| We
included many traditional and Native American elements
in the wedding. We have explained these elements below.
These details were printed within our ceremony program
as well.
About Our
Ceremony .....
Our unique ceremony has been written by Cindy and Tracy
to include traditional as well as Native American elements
into this sacred event. Tracy is a fourth-generation
Cherokee Shaman, who is also an ordained minister and
holds a doctorate of Divinity and Theology from Southern
Methodist University.
The Sacred
Circle – in the Cherokee tradition, a
wedding ceremony was held inside a circle of corn meal.
To the Cherokee, corn meal represented wealth and prosperity,
security and protection. In the spiritual meaning, corn
meal represents a direct link to God and God’s
willingness to provide and protect. As one of the symbols
of sacred geometry, the circle is a fluid shape symbolizing
one with Spirit - that unbroken connection between God
and us. In the marriage ceremony, the circle is the
connector between Cindy and Tracy, the family and guests,
and God. Acting as an amplifier, the circle increases
the strength of prayers and blessings, providing a space
where all can present prayers and receive answers to
those prayers, where all can share in the wealth, prosperity,
security and protection. The circle is a place to leave
old wounds and hurts and refresh your body and spirit
in the loving light of God and Spirit.
Message
Bringer, Linda Eastburn.
As the individual who introduced Cindy and Tracy, Linda
has brought many messages to them as a couple. In the
Cherokee tradition, Linda is also considered a Truth
Teller, or one who tells it like it is. She has been
instrumental in Cindy’s and Tracy’s lives
in keeping things in perspective and bringing light
to subjects that are hidden from them both.
Ceremonial
Brother, Dr. David Trybus.
In Native American families, the bride’s brother
would serve as the advocate for the well-being of the
bride. Since Cindy does not have a biological brother,
David has been chosen as ceremonial brother. In that
role, David will serve as Cindy’s advocate, advisor
and confidant on the ways of male energy and habits.
Ceremonial
Mother, Bonnie Thompson.
As ceremonial mother, Bonnie serves as an advocate for
the well-being of the groom. Bonnie represents the energy
of a mother by serving as advocate, advisor and confidant
in the ways of female energy and habits.
If Cindy had a
biological brother, he would be the one to take the
role of Ceremonial Brother. The same if Tracy’s
mother were available to take the role of Ceremonial
Mother. Since that is not the case, Cindy and Tracy
picked the people who are not only important in their
lives, but also has the traits and abilities, to them
as individuals, to fulfill that role for now and the
future.
The Blanket
Ceremony is a ceremony that is in two parts.
The first part is the placing a blue blanket around
the shoulders of Cindy and Tracy. Blue is one of the
colors in the Cherokee tradition signifying an individual’s
spiritual connection to God. The blankets are placed
by the Ceremonial Brother and Mother to show their support
and willingness to help guide Cindy and Tracy through
both the joyous times and any challenges of marriage.
The second part of the ceremony is the replacing the
two blue blankets with a single white blanket, by the
Ceremonial Brother and Mother together, to show that
during the ceremony, Cindy and Tracy have joined spirits.
White is the highest spiritual color in the Cherokee
tradition and wearing white shows the highest spiritual
commitment.
The
Ribbon Shirt
This
shirt is the formal attire of men in the Cherokee tradition.
Much as the tuxedo is considered essential to formal
occasions in the Western culture, so it is with the
ribbon shirt for the Cherokee. The Ribbon shirt also
tells a story – in this case – the life
history of Tracy. Each ribbon tells a different part
of Tracy’s life, his physical, mental and spiritual
journey to date. The color of the ribbons and where
they are placed tells this story. The story is a visual
reference to all of Tracy’s past, his current
path and Tracy’s path of the future . On the back
of the shirt, the blue ribbons represent that Tracy
is working with people as a healer. The two green ribbons
show Tracy’s work with nature both in his youth
and currently. With the two green ribbons separated,
this indicates that his path is different than in his
youth. The red ribbon tells that Tracy has been in battle
and has both had his blood spilled and spilled the blood
of his enemies. On the front of the shirt – The
four blue ribbons tell of the spiritual path Tracy has
had with Cindy. A ribbon for each year they have known
each other. The white ribbon signifies that Tracy is
a minister, a spiritual healer. The red ribbon shows
that, while Tracy is no longer an active warrior, he
still carries the warrior energy. The blue ribbon signifies
that Tracy will continue the healers path. The green
ribbon is his commitment to the current path he has
chosen. On the left sleeve – the three blue ribbons
show that Tracy is willing to help anyone in any way
that he can. Historically, the three blue ribbons were
a passport to go between tribes in safety, being of
service as needed. On the right sleeve, the green ribbon
shows that Tracy is in a committed relationship. The
gold ribbon tells of service to the tribe. The white
ribbon is again a statement of spirituality and a commitment
to living a spiritual life. The two patterned ribbons
across the back of the shirt indicate that Tracy belongs
to two tribes. The single ribbon on the front tells
that Tracy is joining a new tribe/family.
This is a
very simplified version of the meaning of the ribbon
shirt. If you wish to know more, simply ask Tracy to
narrate the story of the ribbon shirt.
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Sacred
Candle Given To Participants
Ceremony
Program
Special Thanks
Wedding
Photos
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