(How It All Began: The Birth of the Solar System)
Namebini-giizis/Makwa-giizis (Suckerfish Moon/Bear Moon ) - February 16, 2023
THE DREAM
Many moons ago, before the birth of the World, there existed only a Great Mystery—or Spirit, if you prefer—that resembled what we might describe as a Dream. This dream was infused with the spirit of Gichi-gizhewaadiziwin (immense loving kindness).
This Dream, or Vision, came to life in a Lodge, called Gichi-waawiyekamig ("Great Round Lodge"; the Universe).
This Great Round Lodge encapsulated an immense sky. Eventually, this Dream, or Vision, transformed into rock, water, fire, and wind.
These substances emerged spontaneously, as if from nothing, and each received a sacred life breath, lovingly and tenderly, known as GICHI-MANIDOO (Literally: Great Mystery, or the sum of all Mysteries). The sky filled with numerous planets and stars, including the day-sun star, and around this day-sun star orbited a planet shaped like a giant sea turtle, now called Omaamama-aki (earth).
THE BIRTH OF THE UNIVERSE
So it is understood that Cosmos, or Order, was formed from the four sacred substances—rock, water, fire, and wind—each endowed with its own soul, spirit, nature, and shadow. This new Order was populated with the day-sun, countless other stars, the earth, seven additional planets, and thousands of exoplanets, all of which were enlivened by the vital life force called GICHI-MANIDOO.
The solar system came into existence, a Spirit Nation led by an ogimaa, or Chief, named Giizis, the day-sun...
Into the day-sun GICHI-MANIDOO breathed the powers of light and heat and rays to warm the earth.
Into the sea turtle earth GICHI-MANIDOO breathed the power of growth and healing, and on and beneath her shield were formed hills, mountains, plains, valleys, lakes, rivers, streams, bays, wells, ponds, and even underground water streams. These waters were endowed with the dual powers of purity and renewal. The wind was granted the ability to make music and was infused with the same life-giving breath as that of GICHI-MANIDOO.
THE CREATION OF THE MOON
But something was missing, so a manidoo ogimaa (spirit chief) was sent to the sea turtle earth. This chief, residing in the belt of the Great Hunter Gaa-biboonikaan and named Aadawaa'amoo, navigated his ishkode-jiimaan (flaming canoe), followed by countless arrows of fire streaking through space, rapidly towards the sea turtle earth. The chief's canoe struck the sea turtle earth. At that moment, a manidookwe (spirit woman) was walking the earth, and as she rested, the ishkode-jiimaan hit the earth precisely where she lay. The collision shattered her body into a million fragments! Subsequently, her body parts gathered in an orbit around the earth to create the night-sun.
The earth of the sea turtle had given birth to a child named Dibik-giizis, the Night-Sun!
Into the Night-Sun, GICHI-MANIDOO infused the powers of light and the ability to guard the sea turtle earth and all her offspring during the night... it was under the gentle glow of the night-sun, or the moon as it is known today, that the essence of gichi-gizhewaadiziwin was most profoundly expressed...
THE CREATION OF LIFE ON EARTH
GICHI-MANIDOO then determined that the back of the sea turtle earth should be made livable. Thus, plants and animals (along with birds, insects, and fish) were brought into existence, and eventually, the first human species appeared...
However, something was still lacking...the initial species of Anishinaabeg were purely spirit and weren't functioning well... A great flood occurred, drowning the humans and most land animals. A Female spirit named Giizhigookwe ("Sky Woman") was sent from the night-sun, and she introduced a new species of human beings to the sea turtle earth. These newcomers had a spirit, a soul, and also a body! They multiplied and became known as Anishinaabeg: Those Who Are Created Spontaneously. After fulfilling her purpose, Giizhigookwe returned to the moon, where she continues to reside and watch over her children at night...
Once the Great Nation of the Anishinaabeg was placed on the borders of the Great Salt Sea in the East, everything seemed to be in its rightful place, and all appeared to be filled with the sacred breath known as GICHI-MANIDOO, a divine essence that created beauty, harmony, and order.
THE GREAT LAWS OF NATURE
This is the origin of the Great Laws of Nature. These laws interconnected all living beings within the grand structure of the Great Round Lodge. The Great Laws of Nature managed the seasons and all patterns of existence, overseeing the position and movement of physical bodies (planets, stars, star constellations) and the four sacred elements (rock, water, fire, and wind), maintaining and protecting the rhythm and cycle of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth, ensuring their interdependent coexistence and function.
In essence, the realization of this Dream or Vision, frequently referred to as the Great Mystery, led to the creation of the new Cosmos, bringing forth BIMAADIZIWIN; life as we understand it.
Giiwenh, thus is the story of the Universe and the creation of the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth...
THE RINGS
The design and colors of the black zirconium wedding ring set, Gizhewaadiziwin ("Loving Kindness"), symbolize the night sky and the Spirit Nation residing there, led by Omishoomisimaa Giizis and Nookomis Dibik-giizis (Grandfather Sun and Grandmother Moon, respectively). The earth revolves around the day-sun; the night-sun, while the day-sun rests, dances around the earth, casting her soft light upon it and all living beings, imbuing nature and all creatures with her gentle kindness.
Inlays of 14K red gold, 14K white gold, and 18K yellow gold are utilized for the moon, sun, and earth, achieved by hammering round rivet wires into both zirconium ring shanks.
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