Soyal

Today I begin Soyal, a Hopi ceremonial period that begins at winter solstice, or at the new moon closest to the Winter Solstice, and lasts for 16 days. 

Soyal is short for Soyalangwul, which means Establishing Life Anew for All the World. It's a sacred time of peace and preparation.

Agenda:
1. Settle into the Soyal Way of Being
2. Journal
3. Write to my family
4. Make prayer feathers
5. Prayer
1. Settle into the Soyal Way of Being:
Last night I got home late from a lovely trip to visit family; it was fun and social but also studded with moments of quiet contemplation and the generation of new ideas.

I've been looking forward to some quiet time with my books and my computer, and today I will settle in to a retreat day, to gather my thoughts and get clearer on my purpose in life and my next steps. 

During Soyal, the Hopi follow a special way of acting and being, to help turn the sun back toward its summer path, establish the right mood for the coming year, and reach a unity of everything in the universe. The Soyal way of being:

• Be quiet and be respectful. Use nice words. 
• Move slowly and as silently as possible, for all life is germinating in the mother's womb.
• Strengthen my bonds with my family. Be helpful and caring.
• Review the Divine laws, as I see them. 
• Reflect on the past year- my own conduct and the conduct of people as a whole.
• Make plans for the coming year based on what I think the Spirits want.
• Pray- Ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.

2. Journal:

At Soyal, I review the Divine Laws, as I see them, and I reflect on the past year, my own conduct and the conduct of people as a whole.

What blessings did I receive this year and what blessings did I extend?

What virtues do I most need to work on in the months ahead?
How can I practice my time of Soyal?
How can I show respect for Mother Earth this week?

3. Write to my family:
At Soyal I write letters to my family, one each day until I've finished. I try to say something important to each one, talk with them about the past, present, and future, discuss what is going on in the world, and give voice to my hopes.

4. Make prayer feathers:

At Soyal, Hopis make prayer feathers for their family and friends, for personnel well being, for the increase of animals and crops, and for any other purpose they can think of. 

At the Soyal ceremony, they breath their wishes and prayers on the feathers, then hang them up.

Supplies: 1-3 feathers, small piece of leather or cloth, string, glue 

1. Like many objects of prayer, the making of prayer feathers is a prayer itself. Before you collect your feathers into a bundle, focus your thoughts on your prayer and remain in a prayer state as you work.

I used a piece of cloth and
folded it into a strip.

2. Gather a small bunch of feathers and cut the leather or cloth to just fit around the feather stems. 

3. Cover with glue then wrap tightly around the stems. 

4. Tie with string. Add beads if you like. Leave a loop for hanging.

5. Take your prayer feathers in your hand and whisper your prayers, dreams and hopes to the feathers. Hang the feathers in a tree branch or someplace outside where Brother Wind can touch them. Each time Brother Wind moves, your feathers move also, and your prayers are carried to the sky.

5. Prayer:

Hopi Prayer: Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever 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 understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy ---Myself--- Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.