Introduction: One of the oldest of the epic myths of the ancient world tells the story of the Sumerian Goddess Inanna, and her strange, deadly  journey down to the Underworld Kur, ruled by her older sister Ereshkigal. This tale has survived through the millennia, told and retold in many languages, but no one has ever known exactly why the Daughter of the Moon undertook this dangerous journey. Her descent into Kur resulted...

Upon the dewy vale alightsThe misty morning shroudA rustic shack upon the heightsIs cloaked within the cloud I take a breath to view the sightAnd pause my weary climbWhile o'er my head the doves alightTo coo a song sublime The moment grabs my aching heartI wish never to leaveBut knowing that I must departI make myself believe That someday will I come againUpon that day I prayYour hand will be in my hand whenWe walk again...

Pow-wow The word comes to us from the Algonquin language, most likely from the Narragansett word powwáw, meaning sorcerer, or shaman. It is a gathering together of different tribes and clans for spiritual communion, or often, simply as a contest for Native American dancers. Every pow-wow is different, but there are a few important rituals that are almost always practiced during these tribal gatherings, so I'll describe a...