Gathering Of Circles
2001

Drawing # 1  Submitted by Sherri Young:

Attainment in this new millennium can only come from having already had the Stamina (elk) to go the distance thus far, giving thanks thru Prayer (buffalo) for the Abundance in our lives, the ability to Transform (butterfly) into a higher, more
brilliant self - all of these offer great Power (horse) that we have each gained thru Understanding. To continue our individual journeys, we must recognize these gifts we already have, give thanks, and then continue to use them. Of course Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon watch over us while we are blanketed by the beauty of Father Sky and cradled in the arms of Mother Earth, the beautiful Mountain.

Spirit in Motion. We can attain nothing without Spirit. I used black to represent not only the West, but also the Void where Answer lives. Yellow for the East and illumination and clarity. Red for the innocence found in the South position, Pink for Love, White for the wisdom of the North and Blue for Spirit. Simple hearts easily recognized as a symbol of love to honor the Four Directions and a sense of movement to remind us all that Life does not stand still. Attainment requires forward motion.

Drawing # 5  Submitted by JJ Hamilton:

A Circle is a metaphor for equality,  there is no beginning,  no end, and no leader, everyone works together in a good way. As we travel our paths each and every day,  we are surrounded by a circle of LOVE for our relations.  I have portrayed this circle in pink. In the center of this circle I have placed a sacred flame that extends upwards to the spirit essence of our relations-human/animal kinships. The Bison spirit reminds us of Hope,  Giving, and Prayer.  This spirit also teaches us we are all connected,  what we do,  affects  each other.  We are not One, but ALL together. The Horse spirit calls us to Speed,  Strength, and Stamina,  his magical power is Freedom.  He tells  us not to stifle our creativity, or our spiritual growth and to move forward.  He  also teaches us that anything worth doing,  is worth doing well,  to the best of our abilities. To be free and allow others  to be free also. As a part of this Earth Energy,  we need  to "Grow" or "Attain" on all levels of our being and keeping these  different levels in balance, our Physical self, Mental/Emotional self,  Socio-cultural self, and Spiritual self. If  "Attainment"  is our theme for "Gathering of Circles 2001"  let us all strive for that purpose on our everyday paths. Winter Cedar Woman

As individual circles and groups of circles we come together to the center. We enter the gateway... together. We then spiral outward again -taking with us the teachings, knowledge, compassion ... love, beauty, and colors of life ... all we have gathered on our journeys. We take everything outward to every dimension of our world and other worlds. We disperse into the symphony of the universe with our personal melodies..

Four direction, four elements, four colors, four circles ... all within a larger circle. We come together to share our common and separate teachings.