The Tale of Four Brothers

***This is as it was told to me***

THE TALE OF FOUR BROTHERS - DAKOTA/CHEYENNE ORIGIN

Though I know this story I am telling it from memory so it may not be fully intact. I may get a few words out of place because I have not heard another person speak it in a very, very long time.

Back when the world was very young and first made the Great Spirit decided that there should be people to live on Turtle Island. So the Great Spirit set about creating the Peoples. He made four different kinds of peoples to live on Turtle Island.

First he made the Red Man. He was red because he was made from the red earth of Turtle Island. Then he made Yellow Man; he was yellow because he was made from the bark of the tree that grew on Turtle Island. Then he made White Man. He was white because he was made from the foam of the waters on Turtle Island. And then he made Black Man. He was black because he was made from the soil on Turtle Island.

Now these four brothers lived in peace on Turtle Island for a very long time and all was good with them and the world. And the Great Spirit was very happy with all that was done. One day, Black Man found a shiny stone on the ground. He thought, what a beautiful stone this is, so he picked it up. As he was looking at it, White Man noticed that he had something special and White Man thought if it is that good maybe it has some medicine, and he wanted it too. So White Man tried to take from Black Man the shiny stone.

Well they began to argue and fight, and Yellow Man noticed this too. Yellow Man thought, this thing they are fighting over, it must have some special medicine. And while they are fighting I will take it. Soon enough, Yellow Man was fighting with Black Man and White Man over the shiny stone. All of them thinking it had special medicine. All this fighting had caused such a noise that the Great Spirit came to Turtle Island to see what was going on. When he got there he saw the brothers fighting and Great Spirit was very upset with them.

Great Spirit looked at the brothers and told them to stop. He asked them why they fought and they told him. This upset Great Spirit deeply and he decided that it would be best if the brothers were separated to teach them a lesson. So Great Spirit looked at White Man and said, White Man, you go live over there. And then he looked at Black Man and said, Black Man you go live over there. And then he looked at Yellow Man and said, Yellow Man you go live over there. And then the Great Spirit looked for Red Man, but he did not see him.

So Great Spirit looked around and found Red Man sitting under a shade tree with his legs crossed just resting. Were you fighting too?, asked Great Spirit. Red Man answered, no. Great Spirit asked Red Man why he was not fighting. Red Man answered, because there are many shiny stones for all. I do not need to fight for the one they wanted. Great Spirit was pleased to here this and said to Red Man, you may stay here, but the others must go until they learn to live in peace. But in your heart you will always long to return this land and your red brother who sits and waits.

And that is why we have the four sacred colors, the four directions, and the four races of man. That is also why all peoples of Turtle Island wish to come to this land. And that is why we are all brothers as long as we live in peace.

The Nine Sacred Woods

These are the nine kinds of wood used in the Beltane fire. Each has it's own sacred meaning and purpose.

One of the best-known Celtic traditions for Beltane is the lighting of the Beltane fires. These huge fires were set to welcome back the sun for the light (summer) half of the year. All the hearth fires were extinguished on May Eve, and then they were relit the next day from the Beltane fires.

The fires were started with nine sacred woods, each with various magickal properties. People would gather and dance around the fires through the night, jumping over the flames to ensure a successful and prosperous summer.

a.. Birch - The Goddess, or female energy
b.. Oak - The God, or male energy
c.. Hazel - Knowledge and wisdom
d.. Rowan (Mountain Ash) - Life
e.. Hawthorne - Purity and fairy magick
f.. Willow - Death, sacred to Hecate
g.. Fir - Birth and rebirth
h.. Apple - Love and family
i.. Vine - Joy and happiness

These 9 woods are mentioned in the Wiccan Rede:
"Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them quick and burn them slow."

Some longer versions of the Rede include lines about all 9 woods:

"Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might
In the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning- adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
But - Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be."

These woods are not easily gathered and may take months to find. Grab an arborist's manual so you learn to recognize these trees and gather deadfall. If you must cut from the tree, thank the tree by pounding in a feeder spike. Reward it for its sacrifice.

Beltane Tres Leches Cake

This refrigerator cake is white, cool, and rich enough to be tasty! Don't try to eat it with your fingers. Use plates and forks, because it's that moist. I do not recommend using this for the ritual, but for plain old Cakes and Ale, it works.

Tres Leches Cake

Makes 12 to 15 servings

One package (about 18 oz.) white cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare mix
one can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
one cup milk
one cup (1/2 pint) whipping cream
one container (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed
fresh fruit

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Bake about 35 to 40 minutes or until cake is firm to the touch. Remove cake from oven; cool five minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine sweetened condensed milk, milk and whipping cream in a four cup measure. Poke holes all around the warm cake, using a wooden skewer or toothpick. Slowly pour milk mixture evenly over top of holes on cake. Let cake cool 10 to 15 minutes more to absorb all liquid. Cover and refrigerate cake in pan at least one hour.
4. When cake is completely cool, spread whipped topping evenly on top. Cut into pieces and serve with fresh fruit. Keep cake covered and refrigerated.