SACRED SYMBOLS AND THEIR MEANINGS
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May all
who enter rest in peace and safety beneath my wings
"They
say we have been here for 60,000 years, but it is much longer. We have been here
since the time before time begin. We have come directly out of the Dreamtime of
the Creative Ancestors. We have lived and kept the earth as it was on the First
Day."
"The following sacred symbols have sustained Turtle Island's Indigenous for thousands of years. They offer health and healing and when used correctly and in the spirit of the Old Ones, knowledge, healing and emotional wellness can be profound. For this is the way of it....all my relations." (Thnderbird)
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Indigenous attitudes toward animals was quite different from the Europeans. The Northwest coast peoples, for example, considered all fish, birds and land and sea mammals similar to human beings but with varying degrees of supernatural power. All of them were very powerful 'transformation figures' capable of taking human form; or better, they possessed a human form, and assumed their other forms when consorting with humans. The killer-whale for example was a canoe in which his human form was accustomed to traveling; There were salmon people, herring people and grizzly bear people. Buffalo was descended from White Buffalo Calf Woman, according to the Lakota. In Native stories frequent references was given to a time when animals were humans, gifted with the power of speech and other human attributes. The People believed that animals had souls which were immortal and they were reborn after death. Animals were considered the equals of humans in general intelligence, and to surpass humans in the particulars for which the animal in question was especially noted. For example, Eagles fly the highest of all living beings, and to have eyesight that can see into the soul. The Haudensaunee call Eagle, 'Principle Messenger of the Creator'.
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DREAMCATCHER Anishinabe and Haudenosaunee symbol. If hung over your bed your bad dreams are filtered through the web and dissipate into the Universe; your good dreams remain caught in the web. Thunderbird thinks it is a shame to lose some of those bad dreams because those are the teaching dreams, and they have presented themselves because there are teachings and messages that need to be listened to. There is another school of thought that reverses the process by capturing the bad dreams and allowing the good ones ones to fly free. Thunderbird likes this version better, but maybe it is because she is a Traditional Teacher. However, whatever the choice, Dreamcatchers works wonders with restless children who have not yet learned about the teachings. STORY: It was a hot August day and Grandmother was sitting making snowshoes for her grandson. The summer was the preparation time for the long winter ahead. Her grandson came to visit her and told her that one day he was going to be a great hunter. She smiled and listened to the young one brag about his great exploits. All of a sudden he said, "Grandmother, Grandmother, don't move, many legs hangs above you and is about to strike, I am a great hunter and will kill it and destroy the web." Grandmother immediately cautioned the boy, "No, No, son, Many Legs is a great healer and teacher and weaves her teachings in her web. You must not kill her. Go out and play now." The young boy scampered off and Grandmother continued to work on the snowshoes. "You have done well, Grandmother," a soft voice spoke above her head. "You have saved me and understood my life. Listen and I will teach you how to make a web so that your dreams will be forever woven into the fabric of your life." At Many leg’s instruction Grandmother also wove a beautiful blue stone into the web as a symbol of Father sky and the dreams that lay with the universe. Grandmother gathered willow together and made a circle, it was not a perfect circle because Many Legs had advised her that each individual life would not be perfect. In other words, life is as you dream it. So dream good dreams.
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It was the Haudenosaunee who first introduced the idea of Eagle being the Principle Messenger of the Creator. Since then, it is now a universally accepted principle. Eagle flies the closest to Great Mystery and, therefore, can see the past, present and future at a glance. She sees the flow of change. She alerts us to the changes so that we can respond appropriately. Eagle is the great illuminator and soars above us all, sometimes out of sight to us, but never out of its own sight. Eagle sees and hears all and sits in the east on the Medicine Wheel with the Elders and the direction of wisdom and guidance. In other words, Eagle is connected both to the spirit of the Great Mystery and to the Earth and does both with ease. Eagle, therefore, is a powerful symbol of courage; that is why its feathers are such powerful tools for healing, and why there are special ceremonies for Eagle feathers. Eagle teaches us that it is okay to combine wisdom and courage -- it is okay to be wise enough to know that a change needs to be made in one's life and then finding the courage to execute the change. It is okay to gather our courage, for the universe presents us with opportunities to soar above the mundane levels of life; the test is the power to recognize opportunities. Do not, in other words, be afraid of the unknown. Embracing wisdom and courage means to fly above life's difficulties and smell tobacco from the sacred pipes!
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At the root of all Native teachings, lies in the reverence for the land. Noo Halidzoks (Mother Earth) gave the Red People a special gift of Turtle Island (North America): They were charged with the responsibility of being Caretakers of this vast land and were given much wisdom and knowledge as regards its care and preservation. As an Elder once said, "We are the environment and the environment is us. We deal with all of nature as equal members of the universal family. We go to the mountain, we go into the mountain, we become the mountain - never trying to overcome it, but always being part of its energy." There was a fundamental misunderstanding in the early dialogues between First Nations people and the Europeans who sought to purchase their land. The Indigenous Ancestors were mystified by such negotiations because the land was not something to be bought and sold. The land was the lifeblood of The People; its inherent sacredness lived in the souls of every member of the Red Race. It was to be kept in a good way, nourished and loved. In the words of Chief Sealth (also known as Seattle), "How can I sell what I do not own. It is only owned by that which created it in the first place." The rest as they say is history, as the land was then simply taken from the First Peoples, and quickly became a marketable commodity by which great riches could be gained. As humans we need to look around and inside of ourselves and learn from this. It was never the intention of Noo Halidzoks for the land to have no meaning except for what it could bring monetarily. "we are no bigger than grains of sand. Yet everyone is so unique and so different that there are no two alike. Each little grain of sand holds its own vibration. That is the beautiful part of walking on this pathway - Nature is always speaking to us, always reconfirming, telling us to pay attention, we are here for you. Connect Nature's gifts with humans walking the earth walk in a good way and the vibrations can change to constructive energy." We need to embrace Noo Halidzoks with pureness, dignity, peace and constructive energy so that together we can save what is left of her. When we walk the walk with the twin elements of knowledge and courage, (knowledge of the importance of the Land to our living world, and courage to save it, all things are possible.
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For most Tribes, fire symbolizes the heart of The People. It is 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 Potlatch. Fire cleanses the spirit, it is used to heat the Grandfathers (rocks) before placing them in the pit of a sweatlodge; the smoke from the fire is used to send prayers to the Great Mystery; fire cleanses sacred items before ceremonial use (drums, shakers, pipes). Fire 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. Fire acts as a Messenger and is a gift from the Great Mystery. A ceremonial fire should never be extinguished manually, but allowed to dance until it decides it is time to go to its sleep. More
on Prophecies and Teachings
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The
Inukshuk has become the main cultural symbol of recognition for the
Inuit people and the Canadian North. It had a variety of meanings.
(a) It was a directional marker used by the Inuit to help with
navigation. (b) It was used as a memorial marker. (c) Warn of impending
danger particularly on open water. (d) It marked sacred space. The word
"Inukshuk' means "something that substitutes the actions of a person."
Often spelled "INUKSHUK", with the addition of an "H", the Inuit prefer
their way. The plural is "Inuksuit." It also means friendship, hope,
safety, protection. It is a beacon in the North, a welcome sight of
greeting. "I have always been here," it seems to say, "You are welcome
in my world." |
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Power or Medicine shields
were made by warriors as symbols of protection and strength in battle or
the hunt. Mostly associated with the Plains it was used as a protective
spirit and was usually adorned with the Warrior's spirit guide(s) and
other items of personal meaning, i.e., eagle feathers, animal fur. It
was believed that the shield would give the warrior great power by
allowing him to know in his visions where the enemy was located.
Nowadays, a shield can be made by anyone who needs to feel protected and
uplifted. It is a wonderfully healing activity to make one. |
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NATURAL WORLD and the number FOUR First Nations teachings bases itself on balance and harmony of all living things anchored by the four great directions on the Medicine Wheel - East, South, West, North. There are four main groups of living beings and within each direction and main group lies endless sacred symbols and teachings that are contained within and around the Medicine Wheel. As an Elder once said, the teachings on the medicine wheel will always exceed the grains of sand on a beach!
More on Medicine Wheel Teachings
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There are different kinds of pipes and different uses for them. There are personal pipes, family pipes as well as pipes for large ceremonies. NOTE: There really is no such thing as a Peace Pipe. The U.S. government sent representatives to The People with an understanding that the pipe would allow for peaceful land transactions because no Native person would lie once words were spoken in the presence of the pipe. (Note: It was never the Native people who lied!!) Afterwards, when the Europeans started using tobacco for financial gain, its use became corrupted and great sickness came to the world - the inevitable results when a gift is misunderstood and misused. The great sickness was also contained in several ancient prohecies.
When the bowl and stem of a Sacred Pipe are joined the pipe is considered to be a living entity. The pipe is a ritual object created to focus and alter the consciousness of the user. It has its reflection in the human body and in the Universe. The pipe is a cosmos unto itself uniting all dualities within Creation. The pipe, when joined, is a living being with energies coursing up and down its spine. Although the pipe represents one of the highest forms of Native spirituality, you do not have to be a pipe carrier to receive the messages from the universe or to live a sacred life.
WHAT
DOES THE BOWL REPRESENT?
WHAT
DOES THE STEM REPRESENT? BEGINNING THE PROCESS: Your intentions should be pure, peaceful and for the greater good. Keep negative and violent thoughts away. The purpose of smoking the pipe is to provide harmony, balance and wholeness. The pipe is not to be used as a vehicle for a self-indulgent wish list. Ego has no place here. JOINING THE PIPE: Before joining the pipe, the stem and bowl are laid on a ceremonial blanket or held in the right and left hands respectively. The stem is lifted to the stem hole in the bowl as if in greeting; the stem is then fitted into the bowl. If the pipe is being used in ceremony or prayer, it is normally turned away from the body with a one-quarter turn. HOLDING THE PIPE: The bowl of the pipe is held in the left hand (closest to the heart). The bowl is cradled gently in the open palm. The stem is held near the top generally with an overhand grip when a pipe ceremony leader is praying in public, and in an underhand, palm up, grip for private ceremony. LOADING THE PIPE: Native tobacco (Kinikinik made from natural herbs) is normally used, and each pinch that is inserted into the bowl means something. The reason tobacco is used is because its roots go deeply into the earth, and its smoke rises high into the heavens. The tobacco represents both the seen and unseen worlds, and the connections that every living being within these two realms have as a huge and cohesive group. For example, the flying, crawling, swimming beings; four and two-leggeds; Mother Earths blood (water), air, fire, earth, star nation, planets, Ancestors, Stone and Tree families, and on and on......They all meet inside the bowl in a peaceful dance. LIGHTING THE PIPE: The pipe should generally be lit with a wooden match or taper for it represents the fire of Creation meeting its children. (Thunderbird also believes in adapting to modern times and using the best the Europeans have to offer; long barbecue lighters work really well! She also thinks that if these lighters were available back in the day, her Ancestors would have happily used them because they would have invented them!) SMOKING THE PIPE: The pipe in the right hand should switch from an overhand to an underhand grip almost as if you are sipping water from the heel of the palm. The smoke is drawn down the stem and not inhaled. The smoke for a moment merges with the breath and at that moment, the sacred and the profane become one; it is then gently released into the air as a whole being and the smoke carries prayers and intentions to original Creator. When you have finished smoking, the right hand should return to an overhand grip and the pipe should be passed clockwise to the next person. PASSING THE PIPE: The pipe is nearly always passed in a clockwise direction representing the travel of the sun. The pipe is passed with an overhand grip on the stem and a careful cradling of the bowl. The pipe is received with two open, upward palms, and then the bowl is cradled in the left hand while the right hand closes over the stem in an overhand grip. POSTING THE PIPE: This means the pipe is set on an altar which could be a buffalo skull, 2 forked sticks, rock or ceremonial blanket. During the time the pipe is posted the conversation should remain spiritual. BREAKING THE PIPE: When the pipe ceremony is finished the pipe is taken apart by holding the bowl in the left hand and stem in the right. The ashes are returned to the earth and blessed. The stem is turned away from your body one quarter turn then pulled straight out of the bowl. When not in use, the two parts are usually stored separately. WHO ARE KEEPERS OF THE SACRED PIPE: Normally pipe carriers are those Native individuals who have been walking and talking their earth walk in a good way for many years, and who have accepted the responsibility that goes with such an onerous undertaking.
In these instances, the pipe has no essence, no power. If you purchased a pipe for yourself or someone else hang it on your wall, it has no spiritual value, and like Elvis, the Ancestors and all things magical and mystical have left the longhouse!
HOW DOES AN
INDIVIDUAL RECEIVE A PIPE? There are very serious ceremonies that are undertaken before a pipe is smoked or used in ceremony. It must become the property of the carrier and, therefore, there are rituals involved for that process. A pipe is normally received in three time-honoured ways and this is only after years of learning and walking the walk. (a) A legitimate Native Elder or Traditional Teacher who is a pipe carrier and who has earned the right to give pipes and who does NOT know you, yet has had at least four profound experiences about you (dreams, visions). (b) A legitimate Native Elder or Traditional Teacher who is a pipe carrier and who does know you and has had at least four profound experiences about you (dreams, visions). c) the pipe was inherited through the family and the current Native owner has "earned" the right to smoke it.
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PLANTS/FLOWERS/TREES
The Plant World generally symbolizes transformation
Four Sacred plants used for ceremonial and healing purposes are: Tobacco (East), Sage (South), Sweetgrass (West), Cedar (North) STANDING PEOPLE (TREES) Trees are regarded as the medicine people of the plant kingdom. They best represent the Warrior because trees are rooted and contained beings. They are stable yet flexible which allows them to bend in the wind but not break. Like trees, the warrior becomes rooted and contained, flexible and bending in the wind, yet stable. Trees symbolize the process of transformation: Roots are the past and how we honour our heritage and Ancestors; the trunk is the present; the branches are future goals.
Haudenosaunee people of the Great League of Peace were instructed to search for their roots under the Great Tree, which is the symbol of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the original five nations who chose to govern their people by peace. (Mohawk, Onandaga, Oneida, Seneca, Cayuga - later, Tuscarora). The Tree is the white pine with four roots extended to the four directions of the earth to embrace all people. The White Roots represent peace and strength. If any person or nation outside the Five Nations wishes to obey the Great Laws of Peace they may follow one of the great roots to the tree. If their minds are clean and they promise to obey the wishes of the Confederate Council, they are welcome to take shelter beneath the "Tree of the Long Leaves." The tree has the guardian bird, the eagle, perched on the top to warn the people. The eternal central sun, the source of all life lies beyond the tree.
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POWER ANIMALS/SPIRIT GUIDES/TOTEMS
A power animal (or Guardian Spirit) is one that has made itself known in dreams or visionquest at least four times, each time in a significant way. They are also ‘helping allies’ that assist during times of transition, growth, war, healing. Part of a person's individual medicine bundle should contain something from the natural world that represents the powerful spirit guides. From time to time they should be honoured with a feast and a special ceremony.
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RATTLE OR SHAKER Shakers imitate rain and tears. Tears of sadness are the parts of the soul that have been lost. Tears of joy are when the four realms of human existence unify (mind, body, emotions, spirit). Rattles are used for: soul retrieval; cleansing and purifying; visionary work. The rattle is asked through its sound for spiritual guidance. Rattles are used to softly and gently call ancestral spirits in case they are traveling and need time to return. The rattle calls softly to those in their long sleep and summons them respectfully for their assistance. The drum is not normally used to call The Ancestors lest they be awakened in a sudden, loud manner - they really hate that.
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RELATIONSHIP TO OUR ANCESTORS
First Nations Ancestors
were often accused of having a rather
Native people simply accepted that the essence of a person would remain an integral part of everyday life even though the physical body had been returned to the Earth Mother. As one Elder put it, "The relatives were simply living elsewhere. So why grieve extensively for those who have never left us? They are the first family members we call to ceremony, and they always come. They love a good get together". In most traditional ceremonies to this day, the Ancestors are usually at the top of the list to be called to the dance. It was simply unheard of to conduct a ceremony without the presence of the entire family, both Seen and Unseen.
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SMUDGE AND THE FOUR SACRED PLANTS Back in the time of spirit, ceremony and belief, Great Mystery gave to Turtle Island's Indigenous people four sacred plants. These medicines were meant to be used in prayer and for other peaceful purposes. When combined the smoke carried our prayers to Great Mystery. Today, what is often called a 'Sweetgrass Ceremony' opens many gatherings, powwows, meetings, conferences anywhere people are gathered together in a good way. The word 'smudge' is a bit of a slang term when describing the four plants as a group; 'smudging' means the action of fanning or pushing the smoke over you to create harmony mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
HOW TO SMUDGE: Place cedar, sage, sweetgrass into a clay bowl. Light it carefully and let the smoke start to rise, it carries your prayers to Great Mystery. Rub your hands in the smoke to cleanse them; scoop the smoke into your hands and bring it to your head, so you will think good thoughts - no anger, jealousy, hate; to the eyes so you will see the world around you in a good way; to the throat so you will speak always in kindness and in non-judgmental ways; to the heart so you feel connected to all living beings in a loving way; to the solar plexus so your emotions connect with the Earth Mother; Women to the womb, so your life giving energies go out into the world in balance and harmony. Finally under the feet, this way the dark side of your soul and the world will not follow in your footsteps. Ah, do you hear that? Listen carefully, for the Ancestors have awoken from their deep sleep and have come along with the spirit of the smudge. They are here to help you heal. As is the way with all things sacred, great respect must be given to the process of smudging for a relationship is being formed between you, the plant spirits, the Ancestors and Great Mystery. It is powerful and must be respected.
Over the years she has been given a number of these beautiful shells. She uses them to hold her healing rock crystals, or as a prayer bowl which contains the names of those who require healing, A simple, Clay bowl is her choice for smudging. For this is the way of it.....all my relations
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The Soul Catcher was used for healing work, not necessarily for use after the patient had gone to his/her day of quiet. In death, it was expected that the soul would leave and find its way to the light. There were other ceremonies to ensure this happened. The Tsimshian, Inuit, Tlingit Spirit Doctors used soul catchers as an important part of their healing work. Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are all intertwined as these make up the four realms of human existence. The four realms relied on a healthy spirit (soul) to anchor the other three parts. If the soul became lost while separated from the body during a dream, or was driven out by sorcery (either self-inflicted or by someone else), the body was now empty. A spirit doctor was engaged to find the lost soul, capture it in a soul catcher and restore it to the patient. Soul retrieval is a very complex and special ceremony. Once the soul was found, the Spirit Doctor then placed one end of the soul catcher near the solar plexus and blew the person’s spirit back into them. This prevented illness from invading the "empty" body. Loss of soul can also be considered a metaphor for some sort of mental or emotional breakdown. Note: 1: The term ‘Spirit Doctor’ in lieu of the term ‘Shaman’ is being used. 'Shaman' is a term that came from central Asia. There is no word in any Native language for the word ‘Shaman’. Note 2: The northern tribes also recognized sorcerers in their midst. These were often spirit doctors who had gone to the dark side of their own souls and who could inflict considerable damage on a person(s). Also, sorcery is also within each of us. The human condition has a bad habit of routinely driving itself into the dark void of the soul. Note 3: Soul Catchers were most often carved from the leg bone of a grizzly or brown bear. Because bear femurs were large, much bigger soul catchers could be created to plug the smoke hole of the healing house just in case the soul tried to make a premature getaway! Note 4: There were also 'plugs' made from cedar bark to plug the holes at either end of the soul catcher to hold the soul until it was blown back into the patient.
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MORE
ABOUT CEREMONIAL PROTOCOL -
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TALKING STICK & TALKING CIRCLES The
teaching of the Talking Stick is an exquisite example of the combined sacredness
of the Talking
Circle and the Five Codes of Ethics, in particular
Non-Interference and Anger Not be Shown. Whoever is holding the stick speaks their truth at that moment in their personal history, The role of the rest of the participants is to sit quietly and engage in active listening. No one else should interrupt while the person holding the Talking Stick is speaking. When the individual has finished speaking (however long that takes), the Talking Stick is handed to the next person in the circle. If the receiver chooses not to speak, she simply hands it to the next person until the Talking Stick has been passed to everyone participating. In this way each person has had the opportunity to Speak and to Listen. The Talking Stick does not have to be a fancy, beaded Stick, It can simply be something that has been found in nature that has personal meaning. Thunderbird's favourite items are, a ‘Talking Stone’, a wonderful round stone she found on the beach of Haida G’wai (Queen Charlotte Islands); A small, beautiful totem pole that was carved especially for her by a friend. Always remember that what is said in the circle remains there. THE CIRCLE: There are different kinds of Talking Circles and they generally start the same way. The convener opens the circle with a smudging ceremony and prayer. The convener usually sits in the East. If it is a 'mixed' circle, men sit in the north, women in the west, youth in the south. The Circle is NOT a debating society, it is not used as a dialogue between or among participants. The circle is to allow each person to speak their truth in a place of confidence and safety. All anger, jealousy, hate, anguish must be left outside the circle so that a feeling of calm, kinship and kindness can dominate the proceedings. The circle is symbolic of the Medicine Wheel where no one is more prominent than any other person, all are equal and there is no beginning and no end, so that all words spoken are accepted and respected on an equal basis. Each individual can speak for as long as she/h chooses, although if it is a large circle, the Convener will remind everyone of time and fatigue, particularly for older participants, such as Elders. Honesty, Truth, Courage, Wisdom, Humility, Honor, Trust, Respect, Love are the themes used as each person seeks to find balance, healing and harmony in their lives. SHARING/CARING CIRCLE. This is the most common circle. There is no common theme but rather a time of reflection where Individuals come together and speak whatever is in their hearts in a place of safety. HEALING CIRCLE. The most powerful circle of all. The Convener gently helps Individuals speak their truths however painful. Sometimes the circle has been convened to assist only one Individual. Even som, everyone present benefits in a variety of different ways. MEDIATION CIRCLE. These are circles convened to mediate between Individuals or groups. TALKING CIRCLE PROTOCOL:
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TOTEM
POLES
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TURTLE
The Turtle is considered to be the oldest, sacred symbol of the Anishinabe and Haudenosaunee people. They believed that North America was created on the back of a turtle. Father Sky's wife fell through a hole in the sky, and to keep her from drowning little Muskrat managed to bring up a handful of soil from the bottom of the ocean; she placed it on Turtle's wide back and the land immediately began to grow eventually forming North America. To this day most Indigenous peoples refer to North America as Turtle Island. The medicine of turtle is its deliberate and thorough approach to life; Turtle is also courageous because it makes progress only when it sticks its neck out, and moves forward with patient, steady flow in order to achieve the desired results. The turtle shell was also used as a calendar, with the thirteen large patterned squares counting out all the full moons of the year. The 28 small squares on the outside counted the days of each lunar month.
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WAMPUM
FIVE NATIONS TERRITORIAL WAMPUM BELT Square on far left is Mohawk: Keeper of the Eastern Door Second from Left: Oneida: Keeper of the Northern Door. Centre white heart represents the Onandaga: Keeper of the Fire. The white heart also means that the five nations act as one unit in their loyalty to the Great Peace. To the right of the Heart, Cayuga: Keeper of the Southern Door and far right the Seneca: Keeper of the Western Door. Overall the white beads symbolize that no evil or jealous thoughts shall enter into the minds of the leaders while in Council as they are governed by the teaching of the Great Peace. White is the symbol of peace, love, charity and equity and surrounds and guards the Five Nations (Six when the Tuscarora came later)
TWO ROW WAMPUM BELT Cayuga Elder, Jake Thomas holds a replica of a two row wampum belt. Also called Tékeni Teioháte, it symbolizes the relationship between Native people and white people. One purple row of beads represents the path of the Haudenausaunne's canoe which contains their customs and laws. The other row represents the path of the Whiteman's vessel, the sailing ship, which contains his customs and laws. The meaning of the parallel paths is that neither boat should out pace the other, and the paths should remain separate and parallel forever, that is, as long as the grass grows, the rivers flow, the sun shines, will each group continue to understand their place in the world, honour it and continue to renew their understanding
EVER GROWING TREE BELT This belt represents the Ever Growing Tree of Life with its branches spread to the east, west. The top to the north, roots to the south. It is the tree of peace for any nation or individual outside of the Five Nations who wishes to also obey the great laws of peace. If you are of clean mind and heart, you can rest awhile beneath its branches and listen to the great law. Jake Thomas stands with a reproduction of the Ever Grown Tree Belt IN MEMORIUM Jacob (Jake) Thomas - January 6, 1922 - August 17, 1998 This section honours Mr. Jake Thomas who was the last Haudenasaunne Elder to speak the Great Law in its entirety. It took him almost two weeks. He is now beyond the white veil, no doubt, continuing to keep the Great Peace alive with his wondrous speaking skills. Mr. Thomas was a well-known Cayuga Hereditary Chief and Culture-Bearing Elder. Years ago, Thunderbird hosted an Elder's Conference and was privileged to spend time with Mr. Thomas. For some
of his memorable teachings click on Fire:
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A CORNUCOPIA OF SYMBOLS
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They are connected to powerful ancestor spirits called to bring rain to help the crops grow. They come as winter says its farewell for the year and the growing seasons begin. The are a variety of dolls that represent Mother Earth, Father Sky, Grandfather Sun, the bird and animal people along with the the clouds. The Katchina mainly celebrate abundant harvest, fertility, long life, good health and provide harmonious balance in nature. There are over 300 different Kachinas. There is a prophecy about the return of the Blue Kachina to herald the Fifth Age of Man. |
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POLAR BEAR - To the Inuit, the Polar Bear also called the Dawn Bear is the ancient ancestor of all bears. There are many Inuit myths in which polar bears have sexual intercourse with women. Many images by Inuit artists show humans and animals inhabiting the same social space in a harmonious and amicable manner. Animals are often seen engaging in human activities such as speaking and dancing. Animals have a 'soul' and must be hunted with due respect and ritual. Animals, for the Inuit, have 'personhood' though are not human. Offense against an animal soul can lead to all manner of misfortune including bad hunting and inclement weather. Bad hunting can bring starvation for there are few wild plants to be gathered for food in the arctic. |
NAVAJO YEII SPIRIT A spirit who mediates between humans and The Great Spirit. Yeiis control elements such as day and night, rain, wind, sun & others. A very exceptional kind of yeii is the Yei'bi'chai, grandparent spirit or "talking God" who can speak to human directly, instructing them how to live in harmony with all living things by following some simple rules of behaviour; to conserve and use well only the things needed to survive. A symbol of harmony achieved is the "Rainbow Kokopelli", a Yeii commanding the rainbow, giving beauty to all those in harmony.
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Note to Gentle Readers: Due to the almost mythical number of SPAM emails (average: 8,000/mo), anti-spam software has been installed - be patient and answer the question from IPermitmail; Thunderbird looks forward to hearing from you.
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EARTH
FIRE
INUKSUK
MEDICINE
WHEEL HAS ITS OWN PAGE
MEDICINE
shield
SACRED
PIPE
Generally
Sacred Pipes consist of two parts, a tobacco holding bowl made of bone,
wood, stone, or metal (as in calumet pipes or some of the later trading
pipes) and a stem, usually made of
wood. The Pipes of the Plains were usually made out of soft, red catlinite
stone (found in southwestern Minnesota). 
TREE OF
LIFE
cavalier attitude toward death.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Native ceremonies allow for a
time of keening for the dead, but the prophetic words of the great Nimii-puu (Nez Percé) Leader, Chief Joseph resonates through most tribes. He remarked
that his Ancestors were not dead but merely ‘living in another world’.
In this way they would always be kept alive in present day realities. Moreover,
the Ancestors are always the first ones called to a ceremony.
SWEETGRASS,
the hair of Mother Earth and the power of emotional healing.
It is
literally is sweetgrass and often grows in dark, marshy places. It is
braided to signify unity and strength. A single blade of grass
represents an aspect of the living world, when separated it can be
broken, but when braided it cannot be broken. When in ceremony, hair is
usually braided to signify that we are all one people and that our world
vision is one of strong, united, supportive communities. Sweetgrass is a tangible
metaphor for a unified world. Our task is to work
towards a world community that is in harmony with itself. Sweetgrass soothes the emotions,
calms the nerves, brings down the heart rate. Its perfume drops your
shoulders and you move into the rhythm of the Earth.
CEDAR
-
the
power of physical healing. It's sweet smell and healing
properties are used in physical healing. Bathing in a cedar bath or the
occasional cup of cedar tea helps to cleans the internal and external
body. Feel its power seep into your pores. Feel the pulse of your
heart as your body embraces its own health and wellbeing. Line the floor
of a sweatlodge with Cedar so that its sweet smell can imbue those
sitting inside. It is refreshing, it invigorates, it heals.
SAGE -
The
power of spiritual healing. As the white sage
(salvia apiana) wafts across your body, breathe
it into your soul. Let your spirit find its balance with the emotions and
the physical body. Feel its power raise your spirits, feel yourself
stand taller and stronger. There are holes in the spirit when it is sad,
let the sage fill those holes with good thoughts and positive attitudes.
TOBACCO -
The
power of Mental Healing. Ah, the most powerful of all, it gives thanks to Great Mystery and to the Ancestors. Often
considered to be the oldest plant on Turtle Island, it was never meant to
be smoked for commercial purposes! The sacred tobacco is pure and colled 'Kinnikinnik'.
It is comprised of Tobacco, bear berry leaves, red willow and alder
bark, among other things. It is smoked in sacred pipes and given to Elders or
Traditional Teachers when requesting assistance or information. Tobacco is
sprinkled in thanks to the Earth Mother, to Great Mystery and to the
Ancestors for gracing us with their presence. Tobacco should be held in
the left hand, closest to the heart. Raise your hand, it should be offered
to the four directions before being scattered on the earth. 
Often
shells are used for smudging; big, beautiful abalone shells. In
Thunderbird's Pacific Northwest tradition, shells once contained the
spirit of a living being. Her heritage is of the seas and oceans, streams
and rivers; respect for all living beings that reside there is paramount
for they offered themselves so her people could eat and live well. As a
result she prefers not to use the shells for they once contained the
living spirit of a relative! To burn the bottoms of these shells is to
burn the spirit that once lived there. 
SOUL
CATCHER
When the Talking Stick is
passed around the circle it is an action that is overtly indicative of
the respect that we have toward the concept of harmony, balance and good
manners among Humans, The Great Mystery and Mother Earth. The Talking
Stick is a symbol of respect for the thoughts, stories and
individual histories of each member participating in the circle.
(PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST)
At the
urging of Benjamin Franklin, the Haudenosaunee League of Nations
Great Law, is what the United States Declaration of Independence is based on.
SPIDER
The dominance of Spider Woman, the female creative principle,
befits a culture that remains to this day matrilineal. In the
beginning there were only two: Tawa, the Sun God, and Spider Woman,
the Earth Goddess. All the mysteries and power in the Above belonged
to Tawa, while Spider Woman controlled the magic of the Below. In the
Underworld, abode of the Gods, they lived and were the only ones that
lived there. There were no humans, birds, animals, not living things
until Tawa and Spider Woman made it so.
SWASTIKA
Before it was evil, it was good, and it is the oldest
cross/symbol/emblem in the world. The
image can be found throughout Native history. The postcard shown
above states: "May the four winds from the four corners of the
heavens upon you gently blow." It is also not exactly the same
symbol that Hitler and his Nazi Party used. Upon closer inspection,
the true symbol is actually a reverse of the counterclockwise Nazi version.
Sadly, what was a beautiful symbol that represented
peace and the natural order of things (sun, winds, four
directions) has been perverted for all time by one evil individual and
a terrible time in human history.
KOKOPELLI
-
A common
fertility symbol through the southwest. His image is found many times in
petrography art . He is honoured as a Kachina by most Pueblo cultures.
He is associated with fertility, the male principal, biology and the
significance of guarding seeks. Usually depicted as old, bent under his
heavy load with his flute. He travels to many communities impregnating
young women who are mesmerized by his flute playing.
WORLD OF
THE SUPERNATURAL
