Native Americans
use prayer sticks in certain rituals.
Prayer sticks have significance in religious rituals such as those performed by Native Americans and Wiccans. Believers use the sticks to express gratitude to the spiritual realm or to make a petition. Though some prayer sticks have elaborate carvings on them, the most significant components of a prayer stick are the positive intentions of its creator. Focus positive energy into the stick or say silent prayers as you create it.
Instructions
1. Saw a branch from a tree that has meaning to you. Common prayer stick trees include cedars and willows, and prayer sticks are typically as long as the length of the creator's arm from elbow to fingertips. The branch may be forked or linear.
2. Strip the bark from the branch using a pocketknife.
3. Paint the stick in a meaningful color, or wrap colored yarn around it, if desired.
4. Attach a feather to the top of the stick with yarn, string or leather. Choose a feather from a bird that has meaning to you.
5. Attach bones or hide from a type of animal you respect and want to honor. Use string, yarn or leather to tie the hide or bones around the stick.
6. Fill the center of a small, square piece of red cloth with tobacco, and pull the four corners up to make a pouch. Tie the pouch to the prayer stick.
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