FLETCHER] TENTH RITUAL, PART II 129 



ExpJanaiion by the Ku' minis 



We sing this song slowly with reverent feeling, for we are singing 

 of very sacred things. 



The Morning Star is one of the lesser powers. Life and strength 

 and frnitfnlness are with the Morning Star. We are reverent toward 

 it. Onr fathers performed sacred ceremonies in its honor. 



The Morning Star is like a man; he is painted red all over; that is 

 the color of life. lie is clad in leggings and a robe is wrapped about 

 him. On his head is a soft downj- eagle's feather, painted red. This 

 feather represents the soft, light cloud that is high in the heavens, 

 and the red is the touch of a ray of the coming sun. The soft, downy 

 feather is the symbol of breath and life. 



The star comes from a great distance, too far away for us to see the 

 place where it starts. At first we can hardly see it; we lose sight of 

 it, it is so far off; then we see it again, for it is coming steadilj' toward 

 us all the time. We watch it approach; it comes nearer and nearer; 

 its light grows brighter and brighter. 



This is the meaning of this stanza, and the star comes as we sing it 

 four times. 



Tronslafinn of Second Stanza 



583 H-o-o-o! An introductory exclamation. 

 58-4 H'Opirit ta ahrisha. 



h', the symbol of breath, life. 

 Opirit, the Morning Star, 

 ta, appi-oaching. 



ahrisha, coming still nearer, but at the same time disappear- 

 ing. The word conveys the picture of the morning stai- by 

 its increased brilliancj' coming nearer, and then fading, 

 disappearing in the light of day. 

 585, 58G, 587 See line 584. 



Ex2jlanaiion hy the Kn'rahus 



As we sing this stanza the Morning Star comes still nearer and now 

 we see him standing there in the heavens, a strong man shining 

 brighter and brighter. The soft plume in his hair moves with the 

 breath of the new day, and the ray of the sun touches it with color. 

 As he stands there so l)right, he is bringing us strength and new life. 



As we look upon him he grows less bright, he is receding, going 

 back to his dwelling place whence he came. We watch him vanish- 

 ing, passing out of our sight. He has left with us the gift of life 

 which Tira'wa atius sent him to bestow. 



We sing this stanza four times. 

 22 ETH— PT 2—04—9 



