We arrived at the Sheephole Mountains shortly after first light.  The deep blue of Father Sky, in the early morning, provided just enough visibility for our quiet walk up the wash, into the canyon, to the site of the East Gate.  We found the cairn that Bennie created when the site was established, undisturbed.  Our medicine wheel was set as Grandfather's golden light began to illuminate the valley to the west.  A generator crystal, provided by Valerie Eagle Heart, was placed in the center.  A candle was lit in the east to represent fire and it stayed lit throughout the entire ceremony.  In the south we placed water in a small glass with bees on it.  Later we were visited by one of these industrious little fliers.  In the west was a beautiful quartz cluster that I had been gifted, to represent Earth and in the north we lit a sage wand to represent air.  The secondary directions and remainder of the medicine wheel were defined by shells, fossils, crystals, jewelry and objects sacred to the eight people present; Bear Light Dancer, Dee, Mary, Jason, Kathleen, Stacey, Cherry and John, and Carrie Laughing Heart, who was unable to join us physically.  Dee found and placed in the wheel a beautiful, white feather which had been left from the last time we were there.  It was a feather from the Women of Wisdom Conference, held in Big Bear in October.  Some little critter had removed the yarn from the shaft, but the feather was left to provide the energy of the conference.  As we joined in a circle to call in the directions, a large raven flew around the entire rim of the canyon.  Our hearts soared with him.  Bennie had asked us to call in as many relations as we could, individually, so we went around the circle several times inviting everyone we could think of to join us; the Standing People, Rock People, Gods and Goddesses past and present, Star People, Swimmers, Creepy Crawlers, Winged Ones, Four Leggeds, Two Leggeds, All Our Relations.

As I called for prayers the first to respond was a nearby Cactus Wren, followed by a gentle breeze and a barely audible hum from the Stone People present.  The valley to the west became brighter as we took up our drums and rattles and began to dance and sing and weave the energy.  We felt the connection to the other seven spokes and the Big Bear Medicine Wheel was complete.  Jason called our attention to the eyes of light near the top of the ridge.  The eyes (one of which was in shadow where Grandfather's light had not yet reached) were smiling down on us, and the wind and the land were whispering their approval.  As we gathered in circle for our closing prayers, Kathleen played her flute for us - a beautiful instrument crafted from a Rosebud Sun Dance Tree.  Grandfather crested the ridge and his warmth caressed the valley floor.  We celebrated with the understanding that, for that moment in time, our goal had been accomplished.  The energy was connected and the wheel set in motion.  However, our work is far from done.  I/we shall return to Sheephole Mountains to keep the energy awake and to assure Mother Earth that WE CARE!, not just for the moment or for the ceremony, but for all time.

               We are the ones She/we has/have been waiting for.  

I returned to the site the next day.  As we stood in the quiet shadow of late afternoon, we were caressed by a gentle breeze.  I could hear the wind and the land whispering to each other and I felt their Love - a Love that caused my eyes to well with the precious water that is so important to all life - and I wept with Joy....  

                                        For All My Relations