Native Wish Bone Sticks
Chester Thorne hired Native American labor to help construct the Thornewood Estate between 1907 and 1911. Following their traditions, these Native American workers cut and hung numerous "wish bone sticks" (our term) around the foundation walls in the basement during construction.
In their tradition, these help protect from evil spirits and bring good fortune to the house in the future, as well as provide protection to the workers.
We (the Robinsons) are the fifth owners of Thornewood. None of the previous owners before us touched these, instead leaving these original wish bone sticks hanging in place. We will as well.
2004 Smudging Ceremony
Rayna and Bob Bearclaw (pictured right) were our guests during the last week of October, 2004. Upon hearing about these above-mentioned wish bone sticks, they offered to perform a smudging ceremony to renew, or recharge, these original wish bone sticks.
Explanation given by Rayna and Bob Bearclaw:
“White sage and cedar are burned and the smoke is then fanned over the object with eagle and hawk feathers. This is to cleanse, purify, and bless objects, homes, and people. It works to lift and dispel negativity and darkness, similar to lifting a burr off an animal’s fur. In the same manner, we as humans sometimes allow and engage depression, negative thoughts, despair and the weight of daily rigor to stick to us and weigh us down. This ceremony helps us to actively dislodge these encumbrances and frees us to once again allow the positive forces and light to renew our spirit."