AS WE RETURN FROM OUR JOURNEY INTO CANYONLANDS, we sing and celebrate the courage and light of all those that gathered together for the Storyteller Fire in a small box canyon on the evening of August 9th. With firelight dancing, the drums and flutes of the Ancients made their way to our hungry ears, as shadows danced in celebration of our joining together as one - Children from the Four Directions. This story was shared, and now lovingly presented to you... our extended family.

Once four brothers went out to hunt. While they were climbing a steep, rocky mountain, a thick mist enveloped them, and they were forced to remain at the top of the mountain's peak. After awhile they became cold and made a fire, and the youngest, who was full of the spirit of adventure, threw his bow in it. When the bow was burnt the brothers were astonished to see it far below. The youngest brother thereupon announced his intent to travel to lower ground in the same manner as his weapon. Though the others tried to talk him out of his fool hardy plan, he ran straight into the heart of the blazing fire with no hint of hesitation or doubt, and quickly disappeared.

His brothers then saw him below, dancing and chanting, calling for them to follow his lead. One by one, they did so, until all found themselves at the base of the mountain.

As the brothers began their journey home they heard a voice that told them they would have to search to find their purpose and attach themselves to this purpose, so that they could express messages that they would be charged to deliver. Further on they traveled.

They came at length to a deserted village on the edge of the desert floor and decided to stay in one of the lodges. For food they caught a rabbit, and having satisfied their hunger, they decided to explore the village. They were rewarded in their search with four feathered capes, exquisitely crafted. When they tried the capes on, they were surprised to discover them to fit perfectly, and the youngest, who had jumped into the fire, suggested that these powerful medicine pieces would assist them in receiving the messages they would deliver. Another heard a voice that said the mission of the brothers was to find experience on all planes of expression and only to return home when that purpose had been achieved. Then all four brothers, dressed in their fine feathered capes, walked away from the village.

After four days of walking, they came in sight of another village where a Holy Man was performing a ceremony. Attracted by the noise and the glow of the fire, the oldest brother stepped into the fire light to see what was going on. "Palekona, the Falcon comes," he heard the old man say, "to lift us up and help us to overcome our fear. Palekona, the Falcon, will remain with us and will help us to find answers to all the challenges along our path. Palekona, the Falcon, urges us on when we feel low, lifts us up when our eyes are cast down. He binds us with the Sacred Parents of all and helps us to understand that when we are one with All Our Relations we may receive messages of power that overcome all the difficulties found in life. Know that we are never alone. Palekona, the Falcon, watches over us."

The brother was ashamed to hear himself called thus mistakenly - he thought - and returned to the shadows where his other brothers waited.

The next brother advanced to the village. "Itza, the Eagle comes," said the Holy Man. "Itza comes to teach us how to cry for vision. We wait patiently, but he comes to show us the ongoing quest. The bonds of unity between Spirit and the Children of the Four Directions are being strengthened and there is a quickening in the perceptions of our medicine powers. Growth, unfoldment and evolution come with Itza, the Eagle."

This brother was ashamed and returned to his brothers.

The third brother heard the Holy Man call out, "Chawn Chissy, the Owl approaches. He comes to tell us life does not belong to us. It belongs to our Sacred Parents. Whenever anyone crosses to the Place of Souls, Chawn Chissy, the Owl will be there to guide our way."

At last the youngest brother stepped into the light to hear, "As Kelei, the Hawk, unfolds his wings we rise higher and higher, so we come into closer touch with our Spiritual Guides. Kelei, the Hawk's presence, tells us when to look and when to listen. That is the reality of our connection. Our time must be spent dispelling shadows, seeing through fear, in strengthening our connection to All Our Relations. In silence, in harmony, and in love, our souls unfold with the wings of Kelei, the Hawk. It is certain."

Each brother had returned to the shadow of the night, as the brother before had. When they had all heard the Holy Man, the eldest brother said, "It is true. We can no longer speak in terms of within or without when we speak our names, for we now serve Spirit, and Spirit has no within and without. Spirit fills us. Spirit fills space. It is consciousness. We are no longer subjected to the limitations of a body, but can range throughout infinity, reaching the height of evolution. We can fly the Changing Mother's surface in a flash. We no longer exist in terms of time. We have no such limitation to our vision. Our consciousness can function on any plane as Spirit will dictate."

All they had heard and witnessed was quite true, for by burning themselves in the Eternal Flame, they had been transformed.

The four brothers flew around the mountains until they reached another village. Here a woman who had been severely burned asked them, "Do you come to undo all the illusion that comes through fear and pride?"

They called her sister and gave her the name Gaage, Raven. In turn, she talked to them, repeating the names which the Holy Man had called them.

"It is for you," she said, "to dispel the separation that now lives so arrogantly within the world. Out of your strength I have seen a new world being born. You are part of the world of spirit and must now go and serve All Our Relations with your clarity. This change in perspective is the magic to be found along the way."

Then Gaage, Raven, bade them farewell, sadly, yet with the proud knowledge that these four brothers would always represent the sacredness of life.

Today, these brothers are the sacred binged ones we call Raptors. Native Americans believe they bring the love of Spirit to flow through us, out into our world so many may claim their true identity and purpose.

Daaiina, and so it is...

Hiyaa gozhoo dolee, may peace flow...

© 2002 Maria Yraceburu

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARIA YRACEBURU - In the past Storytellers did not just remember the past and the traditions, they were also entertainers, historians, priests, counselors, psychologists, zoologists, astronomers, and much more. Quero Apache storyteller Maria Yraceburu is held in very high regard, her long awaited book LEGENDS AND PROPHECIES OF THE QUERO APACHE (Bear & Company, 2002) having just been released. She is a highly trained and trusted individual, instructed since birth by her grandfather in the important tasks such as: remembering, and telling the history of evolution. She is one who understands about the meaning and origin of ceremony, and the important role this now plays within humanity’s evolution.

Since beginning her responsibilities as diiyin in 1972, Maria has assisted thousands of people in discovering and using the full potential of their own spiritual connection for personal empowerment and growth. A doctor of Applied Ecopsychology; Maria’s articles have been translated into 25 different languages throughout the world. She lives and works in the mountains east of San Diego through Nohwike Bagowa - House of Our Footprints, a non profit 501 (c) 3 spiritual community of Earth Wisdom. 619-443-3367 - http://www.nohwikebagowa.org - A portion of book proceeds benefit Nohwike Bagowa Community Services Projects.