(This was originally posted on Facebook on July 10, 2022.)
Good morning, everyone!
For the last several days I’ve exploring some of the Earth Mounds of this country. There are quite a few in this state. My intention is to visit about six sites in Ohio, some of which are of major significance. (And then I’ll explore more in other states.)
There is an ancient site called Newark Earthworks. It’s about 2000 years old. I think it’s safe to say that this is a historically significant place! This is something we should know about! Personally, I believe these earthworks are on par with some of the other great world sites, such as the great stone circles of the UK or the pyramids in Meso-America, etc.
I’ve been especially intrigued by the Great Circle. It’s 1200′ in diameter! And it is a perfectly formed circle, with earthen walls that are 5-15′ high. It’s a beautiful creation.
The way I’ve chosen to explore these places is to go back on several consecutive days so that each time there may be another layer of understanding. For instance, on the first day, I went with my cousin and we roamed around, reading all the signs and learning what archaeologists have to say about the site, etc.
After she and I had a bite to eat, I went on my way to get settled for the evening. When I went to sleep, I was thinking about going back to the Circle the following morning, and an image appeared in my mind’s eye of walking in through the opening and then walking sunwise (clockwise) around the inside of the perimeter. This is what I then did. Walking mindfully, it took me a full 45-minutes. That’s how large the circle is!
Then yesterday I went back for a third time. This time I felt called to go to the site very early in the morning and to walk to the small “Eagle” mound in the center. Apparently there had been a ceremonial building in the center at one time as well.
It felt very good to be there in the center, next to a tall, beautiful oak, and kind of tucked into the embrace of two “arms” or “wings” of the mound. (Although it’s called the Eagle Mound, sometimes the animal or shape has to be guessed at. From my vantage point, it appeared to be three mounds and didn’t necessarily look like an eagle.)
No one was around, which was a blessing. It’s easier to enter sacred space when one is not being watched.
I stood there in the center, eyes closed, and did quite a bit of rattling and prayerful singing–sometimes with words, sometimes without. Here is what I noticed: my skirt was rippling. Repeatedly. I didn’t feel any breeze whatsoever around my face or head, arms or torso, but I could feel the fabric of my skirt moving, as if the air were stirring. I had the distinct feeling that the spirits were grateful for the song.
I think so often we visit these sites and we are so mental–whether we are tourists or archaeologists. And I think ancient sites need to be approached in a different way. I believe oftentimes ancient people were more spiritually aligned than many of us are today. Indigenous people, for instance, are certainly more connected to the stars. Indigenous people certainly do more ceremony. Indigenous people certainly are more conscious of worlds beyond this 3-D reality.
So, when we relate to these sites in other-than-mental ways, we may intuit deeper levels of meaning or understanding. At least, that is my hope. But, for sure, these places are places of great mystery. Obviously I’mjust touching the surface. Nevertheless, I’m hoping that after visiting 15 sites or so, some small kind of understanding may start to bubble up within me
Today I will visit the Hopewell Cultural National Historical Park.
Have a blessed day, everyone.
