Perhaps you are familiar with the Legend of Chief Seattle which speaks, “All things are connected like the blood that unites us. We do not weave the web of life but are merely a strand in it. What we do to the web we do to ourselves.”

In late September I was on retreat in Lake Forest Park just north of Seattle. I was very drawn to a large tree and was thinking about how our roots are similar to that of the tree. In travelling to the tree, I discovered a bridge across a small stream. Crossing the bridge and walking up to the tree, I almost walked into a spider web. Then looking at the spider, I noticed that she only had five legs, four on one side and one on the other. I thought that perhaps it had affected how she made her web but I then saw another web behind it with a larger eight legged spider. Interestingly enough, the five legged spider had spun an equally beautiful web.

I thought of the Archetype of the Warrior, which stands for conscious stewardship, decisive action, clarity, self-mastery, discipline, sacrifice, and compassion as well as achieving our goals. Perhaps this five legged spider was a warrior.

In 1854, Chief Seattle, the Chief of the Suquamish responded to the Government of Washington’s request to buy the land, with a letter expressing the profound understanding of God in all Things. Now available in many forms, I’m sharing a version for you to ponder and become your own warrior and good steward for Mother Earth and her children.

How can you buy the sky?
How can you own the rain or the wind?
The sap that runs through the trees,
Is like the blood flowing in my veins.
We are part of the earth,
And the earth is part of us.

The perfumed flowers are our sisters,
The bear, deer and great eagle are our brothers,
These rocky crests, the meadows and the ponies,
All belong to the same family.
The water in the streams and river
Is the blood of our people and
Tell the memories of our ancestors.

You must give the rivers your kindness
The kindness you would give any brother
The air is precious with all life
The wind gave me my first breath
And will receive my last
Every part of this earth is sacred.
Teach your children what you have been taught

All things are connected like the blood that unites us.
We do not weave the web of life,
We are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web we do to ourselves.
We love the earth as a newborn loves it’s mother’s heartbeat.
Care for it, as we have cared for it.
Preserve the land for the all children, and love it.

We are part of the earth and the earth is part of us.
The earth is precious to us.
Love it as we have loved it.
One thing we know – there is only one God.

We are all brothers and sisters.

Janice Zubin, RMT, is a certified health consultant. Appointments can be made at (780) 686-6883 for her Little Italy office.