According to the mythology of the Lakota First Nations people of the North American plains, the Sacred Feminine figure White Buffalo Calf Woman came from the sky to teach her people all the sacred ceremonies of their culture -- the sweat lodge, vision quest, naming ceremony for children, sun dance, peace pipe and medicine wheel.
When White Buffalo Calf Woman returned to the sky, she promised to come back someday in the form of a rare white buffalo calf. This prophetic sign would be both a blessing and a warning to her people that great changes upon the Earth are imminent and that spiritual unity and harmony with the Earth must be restored.
White bison births are very unusual and, in the wild, occur naturally in only about one out of every 10 million births. Increased frequency of white buffalo calf births has been noted in the 21st century, likely attributable to selective breeding of domesticated bison and more widespread availability of media communication.
To honour White Buffalo Calf Woman, I have included on her altar a pair of handcrafted beaded indigenous moccasins which I bought at a yard sale in Winnipeg about 40 years ago. At the front of the altar is a fresh, fragrant sweetgrass braid, which is used in many indigenous cultures as a sacred smudge or for medicinal and weaving purposes. The ceramic statue of White Buffalo Calf Woman I bought here in Edmonton at a craft sale about 15 years ago.
The deer hide leather of the moccasins is pretty old and worn, but age cannot diminish the exquisite beauty of that beading!
[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2023]
42 comments:
"harmony with the Earth must be restored"
Then we need to get rid of tRUMP!
Every item beautiful. I can just smell the sweet grass braid.
What an artwork to find at a local sale! Thank you for honoring it. "Braiding sweet grass", by Robyn Kemmerer, is a life changing book your reference reminded me of.
Another meaningful altar, Debra. The moccasin beading is exquisite indeed!
Another beautiful altar ... Thank you!
Hello Debra, Thank you for this post. I did not know the fascinating story of white bison. Here are two articles on their history and genetics (for example, they are not the same as albino bison):
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-white-bison-born-in-wyoming-state-park-180982262/
https://www.nps.gov/articles/bison-bellows-12-24-15.htm
However, now that song (which seems custom made for this post) is going through my head:
"Buffalo Gal won't you come out tonight, and dance by the light of the moon!"
--Jim
Yesterday I looked up and saw the full moon, and I immediately wondered what altar you were going to post this month.
The bead work is very beautiful!
Love the idea and love those moccasins!
XoXo
Very nice
Amazing, and thank you. You have jarred my memory to find a name that I have been searching for. Many years ago, In the late 1990’s, when I was working for a non-profit organization I met Chief Richard Grass and his sister Mona, of the Lakota Nation. Sadly, it was not at an event that would have made it into his obituary. The non-profit turned out to be a front for a Ponzi scheme, not one that Richard and Mona, or I for that matter, were aware of at the time. Chemo brain robbed me of the ability to easily remember names, and Richard and Mona’s were two that I couldn’t remember. The woman that I worked for at the non-profit claimed to be the White Buffalo Woman. In a conversation which Richard and Mona were at, she told me things that she had no way of knowing because they hadn’t happened yet. The things she told us have come true with startling accuracy, but I don’t think she is a prophet, or a seer, and most certainly not the White Buffalo Woman, but someone who had inside knowledge of plans and schemes that are frighteningly coming to fruition now. I have been searching for the chief’s name for a few years now. How I wish I had recorded that conversation.
@ Lisa -- Wow, just goes to show how con artists and ponzi schemes can target anyone, eh?
Now that is a beautiful alter and never heard the White buffalo Calf Woman, but loved the fore lore behind her. I just watch a special on Indians and indigenous peoples and their craft. It's amazing the work and hours that go into the beading...but once done, what creations and beauty.
This altar made me cry. That's ok, the tears were bittersweet and it was time to let them flow. I consider your altars to be a Public Service that you do for us. Thank you!
I always wondered about the sacred white bison. The moccasins are lovely!
The statue gives out a sense of power and mystery
@ Richard -- I was thinking of you as I set up this altar. I knew it would resonate with you, my friend.
@ Richard -- If you would like to be the new keeper of these moccasins, I would gladly give them to you. Just send me your name and mailing address in a comment (I will not publish it) and I will send them to you.
The beading is as pristine as if done yesterday.
And today, and tomorrow
I think we need this particular Sacred Feminine more than ever!
I think people should know about Lucy Telles. You can look it up. When i was a teenager, one of my friends was Lucy, named after her. My friend had a famous mother, Julia Parker, who you can also look up. We were just kids. We did not know that we were in the presence of greatness.
My friend was in to Joni Mitchell, so we would listen to that. We were teenagers.
Anyway, i learned a lot that summer.
It was a good time.
She is beautiful and so are those moccasins.
A beautiful alter. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.
I think the blogverse might be the new way of preserving and remember all the old ways.
That’s kinda nice. Don’t you think?
Happy Sunday
Remember to link up at Sunday Smiles today
Much💖love
Beautiful bead work. We have Athabascan beadwork from our time in Alaska.
the Ol'Buzzard
The beading on those moccasins is beautiful; imagine the hours someone spent doing the beadwork. That's why I collect old petit point, someone took the time.
Your Full Moon altar this month is beautiful in its simplicity. The beadwork is exquisite, but I like the altar cloth you've chosen too. Its pale yellow design reminds me of corn and the sun!
I was very fortunate to participate in the Blanket Exercise; it was understandably enlightening and emotional. When I learned that Indigenous people's artifacts were taken from them, I wondered, how many stolen Indigenous artifacts have I seen in museums across Canada & the world? Sickening.
If someone follows your blog, he never misses full moon.
The dear !
Just beautiful.
Coffee is on, and stay safe.
Oh my..they are so beautiful.
The statue looking very interesting. She appears to have control of the wild beast. Too close for me.
Those moccasins are gorgeous! I've been so busy, I just about remembered to do my affirmations for the month.
Another exquisite full moon altar. The moon rose round and bright behind the cherry tree in my yard. I watched for as long as I could until sleep called me to my bed.
The depiction of White Buffalo Calf Woman is lovely. The moccasins are gorgeous and intricate. I can almost smell the sweet grass - one of my favorite olfactory triggers (smells like summer!)
Thanks, D, for another centering altar.
E
what a magnificent creature she looks ,loved her majestic appearance !
so enjoyed knowing her myth and loved the handcrafted and beaded moccasins wow so pretty and fine they look after forty years
I LOVE her mission! And yes, the beading on the moccasins is fantastic. I really appreciate that you keep these lovely items in such pristine condition.
I love this altar, Debra! Of course I know about the white buffalo calf legend! I've never seen one, but I have seen a white deer which caused quite a sensation in our area for several years. My parents gave me a beautifully-beaded pair of high moccasins similar to the ones on your altar. But the hide was moose hide not deer hide. Unfortunately when I moved back to Nova Scotia and had them packed away, some mice got into them and ate holes in the moose hide. I was really, really sad. You have such an amazing collection of artifacts, my friend!
The statue is so beautiful, I love the way in which her hair flows. Also, the altar looks amazing.💙
-Quinley
I love this so much...
Wow, how gorgeous! I just adore this month's altar.
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