Making one's prayers: sometimes a Circle or an individual already knows for whom or for what prayer needs to be made. Other times a Circle will journey about this; and then there are occasions when something arises in an individual or a Circle's life which "calls" for prayer to be made.

While making the prayer to be tied on the Praying Tree, it is important to be focused with clear intention. All the time the prayer is being made, the prayer-maker is involved in thanking the materials used, reflecting on that for which one is supplicating, and mindful that one is surrendering to the Spirit one's own singular hopes and accepting that "what is necessary will be done" by the Healing Powers of the Universe.

Customary materials used in constructing prayers are yarn, feathers, paper for writing prayers, personal objects of meaning related to the prayer, etc. Anything can be placed on a Praying Tree. Often however, you use objects that will be transformed by the changing seasons—objects that exist for a while then are transformed into Spirit. Feathers are used because they call the Winged Ones to take our prayers to the highest sources and carry our prayers over the lands. Nearly all prayer trees, sticks, and bahos involve the use of feathers. The feathers need to be gathered in a sacred way.

All these materials are our way of asking the beings of this Universe to join in our prayers; to help us, to use their Powers to assist the movement of our prayers.

Tying or Placing the Prayers Once an individual and/or the Circle together has made their prayers, the go to the spot where the Tree is planted. Now comes drumming, singing, blowing of whistles, fluting, dancing: the gathering of our intention through all these activities as we begin the sacred act of attaching the prayers to the tree and transforming this branch into a Praying Tree.

Usually the "supporting activity" (such as drumming and singing) is done until all prayers have been attached. After the last prayer is attached, people gather around in a Circle with the very focused, final attention and prayer: "Please Spirits and Prayer Tree, take these prayers we have offered, transform, heal, and do that which needs doing with all of our prayerful requests." As soon as the cloth, feather, or materials are attached to the Tree, that "object" begins to offer the prayer for which it was made.

That is the basic ceremony. Once the ceremony is done, then at different times throughout a Circle's gathering, or when Circles return, prayers are con tinually attached for one becomes mindful of prayers that need to be made.

Other aspects of prayer trees
I only wish to mention a few examples of objects you will see on prayer trees for the possibilities are unlimited. 1) Sometimes you may see white tufts of cotton and for many peoples, these represent the souls of the children being sung to the Light; they may also represent the clouds of the Rain Maker or Rain Goddess who will help to bring the crops. 2) Various colors of cloth that are used often represent different cardinal directions of the Earth, different seasons, different times of day. So, for example, I might wish to tie a prayer that the Circle I am with be "illuminated" with clarity of spirit and mind. I would choose a color of cloth similar to the color of dawn, first light, or the Sun for this represents "light" and illumination. 3) Colors can also represent particular intentions: I might tie a prayer with blue yarn or cloth. The blue, for me, might represent asking the "cooling waters" to do their healing work with some very ill and feverish friend. 4) Feathers, too, can represent different prayers. Tying an Owl feather could represent: "may we see our way clearly through this time of darkness." Quail feather: "may we remember to pay attention to the small, wee beings of the Earth."

Such examples indicate why it is good to be clear about your intentions; gather materials accordingly. And to both ask and thanks these "beings" from nature for lending their assistance.

Pictures on this webpage
I will begin writing poems and descriptions about the various photos of Prayer Trees you see on this webpage. Each of them was made, planted, and ask to serve for particular prayers. these poels and descriptions will start appearing on Feb.10 and will be added to weekly until each Prayer Tree has been "witnessed" and thanked through my writing.

I invite you to begin "learning" and experiencing Prayer Trees by simply looking at each photo carefully; see if the picture speaks to you, invokes in you some feeling of why these individuals are gathered; or what this Prayer Tree is supplication to the Universe there on the Land.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments you wish to add, write me.

Just as we make Prayer Trees, so too may we each be a Walking Prayer Tree.

Love and blessings,