Seven-Fold Blessing

This benediction was performed at the cemetery, before military honors:

The Seven-Fold Blessing

Priest/ess [Anna, Kiel or Demetria]:
We will now bless and purify this space with four sacred herbs: sage, sweetgrass, cedar and bear root.

Caller of East[Joan]:
May this sacred smoke cleanse and free Maris’s mind. May he enter Heaven in peace and freedom. [Caller walks clockwise around casket smudging with sage.]

Caller of South [Demetria]:
May this sacred smoke cleanse and free Maris’s spirit. May he enter Heaven in peace and freedom. [Caller walks clockwise around casket smudging with sweetgrass .]

Caller of West [Kiel]:
May this sacred smoke cleanse and free Maris’s soul. May he enter Heaven in peace and freedom. [Caller walks clockwise around casket smudging with .]

Caller of North [Anna]:
May this sacred smoke cleanse and free Maris’s body. May he enter Heaven in peace and freedom. [Caller walks clockwise around casket smudging with .]

Priest/ess [Ann, Kiel or Demetria]:
GREAT SPIRIT, OUR CREATOR, You give us the gift of life and the grace to praise you. Open our hearts that we may welcome your Spirit anew in our life. Teach us your wisdom and pour into us your gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Caller of East [Joan]:
We look to the EAST, the place where the new Sun rises each morning. This is the direction of hope and of new beginnings. Look down on us from the East, Creator, and pour your Spirit upon us so that we may renew our lives. Almighty God, fill and surround the soul of Maris with the Light of Wisdom and Truth.

Caller of South [Demetria]:
We look to the SOUTH, the place from where the warm winds come. This is the direction of good friends who help us walk on the Good road of life. Look down on us from the South, Creator, and pour your Spirit of happiness and friendship throughout our life. Teach us the lesson of Generosity that we may serve one another. Almighty God, fill and surround the soul of Maris with Healing.

Caller of West [Kiel]:
We look to the WEST, the place where the Sun sets as the day fades. This is the direction of changes, of growing and dying. Look down on us from the West, Creator, and give us the strength to face the great mysteries of life and death. Transform our hearts with the gift of Your Spirit so that we may be renewed in Your Great Spirit. Almighty God, fill and surround the soul of Maris with Love.

Caller of North [Anna]:
We look to the NORTH, the place from where the cold, harsh winds of winter come. This is the direction of hard times and painful moments that test us. Look down upon us from the North, Creator, and help us to walk in a sacred manner even when times are hard. Give us the spirit of courage to stand up to the pains of life while we hope in the resurrection. Almighty God, fill and surround the soul of Maris with Protection.

Caller of Sky [Kiel]:
We look to the SKY, the home of the eagle. This is the place of clear vision that helps us to see far and understand the meaning of things. Look upon us from the sky-world, Creator, and teach us to rise above those weaknesses that keep us from the good path of life. Renew your Spirit in us. Almighty God, may Maris be a shining star in the Heavens; may he be embraced by our ancestors and the angels.

Caller of Earth [Anna or Demetria]:
We bend down to touch the EARTH, the place from which we come, our Mother who gives us everything we need to survive. Look upon us from all the living things of the earth, Creator, and teach us to remember the great lesson that we are related. Give us the gift of strength to walk gently in harmony with all of life. Almighty God, may Maris carry with him all the good and happy memories of his life on this Earth.

Priest/ess [Joan]:
GREAT SPIRIT, of all directions, we thank You for giving us Your own Spirit to transform our hearts. Unite us with all the nations of the world so that together we may create a new world guided by Your Spirit. Almighty God, may we all be reunited with Maris one day in a world of peace. within that timeless unity that is the heart of God.