ABSTRACT
Chapter Four continues and concludes the discussion of the community and the candidate’s preparations. We then move to the phase two of the ritual complex – the journey. Here the guiding question becomes, “How does the journey expand moral community?” We begin with a discussion of Wakiŋyan or Thunderbird and heyókȟas, for if Wakiŋyaŋ appears to the quester, this indicates that the person should become a “contrary.” Here, we discuss the importance of heyókȟas in Lakota traditions. We then turn to a description of the activities surrounding the candidate’s property and space and the candidate himself to the wakȟáŋ persons who will empower him to complete his preparations. The candidate then receives instructions from the mentor on how to properly on his life throughout the ritual process.
Phase two marks a significant change in leadership roles within the band as civil leadership transitions into ceremonial leadership. This transition brings the migrating band into a greater awareness of and closer relationship to the wakȟáŋ persons accompanying them on the journey.
Going forward, we anticipate the phase three of the ritual complex. Human relations are expanded as the various bands arrive at the Sun Dance site. The ceremonial leadership receives nominations for the multiple roles that need to be filled to complete the Gaze-at-Sun Dance.
