Hair as a spiritual expression.

A friend saw me one day when my hair was not tied up, it was free and flowing. Most days I wear it put up in a tail.  Someday, soon, I intend to braid it.  Braiding ones hair has spiritual significance, braiding shows one is tied to the earth and to all of ones relatives (all creatures of the earth and sky.)  Braiding is not done simply for a fashion statement.  It is as the catholics would say "a sign of inner and outer spiritual reality."

The way it was told to me hair is sacred.  Hair represents our thoughts and how we wear it is an expression of our souls.  When we wear hair free and flowing, we are flowing with the wind and with the spirit.  

Before they were conquered, Cherokee men shaved their heads as young men, and did not grow it long again until they became elders.    Only God makes one an an elder.  Becoming an elder was a spiritual transformation, not chronological progression.  Sometimes, the elders would have to tell a man that he was ready, if he was one of those that did not hear God.  Women did not cut their hair except on special occasions.  Women are holy.  Elders are holy.  Hair is holy.  

But today many have adopted the practice of other American Indians of only cutting their hair at the time of a significant life transition.  After the death of a love one, the hair is cut, and then it is allowed to grow free.  Many consider cutting the hair an act of submission, thus wearing the hair long is saying "No" to colonialism.

Sweet grass is considered to be the hair of our Mother the earth.  Sweet grass dried and burned as incense permits us to inhale the holiness of earth.  Sweet grass can be braided, and tied with ribbons to symbolize a persons intentions and goals.