A Ceremony to Celebrate his Life
Spirits of the East, guardians of beginnings, creativity illuminators, direction of the rising sun, receive this Native Son back into the fold of the Infinite Tribe of Oneness. May his Spirit soar like Eagle on the currents of the element of air. We invite Hawk with whom he shared flight and freedom through shapeshifting, to fly high above us today signifying Jay’s journey to limitlessness. Permit him to spread his new wings. Bless his new beginning in the realms beyond as he truly becomes a Walker Between the Winds. Let his most illumined self enter into the mystery of all possibility where he will sit in council and advisement to those he leaves behind. Allow all of the energies of this springtime of new beginnings to support his new experiences and learning. May he find in his life review before the Medicine Council of his soul all of the good that he has done on this Earth and be gentle with himself for those times of being more human than Divine. Grant Jay knowing of the benefit of his Earthwork plus clarity, wisdom and illumination to understand this corridor and passageway. In the days to come allow his loved ones to feel his presence with the dawning of each new day as gifts of insight, joy and above all peace. St. Christopher, Jay’s patron Saint, be with him as he transcends this Good Earth and takes his place in the Great Council Beyond Time and Reason. We offer this tobacco as tribute to Great Spirit to send messages of love and gratitude for Jay’s earth life.
Spirits of the West, guardians of completion, sacred dream initiators, direction of the setting sun, be with us today as we celebrate Jay Watson’s earth life completion in this closing circle. Grizzly Bear symbol of power and strength be a totem for Jay as he passes through the labyrinth of consciousness from the material to the ethereal world. As each veil lifts in his passing allow Jay to see more and more beauty as he releases his attachment to earth’s limitations and embraces boundaryless possibilities in time out of mind. Let the great ocean to our West symbolizing water metaphorically rise in waves of welcome to receive his ashes. Grant that emotions of his family will be expressed in joy rather than sorrow as they remember his many gifts to them. May Jay’s practice of the Giveaway be continued through the generations of Watson’s to come. In this completion Medicine Circle may Jay rejoice in the experiences and learning on this plane as he travels through the tunnel of introspection and garners strength for his most sacred journey. Let us remember the softness of Fall today when all is turned to golden rays and gently, gently releases. When we look to the stars above tonight may we observe Jay’s star shining brightly announcing his safe passage and infinite connection with family and friends. We offer this cedar to Great Spirit for purification of the soul and healing energies for Jay’s transition journey.
Spirits of the North, ancestors, wisdom connectors, Jay’s personal ancestors (Cherokee Grandmother Althea Buzzard, Parents Cordelia and Earl, Little Sister Joanne, Daughter Debbie) and the spirit of all his relations, midnight time of darkness, honor this grandson, son, husband and father as he comes full circle and returns home. Prepare a place for him in the grand Medicine Circle that his learning and council will be added to the spirit voices who guide our Earth journeys. May he be cleansed, purified and renewed as he travels this white road. White Buffalo, bearer of peace, we call on you to fulfill this promise for the spirit of Jay Watson as he journeys to the Sky Beings. You who bridge the worlds and serve as mystic messenger gift Jay’s family members and friends the treasure of his words, art, paintings and life that he may become One Who is Remembered with Joy! Let the mountains that stand around us remind us today of the strength and peace that Jay experienced in his connection all of the kingdoms who inhabit Earth. May a soft blanket of metaphoric snow make gentler this passage and may we hear in the stillness prayers of peace. Ancestors welcome your son as he joins the great circle and ease his sorrow for those he leaves behind. Allow both sides to feel the infinite threads of connection that can never be broken. May we hear in the wind the drums of welcome as Jay begins his Spirit Dance in freedom. We offer this sweetgrass to Great Spirit that Jay’s reunion will be filled with joy and bliss.
Spirits of the South, faith protectors, guardians of innocence, energies of the high noon sun, spirit of fire burn brightly as we celebrate this memorial of a life well lived in your earth son Jay Watson. Let the intensity of the heat serve as energy of release and transformation sending Jay’s boldest Warrior Spirit to the heavens to accept the shield of Oneness. Coyote, the clown and trickster, let Jay and all who knew him remember the laughter shared in the dance of life and all of the humorous situations that strengthened the bonds of friendship and family. Playful Dolphin, who communicates with both worlds, let there be joyful messages sent and received this day. Magic of youth and innocence keep vibrant the memories of Jay’s joy of life in all his relations that they may each day choose to celebrate life and embrace the moment. As the season of Summer gathers rays of sunlight may stories shared in these days of remembering Jay Watson serve to lighten any darkness and illuminate this passage. Jay’s life was filled with creativity and exuberance, may all whose lives he touched pay forward these gifts that his energies and influence will be extended on this earth. Allow all present to be nurtured and comforted through growth, trust and love. Spirits of the south who guard and foster the inner child permit Jay’s most child like spirit to dance with us in this completion circle today that we may release him in wonder and gratitude. We offer this Sage to Great Spirit to absolve anything that does not serve the spirit of celebration today.
Father Sky Above who gifts us the sun, moon & stars, the clouds, rain, thunder-beings, rainbows, and all the symbols of Light which remind us of our origins, shine brightly upon us today that we may find peace and express joy with this passage. Let us acknowledge the Divine Masculine principal that gifts us the tools of courage, adventure, risk and fortitude to applaud Jay’s new adventure. As we would praise others who quest into realms of the unknown and unexplored, so let us send our intention for Jay Watson’s new odyssey and ascension. Let us lift our heads to scan the skies and observe a new winged-one soaring in complete freedom high above us and send our most lofty thoughts for his flight. When we next see a rainbow may we acknowledge its symbol of hope and see the blending of all realms in its rays of promise and remember this spirit we knew as Jay Watson.
Mother Earth below, giver of all abundance and good on this walk receive the body of one who blessed his connection with all the realms, animal, mineral, plant, and human. Jay Watson, your son, revered and nurtured all things. He paid tribute through his art to the elements and magical kingdoms as symbols of spiritual power. Bless his passage here. Let us acknowledge the Divine Feminine principal that gifts us tools for giving and receiving love and the ability to create, nurture, procreate and craft our lives. Let us bend down and touch the ground to connect with earth Jay loved.
Spirit within, place of Divine connection and Love, place of ultimate truth, as we place our hand over our heart, let us feel deeply connected with the power of Love. May we make a commitment here today to practice more self-love that we too will offer our love to strangers as Jay did. Grant that we may be more patient, caring, understanding, forgiving, accepting and unconditional in bestowing our affections. As we close our eyes and see the golden pink flame of Divine Love let us remember Jay Watson.
Jay had an affinity and respect for animals. He could become the soaring hawk and see through hawk’s eyes all of the wonder of Earth. He cherished animals and went out of his way to conserve and protect them. He loved the plant kingdom and captured its beauty in his art. His love of people and commitment to their growth was expressed in many ways.
Jay Watson believed in living in the moment and expressing caring in the now. He did not postpone his affections for a more convenient time or place but rather spontaneously expressed his affection. Jay enjoyed celebrating life, was full of joy and always ready to party!
Openness was important to him and he found it most important to show and tell friends and family how he felt about them in the now because tomorrow might be too late. People who worded hard and did their best impressed him. From U.S. Presidents to laborers, Jay’s friends were acquired through admiration of their character and not their acquisitions or ’position.’
Jay lived by a philosophy he called “instant love.” He taught his children by example. He once observed an elderly lady struggling with travel arrangements in an airport. Touched by her frustration, he went to the onsite florist and purchased a bouquet of roses and had them delivered to her anonymously. He delighted in her joy as he watched from a distance. In Mexico when a hardworking busboy admired his onyx and silver cuff links, Jay instantly gifted them to the stunned young man. Over the years of the ensuring friendship, Fidencio rose from busboy, to waiter, to captain, headwaiter and to club manager.
Art was Jay’s life and his gift. Admire his work and it was yours. From early childhood Jay drew, painted with oils and watercolors and crafted Native American artifacts such as shaman sticks, prayer wheels and power symbols to honor his Cherokee heritage. He loved the Southwest whose scenery, adobes, cacti and mountains he captured.
Tall in physical stature, Jay Watson was equally tall in spirit. His booming voice and western friendliness, “Hi I’m Jay Watson” will be remembered by the many lives he touched.
Jay lived his life to the fullest as a grand celebration.
See now the Golden Pink of flame of love growing within you sending healing energy throughout every cell of your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Expand that light to everyone gathered here today through your thoughts and intention. Send the Light throughout planet Earth and upwards to the heavens connecting with Jay Watson’s spirit and then with all the strands of Essence that every have been or will be.
Spirits of the East we return full circle in this day of remembering Jay. We release the Spirits of the East, West, North and South and all our relations in celebration of his life on Earth and his new life in the Infinite Tribe of Oneness. May light, peace, love, consciousness and harmony bless you all.
Let us hold this place of love and affection as we form a circle, holding hands, to send Jay’s spirit off in high celebration and song.
