First and foremost… ask permission.
Reach out and take a fist full of clay from the mountain.
Leave a gift of gratitude for the Earth.
Hold it and mold it with conviction and love.
Turn it quickly, spinning and touching with a gentle caress.
The shape starts forming with a will of its own.
Watch in wonder as this sacred bowl emerges.
Now hold it with wonder and reverence, this gift from Earth.
Tooled with Spirit, let it dry under the Sun for two days.
Reach out and gather the fallen limbs from the forest floor.
Leave a gift of gratitude for the Earth and trees.
Carefully stack the smaller then larger sticks.
Point them skyward as a holy light cathedral.
Offer a gift of breath as a match is struck.
Present the flame to the East entry, and feed this sacred fire.
Now reach toward the flame with wonder and reverence.
Feel this gift of warmth from Spirit.
Place the sacred bowl within the coals and cover.
Hold this space with a pure heart, thought and intention.
At the seventh hour, remove the bowl and set on a tree stump.
Let the North Wind cool it down slow and gentle.
Take this bowl with open palms, and walk slowly to the river.
Walk with each step honoring the dirt and leaf and feather.
Reach out and fill this newly birthed bowl with sacred waters.
Leave a gift of gratitude for the waters and for Earth.
With eyes of innocence, look within the waters in the bowl.
See who you truly are: A child of Earth.
Give thanks and take this water within this bowl to all your relations.
Offer it up to the World as medicine… as the most vital medicine.
Use only with sacred intent.
Treat as sanctified, as the Holy Grail itself.
This is my journey
— Nate Long “Owl”
pen & ink with digital manipulation