The
Great Wheel turns to the Dark Half of the Year
As we moved through the Autumn
Equinox, many gathered across our Earth, the many tribes and light workers
who understand the importance of the whole. Whether you gathered with
a circle, or took time out to do ceremony at the passing of the Equinox,
those that gathered for the whole gave a powerful gift to the whole
of the web. For this is the time of the great Dream. We can all dream
a better world: one without pain or suffering: one that allows all of
life to live in right relations. This is the time that signals the changing
of the seasons as we move into the dark time of the year and prepare
for the long months ahead. The days become shorter and nights become
longer. We gather the last of the harvest and honor the Goddess for
all that has been provided. This is the time to give thanks for the
physical life we have and to ask for the endurance and strength that
comes from knowing oneself. The West allows us to move into the dark
side of ourselves and to observe what we hold as important in life.
It is the clarity of the crystal mind that allows us to give up our
ignorance and fear as we give it to the fires of transmutation. We must
remember the lessons we have learned, as we learn to trust and manifest
without fear. It takes endurance to awaken a dream and hold onto it.
You must cleanse away pain, shame, hate, blame, fear, and separation
to truly know yourself, and to awaken from the illusion that has been
woven.
The
Autumn Equinox begins the journey of the Great Medicine Bear, who enters
hibernation to dream the world. For the Human, it is the time to begin
to look within and examine what we think is important to hold onto and
what we need to release. When we truly let go, we are then free to dream
a new dream of ourselves without illusions.
If
we are awakened, then we gather at our sacred fires and listen to our
Elders as they teach us the ways of our Ancestors. They teach us to
gather the things that matter and to realize that what we gather will
affect the whole. The journey into the direction of the West is one,
which takes the endurance of spirit. The East lies in opposition to
the West and allows us to seek the advice of the Higher Self for clarity
of vision when looking within. The dreamtime that we move through during
the Autumn Equinox allows us to slow down, to begin the process of introspection.
The
direction of the West is from the Autumn Equinox, September. 21st to
the Winter Solstice on December 21st, the Totem is the Bear, the Element
is Water and the Medicine is the Stone People. The lessons are introspection,
endurance, strength and the great shaman death.
The
New Moon of October, is the time of Nvwot: Equa, the Big Medicine Festival,
or Cherokee New Year which marks the beginning of the Go-La or winter
months. Autumn U-la-go-hv-s-di marks the end of a cycle and the final
harvest of the year. This is the time to give thanks and to ask to be
released from the things that have held us back. This is the time of
physical and spiritual cleansing of our homes, fireplaces and our physical
bodies. Our fires are made anew. We go to the river for our spiritual
and physical cleansing. It is the rekindling of our sacred fires that
allows us to symbolically rise as the Phoenix from our own ashes.
As
we look at the traditions of the Cherokee and that of the Celtic Tradition,
we see that there are a lot of similarities between these two traditions.
Both view this time of year when the last of the harvest has been gathered
as the end of a cycle and the dark half of the year. In Old Irish lore
all things were readied for the dark times ahead. The thatching was
made strong, the fireplace cleansed and made ready for the new fire.
One would go to the sacred wells and the rivers of Bridget and ask for
forgiveness from their loved ones so that peace could come to those
beyond the veil. I was taught a wonderful cleansing ceremony to be done
at the ocean shore by my father who was Irish and followed the faery
faith.
Other
similarities, between both traditions, are the belief that spirits or
power inhabited water. Water has always been seen as healing and sacred.
In the Cherokee water cleansing ceremony, which was done during the
New Moon, especially the New Moon of October, the whole village would
go down to the river at sunrise. For the Celtic tribes, it was to the
holy wells and lakes. There are still to this day lakes and holy wells
that bare the ribbons of prayers from passers by that need the help
of it’s healing and cleansing powers. At Chalice Well today many
come to drink of the waters for the healing of their physical bodies
and to pray to the Goddess for aid.
The
West begins in the end of the beginning; the veil is lifted that allows
us to see our illusions. The Great Bear calls to us to follow him to
the lake of great healing, and there, clear away those thoughts that
obscure the crystal mind. Each of us is moving in relationship to those
around us and in relationship to the environment.
We
must begin now to see that we are responsible for all things, even unto
seven generations beyond today. We must stop living our life as though
we are not all connected. For if we hope to have clean water, food and
a good life we must begin with ourselves today. I hope that this Medicine
Lesson will help you to become a responsible and aware human. That in
doing so, it is my prayer, that you may have all that you need to awaken
your Mastery.
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ARROW WOMAN AND YONA THE BEAR
By Spiritwind
Long ago, and not long after the world was made new, a tribe of red
skinned people came to live on the lands, that were around the area
known as the Blue Smokey Mountains.
It was during this time, that the animals of the world still talked
to men and taught them to live and care for the land and each other.
These people were called the "Ani Yun Wiya" or the One True
People. In this tribe there lived a brave warrior woman known as Arrow
Woman. Arrow Woman was taught to use the bow, spear and knife. Even
though it was a man’s job to hunt and fight, Arrow Woman could
shoot straighter with the bow than any man, throw a knife that would
split a branch no bigger then your thumb and throw a spear further then
any brave in her village.
One day while hunting, Arrow Woman came upon the tracks of Yona the
bear. She saw blood on the ground and knowing him to be wounded, began
to follow his tracks high into the mountains. She followed his tracks
and came to a place that she did not know. It was in this place, an
area known only to the animals, that she finally saw Yona. She saw that
the bear had a deep cut in his side. Yona was bent in prayer before
a field of long, flowing grass. As he spoke the words of power, the
grass suddenly began to shimmer and become a great lake. Arrow Woman
watched as Yona went into the water. After a time he emerged from the
water with his side completely healed. Arrow Woman stood there quietly
watching. Soon she saw other animals coming here that were wounded in
some way and they too were healed by the waters of the lake. She saw
that every animal that came here, came together in peace. They did not
harm one another, but were as one family here in this sacred place.
Yona saw that Arrow Woman had been watching. He approached her, but
Arrow Woman was not afraid. Yona then spoke these words: "This
is the sacred lake of the animals. It is called, ‘Atagahi’
and its location is known only to the animals. It is where we come for
healing and strength. You are the first man creature to see the sacred
lake. You must never reveal the location for it is the home of The Great
Uktena." With that, Yona seated himself down and prepared a fire.
Into the night the great medicine bear, Yona, taught Arrow Woman. He
taught her to look within her heart, to be honest with herself and to
forgive others. Through the night Yona prepared Arrow Woman for what
the Great Uktena would teach her. But this story of the Great Uktena
and the Sacred Pipe is for another day.
Yona taught her how to Go To the Water to do a water cleansing. He told
her to go and teach her people how to cleanse themselves so that the
all would be in balance. He taught her about the seasons and the time
of the New Moon, and he taught her that this was a good time for her
people to go to the river to heal and cleanse. He taught her the prayers
to be said, and taught her to become quiet and listen within herself.
With the coming of first light, he took Arrow Woman before the waters
of Atagahi and here he taught her how to let go of a heavy heart and
bring about right relations.
Arrow Woman took this wisdom that Yona taught her back to her people.
She taught them to offer prayers of thanks for the opportunity to renew
themselves in good relationship. She taught them to throw the water
over their shoulder seven times and to feel it washing away relationships
with the family and the tribe that caused harm. She told them that it
would wash away ignorance, shame, fear, and anger. She taught them how
to do this so they could let go of sorrow and rejoice in a new day.
Arrow Woman went back again to the magical lands of Yona and to her
destiny to meet with the Great Uktena, but that’s another story.
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IMAGINATION
Imagination is the key to our minds. It is the vehicle that allows us
to dream. Shamans knew that in order to help people to see beyond the
illusion, they needed to be able to use their spirit as the vehicle
to travel outside of the limitations of the body. In tribal communities
this was easily reached through drumming, dance and storytelling, each
altered the state of consciousness that would allow them to journey
beyond the veil. In today’s world, we use hypnosis, creative visualization
and meditation that allow us to free our minds, traveling to our own
wisdom fires to be transformed. The story of Arrow Woman and the Medicine
Bear, Yona prepares the mind to let go and allows the imagination to
unfold within your own personal journey.
In this meditation, we will journey to Atagahi, the lake of healing
and understanding. This is a sacred place known to the animals and it
is here where Arrow Woman learned how to prepare herself for the gift
of the sacred pipe by the Great Uktena. The Lake of Great Healing brings
forth understanding through forgiveness. It allows us to cast away illusion
of separation, and become the peacemakers. When we can truly forgive
those that have harmed us, we then become the master of our own destiny.
The following meditation should be read with relaxing music in the background.
You can either put it on a tape to listen to, or read it to your circle.
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The Sacred Lake Meditation
Begin by getting yourself comfortable. Now take a nice deep breath and
just relax.
Then take another deep breath in through your nose and hold it for a
few moments… then exhale. Imagine the air leaving your third eye
as you exhale through the mouth. Now at this time, as you inhale imagine
that you are pulling a beautiful, white light down into the center of
your head… hold the light, then slowly exhale… imagine that
all the mindless, needless chatter from the day is departing out of
your third eye like a cloud of smoke.
Once more… take deep breath in… pulling down more of this
radiant light of the Creator source right into the center of your mind.
Release the remainder of the chatter… as you exhale, your mind
begins to become focused and clear.
As you inhale…. imagine the light now moving into your pineal
gland…. which looks like a small pinecone - sitting up straight
in the center of your brain. As the light moves in…. hold it for
just a moment…. now slowly exhale. Take another breath in…
inhaling the light right down into the pineal gland…. imagine
that it opens up like a lotus flower… floating in the clear stillness
of your mind. As you exhale…. the light begins to surround you….
notice how calm and relaxed your mind is… how clear you are filled
with light. Surrounded by light, you are now feeling very light….
now free to explore. You drift and float like a cloud. Drifting across
the sky… you find that your spirit body begins to be drawn towards…
a beautiful meadow where high rolling mountains surround you. There
is a path that seems to call for you to follow. As you walk along the
path, you find that there are sharp stones on it…. when you step
upon those stones… they remind you of some of the painful things
that have caused you hurt in the past. From time to time, you will also
walk on smooth areas of the path… this helps you to remember the
lessons… the lessons that you are learning on your way to becoming
the master of your own destiny. As you begin to walk upwards, you begin
to feel the weight of all the anger, fear, envy, hurt, and disappointments
that have been a part of your life. You begin to realize the harmful
patterns that have been repeated in your life. The burden becomes almost
too heavy to carry. You notice the path is becoming narrower as you
continue to follow it upward.
You look down onto the path… seeing drops of blood on the ground…you
remember the story of Yona and Arrow Woman and how he taught her to
heal herself. You now look up and see a bear ahead… it is Yona
and he appears wounded. Following the Sacred Bear… you watch as
he climbs to the top of the path… where he stops… shapeshifting
into a man and then back into the bear again. As you climb up to the
top of the path where he had stood only a moment ago… you realize
that you have lost sight of Yona.
Looking down from the top of the mountain, you see a beautiful, crystal
clear lake. You realize that Yona has led you to Atagahi… the
sacred lake of great magic. You watch as Yona goes into the water. When
Yona comes out, he is no longer wounded. Yona seems to shift from bear
to man and then back to bear. You wonder if you should go closer…
but when you look at the path behind you… you see that you cannot
go back down that painful path… for you are just too tired of
carrying the weight of all that hurt within you.
You begin to hear the sound of the drum calling to you… and you
follow the path toward the lake where Yona waits. You are not afraid…
you know that now Yona is a powerful Medicine Man who has come to lead
you to this sacred lake. As you come closer… you now see that
Yona is a man of great years. He tells you to sit down and to look into
the fire that burns at the edge of the lake. Night is rapidly coming
and the warmth of the fire allows you to become comfortable as you gaze
within in it. The Master tells you to look within… and begin to
think about the weight of all your problems… and all the pain
that you carried here. He tells you to look within the fire to see how
your relationships with family or loved ones affect your life. Look
at what is causing you to be unbalanced… is it work… home…
health… relationships…. what do you need to do to release
this in order to take back your power… to become the master of
your own destiny…. As you drift off, you begin to have a vision…
as if those that you have been in conflict with or have had hurt with
now come together… here at the sacred lake. As you look around,
you are aware that there is a divine pattern underlying all existence.
Your heart is filled with joy…. becoming aware of the unity of
all of creation. You give away to the fire your burden and go into the
water. Seven times you sprinkle water over your shoulder…. giving
it all away as you cleanse yourself and those that have been woven into
this pattern…. you forgive those that have harmed you….
feel yourself drifting upon the water…. light and free….
you hear the voice of an Elder calling your name…. and you come
back to the warmth of the fire. You look deep into the flames and see
yourself entering into a temple…. this sacred place is the Temple
of Understanding. Your guide leads you beyond the flames into a hall
that takes you to a room that holds within it… the records of
your many lives. Your guide pulls down a beautifully scripted book,
which has you name written upon it…. this is the story of your
mastery. Within these pages you will become aware of why you have come
to this lifetime. Here you will discover your purpose for being…
your heart’s passion. Take time now to read this book and gain
the knowledge of your true potential. You may sense, feel or see the
information…. or you may have images come into your awareness….
allow your guide to assist you. (Pause for a few moments.) You are drawn
back to the fire, and you realize that you have brought with you the
knowledge of your own destiny…. you are excited about taking charge
now of your destiny. You gaze up at the night sky…. feeling free
and light… the master of your own destiny. You fall asleep and
dream a new dream of being connected to all things. You dream of yourself
living your passion…. feeling whole and alive. Each and every
day your mastery will unfold, as you are now the creator of your own
destiny. You begin to drift upwards…. toward the stars….
coming back into the present time where you now begin to feel your body
resting in the chair. Your body feels light and empowered… your
breathing returns to the normal state of waking. You send a cord down
into Mother Earth…. imagine that you are wrapping it around a
solid rock deep inside her. You feel very grounded now as you take a
nice deep breath, open your eyes and stretch…. back in your body
and totally aware of your sense of being.
The Cherokee and Celtic traditions teach that mental health, physical
health and social order is an expression of proper balance of all things
in the web. If the individual disturbs or breaks the pattern of balance
with self or others, it creates a discordant vibration in the energy
meridians of the body and may cause illness and distress. If there is
disharmony with family, work, friends, or clan it may cause negative,
displaced energy to be expressed. In the family, it could be illness
- in a clan it could result in crop failure, and for a nation it could
be a lack of prosperity and hope. Through the element of water we are
given the chance to cleanse the discordant energy and let go of the
illusion of separation. It allows us to cast off the bundle of painful
memories and forgive.
Look at the lesson that Christ taught on the cross when he said, "Father
forgive them for they know not what they do." Christ saw those
that had proclaimed love for Him turn their backs on Him. They denied
Him and turned against Him out of fear. As He looked upon these faces,
He realized that they were unaware - still in the dream and so He forgave
and gave it over to Creator.
We can’t always understand how someone can cause us pain, but
what we don’t understand is that perhaps this person is asleep
and cannot see beyond their own illusions. If we can look for the light
in others, and acknowledge that we are merely holding up the mirrors
of transformation for each other, we can bring forth peace on the planet.
From ancient times we have celebrated the power of the sacred element
of water. It is the blood of Mother Earth it is the element that ties
all things together. The story of Yona teaches us about the sacred lake
and its power to heal, and through the meditation, you were able to
release and bring forth your mastery in being a true channel of energy.
The following ceremonies will help you to use techniques that will enable
you to work with the element of water and its wonderful power to heal
and renew
As you travel through the west you will need endurance and strength.
It is good medicine to make the journey to the water to heal for you
must look honestly within and be ready to own your true potential. I
hope that the following ceremonies will help you to go to the water
and heal.
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MOTHER OCEAN
When I go to the ocean, I bring a basket of my large crystals that need
to be cleansed. These are usually crystals that I use in my work or
in circles for healing. I also bring some smoked salmon or tobacco for
an offering and possibly my drum or harp.
In the Celtic tradition, there are places that are called the in-between
places. One of these places is where the shoreline meets the sand. This
is where there is neither water nor dry sand, and it is ever changing.
It is here where the greatest magic takes place.
The following ceremonies are all done in this place. Make sure that
you don't mind getting a little wet and maybe a lot wet if the Goddess
has a mind for it.
The following exercise can be done both for cleansing as well as for
something you want to manifest. For releasing or to ask for what you
need, do this exercise on the new moon - for full moon just things that
you want to create and manifest. Do not do release work on a full moon.
The new moon is when there is just the first showing of the moon again
after it has been dark.
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CRYSTAL CLEANSING
This ceremony is for cleansing your crystals. Find an in-between place,
sit down and draw a circle around you. Take your crystal, large or small,
and between your legs place it under the sand, allowing only the top
to peek out. Then write into the sand, “Goddess cleanses this
crystal.” Give an offering of a song such as We All Come From
the Goddess. She loves us to sing to Her. Soon She will come and wash
over you and your crystal. I have never lost a crystal that didn’t
need to be returned to the Mother for healing, so if a large wave comes
up, takes your crystal and washes over you, know that this was very
much needed. This doesn’t usually happen if you have looked and
made sure that you are sitting at the highest point of the last tide
that has come to shore. Make sure that you haven’t gone during
low tide, or you could be sitting a long time. Once you have drawn this
circle around you, do not leave until the circle is taken. This is a
very easy task, and I would probably wear a swimsuit for this ceremony
just to be safe.
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CIRCLE MAGIC
First sit down; watch the ocean as the tide comes up on the shore. Walk
to where the high tide came up to… stop and offer the Goddess
some of the salmon (or tobacco) that you have brought with you…
then eat a little yourself or give tobacco. When you have finished,
take a moment to make sure that you are in that in-between place… now draw a circle around you making sure that you leave enough room
to write what you wish to release. For example: Goddess - help me to
release my addiction to cigarettes; or Goddess please help me to let
go of my anger; or Goddess help me to have a better job and make good
money. You will know what to release. Write this in your circle before
the ocean comes up to claim your message. If the tide comes up and takes
your circle before you have finished writing, it means it is already
manifesting. If your circle is not completely taken, you must wait.
This means that there is more you need to release from the situation.
Give yourself permission to release all that is connected to the problem.
When you ask for something instead of releasing, make sure that you
say, “Goddess please bring me my heart’s desire….
such as a right relationship or a better job, or a clearer mind…
whatever you feel the need to ask for. Sometimes we are left standing
for a long time, and it seems as if She will never come to take our
circle… trust… She will come as long as you have drawn your
circle in the right place.
I like to sing to Her while I wait… closing my eyes and feeling
the release, or feeling Her bringing me my heart’s desire.
I remember a time when I had a very large problem. I had really hung
onto the anger associated with it. I stood for a long time on the beach.
When I finally closed my eyes and lost myself in the moment… in
that moment a big wave came in and drenched me. Evidently I needed to
get all wet in order to let everything go. You just never know what
Mother Ocean is going to do. When you are finished, look down… sometimes Mother will gift you a shell or a rock. Be sure that you pick
it up and then thank Her for Her gift.
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HEAVY BURDEN STONE RELEASE
This exercise is for people who need to let go of heavy burdens.
Walk around the beach and think about the problem. How does it feel?
Is it rough? What color comes to your mind when you think of the problem?
What shape does the problem take on?
Now look around you as you walk. Look to see if you can find a stone
that represents all of these qualities. Once you find the stone, ask
permission to take and use it as a medicine stone. Give an offering
of tobacco before you take the stone. Return to where you where sitting.
Now drum or pray asking Creator’s help and for the Goddess to
transform these problems into a higher vibration. Give to the stone
all of the heavy burdens. Feel it going into the stone until you actually
feel the stone getting heavier. Stand up and walk out until the water
is at least around your ankles. As the Goddess ebbs and flows around
you… notice how She pulls at your legs to let go of this burden.
When the next wave comes in and flows around your ankles and then begins
to withdraw… throw the stone out as far as you can. Feel the release
of your worries/burdens and give thanks to the Goddess. At this time,
I like to wash my body down before I turn to go back up on shore. Thank
the Goddess again for helping you by offering a song or playing an instrument
such as the drum.
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CHEROKEE WATER CLEANSING AND NEW MOON CEREMONIES
You can do this ceremony at each new moon either by yourself or with
your circle. Make sure to use blessed spring water for this ceremony.
This is water that has been drawn from a spring. If there is no way
to get spring water, you can use bottled water or rainwater. You can
charge the water with the full moon and sunlight. I like to take a jar
of spring water and put a crystal that I have charged for cleansing
into the water. I then put the jar, with the top open, into the moonlight.
Then before noon of the next day, I retrieve the jar and pray over it.
I ask that this water cleanse all who use it. The water is then ready
for water ceremonies or blessings.
When I prepare the space for the ceremony, I place a bowl with the blessed
water in it in the east area of the room. I like to put a few small
flowers in the bowl to float in the water. In doing a personal cleansing
outside, I put the bowl on a stand in the east of my garden. I like
to go out before sunrise and thank the Creator for my life and the opportunity
of experiencing life. Then as the sun begins to rise, I do the water
cleansing. If it’s a group, on the new moon I place the bowl in
the east of the room.
It’s always nice to offer a prayer when working in your circles
asking for right relations within your circle and within yourself. Remember
that when you are working in a group, you are connecting in a very important
way. You have the responsibility to yourself to each other to be in
balance with yourself as well as the circle.
Now that you are ready, have each person come up and stand before the
bowl of water. Think about what needs to be released as you dip your
fingers into the water. Then run your fingers down your body, from the
top of your head down to your feet. Do this four times for the four
directions. Then dip your fingers again in the water and splash over
the shoulder seven times, letting go of problems at work with family
or relationships. Give away anything that has caused you to be off balance,
such as worry, anger, fear, or any other problems that you may have.
Once you have done this, step outside. After the sliver of the moon
is showing, raise your hands above your head and say, as you pull down
with your hands, putting them into your pockets: Grandmother, Grandfather
fill my pockets with what I need. If you don’t have pockets, pretend
that you do. Then put your hands in front of you, as if you are holding
a blanket in your arms and say, Grandmother, Grandfather bring me my
heart’s desire. Imagine what you need on the blanket. Never ask
for money. If you need your bills paid, then see the bills on the blanket
with a red stamp that says PAID on them. If you need a car, see car
keys on the blanket. Need a job, see a paycheck stub with the amount
you want to make. Whatever it is, imagine you are holding it in your
bundle. Now pull it towards the heart. Last, place your hands back up
in the air, again pulling down into your pockets saying, Grandmother
Grandfather fill my pockets with what I need.
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GOING TO THE WATER
Forgiveness is a basic Tsalagi ritual that is done on the new moons
and at very special times throughout the year. One of these ceremonies
is called the Friends Making New in which everyone is encouraged to
do forgiveness. In this ceremony, we cast the water over our shoulder
seven times, casting aside expectations, forgiving and letting go of
attachments to what might have been, could have been, should have been.
Even the most painful memories can be released and the worst enemies
can become friends again. If we do not renew ourselves, we will suffer
the same patterns of discord again and again. It is for this reason
that we make the vow to forgive and forget and start anew.
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FORGIVENESS CEREMONY
This ceremony is done outside at the water’s edge. This can be
at the ocean, a stream or a lake. This ceremony was usually held on
the new moon of November and again during the Spring Equinox.
Stand before the water’s edge and offer a prayer of thanks for
the opportunity to renew yourself in good relationship. Seven times
throw the water over your shoulder. Feel it washing away all that obscures
good friendship with your friends or family. Wash away ignorance, doubt
and fear…let go of sorrow and turn aside anger…. rejoice
in the light of a new day. Visualize the clear light of Creator surround
you. Feel a beam of light coming out from your heart…. going to
all the hearts of those with whom you have experienced miscommunication
or discord with… see or sense this beautiful light surrounding
them and then returning to you… filling your heart. As you step
away from the water…. yesterday’s wounds are healed….
affirm a new day of clear relations.
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Edited
by: D. A. Cresswell