John Judge has died

[Peter Lemkin]

Dear FOJ ~


On Saturday, October 17,we returned John Judge's ashes to the earth in a Native American ceremony ledby Chief Billy Tayac, the hereditary chief of the Piscataway Nation. John is now resting peacefully in a beautifulclearing at Twin Oaks Community, at the base of an oak tree along a quiet lane.

While about 25 of usgathered at the burial site and settled into our chairs, Richard Ochs playedhis guitar softly, setting a peaceful mood. The weather was sunny and cool. The clouds were billowy and skidding rapidly across the sky. We could see the autumn leaves falling allaround us and hear the acorns hitting the earth whenever the breeze blew. There was even the cry of a pileatedwoodpecker in the distance.

Chief Billy began theceremony by sharing his wisdom about the deep connection human beings have withthe earth, with all of nature, and with their ancestors. He reminded us that John was not gone, thathis spirit was still with us ~ even in the breeze we felt blowing on ourfaces. Then he instructed Shakti, John'sdear friend and former partner, to light a bundle of sage, with which we couldcleanse ourselves.

Shakti brought the sage toeach of us in turn. We pulled the smoketoward us with our hands, so it drifted across our faces and bodies. Once we had all been cleansed, Shakti walkedaround the circle with a picture of John. The Chief invited each of us to speakdirectly to John and say whatever we felt. Many of us had heartfelt words to say. Bill Mooney recited a poem he had written for John.

After everyone who sodesired had spoken to John, Chief Billy instructed Shakti to unwrap herceremonial pipe. He explained theimportance of tobacco in Native American ceremonies ~ how it was used to carryprayers to the Great Spirit. He alsoexplained that the number four had great significance, because it representedthe four directions (north, south, east and west) and the four elements (earth,air, fire and water).

The Chief then askedShakti and me to come forward and put tobacco in the pipe four times, sendingup a prayer each time. Shakti made twoprayers, and so did I. The pipe was thenlit and Shakti smoked it, until the tobacco was gone. The ashes from the pipe were then put in the graveprepared for John's remains.

At that point, we openedthe box containing John's ashes, and I poured them into the grave myself. A couple of people placed small items on topof the ashes. Shakti placed somesage. I placed a pea (John always calledme Pea). Patti Crawford placed a longbraid of John's hair. After that, a bowlof tobacco was passed around, so all in attendance could take a pinch. Each person in turn dropped his/her tobaccoon top of John's ashes and said a prayer ~ some silently and some aloud.

After everyone had said aprayer, Shakti and I took turns covering John's ashes and the offerings of theparticipants with earth, one shovel full at a time. Shakti gently danced on the earth, until itwas firmly packed and even with the ground surrounding it. John was home.

For awhile, we sat insilence, and then Chief Billy invited all of us to say whatever we felt movedto express. Shakti sang a song she hadwritten for John. I read a poem I hadwritten for him, which was based on a dream he had. When no one else had anything further to say,Chief Billy concluded the ceremony, reminding us once again that John was notdead ~ that his spirit was still all around us. It was a deeply moving experience for everyone who came. We could sense the sacred nature of the spaceand of the moment. We all feltconnected to each other and to John's spirit.

To give you some sense ofthe experience, I'm attaching some photos taken by John's dear friend, Patti Crawford.


Godspeed, John Judge ~


Love ~ Marilyn