Life and Death Arrow Ceremony- A Shamanic Act of Power

Use This Ceremony While Ushering in Each Equinox or Solstice

Purpose of Ceremony: To connect with one’s own inner “Power” and intentionally set goals, destiny and purpose for the season. This ceremony is an observance of balance. Balance is imperative for health, growth and true insight.

Performing this ceremony will assist you in focusing on goals while letting go of that which holds you back. It is best to prepare for the ceremony by observing oneself over a period of a few weeks and work with the natural cycles of the moon. Meaning, from full moon to half-moon- focus/meditate upon what you need to release in order to achieve your goal(s). During the new moon, through half moon- focus and meditate upon what you want to draw.

This Act of Power Ceremony serves as a reminder that you are on a Sacred Path, co-created by you and the Creator. Through focus, letting go, effort and a dedicated communion with Great Spirit you more easily see and achieve your goals.

The Power Ceremony:

For the Ceremony, you will be making 2 sticks, which represent arrows- one of which will be burned. Choose sticks ideally somewhere between 10” to 20”. Your Death Arrow stick should be dry so it will easily burn.

You will also need the following:

-4 ribbons (red, green, black and white OR yellow, red, black and white). These ribbons represent the four directions on EACH arrow.

-String to attach your lists

-Glue

- Paint/Brushes

-Feather(s)for each stick

-Stones; crystal; seeds; bones; hair; coins/money; words; other objects that represent what you will work to achieve and what you are releasing, as well as items to symbolize the totems and guides you are asking to help you in this ceremony.

Life Prayer Arrow- The arrow to which you will attach a list of up to 10 things you wish to accomplish in the next quarter. It may take you several days or even weeks to think of what you’d like to add to your list. Try to take your time preparing. This stick you will decorate with objects you have chosen to work with- AND- you may continue to add items and decorate the stick as you work throughout the year/quarter. Include things you find, things you are gifted or add paintings and decor. This stick will include feather(s) to carry the prayers to heaven. It will be stuck into the ground in a special place in nature or your close environment.

Death Prayer Arrow- The arrow to which you will attach a “give away” list. This is an indefinite list of things you choose to release that serve you no purpose and that prohibit you from reaching your full potential, and those things that may stand in the way of you achieving what you have written on your Life Prayer Arrow list. Again- decorate this Arrow as appropriate to you, remembering this stick will be burned. Burning acts as purification.

FOR EACH ARROW YOU MAY WANT TO USE A SPIRIT BUNDLE

This bundle summons, or “wakes up” and invites the helping spirits to awaken and assist you. Each bundle should be of red cotton and should contain sage, cedar and/or sweetgrass, cornmeal, tobacco, matches, a small white candle, and flowers or petals. Make these items into two separate bundle and place with your Arrows.

ACT OF POWER PRAYER

For the DEATH ARROW, pray:

 “Great Spirit, Mother Earth, Powers of the Four Directions, all my Ancestors, all my allies and all the Great Beings of Light that love me, come be with me now. This ceremony is an Act of Power. Thank you for assisting me.

This is my Death Arrow, These are the things that have kept me from meeting my full potential. They no longer serve me and I release them. They are the things I am willing to give away in order to accomplish my Act of Power; my Act of Destiny in this lifetime. At this time, I begin”

Burn this stick and bury the ashes

For the LIFE ARROW pray:

 “Great Spirit, Mother Earth, Powers of the Four Directions, all my Ancestors, all my allies and all the Great Beings of Light that love me, come be with me now. This ceremony is an Act of Power. Thank you for assisting me.

This is my Life Arrow, These are the things that I will work for in order to reach my full potential (Read the list aloud, and then roll around it the stick. Blow onto the feather on your stick the intention of fulfilling the items you have read.) I leave this stick to the universe and ask for guidance, protection and openness to understanding as I enact my Act of Power. At this time, I begin”.

Place this stick in the ground in a place in nature or your yard. Ensure the feather can fly freely.