The beat of the drum sounds across the land. My heart is beating to its rhythm. The drum group sings the powwow songs and the people dance the circle. Elders lead the dance as the people move to the rhythm of the Mother's heart beat. I stand there just outside the circle and watch the people dance around the drum in the middle as they move around the circle. Such a beautiful sight, some in full regalia others in every day tee shirts and blue jeans. Some move very gracefully others just walk slowly taking steps to the beat.
I see one Grandfather in the lead, he moves so smoothly, and with such grace. His dance is very fancy, with jumps and spins. He dances like a young man. I know this Grandfather, he has been a teacher to me before. I have seen him dance many times, but never have I seen him move so smoothly and gracefully. He has on moccasins I have never seen before. They are the most beautiful beaded moccasins I have ever seen. I am so touched by Grandfather's dance. Watching him, moves my heart and fills me with an awe and peace I have never felt before. 'How is Grandfather able to move like that?' I ask myself. 'He is 82 years old, but yet he is moving like he is 20.' This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen.
As the dance ends and people lieve the circle I run over to met Grandfather. I complement Grandfather on his dance, and tell him how moved I was watching him dance.
"Grandfather, how can you move like that? That was beautiful. And those moccasins, they have to be the most beautiful I have ever seen. Where did you get them?"
Grandfather does not reply right away. I see that he is looking down at my feet. I look down to where his eye are focused. He is looking at my moccasins. They are old and worn, with holes in them. But they are very comfortable, I have had them many moons. Grandfather looks up at me, our eyes meet.
"They are magic." He smiles and says in a whisper. He goes on as her sees my bewilderment.
"The moccasins, they are magic, thats how I can dance like that. They give me the Spirit power to move like a young man, it is not me that dances, it is the Spirits, they just use my feet because I have their moccasins on." I am amazed at what Grandfather is telling me. He is very serious and is not joking.
"Really? The magic of the moccasins is how you can dance like that?" I ask in amazement.
"They can do more than make you dance like that. Watch." He says as he kicks the moccasins off, bends down and picks them up. He hands them to me. I feel a spark of energy as I take them in my hands. A warm feeling runs up my arms and fills my whole being. It is a wonderful tingling sensation unlike anything I have ever felt. I am honored to hold these wonderful medicine moccasins. They are completely covered in beautiful bead work. Medicine wheels, flowers, native symbols and bright colors all over them.
"Thank you Grandfather for letting me hold these, I am very honored." I say as I hold them out to hand them back to Grandfather.
"No, I want you to have them." Grandfather replies.
"No I can not except such a gift, Grandfather these are to nice for me to take them from you." I respond.
Grandfather laughs and says,"I want you to have them,besides, look at my feet." I look down and see that he has on another pair of moccasins just like these ones. I am confused.
Grandfather laughs again and goes on to explain. "I told you, these are magic moccasins, not only do they help me dance fine, but if I take them off and give them to some ones else a new set magically reappears on my feet again. Now you need those moccasins, yours are old and worn out, and now you can dance like me with these moccasins I have given you. And you can do the same thing as me. You can some day give those moccasins away and new ones will reappear on your feet. But do not give them away freely. Watch others closely, see how they dance. Only give your magic moccasins to someone who really wants to dance with honor and respect, make sure they really need them and will honor them. They do not have to be Native, as you can see the dance circle is for all people, they just must have a good heart and really want to dance the circle. You can dance the circle in full view of the public and show your moccasins as you dance. But never put them in the shop window, and never sell them or give them to someone that does not believe in their magic. If you ever do that, your moccasins will loose their power and the beads will fall off. They will become old and fall a part. But if you honor the moccasins and do as I have said, they will always be magic and you will be able to dance the beautiful dance, and even pass the magic dance and moccasins on.
The dance circle=the circle of life.
The dance=spirituality.
The moccasins=spirit & sacred teachings.
Wado Pastor CougarMoon
