Birth Prayer

The Birth Prayer -

In the Traditions of the People, at the first Dawn of a Childs' Birth, there is the Birth Prayer and Naming Ceremony. The Clan Mother of your Clan, the oldest Woman, performs this duty as Grandfather Sun crests the Eastern Horizon. The Clan Mother lifts the Child above her head, facing the Sun rise. Thus presenting the Child to the Ancestors and the Universe and giving the Child his or her Birth Name.

Due to Life Circumstance, I being thousands of miles away from my People, I performed this Cermoney for my Son.

The Birth Prayer for my Son -

CREATOR, hear my words, I Pray.
CREATOR, I ask you to look upon this Child. Protect him and bring Balance into his Life.
MOTHER EARTH, I will Teach him to Respect you as he grows. Wherever his Path will go, support and care for this Child.
GRANDFATHER SUN, shine upon this Child as he grows. Let him be strong in every way,
not only Physically but Mentally and Spiritually. Surround him with your warm Living Energy.
I know there will be cloudy days, shine through to this Child, keep him safe.
FOUR WINDS OF THE UNIVERSE, recognize this Child. Sometimes you will blow strong, sometimes gentle. Let this Child grow to know your Value and Weather the Storms.
WATER OF LIFE, he can not Live without you. I ask this Child never Thirst in any way.
FIRE, burn away the Obstacles of Life for this Child. Make the Way clear so the he will not Stumble in Walking a Path of Learning to Love and Respect all Life.
CREATOR, I will Teach this Child Honor and Respect. Let his Spirit shine in this Universe.
I THANK YOU CREATOR.

Within the Traditions, a Birth Name does not necessarily follow one throughout ones' Life.
My Birth Name was Po Quage (Shinning Lake).

Due to Natures' circumstance on the first Day of my Birth; I was born in the Moon of the Hard Cold (January), in the Mountains of New York State. When I was twelve, my Grandmother, the Clan Mother of the Bear Clan, told me the Story of the Birth Ceremony by her at the Dawning of my First day.

There was much Snow and Cold. While she stood on the Mountain looking out across a Valley that had a frozen Lake, the Sun appeared above the Eastern Mountain. As my Grandmother lifted me above her head to offer the Birth Prayer, the Sun's rays reflected off the frozen Lake and into her eyes, thus the Name Shinning Lake.

My Elders Name, White Crow. That is another Story.

White Crow November 1990