The Book of Ceremonies: A Native Way of Living and Honoring the Sacred [Hardcover]

Gabriel Horn (Author), Carises Horn (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2000

In The Book of Ceremonies, Gabriel Horn offers a tapestry of stories, poems, prayers, and love songs describing the sacred Native American way of life and what its religion and ritual can offer spiritual seekers from all backgrounds. The six parts of the book cover preparation for ceremonies greeting the day; acknowledgment and gratitude; marriage and divorce; birth and death; dreams and visions; and seasons and healing. Highlights include a Zuni creation account, an Aztec love song, and an Omaha prayer presenting a new infant.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Horn, an eclectic Indian spiritual writer, brings many traditions together in his books rather than focusing on one. So doing, he emphasizes the links connecting Native American religions. In this series of poetic essays, he offers myths and other narratives, traditional and contemporary songs, and reflections on the great cycles of the earth and of human life. The native way, as Horn defines it, has to do with honoring the reality of the present moment while recognizing the eternal flux in which that moment exists. From birth through love and into death, the native way gently but firmly sustains its followers. Horn's profound yet simple vision should appeal to spiritual seekers of many traditions. Patricia Monaghan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

“The primal wisdom that emanates from these ancient teachings lifts up the spiritual practice of reverence — one that is often lacking in modern times.” — Spirituality & Health “The essays and poems...are meaningful. The tone is meditative and enriching.” — St. Petersburg Times --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; 1St Edition edition (September 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577310624
• ISBN-13: 978-1577310624
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,114,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book to be treasured and shared., March 3, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Ceremonies: A Native Way of Living and Honoring the Sacred (Hardcover)

The Book Of Ceremonies is an intensely sensitive, reverent collection of Native American sacred songs, poems, stories, observations, and ceremonies. It's prayerful tone is beautifully underlined by the delicate, perfect black and white art work by the author's son, Carises Horn. Drawing from a variety of sources, The Book Of Ceremonies unifies and presents thoughts on Preparing, Greeting and Gratitude, Love, Marriage and Divorce, Birth and Death, Dreams and Visions, and Seasons and Healing. An additional list of recommended reading includes Native Heart: An American Indian Odyssey by Gabriel Horn, and other selected books by Kent Nerburn, Jason Gardner, and Loree Boyd. The Book Of Ceremonies is a beautiful book to be treasured and shared.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kinship with all beings, November 6, 2000

By 

Christina M. Silveira (Guttenberg, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Ceremonies: A Native Way of Living and Honoring the Sacred (Hardcover)

The primal wisdom that emanates from these ancient teachings lifts up the spiritual practice of reverence-one that is often lacking in modern times. Horn demonstrates a kind of radical amazement, a deep feeling tinged with both awe and wonder as he sees the sacred in all things. These ceremonies touch the heart because they arise out of a felt sense of participation in the universe, a kinship with all beings and with matter.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ceremonial Richness, November 6, 2000

By 

Christina M. Silveira (Guttenberg, IA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Ceremonies: A Native Way of Living and Honoring the Sacred (Hardcover)

Anyone wanting ceremonial richness in their own lives will cherish this book and will feel emboldened to start where they are right now-even in the middle of a city, far from the kind of natural surroundings available to the ancients. "It is the spirit of the ceremony that is most important," reassures a grandmother. This is treasure to own and consult, a treasure to give.-SA