Spiral to the center of the light
Where sacred dreams and visions do abide
Awaken to the calling of Great Spirit
Soaring with the winged ones of the sky
Denean, Fire Prayer
Many years ago I felt a calling to explore Native American spirituality. I began my journey with The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge by Carlos Castaneda, followed by his other enlightening works.
This exploration set off a chain of events leading to a transformative meeting with Mary Thunder, a Peace Elder, medicine woman, and revered teacher who traveled the world to spread a message of peace and Earth mother healing through self-healing.
Through Mary Thunder, I had the honor of participating in a sacred women’s Sundance—a dance of life that fosters spiritual awakening and awareness. Prior to the Sundance, a purification ceremony took place. In the heart of the mountainous Appalachian region, a Great Mystery Circle—reminiscent of a medicine wheel—was crafted and encircled by a sacred sage barrier, symbolizing blessings and protection. Rose petals adorned the area, and only the women dancers, medicine people, and helpers were permitted to enter the circle. At the center, a fire burned brightly, symbolizing the essence of life.
We danced in the sacred Circle, moving through the Four Directions—North (Earth), East (Air), South (Fire), and West (Water)—each representing an aspect of service and connection to the Universe. At the center stood a representation of the Tree of Life, symbolizing our bond with the Great Mystery, or Source. Each direction carried its unique meaning: wisdom in the North, enlightenment in the East, trust and innocence in the South, and introspection in the West.
The rhythm of the buffalo-skin drum accompanied us, its deep, resonant beats merging with our heartbeats as we chanted. It felt as though the energy of the Great Spirit, ancestors, and sisterhood intertwined to create a powerful unity. We danced not only for our healing but for the healing of women worldwide, to honor the Divine Feminine and restore balance in a world heavy with masculine energy. Prayers were offered, pain was released, and the collective energy brought profound peace and rejuvenation.
The experience culminated in chanting in Native languages as we danced the final rounds to close the ceremony. Within the Circle, I felt freedom, a renewed connection to the Universe, and a deep sense of guidance from Love itself.
Sundancing extends beyond women’s ceremonies; there are mixed-gender Sundances where participants pray for the healing of others, express gratitude for the gifts of Spirit, and seek aid for those in need. Before entering the Great Mystery Circle, participants typically undergo a purification ritual in a Sweat Lodge. This ritual cleanses the body of toxins, clears the mind of negativity, and elevates the spirit to align with the sacredness of the ceremony.
For me, the most poignant aspect of Sundancing was Spirit’s invitation to remember our Souls, our interconnectedness, and the truth that love is the force that unites us all.
If you are intrigued by these sacred ceremonies and wish to learn more, I encourage you to visit the Blue Star Church website to explore their offerings, where healing miracles manifest. Mary Thunder’s wisdom and advocacy for peace took her to global platforms, such as speaking alongside spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama, about Unity and Diversity.
These ceremonies and teachings remind us of the sacred nature of life, the power of connection, and the necessity of balancing energies within and around us. They offer a path to awakening, healing, and aligning with the essence of the Divine Feminine.
Mary Elizabeth Thunder (1944-2017)
Mary Elizabeth Thunder was born on June 19, 1944 in Indiana during the month of D’day. Growing up during a difficult childhood, being placed in different foster homes, not knowing her Mother, and being around alcohol abuse, made her an incredibly compassionate Human Being. As a child she loved to go into churches to be with God and Pray. Even then, she felt she had a mission in her life to work for Peace and share love and compassion. After graduating High School, attending Indiana University, and specializing in human relations and drug and alcohol counseling, she began her journey to ‘turn her scars into stars.’
While working as Secretary to the Office of Public Health and Safety for the City of Indianapolis, Mary Thunder connected with her Native American heritage, inherited from her Mother. Her children, Richard, Beth and Johnny, as well as her husband John, started to participate in traditional Ceremonies with Thunder and, it was in this period that they met their Lakota Elders and Teachers: Leonard Crow Dog, Wallace Black Elk, Grace Spotted Eagle, and Rolling Thunder.