Spotted Sacred

    In my Astronomy class, we were recently taught the Geocentric model of the Universe. Our earth was believed to be at the center, with the sun, moon, stars, and planets circling around us perfectly. (With the wandering planets making small circles of their own.) My teacher explained that once the Heliocentric model came along, people argued that the Geocentric model made more sense for God. After all, circles are perfect, and so is God. (The debate about it just being an egotistical perception is a separate discussion.)

    It leads me to wonder how they might have regarded Spotted Lake then (though I must disclaim that not all of the spots are perfectly circular). This gorgeous lake is located in Canada, near Osoyoos. (I just had to get that in there; that name is seriously amazing.) Though I suspect it probably would have agreed with all the circle fanatics because spotted lake is just made up of them. A plethora of circles if you will.

Photo Credit

    In fact, Indian tribes did regard the lake as holy. It was regarded for healing properties. Even in the throes of tribal war, in an act of desperation, or maybe even a touch of compassion amidst such a striking affair, the tribes signed a truce for their soldiers. Warriors from both tribes were allowed to go to the lake to soak themselves in the sacred waters. What a sight it must have been to have seen the wounded drag themselves, or be carried by others, to the relief of the pools. Being lowered to the water; perhaps cringing in pain as the salt touched their sores, praying to their Great Spirit, their God; begging for the hurt to be removed, to let them alone, to let them live.

    This special lake is formed from minerals building up in the water. With the heat of the sun, the excess water dissipates into the atmosphere, wafting away to fall somewhere else. Pathways are left exposed between the pooled water, providing a systems of walkways to each unique pool. It is as if the water itself is saying, You are welcome to bathe in my waters, to be healed, and cleansed, and made whole. I have left you a path to come. The waters hold soft shades of greens, yellows, and blues according to the minerals they detain. They speak of green grass, yellow sunshine, and a hopeful sky. 

Photo Credit

    Today the lake is fenced off to the world. It was once considered to be turned into a health spa, but instead was sold back to the Indians, who begged for the respected land to be theirs once again. A part of me wants to weep for the neglected water, when it was once used so fondly in faith. Yet, would it not be a greater tragedy to see it commercialized and degraded in such a mundanely unrespected way. It’s beauty however beats on and snags the hearts of passer bys, who risk parking on the side of the highway to glimpse its splendor, and capture a picture of its serenity. 

References:

"Spotted Lake Osoyoos BC - Okanagan Vacation Guide." Okanagan Vacation Guide. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://www.okanaganvacationguide.com/spotted-lake.html>.

"Spotted Lake near Osoyoos BC Canada." Okanagan Valley Guide. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://www.okanagan-valley-guide.com/spotted-lake.html>.

"Spotting the Spotted Lake." Spot Cool Stuff Travel RSS. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://travel.spotcoolstuff.com/canada/osoyoos-bc/spotted-lake-klikuk>.

"Spotted Lake, Canada." Spotted Lake, Canada. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/01/spotted-lake-canada.html>.

"Spotted Lake, British Columbia, Canada Vacation Info - Lakelubbers." Lakelubbers. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://www.lakelubbers.com/spotted-lake-1064/>.

"Osoyoos - The Healing Spotted Lake of Canada | Oddity Central - Collecting Oddities." Oddity Central Collecting Oddities. 6 Apr. 2010. Web. 10 Oct. 2015. <http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/osoyoos-canadas-spotted-lake.html>.