AIR

Air is spirit, the breath of life. Each time a breath is taken in, the spirit swell; each time a breath is exhaled it goes on to be inhaled by another living being, a plant, an animal another human.  Where is the breath that was inhaled two months ago? True spirit is found in the silence between voice and drum or between drum beats when Air suspends all thoughts for a second and The Great Mystery speaks. Air also gathers itself and warns of impending change (tornado, hurricanes, thunderbirds); humans should take note when this occurs. Air carries the visions and dreams to the heart where they rest and wait to be acknowledged. Air connects The Great Mystery with all living beings in both the seen and unseen worlds. Air is life, Air is healing, air allows the spirit to soar and carry prayers to Great Mystery.

Teaching from Air: "If you think you cannot feel Spirit, say the word "HOPE" - breathe the 'H', peaceful air surround that consonant. As long as you breathe there is hope, as long as you breathe there is spirit, for I am around you, in you. Keep me clean so that I can continue you sustain you."

AURORA BOREALIS (Northern Lights)
AURORA AUSTRALIS (Southern Lights)

Aurora Borealis surrounds the northern magnetic pole; it produces an ionosphere when atomic particles strike and excite atoms which causes the northern world to dance in exotic and mystical ways. The Northern Lights are constantly in motion because of the changing interaction between the solar wind and the earth's magnetic field.

Aurora Australis  seen as a luminous halo of light around the south magnetic pole. On rare occasions both poles simultaneously bathe the Earth Mother in light. 

First Nations Explanation

'White' Raven burst from the mountains into a darkened world. He was constantly banging into mountains, trees and falling into the great waters because he could not see where he was going. Raven also noted that the humans were also having trouble seeing.  Being kind of nature, and  the quintessential problem-solver of the Pacific Northwest coast, Raven set about figuring out how he could help himself and the humans.  Well, there is a long saga about the adventures he and his human twin brother, Raven Watcher experienced while trying to find light, Ms Thunderbird will tell it to you sometime.  Suffice it to say, that they eventually found the light, but while trying to escape, Raven flew up through the smoke hole of Father Sky's house, and as a result became covered in soot and smoke; most of his beautiful cloak of white feathers was permanently changed to shimmering black. He escaped over the North Pole and flew in a complete circle around the world, all the while frantically trying to rid himself of the black colour. As he sped over the North Pole, the lights danced off his feathers each time he shook himself and shards of dancing light cascaded everywhere.  

Raven then thought if he flew very straight and very fast, the black feathers would simply 'peel' off his body.  It didn't work;  by the time he flew around the South Pole, he was so frustrated that he started to shake himself again, but by this time he was tired and very little in the way of dancing colour fell from his body; Raven finally gave up. It didn't take him long to admire his new mysterious, black 'rakish' look and to think himself quite the handsome fellow. To this day, the celestial dance of Aurora Borealis is one of the reminders of how Raven brought light to the world. 

There us much difference between the two explanation is there? The Native Storytellers had a true and profound understanding of the world they lived in so many thousands of years ago.

FIRE

Coyote was passing by a human village when he heard the women singing a song of mourning for the babies and the old ones who had died in the cold winter. Coyote knew that the Fire Beings lived atop a mountain and kept the fire to themselves, jealously guarding it for fear that the humans might acquire it and become as strong as they. Coyote saw that he could do a good turn for the humans at the expense of the selfish Fire Beings. He noted that, except for early in the morning there was only one sleepy guard on duty. Coyote waited and watched; he quickly dashed forward grabbing a burning ember and raced away; there were many adventures with the fire beings giving chase. Coyote eventually managed to bring the fire to the humans who were now able to live in warmth.

Teaching from Fire: "I symbolizes the heart of The People.  I am present at all ceremonies in one form or another, from smoke in a smudge bowl or pipe carrying prayers to Great Mystery, to the blazing fire at a Sun Dance or Feast. I cleanse the spirit. I heat the Grandfathers (rocks) before they are placed in a sweatlodge. My smoke carries your prayers to Great Mystery. I cleanses sacred items before ceremonial use (drums, shakers, pipes) because I represents cleansing and renewal, for out of the ashes comes new growth, new thoughts, rebirth of ideas and new ways of being; the plant world regenerates itself in a healthy way from the ashes of the old.  

I am a Messenger and a gift from Great Mystery. When I am in ceremony I should never be extinguished manually, but allowed to dance until I decide it is time to go to sleep. All My Relations." 

He Walks All Over the Sky (The Sun, Moon, and Stars) Tsimshian Story

Back in the long ago when the sky was completely dark, there was a chief who had two sons, a younger son, One Who Walks All Over the Sky, and an older son, Walking About Early. The younger son was sad to see the sky always so dark, so he made a mask out of wood and pitch (the Sun) and lit it on fire. 

Each day he travelled across the sky. At night he slept below the horizon, and when he snored sparks flew from the mask and made the stars. The older brother became jealous. To impress their father he smeared fat and charcoal on his face (the Moon) and made his own path across the sky.

MILKY WAY

Science:  The Milky Way is a spiral, a family of 150 billion stars.  Our Sun is but one of these stars - two-thirds of the way from the centre and orbiting the galactic centre once every 225 million years. The heart of the Milky Way - choked with gas and dust - seethes with energy.  Distances within our galaxy, and beyond, are measured in light years - the distance travelled by light in one year.  The disk of the Milky Way is 100,000 light years across.  Our Solar System lies 30,000 light years from the galactic centre.

First Nations: In the beginning there was only darkness and people kept bumping into each other. Fox said that people on the other side of the world had plenty of light but were too greedy to share it. Possum went over there to steal a little piece of the light. He found the Sun hanging in a tree, lighting everything up. He took a tiny piece of the Sun and hid it in the fur of his tail. The heat burned the fur off his tail. That is why possums have bald tails. Buzzard tried next. He tried to hide a piece in the feathers of his head. That is why buzzards have bald heads. Grandmother Spider tried next. She made a clay bowl. Then she spun a web (Milky Way) across the sky reaching to the other side of the world. She snatched up the whole sun in the clay bowl and took it back home to our side of the world. (Cherokee)

Mediik (Grizzly Bear) gave a great yawn and started nosing around for food.  He had slept a long time and was not very hungry.  Without realizing what he was doing his wanderings took him to the base of the high mountains; he looked up and saw a vast sky. Thinking the sky would be good hunting he slowly began to climb.  The higher he climbed the closer he came to the snow and ice  that were blanketing the top of the mountain. Ice pellets and snow soon became attached to his fur; it made the climb more difficult. Eventually, Mediik finally made it to the sky and started ambling across it; his body began to warm up and fur began quite hot as the sun gazed down at him.  The ice and snow fell off forming a huge cloud - it became the Milky Way. (Tsimshian)

Teaching from the Milky Way. "My Red children also call me Wolf Road. Wolf is the teacher and protector of family. I stands strong in the confidence of my own knowledge and howl my messages to all who choose to hear me. I live within special clouds. They are your consciousness which sometimes can be shrouded in uncertainty and confusion. When my light of realization and understanding is upon you, you will emerge into the starlight of your own wisdom and knowledge. See me, hear me, walk on my road to peace and enlightenment."

MOON
Women's monthly cycles are in tune with the cycles of Grandmother Moon. Women were given a gift by The Creator -- that of 'birthing' the world --this is the  essence of feminine power -- Creation, Creativity and the womb. Grandmother Moon is a constant reminder of this important lesson and reminds women to walk softly on Mother Earth. Grandmother Moon is also the balance for her mate, Grandfather Sun and vise versa. The Moon and the Sun are powerful lessons on the sacredness and importance of balance and harmony among all living things. Go and bask in the full glory of the milk of the moon.

Story: The Raven is said to have released the Moon into the sky. The stars are pieces of the Moon that flung off when Raven threw it into the sky. An eclipse was said to be a Codfish trying to swallow the Moon. In order to prevent this, a bonfire was set with green boughs to add smoke. As people danced ceremonially around the fire, thick smoke rose to the sky causing the codfish to cough and spit out the Moon. When the people saw the Moon appear at the edge of the mountain they would drum to bring the Moon higher into the sky. (Haida)

  PHASES OF THE MOON  - When there was an eclipse or the Moon changed its shape, the Kwakwaka'wakw thought it was a giant codfish; its great mouth was trying to swallow the moon. Most often The People would light fires and as they danced the smoke from the fire would choke Codfish and make him spit out the moon.

Teaching from Grandmother Moon:  "I am the mother of all the water. I watch over it, weep for it as slowly it is being destroyed by the avarice of humans. I control all female life. It is my cycles that control a woman's menstrual (cleansing) cycle and the cycles of all water life. It is woman, on my behalf who must watch over Mother Earth's waters. This is a sacred trust and my sister, Mother Earth is crying to be heard. Listen."

RAINBOW

Science: Traditional rainbow is sunlight spread out into its spectrum of colors and diverted to the eye of the observer by water droplets. The "bow" part of the word describes the fact that the rainbow is a group of nearly circular arcs of color all having a common center.

First Nations: Sun Cloud was very sad.  He had fallen in love with a beautiful dancing star but somehow she always remained just out of reach. He thought about how he could make himself bigger. Sun Cloud took a deep breath and tried to expand himself so that he could surround her. He felt himself grow wider and taller.  He waited for the Star to appear; he could hold on any longer and let his breath go; Dancing Star was caught up in the whirlwind of Sun Cloud's breath; his tears of despair at not being able to capture her and her brilliant light formed the first rainbow. (Tsimshian) 

Teaching: "See my glorious colours. I am an uplifting sign of rejuvenation, positive energy and beauty. Stand in the light of your own inner rainbow where there are no shadows and elevate yourself and when you do, Mother Earth's heartbeat grows stronger."

STAR NATION

There are different opinions about the stars. Some say they are balls of light, others say they are human, but most people say they are living creatures covered with luminous fur or feathers. They are kind and gentle souls who bring laughter and brightness to a sad world.  Sometimes they explode in a fiery dance, other times they lead lost souls back to their homes.

DANCING STARS - The Leonid Meteor shower in 1833 was duly recorded by the Lakota; the Maricopa used calendar sticks with notches to represent the passage of a year. The owner of one stick claimed records had been kept that way "since the stars fell." The first notch on his stick represented 1833; A member of the Papago, named Kutox, was born around 1847 or 1848. He claimed that 14 years prior to his birth "the stars rained all over the sky."

Teaching from the Star Nation:  "Look up, look up, I guide you to where you need to be. Climb your mountain, do not be afraid, courage and determination are within you. You need only listen to your inner song and know you can climb the highest of mountains and triumph. When you can travel no more and you walk to your day of quiet, you will become a star and shine where everyone can see you - you shall become a celestial Inukshuk to guide all livings things on earth and in Father Sky. All My Relations."

SUN

Once the world was in darkness; Raven kept falling into trees and banging into mountains because he could not see; he was also disturbed because the darkened world belonged to the ghost people and humans were dying from hunger and thirst because they could not see where they were going.  Through a series of escapades Raven was finally able to steal the sun from Grandfather Sky who had selfishly kept it hidden in a box. Raven made his escape through the smoke hole of Grandfather Sky's house, and fling it up into the sky.  Most of the ghost people were incinerated by the Sun's light, although a few managed to escape and return from time to time to haunt us with their displeasure; the people were happy they could see.

Teaching: "I am the sustainer of all life on earth. I control the cycles of men. I protect the world with my life-giving energy. I work in concert with my mate Grandmother Moon. Father Sky and Mother Earth are also integral parts of my celestial circle -- the four of us create Great Mystery's most powerful and sacred quaternity." 

THUNDERBIRD
(Thumbnail - Painting by Ms Thunderbird)

In the world of Indigenous people, Thunderbird is a symbol of power, strength and nobility and a special envoy of Great Mystery. Even the classic automobile has been reintroduced to honour the great power. Ms Thunderbird is often asked if she's named after the car! She suggests that because her Ancestors were here first, the car was named after her and that's her story and she's sticking to it!

Thunderbird's normal role is to act on behalf of those who are weaker than himself. He is unafraid to challenge greater powers than himself, although they are few and far between (Mother Earth and Father Sky being two of them), and to assist The People with their everyday lives. He is rather reclusive and prefers not to have anyone near his home which is high up in the mountains. If people come to close, he sends huge shards of ice and snow tumbling down the mountains (avalanches).  Also, in his need for solitude he surrounds himself often with great darkness and fog so he cannot be seen.

Science explains Thunder as a sound that follows a flash of lightning, caused by the sudden heating and expansion of air by electrical discharge. A gifted Native Storyteller would offer a more vivid, yet similar explanation which, again, shows the close relationship between modern scientific enquiry and the deep knowledge held by Turtle Island's ancient peoples.

Pacific Northwest version: Thunderbird is the most powerful of all the mythical creatures. He is a majestic presence; under his huge wing span are two shards of lightening each with the head of a snake.  When Thunderbird blinks his red eyes, lightening flashes, when he moves his giant wings the air rolls messages of impending change(s) across the sky; the wind and rain follow to implement the change(s) and cleanse Mother Earth. It also reminds humans to not be afraid to acknowledge the changes coming in their lives; it is always better to step forward with courage to meet those changes, rather than cower in a corner and wait for things to happen. Thunderbird is powerful energy and medicine that 'demands that humans listen to the rhythms of the Earth Mother and to their own inner rhythms. 

Science explains Lightning as a flash of light in the sky caused by the discharge of atmospheric electricity from one cloud to another or between a cloud and the earth. It originates some 20,000 feet above sea level and makes its way toward the earth in a series of 'steps', hence its unique shape.

Pacific Northwest version: Thunderbird rose from his sleep and started to makes his way across the sky. He was surrounded by soft clouds.  He shook his huge wings to wake himself up with a rumbled song. Under his wings the two lightning snakes that were also asleep roused themselves and looked around. A flash of red fire was seen as Thunderbird blinked his eyes. At the same time they felt the shudder of the huge wing span as Thunderbird jerked his body and sent the lightning snakes flashing towards earth. Grandfather Sky lit up with the spiral flow of their journey and the message was received by those who chose to see and hear it.

When Thunderbird was hungry he ate whales and otters. Thunderbird grasped the two Lightning Snakes under its wings and threw them down onto a surfacing whale. Thunderbird then swooped down and picked it up in its talons and flew with it to the mountains to devour it. Knowing of its skill in striking whales, a whale hunter would paint a Lightening Snake on his canoe, and then paint over the image so it would not be seen by the whale so it wouldn't be scared away. The mere power of its presence on the canoe would aid the hunter to make a strike.  

Story: One day, Killer Whale swam into a bay and the Salmon were frightened away. Soon the people began to starve and called out to the Thunderbird for help. The Thunderbird swooped down, grabbed the Killer Whale and carried him far out to  sea. The Salmon returned and the people were no longer hungry. Thus the Thunderbird was known as a protector of the people and deeply revered.  In return for his help, The People agreed to honour Thunderbird at there ceremonies and make him one of their highest crests. This is not to say that Orca, another very powerful spirit did not battle hard. It is said that on one memorably occasion Thunderbird and Orca fought so hard the thunder from their battle caused many trees to shatter and fall, which explains the treeless areas near the coastal mountains.

Story: Thunderbird flew around the moon. It was one of those crisp nights when the warm months were waning to a time of rest for Mother Earth. The silver Grandmother was not full, because part of her was hidden, resting and waiting for its time to shine.  Parts of her needed to rest each cycle because her job was demanding. Thunderbird was restless feeling a need to be free from the dark thoughts that had been crowding his mind. He was worried about The People. They were fighting among themselves, not treating each other in a good way, raising fists in anger and voices in rage. They were not listening to him even though he could be very, very loud. He knew the Earth Mother was also sad at this turn of events because  hate, disrespect and jealousy had not been built into the original world. He looked at the silver Grandmother and heard a voice. "Do not fear, my son for there will come a time when the bonds that hold The People in this dark void will fall away and once more they will dance into the light of understanding and enchantment. Continue to send them your rumbling messages of care and protection. They need you and will hear you in their time." Thunderbird was content that his job had been reaffirmed.

Teaching: "Listen to my song. I speak when the weather is warm. I bring lightning, ride it to a more enlightened consciousness. I bring change to the world, to individual life. Listen to my song for I carry the history of your people. Listen to my song, we are in the seventh fire and great change is coming. Listen." 

WATER

"Before the earth was created, a vast expanse of water existed where many birds and animals lived and swam. In the Skyland above the waters, where the ancient Chief and his people lived, grew the Great Tree that bore fruits and flowers of all types......"

This is how many Indigenous Creations stories begin.  In other words, the beginning of the world was assumed as far as air and water were concerned.  The Tsimshian people, for example, do not have any creation stories that talk about how the universe came to be, how air and water came into existence - they were simply always there. However there are exceptions:

LAKOTA
There was another world before this one. But the people of that world did not behave themselves. Displeased, Original Creator (Wakan Tanka) decided to make a new world. Wakan Tanka sang several songs to bring rain, which poured stronger with each song. By the fourth song, the earth split apart and water gushed up through the many cracks, causing a flood. By the time the rain stopped, all of the people and nearly all of the animals had drowned. Only Kangi the crow survived.

NAVAJO
The people traveled through four worlds before climbing a reed growing from the bottom of the Lake of Changing Waters to this present world.

TSIMSHIAN TEACHING:

"I tumble and I roll
Your tears clear the soul
I bring rain to clean the land
I breathe and you live another day
I am indivisible as air

I am lakes, rivers, streams and brooks
I am wetlands, swamps, lagoons, and pools
I am watersheds, waterfalls, seas and oceans
I am liquid magic
I am liquid magic

I am clear, I am clean, I am soothing
I am ice and clouds and sleet and snow
I am darkness, thickness. waves and motion
I am warm, I am cold, I am female
You cannot live without me
I am liquid magic."

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