To hi ge se sdi is a 13 day period beginning on the Winter Solstice (around Dec. 21) and ending the morning of the 14th day.
During this 13 day ceremony you will do the following things. While you are doing them, concentrate on attitudes and feelings that will bring you closer to loved ones and to the rest of the world. Remember as you carry out these actions you will achieve a Great sense of inner peace.
As you work, your problems will either go away on their own, or solutions to them will come to you. You will worry less since everything is being taken care of. You will also be building an inner strength that will shield you when future native prophecies are fulfilled. Following the ceremonial cycles and our ancient teachings will assist in your survival in every way.
- Use wholesome words when you talk to or describe people. Uplift, and do not hurt others. If you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say it!
- Ask the Helping Spirits to listen to you and to bring the Osda Nuwati or Good Medicine Energy down upon the whole world and all of Creation for balance and peace.
- Guard against disturbing or loud behavior.
- Teach children and family members to respect others, and tell them why they should do this.
- Think of the Earth as Mother Earth, a Spirit being who is a living organism who feels and responds to us, her children.
- During the next 13 days, do not dig in the Earth, since Mother Earth is joining us in this To hi ge se sdi or period of Peace and preparation.
- Talk with those who are close to you of the past, the present, and the future. Discuss what is going on in the world, and try to determine where it is heading. This is a time of strengthening your bonds with family and tribal members.
- Review with yourself and family members the Ancient and Sacred Laws of Peace, Harmony, and Shog Wuh or Oneness with all Creation.
- Review your own conduct during the past year, and the conduct and attitudes of people as a whole. This is a good time for self-examination. Be honest with yourself and see where you can make improvements.
- Make plans for the forthcoming year. Prepare in advance for the known and the unknown. Review the Ancient Prophecies, to see what they portend. Look to the cycles of creation and to the ancient star charts. Look back at what has happened, and see what of this will be duplicated. You will be preparing for the unexpected during this entire ceremonial cycle.
- The Great Spirit (Yowa), Mother Earth, and all the other Helping Spirits – the controllers of movement here in the Universe – are making their own plans, based upon the course the Great Play is following. Try to determine what this course might be, and prepare accordingly. Remember also that while we are doing our part, other Traditional Native people will be doing the necessary things to help us keep the world and the Universe in balance and harmony.
