The Vision Quest
Hanbleceya - Crying for a Vision
The Vision Quest Ceremony or Hanbleceya is a way of communicating with the Great Spirit (God). It is an initiatory rite of passage as well as a way of gaining answers from the Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka).
There are many misconceptions about this fascinating rite.
One misconception is that a vision is obtained by reaching a delirious state of exhaustion through fasting. This is untrue, visions are obtained because specific Spirits are called and sent to the person requesting a vision.
The magic of the ritual is dependant on many things.
Mostly they depend upon an ancient lineage of Spirit Helpers that have been handed down within the tradition. Also a very important factor is that people pray in support from a distance. The supporters maintain a specially prepared sacred fire without letting it go out.
Sacred Fire
Another important part of the vision quest are the prayer ties.Participant tie 405 tiny bundles of tobacco to a single string.
This string will encircle the quester forming the hocoka or center.This is done so that only certain spirits can enter.The tobacco each contain a prayer, the spirits then read each prayer as they arrive.
Prayer ties rolled up in a ball around a small bowl of sage.
The vision quest is known as a hanbleceya, or “to cry for a vision”.
Like many ceremonies it begins with a sweat lodge.Within the sweat lodge the person questing is handed a sacred canupa (sacred pipe).The quester is covered with a star quilt and led to a specific secluded place.The medicine man or woman prays and sings calling the spirits.
Star Quilt
The quester is left alone to pray all the while holding faithfully the sacred canupa and not letting it go.
When this ceremony is properly performed the person praying for a vision should not experience undue thirst or hunger.Also they will experience a communion with the Divine.Depending on the circumstance, that may include teleportation, a soul journey, a visitation, or a simple message.Experiencing a vision quest is a very fulfilling event.It is an initiatory rite of passage as well as a way of gaining answers from the Great Spirit.
One may gain a connection with an ancestral guide or an animal spirit helper.Many misconceptions what is popularly known as a totem animal. One’s totem animal for instance may be a man or a tree but even this is misleading.A totem is a spiritual friend or power known as sicun. A bear totem for example may be the soul of a bear or the part of the Great Spirit (God) after which all bears were modeled.
A vision quest is usually a 24 hour experience.
In the tradition we carry the quest can last up to 4 days (and 3 nights).The amount of time depends upon the purpose of the ceremony and the individual.One does not necessarily have a more profound experience by questing for a long time.It is a magical rite depending upon the Spirits intervention and the prayers involved.The songs, the medicine man or woman, the supporters, the fire, the canupa, the tobacco prayer ties, the offerings, and the sweat lodge all work together to create a doorway for the person vision questing.This ritual ends the way it began.
The person is ceremoniously brought back to the sweat lodge where the accounts of the experience are shared and interpreted.The sacred canupa is lighted and finally smoked.Water, corn, meat, and fruit are shared to break the fast as well as to bless and strengthen everyone in a sacred way.
Lakota Instructions for Living
Friend do it this way – that is, whatever you do in life, do the very best you can with both your heart and mind. And if you do it that way, the Power of The Universe will come to your assistance, if your heart and mind are in Unity. When one sits in the Hoop Of The People, one must be responsible because All of Creation is related. And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. And the honor of one is the honor of all. And whatever we do effects everything in the universe. If you do it that way – that is, if your truly join your heart and mind as One-whatever you ask for, that’s the Way It’s Going To Be.~ passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman
Hanbleceya - Crying for a Vision
The Vision Quest Ceremony or Hanbleceya is a way of communicating with the Great Spirit (God). It is an initiatory rite of passage as well as a way of gaining answers from the Great Spirit (Wakan Tanka).
There are many misconceptions about this fascinating rite.
One misconception is that a vision is obtained by reaching a delirious state of exhaustion through fasting. This is untrue, visions are obtained because specific Spirits are called and sent to the person requesting a vision.
The magic of the ritual is dependant on many things.
Mostly they depend upon an ancient lineage of Spirit Helpers that have been handed down within the tradition. Also a very important factor is that people pray in support from a distance. The supporters maintain a specially prepared sacred fire without letting it go out.Sacred Fire
Another important part of the vision quest are the prayer ties.Participant tie 405 tiny bundles of tobacco to a single string.
This string will encircle the quester forming the hocoka or center.This is done so that only certain spirits can enter.The tobacco each contain a prayer, the spirits then read each prayer as they arrive.
Prayer ties rolled up in a ball around a small bowl of sage.
The vision quest is known as a hanbleceya, or “to cry for a vision”.
Like many ceremonies it begins with a sweat lodge.Within the sweat lodge the person questing is handed a sacred canupa (sacred pipe).The quester is covered with a star quilt and led to a specific secluded place.The medicine man or woman prays and sings calling the spirits.
Star Quilt
The quester is left alone to pray all the while holding faithfully the sacred canupa and not letting it go.
When this ceremony is properly performed the person praying for a vision should not experience undue thirst or hunger.Also they will experience a communion with the Divine.Depending on the circumstance, that may include teleportation, a soul journey, a visitation, or a simple message.Experiencing a vision quest is a very fulfilling event.It is an initiatory rite of passage as well as a way of gaining answers from the Great Spirit.
One may gain a connection with an ancestral guide or an animal spirit helper.Many misconceptions what is popularly known as a totem animal. One’s totem animal for instance may be a man or a tree but even this is misleading.A totem is a spiritual friend or power known as sicun. A bear totem for example may be the soul of a bear or the part of the Great Spirit (God) after which all bears were modeled.
A vision quest is usually a 24 hour experience.
In our Lakota tradition the quest can last up to 4 days (and 3 nights).The amount of time depends upon the purpose of the ceremony and the individual.One does not necessarily have a more profound experience by questing for a long time.It is a magical rite depending upon the Spirits intervention and the prayers involved.The songs, the medicine man or woman, the supporters, the fire, the canupa, the tobacco prayer ties, the offerings, and the sweat lodge all work together to create a doorway for the person vision questing.
This ritual ends the way it began.
The person is ceremoniously brought back to the sweat lodge where the accounts of the experience are shared and interpreted.The sacred canupa is lighted and finally smoked.Water, corn, meat, and fruit are shared to break the fast as well as to bless and strengthen everyone in a sacred way.
Lakota Instructions for Living
Friend do it this way – that is, whatever you do in life, do the very best you can with both your heart and mind. And if you do it that way, the Power of The Universe will come to your assistance, if your heart and mind are in Unity. When one sits in the Hoop Of The People, one must be responsible because All of Creation is related. And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. And the honor of one is the honor of all. And whatever we do effects everything in the universe. If you do it that way – that is, if your truly join your heart and mind as One-whatever you ask for, that’s the Way It’s Going To Be.~ passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman
