Basket-Drum Ceremonies

PREPARATIONS AND AIM

Songs are chanted to the accompaniment of a basket-drum from the fifth through the eighth evenings of the Coyoteway ceremonial. As before, most of these songs refer to the performance of the first Coyoteway ceremonial and to the archetypal Coyote People. Coyote has been the first sufferer, the first who was healed by Coyoteway, and also the first to teach his healing procedures to human apprentices. Health, well being, and general blessings emanate therefore from the Coyote People whose presence in the surface world is realized by singing their own archaic and proven songs.

The basket-drum songs on the fifth evening actually begin a new type of ceremony that in each instance climaxes on the next morning in the appearance of a masked yé'ii-impersonator. For three days in a row a blue-masked god from the underworld visits the patient. On the last day, as many as three yé'ii-impersonators appear in answer to the previous night's basket-drum songs.

Two large leaves of a yucca plant are knitted together into a drumstick with slices of yucca leaves. Kernels of maize are wrapped into the drumstick—one for each participating member. Before him the practitioner sprinkles a leveled spot with cornmeal. Then, at that same place a moistened wedding basket is placed upside down on one side of a blanket. The remaining portion of the blanket is folded over the basket; the basket-drum is ready for use.

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The participants sit in a circle around the singer. The patient sits at his regular place north of the practitioner. While the helpers sing along and take turns among each other with the rattle, the practitioner beats the drum and leads in the singing. After the first song the patient goes briefly outside; he reenters to sit somewhere along the south side of the hogan. This is done to separate him from the old place with which his illness has become associated. Moreover, the group of people, chanting blessing songs, form a human shield charged with divine song power to protect the patient from his former troubles.

FIFTH EVENING

The following basket-drum songs are chanted in unison on the fifth evening of the Coyoteway ceremonial;

71. Song, Fifth Evening

This is the Fur, this is the Fur.

On the Tips of the Fur is the White Water.

On the Tips of the Fur is the White Medicine....

This song is the same as Song 10.)

While the helpers sing along and take turns among each other with the rattle,
the practitioner beats the drum and leads in the singing.

…the group of people, chanting blessing songs, form a human shield charged
with divine song power to protect the patient from his former troubles.

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72. Song, Fifth Evening, similar to Song 25

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan,

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan.

This is the Hogan given to me.

This is the White Clay Hogan.

This is the Hogan in the White Fur.

This is the Hogan that is immune.

This is the Hogan given to me.

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan,

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan.

This is the Hogan built of Logs.

This is the Hogan in the Mountains

This is the Hogan in the Blue Fur.

This is the Hogan that is immune.

This is the Hogan built of Logs.

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan,

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan.

This is the Hogan behind the Hill.

This is the Hogan of the Abalone Shell Lady.

This is the Hogan in the Yellow Fur.

This is the Hogan that is immune.

This is the Hogan behind the Hill.

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan,

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan.

This is the Hogan on top of the Mountain.

This is the Brown Hogan on the Mountain.

This is the Hogan in the Black Fur.

This is the Hogan that is immune.

This is the Hogan on top of the Mountain.

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan,

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan.

With these he is made well again, with these he is made well again,

With these he is made well again, with these he is made well again.

Song 72 is a reduced version of Song 25. It is reduced to four stanzas to accommodate the four directional colors—white (east), blue (south), yellow (west), black (north). Song 72 is repeated three times with sequential variations—south, west, north, east; west, north, east, south; and north, east, south, west.

73. Song, Fifth Evening

With their Blood in me I am immune,
With their Blood in me I am immune,

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With their blood in me I am immune,

With their Blood in me I am immune.

With the Wind People's Blood in me,

With the Cornripener Beetle's Blood in me,

With the White Medicine's Blood in me,

With the Cornripener Sons' Blood in me,

With their Blood in me I am immune.

With the Blue Sky in me,

With the Sons of Blue Sky in me,

With the White Medicine in me,

With their Blood in me I am immune.

With the Yellow Medicine in me,

With the White Medicine in me,

With their Blood in me I am immune,

With their Blood in me I am immune.

74. Song, Fifth Evening

Down the Mountain, they roll it over him.

The Rock of Black Cloud's Sons, they roll it over him.

The Rock of White Medicine, they roll it over him.

I am immune, they roll it over him.

It is their Rock, they roll it over him.

The Blue Lizards' Rock, they roll it over him.

At the Place of Yellow Evening, they roll it over him.

The White Medicine's Rock, they roll it over him.

I am immune, they roll it over him.

Down the Mountain, they roll it over him.

Song 74 refers to the episode mentioned in the myth by tséyi'nii (Chapter 10); Coyote came to a place where lizards were sliding down on rocks. He wanted to slide down with them, but a rock fell on him and smashed him. The song implies that the lizards rolled a rock over him. According to the myth. Coyote survived and recovered; this is the important point for the present healing effort. Together with Coyote, even with rocks crashing on him, the patient is considered immune.

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The next two songs elaborate on the Coyote mysticism according to which the patient and the tenacious Coyote are one.

75. Song, Fifth Evening

He has come back and I am walking,, as I am walking with him,

With his Body I am walking, as I am walking with him.

On the Path I am walking, as I am walking with him.

With his Body I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

With the Fur I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

In the Woods I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

With the Black Fur I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

On the Path to Water I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

I am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

I am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

76. Song, Fifth Evening

I am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

        I am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.
        I am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.
        I am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

In the White Fur I am walking, as I am walking with him.

The Path behind the Hill I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

On the Path to Water I am walking, as I am walking with him.

With the Medicine I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

In the Blue Fur I am walking, as I am walking with him.

With the White Corn I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him,...

(continued as in first stanza)

In the Yellow Fur I am walking, as I am walking with him.

The Path behind the Hill I am walking, as I am walking with him.

My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

(continued as in first stanza)

In the Black Fur I am walking, as I am walking with him.

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With the White Corn I am walking, as I am walking with him.
My Body is immune as I am walking, as I am walking with him....
(continued as in first stanza)

/ am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

I am not ashamed as I am walking, as I am walking with him.

77. Song, Fifth Evening

Hogan below from where he emerges,

Hogan below from where he comes out in a circle,

Hogan below from where he comes out in a circle.

Long Hogan from where he emerges.

Hogan made of White Fur, made in a circle.

Under the Rocks from where he emerges.

My Body is made immune, made in a circle.

Hogan below from where he comes out in a circle,
Hogan below from where he comes out in a circle.

Long Hogan from where he emerges.

Hogan made of Blue Fur, made in a circle.

(Continued as in first stanza. Third and fourth stanzas are sung with

Yellow Fur and Black Fur respectively.)

Song 77 presents an interesting, and very logical, mixture of Pueblo Indian emergence mythology and Apachean hunter wit. The hole of emergence is here a foxhole (foxes are coyotes) under a rock. The underworld hogan of Coyote is recognized as a long underground burrow, extending in a circle.

78. Song, Fifth Evening

The Adulterous Coyote, he walks underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he walks underground.

In the White Fur, he walks underground.

A Song he sings, as he walks underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he walks underground.

He does not see me, as he walks underground.

He sings under a Spruce Tree, as he walks underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he walks underground.

The Sunset Twilight Boy, he walks underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he walks underground.

He sings under a Spruce Tree, as he walks underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he walks underground.

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79. Song, Fifth Evening

The Adulterous Coyote, he calk everywhere, underground.

A Song he sings, he calls everywhere, underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he calk everywhere, underground.

The One Running Along the Path, under the Spruce Tree, he calk everywhere, underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he calk everywhere, underground.

The One Running Along the Path, under the Spruce Tree, he calk everywhere, underground.

The Song he sings does not affect me, he calk everywhere, underground.

The One Running Along the Path, on the Rock, he calls everywhere, underground.

80. Song, Fifth Evening

He makes the Medicine, he makes the Medicine,

He makes the Medicine, he makes the Medicine.

The Adulterous Coyote, he makes the Medicine.

Below the Cliffs, he makes the Medicine.

The White Fur, he makes the Medicine.

The Holy Medicine, he makes the Medicine.

The Making of the Medicine, he makes the Medicine.

Out among the Hills, he makes the Medicine.

The Holy Medicine, he makes the Medicine.

The Crystal Medicine, he makes the Medicine.

The Holy Medicine, he makes the Medicine.

The Making of the Medicine, he makes the Medicine.

81. Song, Fifth Evening

I put it in your mouth, I put it in your mouth,

I put it in your mouth, I put it in your mouth.

The Black Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Invisible Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The White Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Holy Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Invisible Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

_________________________

(1) Literally "he does everything"—explained by the singer as "he calls everywhere."

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The White Corn, I put it in your mouth.

The Yellow Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Holy Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Invisible Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Evening Yellow, I put it in your mouth.

The Blue Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Holy Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Invisible Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Crystal Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Holy Medicine, I put it in your mouth.

The Medicine is holy to him.

I put it in your mouth, I put it in your mouth,

I put it in your mouth, I put it in your mouth.

82. Song, Fifth Evening

I put it in your mouth, he is eating it;

for its miraculous power, he is eating it,

for its miraculous power, he is eating it.

The White Medicine, he is eating it.

The Holy Medicine, he is eating it.

Here the Medicine, he is eating it.

The Holy Medicine, he is eating it.

Here the Medicine, he is eating it.

For its miraculous power, he is eating it.

The Crystal Medicine, he is eating it.

The Holy Medicine, he is eating it.

Here the Medicine, he is eating it.

I put it in your mouth, he is eating it:

for its miraculous power, he is eating it,

for its miraculous power, he is eating it.

83. Song, Fifth Evening

The Hawks are going in pairs, the Hawks are going in pairs,
The Hawks are going in pairs, the Hawks are going in pairs.

Out on the Plains they are going in pairs.

On a Path behind the Ridge they are going in pairs.

(To their feathery arrows) I am immune.

(This stanza is sung four times.)

84. Song, Fifth Evening

The Pairs keep going behind ridges,

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The Pairs keep going behind ridges,

The Pairs keep going behind ridges.

White Coyote Pairs keep going behind ridges.

Black Coyote Pairs keep going behind ridges.

The White Medicine, they are eating it.

The Black Medicine, they are eating it.

I am immune.

The Pairs keep going behind ridges,

The Pairs keep going behind ridges.

Yellow Coyote Pairs keep going behind ridges.

Blue Coyote Pairs keep going behind ridges.

The Yellow Medicine, they are eating it.

The Blue Medicine, they are eating it.

I am immune.

The Pairs keep going behind ridges,

The Pairs keep going behind ridges.

85. Song, Fifth Evening

He carried it away, far away, he carried it away.

Beneath the Two Rising, he carried it away.

The White Prayerstick in his hand, he (White Coyote) carried it away.

With Happiness before him, he carried it away.

With Happiness behind him, he carried it away.

He carried it away, far away, he carried it away.

Beneath the Two Above, he carried it away.

The Blue Prayerstick in his hand, he (Blue Coyote) carried it away.

With Happiness behind him, he carried it away.

With Happiness before him, he carried it away.

He carried it away, far away, he carried it away.

Beneath the Two Setting, he carried it away.

The Yellow Prayerstick in his hand,

he (Yellow Coyote) carried it away....

(continued as in first stanza)

He carried it away, far away, he carried it away.

Beneath Where the Stars Turn, he carried it away.

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The Black Prayerstick in his hand,

he (Black Coyote) carried it away....

(continued as in second stanza)

He carried it away, far away, he carried it away.

SIXTH EVENING

The following basket-drum songs are chanted in unison on the sixth evening of the Coyoteway ceremonial:

89. Song, Sixth Evening

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came,

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came.

Beneath the Two Rising, to the Hogan I came.

To the Hogan of White Coyote, to the Hogan I came.

Round Corn across the Door, to the Hogan I came.

On the Pollen-path I came, to the Hogan I came.

Sunshine over the Door, to the Hogan I came.

To the Holy Hogan, to the Hogan I came.

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came,

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came.

Beneath the Two Above, to the Hogan 1 came.

To the Hogan of Blue Coyote, to the Hogan I came.

(continued as in first stanza)

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came,

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came.

Beneath the Two Setting, to the Hogan I came.

To the Hogan of the Yellow Coyote, to the Hogan I came.

(continued as in first stanza)

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came,

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came.

Beneath Where the Stars Turn, to the Hogan I came.

To the Hogan of the Black Coyote, to the Hogan I came.

(continued as in first stanza)

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came,

To the Hogan I came, to the Hogan I came.

Referring again to all the four directions, this song is repeated three times. The second round is sung by way of beginning with south (Beneath the Two) and with Blue Coyote. The third round begins with west (Beneath the Two Setting) and the Yellow Coyote. The fourth round begins with north (Where the Stars Turn) and ends with west.

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90. Song, Sixth Evening

It is I, it is I walking!

The White Corn Boy, it is I walking....

(This song is the same as Song 69.)

91. Song, Sixth Evening

I caught up with him, I caught up with him,

I caught up with him, I caught up with him.

Beneath the Two Rising, I caught up with him.

(White Coyote) With the White Prayerstick in his hand,

I caught up with him.

With Happiness before me, I caught up with him.

With Happiness behind me, I caught up with him.

I caught up with him, I caught up with him,

I caught up with him, I caught up with him.

Beneath the Two Above, I caught up with him.

(Blue Coyote) With the Blue Prayerstick in his hand,

I caught up with him.

With Happiness behind me, I caught up with him.

With Happiness before me, I caught up with him.

I caught up with him, I caught up with him,

I caught up with him, I caught up with him.

Beneath the Two Setting, I caught up with him.

(Yellow Coyote) With the Yellow Prayerstick in his hand....

(continued as in first stanza)

Beneath Where the Stars Turn, I caught up with him.

(Black Coyote) With the Black Prayerstick in his hand....

(continues as in second stanza)

This song is repeated three times in the same manner as Song 89—beginning with south, then with west, and finally with north.

92. Song, Sixth Evening

He gives the Prayerstick to me, he gives the Prayerstick to me,

He gives the Prayerstick to me, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Beneath the Two Rising, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

White Coyote, White Prayerstick in hand, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Happiness before me, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

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Happiness behind me, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

He gives the Prayerstick to me, he gives the Prayerstick to me,

He gives the Prayerstick to me, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Beneath the Two Above, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Blue Coyote, Blue Prayerstick in hand, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Happiness behind me, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Happiness before me, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

He gives the Prayerstick to me, he gives the Prayerstick to me,

He gives the Prayerstick to me, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Beneath the Two Setting, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Yellow Coyote, Yellow Prayerstick in hand....

(continued as in first stanza)

Beneath Where the Stars Turn, he gives the Prayerstick to me.

Black Coyote, Black Prayerstick in hand....

(continued as in second stanza)

This song is repeated three times in the same manner as Song 89—beginning with south, then with west, and finally with north.

93. Song, Sixth Evening

He came back with me, he came back with me,

He came back with me, he came back with me.

From Beneath the Two Rising, he came back with me.

The White Coyote, he came back with me.

With Happiness before me, he came back with me.

With Happiness behind me, he came back with me.

He came back with me, he came back with me,

He came back with me, he came back with me.

From Beneath the Two Above....

(continued with "Blue Coyote" and "Happiness behind")

From Beneath the Two Setting....

(continued with "Yellow Coyote" and "Happiness before")

From Beneath Where the Stars Turn....

(continued with "Black Coyote" and "Happiness behind")

This song is repeated three times in the same manner as Song 89—beginning with south, then with west, and finally with north.

94. Song, Sixth Evening

They are now sitting by me, they are now sitting by me,

They are now sitting by me, they are now sitting by me.

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From Beneath the Two Rising, they are now sitting by me.
The White Coyote People, they are now sitting by me.
With Happiness before me, they are now sitting by me.
With Happiness behind me, they are now sitting by me.
They are now sitting by me, they are now sitting by me,
They are now sitting by me, they are now sitting by me.

From Beneath the Two Above....
(continued with "Blue Coyote" and "Happiness behind")

From Beneath the Two Setting....
(continued with "Yellow Coyote" and "Happiness before")

From Beneath Where the Stars Turn....
(continued with "Black Coyote" and "Happiness behind")

This song is repeated three times in the same manner as Song 89—beginning with south, then with west, and finally with north.

SEVENTH EVENING

The following basket-drum songs are chanted in unison on the seventh evening of the Coyoteway ceremonial:

98. Song, Seventh Evening

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan,

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan.

This is the Hogan given to me....

(This song is the same as Song 72.)

99. Song, Seventh Evening

The One walking in the fields, the Boy, is found.

Beneath the Two Rising, he is found.

Over the White Mountain, he is found.

With White Corn around him, he is found.

Over the Path of Cornpollen, he is found.

Over Morning Twilight, he is found.

With Round Corn around him, he is found.

He is my Relative, he is found.

The One walking in the fields, the Girl, is found.

Beneath the Two Setting, she is found.

Over the Yellow Mountain, she is found.

With Yellow Corn around her, she is found.

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Over the Path of Cornpollen, she is found.
Over Evening Twilight, she is found.
With Round Corn around her, she is found.

She is my Relative, she is found.

The One walking in the fields, the Boy, is found.

Beneath the Two Above, he is found.

Over the Blue Mountain, he is found.

With Blue Corn around him, he is found.

Over the Path of Cornpollen, he is found.

Over the Roots of Sunlight, he is found.

With Round Corn around him, he is found.

He is my Relative, he is found.

The One walking in the fields, the Girl, is found.

Beneath Where the Stars Turn, she is found.

Over Black Mountain, she is found.

With Black Corn around her, she is found.

Over the Path of Cornpollen, she is found.

Over the Roots of Rain, she is found.

With Round Corn around her, she is found.

She is my Relative, she is found.

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan,

This is the Hogan, this is the Hogan.

This song is chanted four times in the same directional sequence. The Boys in the east and south, and the Girls in the west and north, are Coyotes.

200. Song, Seventh Evening

From far away, he comes out.

From under the Two Rising, he comes out.

From the Hogan, in white fur, he comes out.

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Far away from this Hogan, he comes out.
With Happiness before him, he comes out.
With Happiness behind him, he comes out.

From far away, he comes out.

From under the Two Setting, he comes out.

From the Hogan, in yellow fur, he comes out.

Far away from this Hogan, he comes out.

With Happiness behind him, he comes out.

With Happiness before him, he comes out.

From far away, he comes out.

From under the Two Above, he comes out.

From the Hogan, in blue fur, he comes out....

(continued as in first stanza)

From beneath Where the Stars Turn, he comes out.

From the Hogan, in the black fur, he comes out....

(continued as in second stanza)

This song is chanted four times in the same directional sequence. The phrases "in white fur—or yellow, blue, and black fur" are ambiguous. They may define the emerging Coyote-persons, the hogans from where they emerge, or both.

EIGHTH EVENING

The following basket-drum songs are chanted in unison on the eighth evening of the Coyoteway ceremonial:

104. Song, Eighth Evening

With my Mind I walk in the presence of the Sun,⁽²⁾

with my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk,

with my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk.

Beneath the Two Rising, with my Mind I walk.

Where White Coyote Medicine is, with my Mind I walk.

Where White Air is, with my Mind I walk.
___________________________________

(2) With my Mind I walk." or, "In proximity of my Mind (Consciousness) I walk." The mind of the patient is here regarded as an independent personage.

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On the Path of yellow Cornpollen, with my Mind I walk.

Among Rainbows, with my Mind I walk.

Amid round Corn, with my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk.

Beneath the Two Setting, with my Mind I walk.

Where Yellow Coyote Medicine is, with my Mind I walk.

Where Yellow Air is, with my Mind I walk.

On the Path of yellow Cornpollen, with my Mind I walk.

In Sunshine, with my Mind I walk.

Amid round Corn, with my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk.

Beneath the Two Above, with my Mind I walk.

Where Blue Coyote Medicine is, with my Mind I walk.

Where Blue Air is, with my Mind I walk.

On the Path of yellow Cornpollen, with my Mind I walk.

In Sunshine, with my Mind I walk.

Amid round Corn, with my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk.

Beneath Where the Stars Turn, with my Mind I walk.

Where Black Coyote Medicine is, with my Mind I walk.

In the Black Mountains, with my Mind I walk.

On the Path of yellow Cornpollen, with my Mind I walk.

Among the Roots (Streaks) of Rain, with my Mind I walk.

Amid round Corn, with my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk.

With my Mind I walk in the presence of the Sun,

With my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk,

With my Mind I walk, with my Mind I walk.

105. Song, Eighth Evening

I am looking for my Mind in the presence of the Sun³

I am looking for my Mind, I am looking for my Mind,

I am looking for my Mind, I am looking for my Mind.

Beneath the Two Rising, I am looking for my Mind....

(continued after the pattern of Song 104)

106. Song, Eighth Evening

I have found my Mind in the presence of the Sun⁴

I have found my Mind, I have found my Mind,

I have found my Mind, I have found my Mind.

Beneath the Two Rising, I have found my Mind....

(continued after the pattern of Song 104)

_______________________

(3) "I am looking for my Mind," or, "I am struggling for Consciousness."
(4) "I have found my Mind," or, "I am beginning to perceive."

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107. Song, Eighth Evening

I am bringing back my Mind in the presence of the Sun,⁽⁵⁾I am bringing back my Mind, I am bringing back my Mind,
I am bringing back my Mind, I am bringing back my Mind.

Beneath the Two Rising, I am bringing back my Mind....

(continued after the pattern of Song 104)

108. Song, Eighth Evening

       I am reviving my Mind in the presence of the Sun,⁽⁶⁾
       I am reviving my Mind, I am reviving my Mind,
       I am reviving my Mind, I am reviving my Mind.

Beneath the Two Rising, I am reviving my Mind..,.

(continued after the pattern of Song 104)

109. Song, Eighth Evening

Now my Mind is walking with me in the presence of the Sun,⁽⁷⁾

now my Mind is walking with me, now my Mind is walking with me,

now my Mind is walking with me, now my Mind is walking with me.
Beneath the Two Rising, now my Mind is walking with me....
(continued after the pattern of Song 104)

110. Song, Eighth Evening

Now my Mind is remade for me in the presence of the Sun,⁽⁸⁾now my Mind is remade for me, now my Mind is remade for me,
now my Mind is remade for me, now my Mind is remade for me.

Beneath the Two Rising, now my Mind is remade for me....

(continued after the pattern of Song 104)

111. Song, Eighth Evening

Now my Mind returns with me in the presence of the Sun,⁽⁹⁾now my Mind returns with me, now my Mind returns with me,
now my Mind returns with me, now my Mind returns with me.

Beneath the Two Rising, now my Mind returns with me....

(continued after the pattern of Song 104)
______________________________

       (5) "I am bringing back my Mind," or, "I am regaining Consciousness."
       (6)"I am reviving my Mind"—as one would teach a baby to walk.
       (7) "Now my Mind is walking with me"—it has learned to go on its own power.
       (8) "Now my Mind is remade for me," or, "we are together again."
       (9) Now my Mind returns with me," or. "now I am starting back with my Mind, side by side." Mind and body function together.

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112. Song, Eighth Evening

Now I am sitting with my Mind in the presence of the Sun,⁽¹⁰⁾

now I am sitting with my Mind, now I am sitting with my Mind,

now I am sitting with my Mind, now I am sitting with my Mind.

Beneath the Two Rising, now I am sitting with my Mind....

(continued after the pattern of Song 104)

113. Song, Eighth Evening

With Black Bead as my feet, with this I walk.
Clothed in Black Coyote, with this I walk.
Clothed in Black Water, with this I walk.
Clothed in Arrows, with this I walk.
He (Coyote) is hiding behind me, with him I walk.
He is hiding before me, with him I walk.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness.

With these everything is made Happiness.

With these. Happiness behind me.

With these. Happiness before me.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness.
With Turquoise as my feet, with this I walk.
Clothed in Blue Coyote, with this I walk.
In the Place of Rainbow, there I walk.
In Rain behind the Rainbow, there I walk.
Among ripe Plants behind the Rain, there I walk.
With Roots of Sunshine, with these I walk.
Healing Power behind these, with this I walk.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness....
(continued as in first stanza)

114. Song, Eighth Evening

They are singing for me, they are singing for me,
They are singing for me, they are singing for me.
The Talking-god's Son I am, they are singing for me.
Where White Bead points down, they are singing for me.
Clothed in Black Air, they are singing for me.
Surrounded by Black Lightning, they are singing for me.

_________________________________

(10) Now I am sitting with my mind"—side by side in the hogan. Consciousness and well-being are present as the patient sits in the hogan.

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With Happiness before me, they are singing for me.
Traveling on the Roots of Morning Dawn, they are singing for me.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness....
(same refrain as in Song 113)

The Calling-god's Son I am, they are singing for me.
Where the Turquoise points down, they are singing for me.
Clothed in Blue Cornripener Beetles, they are singing for me.
In the Place of Rainbow, they are singing for me.
In Rain behind the Rainbow, they are singing for me.
Among ripe Plants behind the Rain, they are singing for me.
At the Roots of Sunshine, with these I walk.
Healing Power behind these, with this I walk.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness....
(same refrain as in Song 113)

115. Song, Eighth Evening

It is raining on me, it is raining on me,

It is raining on me, it is raining on me.
The Talking-god's Son I am, it is raining on me.
With White Bead as my shoes, it is raining on us.
Where White Bead points down, it is raining on us.
Clothed in Black Cornripener Beetles, it is raining on us.
Clothed in Black Water, it is raining on us.
Clothed in Black Cloud, it is raining on us.
In the Place of Rainbow, it is raining on us.
In Rain behind the Rainbow, it is raining on us.
Among ripe Plants behind the Rain, it is raining on us.
At the Roots of Morning Dawn, it is raining on us.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness....
(same refrain as in Song 113)

The Calling-god's Son I am, it is raining on me.

Where the Turquoise points down, it is raining on us.

Clothed in the Blue Prayerstick, it is raining on us.

Clothed in Blue Sky, it is raining on us.

In the Place of Rainbow, it is raining on us.

In Rain behind the Rainbow, it is raining on us.

Among ripe Plants behind the Rain, it is raining on us.

At the Roots of Sunshine, it is raining on us.

Healing Power behind these, it is raining on us.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness....
(same refrain as in Song 113)

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116. Song, Eighth Evening

The blessing is given, the blessing is given,
The blessing is given, the blessing is given.
The Talking-god's Son I am, the blessing is given.
Where White Bead points down, the blessing is given.
Clothed in the Black Prayerstick, the blessing is given.
Clothed in Black Cloud, the blessing is given.
In the Place of Rainbow, the blessing is given.
In the Place of Ripened Plants, the blessing is given.
In the Place of Rain, the blessing is given.
At the Roots of Morning Dawn, the blessing is given.
With Rain behind me, the blessing is given.
With Healing Power before the Rain, the blessing is given.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness...
(same refrain as in Song 113)

The Calling-god's Son I am, the blessing is given.

Where Turquoise points down, the blessing is given.

Clothed in Blue Cornripener Beetles, the blessing is given.

Clothed in the Black Prayerstick, the blessing is given.

With Rain behind me, the blessing is given.

Among ripe Plants behind the Rain, the blessing is given.

At the Roots of Sunshine, the blessing is given.

With Healing Power following these, the blessing is given.

With these, with these, everything is made Happiness...
(same refrain as in Song 113)

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BURNING THE FEATHERS

Each session of basket-drum singing ends with a Feather-burning Rite—the same procedure which earlier has been described in connection with the Unraveling and the Fire Ceremonies. As was the case then, a feather mixture is sprinkled on a hot coal, the smoke is fanned and rubbed on the patient, then the coal is quenched with water. The extinguished coal, which has absorbed many of the patient's troubles, is carried away while he is temporarily outside. When the patient returns he sits again at his regular place. The priestly singer sprinkles cornmeal in the four directions and explains in a subdued voice that the act of burning and removing the feathers is not sufficient by itself. The positive blessings of sacred meal, power of life, must be added to heal the wounds left behind by the exorcised feathery witchcraft arrows.

After each ceremony follows a period of rest. Whoever feels so inclined, is free to play a game of cards.

...a feather mixture is sprinkled on a hot coal, the smoke is
fanned and rubbed on the patient...

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…then the coal is quenched with water.

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After each ceremony follows a period of rest.
Whoever feels so inclined is free to play a game of cards.

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