Melchizedek and the Mideiweewin. Part Two
This an illustration of a “fourth degree chart from the National Museum. This is from the collection found by Reagan at Nett Lake (or Bois Fort).
Note that in this version the Buffalo and the bear are supportive, while Misshipeshu and the Great Serpent are malevolent.” *
* From “The Sacred Scrolls of the Southern Ojibway,” by Selwyn Dewdney
When you get right down to it, there isn’t much difference between the meaning of the symbols used to represent the four degrees found within the old Grand Medicine Society lodge and the four degrees found in a Latter-Day Saint temple. Except that the Midei used symbolism and hyperbole to consolidate power unto themselves over others, while the Latter-Day Saints use it as a teaching tool to enable all who wish, I a journey to return to God.
To the Anishinabeg all living things have spirits/manidos and the strongest spirits have the most power. In this case the spirits of the bear and the buffalo can represent either:
God the Administer and Jesus Christ-The creator, or Christ and Adam/Michael the first man,
Or God and the Holy Ghost,
as they were all involved in the creation. A symbol can have multiple and multi level meanings.
The good spirits created the Mideiwigun or a remnant of the ancient temple as the path to return to them.
Attempting to bar this path at each degree are the evil manidoos mishipeshew and mishiginebig, the great water lion and the great water serpent**. They represent the destroyer or any two of his servants. They are “fire breathing” and “pestilence striking monsters”. They represent evil spirits who attempt to destroy us through spiritual death, spiritual dissipation, and sometimes pestilence.
The “fire” that they breathe are “the fiery darts of the wicked,” Ephesians 6:16. These are the temptors and temptations of the natural man which beset us whenever we attempt to improve ourselves. So it is not at all unusual that an evil personage appears in the Mideiwii scrolls, or the temple as part of the story. In order for the old Anishinabeg to attain the highest degree or us to succeed in the plan of happiness, there must be “opposition in all things”.
If the destroyer has such power, how can we hope to protect ourselves? James 1:14 says:
“ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” If we recognize that we are only being tempted with something that we want, which isn’t good for us, we can choose the good. That is how we overcome the destroyer. That is the way the old Anishinabeg progressed to the next degree in the Mideiwiigun and how we now make covenants in the temple.
This is a key that you won’t see in the old scrolls. Because we have a body and the destroyers do not, they only have power over us if we let them. NEVER give them permission. You’ll regret it if you do!
The last thing I would comment on is the circle in the middle. It is a sun symbol which can represent three things. , The Son who is The Creator, A return to the presence of The Father with whom the Son dwells, and our heart after we realize our best desires.
** It is interesting to me to note that both the Anishinabeg and the early Latter Day Saints connected the destroyer with water. D&C 61:
3 But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief. 4 Nevertheless, I suffered it that ye might bear record; behold, there are many dangers upon the waters, and more especially hereafter; 5 For I, the Lord, have decreed in mine anger many destructions upon the waters; yea, and especially upon these waters.
18 And now I give unto you a commandment that what I say unto one I say unto all, that you shall forewarn your brethren concerning these waters, that they come not in journeying upon them, lest their faith fail and they are caught in snares; 19 I, the Lord, have decreed, and the destroyer rideth upon the face thereof, and I revoke not the decree.
This is one of the coincidences which enables me to reconcile the two institutions.
Melchezidek and the Mideiwiwin- to be continued.
“Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, Incorporated” — BallClub, July 13-15, 1920
Posted in American Indian, Anishinabe, Chippewa, Culture, Genealogy, Indian Values, Minnesota, Native American, Photography, Stories, Thoughts, tagged Commentary, Culture, Essay, Family, Journal, My-life, Photography, Stories, Thoughts on March 6, 2020| 2 Comments »
The full title reads: ” “Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, Incorporated” — BallClub, July 13-15, 1920. Benjamin Caswell, of Cass Lake, President” “and in another place “Rich” Photo –Bemidji–
I found this photo in my Grandmother’s shed. Having cleaned it out a few months after she died in 1985. “Lizzy” Elizabeth Joyce Mason is the girl with the bow in her hair on the far left. She was 14 then.
To the left of her is my Great -Grandfather, “Neogeshig”, or Thomas Jefferson Jerome Mason. You can tell from his visage that Littlecreek men received many facial characteristics from him. 🙂
He’s holding Helen C. Mason, age 2, and I believe that little boy half hiding behind his pant leg to the left of him is either his son Vilas, age 6, or son Thomas Jr., age 7.
I figured I’d better put this photograph online somewhere so others could benefit from it–since it’s been sitting on top of my dresser all these years.
I am amazed at the amount of personal family history contained in this photograph. Who are all these people???
The expression of their genes is so strong, I think I would recognize their descendants from this picture! Let me know if you know any of them.
After uploading the whole photo, I noticed that it was compressed so much that I couldn’t really identify anyone, so I’m adding enlarged sections of it above and below.
I’m guessing that the man sitting apart from the others in the front bottom row, as a place of prominence, is Benjamin Caswell. Can anyone confirm this?
Aren’t phone cameras great?
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