two paths

It was at the time that Handsome Lake was waiting for the four
messengers to show him the two roads, one to the Creator's land and
the other to the Punisher's land. It was a day that was different
than other days. As the day began, the light was brighter than other
days. Handsome Lake dressed in his finest clothes. > > While he was
waiting, Handsome Lake walked outside and through his garden. He
heard a woman's voice from behind him, and felt a hand softly
touching his shoulder. The voice asked him to take her along with
him to the Creator's land. When Handsome Lake turned to see who was
speaking, he saw no one. He turned to continue his walk and again he
heard the woman's voice. Again, he turned and saw no one. The third
time this happened, he turned and realized it was the corn that was
touching his shoulder and it was the corn that was asking him to
take her to the Creator's land. > > Now this was at the time when
there was a great turmoil. It was during the time of the coming of
the white man and with him, he brought disruption and alcohol. The
Iroquois would plant their gardens, but would not tend to them. They
were distracted by other things, such as the use of alcohol and
gathering skins, taking them from home and not tending their
gardens. This made the plant life very sad, and they felt they were
no longer needed here on earth. That is the reason the corn had
asked Handsome Lake to be taken away. > > Handsome Lake told the
corn that it was not his decision to make to take away the plant
life --the food-- from the earth. This was a decision only the
Creator could make. He also told the corn that the young children
suffer along with the elders. There would be a great hunger among
the people. The corn then said if indeed the people needed to have
the plant life on earth there should be a way the people could show
their acceptance and recognition for having them there. The
representatives of the plant life would be the corn, beans and
squash --Three Sisters. Just as the plant life understands their
responsibilities as feeding the people and replenishing, so too do
the women understand these to be their responsibilities in feeding,
taking care of the children and replenishing. > > This is the reason
for the Green Corn Ceremony, to be recognized as a woman's ceremony,
in recognition of the female side of life. The ceremony will begin
with the opening as all ceremonies do. The Feather Dance will be
done in recognition of all Creation. There will be a thanksgiving to
the Three Sisters and a celebration of all plant life deciding to
remain here on earth to feed the people. The Old Woman's Dance will
be done by the women to renew the relationship between the women and
the plant life or Three Sisters. Words of encouragement will be
given to the people to continue their thanksgiving in everyday life
and to continue their responsibilities. The Bean Dance will then be
done in recognition of the Three Sisters also. The ceremony will be
concluded with the feast to include Green Corn soup prepared by each
clan. The food should be representative of the Three Sisters.