Thanksgiving, 2022

 

Thanks to Mother Earth

“And the Great Mystery said that when even two people meet, they should first greet each other by saying, ‘Nyah Weh Skenno’ which translates to ‘thank you for being’ and then they may take up the matter with which they are concerned.”

Molly Larkin (“A Native American Thanksgiving Prayer,” Seneca Nation)

          Molly Larkin has written several books about American Indian spirituality, shamanism, and tradition. The prayer that follows, which is more than 500 years old, expresses gratitude to Mother Earth for all the provisions we enjoy today. Larkin also says that the greeting “Nyah Weh Skenno” translates more literally to, “Thank you for being alive in the here and now and for not adding to the confusion of the world.” Let the people say, Amen

          I thought that today, Thanksgiving 2022, the Native American portion of our annual tradition should be a little more front and center. If you believe the legend of Thanksgiving, it was they who helped the Pilgrim settlers survive their first Massachusetts winter and harvest a crop of native plants to sustain themselves for another year. To me, as to them, it's appropriate when we are relishing every bite that goes into our mouths today, we thank Mother Earth for such a feast.

          In Seneca tradition, the Thanksgiving prayer goes something like this: (Abridged version)

“We’re thankful for our lives, and for the earth upon which we stand. The air, the wind, the water, the plants, the birds, the fish, the animals—for every living thing that sustains our life on earth, we thank you.”

          Then it goes on to bless those gathered around the table:

“May our grief be lifted, may our hearts be open, may our stomachs be full, may our bones be braced, and our will calmed.”

          And it ends with this:

“It is spoken. It is beautiful.”

          May your Thanksgiving be blessed with joy, with a family bonded by love, and with gratitude for all the blessings we share. “Thank you for being alive in the here and now and for not adding to the confusion of the world.”

                                                  In the Spirit, 

                                                  Jane