The Hmong Shamans of France

Ly Nya Tcha

The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. There are 15,000 Hmong currently living in France. France's Hmong population grew steadily after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975. After American armed forces pulled out of Vietnam, a communist regime took over in Laos, and ordered the prosecution and re-education of all those who had fought against its cause during the war. Whilst many Hmong are still left in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and China, since 1975 many Hmong have fled Laos in fear of persecution. Housed in Thai refugee camps during the 1980s, many have resettled in countries such as the United States, French Guiana, Australia, Germany, and France.

Since their arrival in France, the Hmong were forced to adapt to an urban way of life in which their cultural practices could appear antiquated and superstitious. The Hmong have struggled to preserve their shamanic beliefs and traditions in the face of assimilation, religious conversion, and the incomprehension of their French neighbors. According to Ly Nya Tcha, a Hmong shaman living in Louvres, "Most of the Hmong community now places more faith in medicine and our tradition has lost its value. Plus, there are new religious beliefs that consider our traditions backwards.” Hmong converts to Protestantism, says Ly, "believe I live in the past and never ask for my help." Read more.

Eagle Medicine

Eagle symbolizes power, courage, soul flight, wisdom, higher truth, and illuminated mind -- clarity of both conscious and intuitive awareness. Eagle represents the twofold clarity of one who clings to the light of inner knowing, thereby illuminating the world. We can connect with the guidance of our inner voice by stilling the chatter of the mind through meditation or drumming. Stopping the chatter of the mind frees us of fear, doubt, and limitation. Such inner calm and openness reconnects us to our inner truth, to our sense of what is correct. Inner truth reflects, like a mirror, the higher, universal truth that exists in every situation.

Eagle teaches us that we should allow this higher truth to guide our actions and transform our life. In every situation, we should be humble, open, and receptive, suspending all previous judgments, in order to grasp the inner truth of the matter. We must rid ourselves of doubt and disbelief and trust that the correct way will show itself. The cosmic truth of the situation will then become apparent at the right time. With the power of truth as our guide, we can bring enlightenment to the world.

Eagle reminds us to pay attention to what really matters in life. Eagle medicine is the ability to rise above the material to see the spiritual. Eagle helps us to soar above the hurdles of life's dilemmas, keeping our attention focused on more distant horizons of self-realization. Invoke Eagle to help you fulfill your own unique path of self-realization. This sacred bird will enable you to fly higher or go deeper within yourself.

Many shamans call upon Eagle to carry their prayers on its wings to the Creator. Eagle will carry the shaman's prayers to the Creator, or the shaman may transform into Eagle and soar into the celestial realm of spirit that governs all aspects of the material realm of earth. The Eagle and the shaman can ascend to the celestial realm of unmanifest potential and descend on healing journeys into the temporal realm of manifest form. Both are intercessors between heaven and earth, bringing harmony and balance between the spiritual and the physical world.

Standing Rock Defense Fund

Photo by Lucas Zhao

The Lakota People's Law Project is asking for donations to fund the upcoming legal battles to protect Standing Rock activists, Chase Iron Eyes and HolyElk Lafferty. The necessity defenses of Chase and HolyElk could set a precedent to protect not only land and water, but freedom of speech itself. These trials can help create a permanent legal framework to protect indigenous, environmental, and civil rights. If you choose not to give monetarily, they ask your thoughts and prayers for these two brave warriors. All the medicine you can provide is much appreciated as the team gathers evidence and prepares for the fight. These trials may prove to be two of the most important of our generation. Heal. Unify. Resist.

Winter Solstice: Return of the Light

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the first day of winter. This occurs December 20, 21, or 22, varying from year to year, dependent upon the elliptical path of the Earth around our Sun. Technically the solstice marks the instant at which the Earth's axis stops tilting away from the sun and starts going back the other way. Solstice means "Standing-Still-Sun." At Winter Solstice, the Sun journeys farthest south in its orbital path and for the next three days it rises and sets at virtually the same place on the horizon, appearing to stand still, and then it slowly returns north.

This three day pause in the Sun's movement is a time of inward reflection. We are each given the opportunity to take a peek at what is happening on a heart and soul level. We can reflect on the year ending to see where we have erred and reform those beliefs, attitudes, and strategies no longer applicable to the New Year unfolding. Such a fresh open-minded approach will broaden our perspective and start us out on the right track.

Ancient peoples in our northern climes regarded Winter Solstice as the pivotal time of year. It is a time of transition in the annual cycle when the old year ends and our journey into the New Year begins. It is a sacred time to conduct ceremonies focused on the return of light and warmth. Rituals designed to divert nature from the path toward eternal winter and oblivion to one directed toward light and prosperity. Most cultures planned festivals and celebrations at or around the Winter Solstice to ensure that the Sun would return.

The Pueblos of the American Southwest have honored the Winter Solstice for thousands of years. Zuni Indians celebrate Shalako and Hopis begin the observance of the month long Soyal with rituals to insure victory of light over darkness. Hopi priests wear feathers in their headdresses symbolizing the Sun's rays. Sacred underground structures called kivas let in the rays of the rising and setting Sun and Moon throughout the year. Among the Pueblos, Winter Solstice is an affirmation of the continuation of life; that the cyclical order of time and the cosmos will continue intact.

Fire and light have always played a central role in the Winter Solstice ceremonies. In much of northern Europe people ignited huge bonfires. Lighted candles were often placed on the branches of evergreen trees, which symbolized survival and eternal life. These symbols of warmth and lasting life were lit to hasten the "old" Sun's waning and the "new" Sun's rebirth. People often tied apples to the branches of firs and oaks to remind themselves that summer would eventually return. In the British Isles, mistletoe was placed upon altars. Mistletoe's golden color was believed to store the power of the Sun, especially when plucked at the solstice.

In Peru, the people fasted for three days prior to the solstice. At dawn on the morning of the fourth day, everyone gathered in the public plaza to watch the sunrise. When its light appeared, the celebration began with shouts of joy. At the Sun Temple the rays of the Sun were focused with a mirror to make a fire. This sacred fire was carried to all the outlying temples, where it was kept burning on the altars throughout the year.

In my own solstice celebration, I like to incorporate a sacred fire. Before the Sun sets on the solstice, I will light a large candle or oil lamp, call the spirit of the Sun into that fire, and allow it to burn until morning, when his spirit has returned to the sky.

On the Winter Solstice we are all praying, on some level, for the darkness to end. "Just return the light!" the ceremonies seem to say. As we celebrate the return of the light, we affirm the continuation of life at the very moment of dissolution. To be sure, dark days lie ahead. But contained within each is the promise of brighter tomorrows.

"Drum Sounds and Their Meanings"

Mickey Hart

Mickey Hart is an American Grammy winning percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band Grateful Dead. In 2014 Mickey wrote an excellent article for Smithsonian Folkways titled "Drum Sounds and Their Meanings." This article focuses on how drums are used in many cultures to communicate, play, work, as well as express cultural connections to death, war, and spirituality.

The drum plays a role of great importance in many cultures for its rhythm develops a oneness of feeling and purpose with the rhythms of life. According to Mickey: "There are three fundamental rhythms that each of us experiences: the personal rhythm of the human body, the larger social rhythm of the family, tribe or nation, and the enveloping cosmic rhythms of the planets and the universe." Mickey outlines the ingenious ways that we use drums and percussion of all kinds to manipulate and experience these rhythms. He also shares his favorite drum tracks, while explaining their meaning in our lives and culture. Read more.