"Then I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a Sacred manner the shapes of all things in the Spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being.
And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty Flowering Tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was Holy."
Black Elk
(Black Elk Speaks, as told through John G. Neihardt) (1961)
For all the people of the earth, the Creator has planted a Sacred Tree under which they may gather, and there find healing, power, wisdom and security. The roots of this symbolic tree spread deep into the body of Mother Earth. Its branches reach upward like hands praying to Father Sky. The fruits of this tree are the good things the Creator has given to the people:
Teachings that show the path to love, compassion, generosity, patience, wisdom, justice, courage, respect, humility and many other wonderful gifts.
The ancient ones taught us that the life of the Tree is the life of the people. If the people wander far away from the protective shadow of the Tree, if they forget to seek the nourishment of its fruit, or if they should turn against the Tree and attempt to destroy it, great sorrow will fall upon the people. Many will become sick at heart. The people will lose their power. They will cease to dream dreams and see visions. They will begin to quarrel among themselves over worthless trifles.
They will become unable to tell the truth and to deal with each other honestly. They will forget how to survive in their own land. Their lives will become filled with anger and gloom. Little by little they will poison themselves and all they touch. It was foretold that these things would come to pass, but that the Tree would never die. And as long as the Tree lives, the people live. It was also foretold that the day would come when the people would awaken, as if from a long, drugged sleep; that they would begin, timidly at first but then with great urgency, to search again for the Sacred Tree.
The knowledge of its whereabouts, and of the fruits that adorn its branches have always been carefully guarded and preserved within the minds and hearts of our wise Elders and leaders. These humble, loving and dedicated souls will guide anyone who is honestly and sincerely seeking along the path leading to the protecting shadow of the Sacred Tree.
The Sacred Tree Fellowship is comprised of people that honor the Creator and share similar interests, ideals, and experiences, by reason of Belief in their Spirituality: a close association of friends and seekers sharing similar interests in a congenial atmosphere and manner. Participation can be at our Sanctuary in the Missouri Ozarks or by e-mail messages and our web site located at: www.SacredTreeFellowship.org
Herman Beck & Linda Lee, Co-Founders
For more information on our services and resources e-mail: Info@SacredTreeFellowship.org
Sacred Tree Fellowship
Personal Prayer
Oh Great Spirit*
Whose voice I hear in the Winds
Whose breath gives life to the World,
hear Me...
I am small and weak.
I need Your Strength and Wisdom.
May I walk in Harmony and Honesty.
Make My eyes behold the red and purple sunset.
Make My hands respect the things You have made
and My ears sharp to hear Your voice.
Make Me wise so that I may know
the things You are teaching Me,
the lessons You have written in every leaf, every situation, every rock, everywhere.
Make Me strong, not to be superior to My Brothers and Sisters, but to fight My greatest enemy: My own Self.
Make Me ready to come to You with straight eyes
so that when life fades as the fading sunset
My spirit may come to You without shame.
Thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon me.
This is your Humble Servant (Insert your name).
I have spoken.
* If you feel more comfortable using another name for “The Great Mystery”
feel free to use it
Sacred Tree Fellowship Nature’s Pace Sanctuary Hartshorn, Missouri 65479 Herm.NaturesPace@Earthlink.net
Herman Beck-Chenoweth strives to live a Life in Harmony with all Creation and in Service to the Creator. I live on very remote land and grow, forage or hunt/trap nearly all of our food. My videos are how-to subjects on living a self-reliant rural lifestyle and living an authentic lifestyle using as many antique Indian Ways as possible.