. Wopila (great thanks)!