Sacred
by Eilish Palmer
Title
Sacred
Artist
Eilish Palmer
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Native Americans called this rock formation Bear Lodge, but something was lost in the translation to early explorers and it became known as Devils Tower. Maybe it was just another way for settlers to prove native american beliefs were somehow dark or demonic. I guess there's really no way to know. What is very easy to see is that many Native Americans regard this spot as sacred. Native Americans come here from all over the country for the Summer Solstice in June to perform many spiritual ceremonies. These include vision quests, sweat-lodge rites, prayer offerings, pipe ceremonies and the group ritual known as the Sun Dance. The Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, Eastern Shoshone, Crow and Kiowa are among more than 20 Native American tribes that honor Devils Tower as a holy place and a vital cultural resource. As I photographed the milky way rising above the rock formation, I can honestly say I have never seen so many falling stars. I didn't take a single image that didn't have one in it. Most had more than one, like this one that captured four. I felt closer to God in that spot than I have in any church. It is indeed a very spiritual place.
Uploaded
July 12th, 2017
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