Native American Spiritual Practices (Ho-Chunk/Algonquin specifically) http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539 EFBQ I knew this novel would involve the MC's exploring spiritual matters, and she's started with the most familiar material, in her case biblical Christian. I had expected her to at least touch upon some other paths as well, particularly Neo-pagan. But no, she tells me that she's interested in Native American spirituality, particularly that of the tribe closest to her hometown of Madison Wisconsin. I've just begun reading up on them, and know that they share many cultural elements with the Algonquin. Does anyone have any pointers for me? Particularly looking for rituals and beliefs related to spirit-visions...? thanks so much. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:17:47 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_768094 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_768094 pkibellus I live in northern WI and have used Ojibwa, Anishinabe, legends and practices in explaining shawl and jingle dress dances in my last novel. Don't know if I could help. What in particular about spirit visions? Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:03:29 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_771575 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_771575 EFBQ My MC,, who's great grandmother was a member of the Ho Chunk tribe, starts the novel without any history of 'unexplained phenomena', but soon has a vivid experience, a 'vision' if you will of violence and death. She returns to her family home in Portage, and has another experience, this one much clearer, where she sees a shooting death. Shortly thereafter she learns that her 'vision' was of a real murder. She's going to spend a lot of time looking for explanations, and looking into her Native heritage is one of the places her search will take her. I don't want to 'force' a fit, I'm interested in what she would find or perhaps how she would be told to look for answers... Thanks so much. (That last novel sounds really interesting, good for you!) Sun, 20 Nov 2011 09:32:16 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_779083 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_779083 pkibellus I know that you are looking for information about spirit visions that foretell of bad things but most of the stories that are retold are of confident expectations of wisdom and power. Maybe you can adapt some of this information that the elders have passed on: The ability to receive a spirit vision was cultivated from earliest childhood. Children were told to try to remember what they dreamed. Purity of life and thought is considered essential to the revelation of one's spirit guardian that would guide them in their vision. Fasting, isolation and meditation were principal conditions. The Anishinabe, Algonquin stock, say that in visions you often return to a previous state of existence. It is said that if the power of the vision is strong the person can even assume the shape of their guide. There is one story of a warrior who had a vision of a certain animal and when injured during a battle with the Sioux his friends heard the cry of that animal and saw it leaving the battle area, but the body of the warrior was never found. The guide in a vision takes a form in an outline which may be an animal or just a pattern. The viewer transfers that into a carving or bead work or an object that is kept with them from then on. That token is used to call upon their guide for future visions or to pray for the power of their vision in a situation they may find themself in need. Some receive their names from visions such as the story of A'jawac, which means wafted safely across, had a vision she crossed the great water, Lake Superior, in a boat, but it wasn't until years later when she saw a sailboat for the first time that she knew it was from her vision. Her representation of her vision that she kept with her was a woven yarn cord with white as its main color. Another interesting story is the vision of Niski'gwun. He said he covered his face with charcoal and ate no food for 10 days. His guide was an eagle that took him soaring to the top of a tall pole. There was a strange piece of cloth hanging on the pole. He was given to understand that the piece of cloth would in some way be a protection to him. Niski'gwun years later saw an American flag for the first time and recognized it as the cloth in his vision. He always kept eagle feathers with him as his representation. He is the only one that tells of the eagle bringing him a message once when he was away from his home that one of his children was dead. He went directly home to find that it was true. Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:04:28 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_783854 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_783854 EFBQ Thank you. This is incredibly helpful. Actually, the fact that it's not an easy fit to what is happening is excellent for my particular book. :) Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:44:35 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_785854 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/religious-spiritual-new-age/threads/39539?page=1#forum_thread_comment_785854