Monday, June 28, 2010

The Passing of Morningstar

Beloved Friends and Family of Morningstar,
We are in shock and mourning today by the news of the loss of our deeply beloved sister Lindy "Morningstar" Morris who, after a tragic accident yesterday in New Jersey, crossed into the Spirit World to open her wings and fly homeward. ... See moreMorningstar is loved the world over and we send our love, prayers and support to her beloved children, sister, parents and family in Australia. Her love had no bounds and she got deeply into the hearts of all us here in America. She will never, ever be forgotten.

Here we honor our beautiful Aussie sister Lindy Morningstar, (Previously Lindy Little Wing) who had the vision to be the first Australia Tour Host of the Grandmother Drum International Peace Project in 2002 and who came to America to volunteer and tour with The Grandmother Drum Project in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Belize and Guatemala throughout 2005-2007. She continued in 2008-2010 to tour her own medicine work, "Wings Across the World" with many of the Drum Project's USA host sites. Lindy lived with us all, loved with us, cried with us, prayed with us, sang with us, danced with us and laughed with us all. She is indeed a pure soul, who loved all, cared for all living beings, had a childlike innocence, was tender at heart and lived full of joy. Her love for our animals brothers and sisters was extraordinary and her generosity of spirit unmatched. She was loved by so many hearts across the world and may she now continue her mission and fully take her " Wings Across the World." WE LOVE YOU MORNINGSTAR!

PHOTO ALBUM TRIBUTE


RECENT VIDEO of Morningstar Playing Flute:


Morningstar's last post on Facebook ( truly Morningstar!)

"Arrived in Philadelphia last Thursday - had a ball walking through the airport , wearing my long kangaroo tail vest and the new bull snake rattle, which did not fit completely into the backpack, but hung out about 6 inches - so funny standing in the security line with curious passengers, peering over my shoulder to ask - is that a snake in your bag?..."

Our blessings to all,

White Eagle Medicine Woman (Suraj Holzwarth)
Director, International Healer and DrumKeeper
The GrandMother Drum Intl. Peace Project
The Whirling Rainbow Foundation
Po Box 2822
Palmer, Alaska 99645
011-1-907-745-5636



Sunday, June 27, 2010

Dream Catcher


The Dream Catcher originated in the Ojibwa Nation and was adopted by the Native Americans of many different nations. Traditionally made on a willow frame with sinew strands, the finished item was hung over the bed and used as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares. The dream catcher wasn’t intended to last forever, but to dry out and collapse over time as the child it protected entered adulthood.
The Ojibwa believe that a dream catcher changes peoples’ dreams, allowing the good to be filtered through, and the bad to hang in the net and disappear in the light of day.

To make your own, you will need:
  • A supple piece of wood or branch,
  • about 1m in length
  • 4 yards / 12 feet of wool (or suede)
  • 3 yards / 9 feet of string (or sinew / imitation sinew)
  • Beads
  • Feathers
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • A Clothes Peg
  • The colour scheme is a personal choice.

  1. Bend the branch around into shape and bind the ends together with a dab of glue and some string.
  2. Cut 8ft of the wool (or suede). Glue one end to the ring and clip in place with the clothes peg until the glue is dry.
  3. Wind the strand around the frame until you reach the starting point, leaving the entire outer ring wrapped neatly before gluing into place; again using the clothes peg to hold it until it dries. Be careful not to twist the thread as it goes round, it must lie flat.
  4. Tie one end of the string (sinew) to the ring and then make nine half hitch knots around the ring, spacing them around ½” to 1” apart. Make the last knot a little closer to the first – this will prevent a large gap forming. Make sure the thread is pulled snugly between the knots.
  5. Make the next row of the web by tying the hitches into the middle of the pre-woven row. Continue weaving in the same way until you have a small hole left in the centre. Once finished, tie a double knot in the cord, add a tiny drop of glue to the knot to give it extra security. When the glue is dry, cut off the remaining thread as close to the knot as possible.
  6. From your remaining wool (suede), cut a 12” piece and fold it in half. Tie a knot in the open end.
  7. At the top of the ring, attach the cord by slipping the loop end through the ring and then around the ring and over the knot. Pull the lacing tight to secure it in place.
  8. Cut three 8” pieces of wool (suede). Tie two of them approximately one third of the way up the ring on each side, use a double knot and a small dab of glue to keep them in place. Slip on the beads in whatever order you’ve chosen, then secure with another knot and spot of glue.
  9. Take the last piece and attach any remaining beads or decorative piece, like a concho to the top middle of the ring.
  10. Finally, push two feathers up inside the beads on each piece of lacing. Glue the feathers if they’re loose.


To make larger sizes:

Follow the same instructions as above, but the materials needed will vary.
12 inch rings needs approx. 7 yards / 21 feet of wool or suede lacing to bind it
9 inch ring – approx 6 yards / 18 feet
6 inch ring – approx 4 yards / 12 feet
Remember that you will need extra suede for the laces and hanger.