Four Winds: Poems from Indian Rituals

Santa Fe, New Mexico: The Sunstone Press, 2016. First Edition Stated . Trade Paperback. As New. 5 3/4" x 8 1/2. Hodge, Gene Meany. 35 Un-numbered pages. Beautiful As New Gift Quality book with black plastic comb binding. The black ink signature on the title page could be a printing. Critic Alice Bullock, herself a noted author and historian of the Southwest, describes Gene Meany Hodge's Four Winds upon its initial publication as Lovely bits of Zuni, Navajo, Tewa, San Juan ceremonial chants, prayers, blessings, rituals that are a living part of the Indian Southwest. Sunstone Press offers this prized work in this new format with the hope that it will soon reach many more readers who are interested in this fascinating and haunting subject. The author says: 'I am grateful to all the students of Indian ceremonial life who have made it possible for us to know the beautiful philosophy and religion of the Indians. The material for this book is gathered from their early works. Many of these prayer-poems are free translations from long nine-day ceremonies, some for rain and abundant harvest, some for healing, some for blessing, and some for thanksgiving. The illustrations are symbolic Indian designs made into compositions to fit the poems and prayers.