The Rainbow Family is an international network of people who gather in nature both annually and throughout the year to pray for peace and protection of the environment. The Rainbow community values healing and agape or brotherly-sisterly love. At Rainbow Gatherings, people of all faiths are invited to celebrate diversity and take part in a range of activities offered by "Rainbows" to facilitate growth, insight, generosity, kindness, meditation and prayer. These include yoga/martial arts, drum circles, reiki, tarot and medicine card readings, free dream interpretation, music, dance and theater. At many Gatherings, Native American sweat lodge ceremonies are also performed.
For many "Rainbows" the Gathering experience is deeply spiritual. Every year, between 15-25,000 "Rainbows" create the world's largest silent circle for peace. This circle traditionally takes place on the 4th of July—a day sacred to Native Americans—when tribes across North America historically give thanks to the "Great Spirit Wakan Tanka" or "Great Mystery." The Hopi, a well-known Native American tribe, are regarded for their ancient prophecies. In 1977, a Hopi elder delivered a prophecy to the Rainbow Family in New Mexico. He explained how the Hopi Prophecy Rock had long-anticipated a "tribe" called the "Children of the Rainbow." The "Rainbow People" would reportedly appear during the "eleventh hour" or time of koyaanisqatsi, a Hopi concept that means "life out of balance." Native American elders' interpretations of the Hopi Prophecy Rock, which consists of lines carved in stone, suggest the "Rainbow Children" will help create the "Rainbow Bridge" that connects the "one hearted" with the "two hearted"—people who value materialism and technology with people who "live life in accordance with the secrets of nature." According to Native American elders, this "bridge" will be vital to our successful evolution to the "fifth world" where humanity returns to balance with nature and the "unseen forces" of the spiritual world. Likewise, there are other Native American prophecies, similar to the Hopi prophecy, that foresee the "Children of the Rainbow." For example, Native American Cree prophecy states:
When the Earth is sick and the animals have disappeared, there will come
a tribe of peoples from all creeds, colors, and cultures who will restore Earth
to it's former beauty. This tribe will be called The Warriors of the Rainbow.
The "Warriors of the Rainbow" typically are individuals who feel "called" to take part in Gatherings. Many "Rainbows" describe being "led" to Gatherings by the "Great Spirit." Participation in Gatherings is considered part of a spiritual path where respect for ecological balance and integrity is a priority. In a time when destruction of the environment and over-consumption of fossil fuels is an inconvenient truth, so to speak, thousands of "Rainbow Warriors" worldwide are coming together in nature to work cooperatively towards bringing into consciousness and practice indigenous wisdom and respect for the Earth.
To learn more about the Rainbow Family of Living Light go to http://www.welcomehome.org
To learn more about artist collective Woodstock Earth, go to http://www.woodstockearth.net
Music Credits:
© 2006 Michael Franti and Spearhead Yell Fire!
http://www.spearheadvibrations.com
http://www.myspace.com/spearheadvibrations
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