Sotoya Organic Tying Tobacco

Sotoya Organic Tying Tobacco

ON THE RESPECTFUL AND CEREMONIAL USE OF TOBACCO

Sun Butler, Sotoya Ceremonial Tobacco Company ~ September 2004

Brief and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia,

Written in 1587, by Thomas Herriot, servant to Sir Walter Raleigh, alluding to the spiritual use of tobacco among Native Americans … "Uppawoc," the local name for Tobacco, "is of so precious estimation among them that they think their gods are marvelously delighted therewith; whereupon, sometimes they make hallowed fires and cast some of the powder therein for a sacrifice, and being in a storm upon the waters, to pacify their gods, they cast some up into the air, and into the water; so a weir for fish being newly set up, they cast some into the air likewise, but all done with strange gestures, stamping, sometimes dancing, clapping of hands, holding up of hands, and staring up into the heavens uttering therewithal, and chattering strange words and noises."

The Tobacco plant, native only to the Americas, was revered, cultivated, traded and used almost universally among American Indian Tribes. Its use as medicine and in ceremony was integral to Native American beliefs for many generations before Thomas Herriott made his observations. Considered to be a gift from Creator, the aroma of cured tobacco was believed to be pleasing to Spirit. An offering of the precious herb, sprinkled to the Four Directions helps send our prayers. These ways remain an important part of Native American traditional cosmology today. Yet the humble gift of sacred tobacco to the first white colonists has become a subject of controversy. When we do pray with tobacco, we may have to use tobacco that has been grown with chemicals. Perhaps something has been lost along the path.

Using Tobacco Respectfully

The following meditation was taught to me by my mom who learned it from our Cherokee traditions…

Take a pinch of tobacco and hold it between you thumb and fore-finger, or in the palm of your hand. Hold it up to your heart and consider your prayers, thinking of those for whom you pray.

Traditionally, small pinches of tobacco are offered to the Four Principal Directions in a clockwise fashion sprinkling a little and making prayers as you go. Some traditions make offerings to Grandfather Sky and Grandmother Earth as well. By praying in this way you are centering your self in the universe.

- Pray for Good Health for your relatives, for your People and for the Earth

- Pray only for good things and help with what they need.

- Share and gift tobacco – it is good for giving Thanks and showing Respect

- Tobacco is precious to Spirit. Use it sparingly. The less you use, the more powerful it becomes.

- Use natural tobacco grown without chemicals that harm the Land, and…

Be Respectful of the Earth and your Neighbors

Sotoya Ceremonial Tobacco Company
2014 Redlawn Road
Boydton, Va. 23917

Wholesale Orders 434.738.6306

Contact Us: Sotoya Tobacco Web Person: John Lehmus