Chafe] SENECA THANKSGIVING RITUALS 119 



tended. (446) And indeed when the Good Message came, (447) then 

 it was explained to us. Your helpers told us the way it would be 

 when we refer to them. (448) We shall say "the Sisters, our suste- 

 nance" when we talk about them. (449) And indeed you left them 

 on the earth. (450) You decided, "The people moving about will 

 take care of themselves. (451) They will put them in the earth and 

 they will mature of their own accord." That is what you intended. 

 (452) And up to the present time we see them growing. (453) They 

 strengthen our breath every day. (454) Every night we are using 

 them. (455) And now indeed we are still strong, we who move about 

 on the earth. (456) And therefore let there be gratitude (457) that 

 you are doing it in the same way, providing ®^ them for our happi- 

 ness, for us who are passing through. (458) And there is simply 

 gratitude that you left them on the earth. (459) And again there 

 is thanks that it all continues, all that you planned. (460) And we 

 ask only (461) that it will continue in the same manner for the period 

 of another year. 



13. The Four Rituals 



(462) And now we are going along giving thanks; we are simply 

 grateful for the works of Our Creator. (463) And he decided, "The 

 Four Rituals will be there on the earth. (464) The people moving 



••Lit. 'dropping, letting fall'. 



