A few days ago, I found myself standing on sacred ground. Not that it isn’t all sacred, of course. But this specific piece of ground carries with it a particularly personal sense of sacredness and grace, as it also happens to be the arbor where we hold the Sun Moon Dance every July.

The Dance itself is one of the teachings passed onto us by Grandfather Joseph Rael (aka Beautiful Painted Arrow). During the course of the Sun Moon Dance, the Dancers move back and forth to a tree at the center of a circular arbor. As they do, they receive the Creator’s descending Light and release it into the world for the highest good of All Our Relations. The ceremony is often difficult, as the Dancers are also conducting a silent fast.

I’ve no way of knowing on a cosmic level what the results of all this might be. However, having danced several times myself, I can honestly say without any exaggeration that this Dance has not only transformed my life, but saved it.

In preparation for this year’s ceremony, a few of us got together to make some well-needed repairs to the arbor. We shored up some timbers and laid in a bunch of new purlins across the top.

As we gathered for the day’s work, one of the stewards of the land pulled me aside and took me over to where some of the trees had been dropped along the edge of the driveway. A few of my spoons see frequent use in their kitchen, and he’s always quick to offer me some additional material for my craft. This time, I came away with some beautiful cuts of Maple. Overall, there was enough wood for sixteen good-sized billets, which are now sitting in my workshop, patiently anticipating the hook knife and the carving axe.

There’s something deeply rewarding about spending the non-refundable minutes of one’s life in service. It presents us with an opportunity to give back to the Creator – and out to the whole of Creation – the only true currency we really have. Even though some of the blessings we receive might not make themselves readily apparent, others inevitably do. And it is these obvious milestones which keep us moving forward along the path…