To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late
Songwriter: Pete Seeger
Adaptation and music by Pete Seeger based on the Book of Ecclesiastes
I may be overly under the sway of 60’s nostalgia, but somehow the song by Pete Seeger—most often associated with the folk-rock group, The Byrds—really captures for me the power and mystery of “everything in its right time.” To really get in the spirit, I recommend you watch this YouTube clip of the Byrds performing the song—complete with some initial commentary by John Sebastian of Lovin’ Spoonful.
Officially, until Winter Solstice turns the wheel, it is still the season of the harvest. Those of us far north of the equator may be feeling signs of winter already, but in Mexico, it is indeed harvest time. Some years ago Grandfather Fire provided a prosperity ritual so that our three affiliated organizations—the Blue Deer Center, the Sacred Fire Community and the Sacred Fire Foundation—as well as our affiliated medicine paths and the local community in Tepotzlán, Mexico may find the prosperity we each need to bring Sacred Fire work into the world. In the spring, corn is planted and throughout the summer it is tended and protected. Now, in the fall, it is time to harvest the corn.
In the Huichol tradition, corn is associated with prosperity. A great gift from the Americas to the rest of the world, corn is a plant that cannot breed without the help of humans. Not only is corn a staple food to people of Meso-america, but its very spirit—when properly honored—represents bounty. In a time of industrialized agriculture, we have forgotten that “raising corn” is about aligning with the gods so that we may have the abundance to lead good lives and in turn do our part in bestowing an abundant future for our children. Modern humans may fret about “not enough,” but the cycles of nature provide amazing bounty when we get beyond our fears.
On December 3rd, in conjunction with the full moon, our Chairman, David Wiley, representing the Sacred Fire Community, will join representatives from the other Fire organizations and medicine paths to ritually harvest the corn that was planted back in June.
Although we cannot all be physically present for the corn harvest and ritual as we would be if we lived in a village together, everyone’s involvement is nonetheless important. After all, this ritual is about each of us having the resources we need to bring the work of heart and Fire into the world.
If you would like to connect to this ritual from home, you are invited to join in by burning a candle that day and contemplate where you feel gratitude in your life.
