In a recent Street Prophets Coffee Hour by kathy in ga raised the topic of shamanism and animals. In one of my comments on this diary, I told a shortened version of a story about photographing a coyote in Yellowstone National Park. In the story I mentioned that I made a tobacco offering to the seven directions. In response etbnc wrote: “Seven directions? Interesting. Have you written a diary that describes the seven directions?” Realizing that I haven’t written about this for a while, I thought I’d start today’s discussion by describing the seven directions.
References to the symbolism of the seven directions are incorporated into many traditional American Indian ceremonies, including the sweat lodge, the pipe ceremony, and sacred circle ceremonies.
Let me begin by explaining that there are more than 500 distinct American Indian cultures in North America, each with their own approach to the symbolism of the directions. There is no generic or universal American Indian use of the directions. In addition, not all tribes utilize the cardinal directions. The symbolism discussed below is simply one path among the Anishinaabe people.
Up: Making an offering of tobacco or smoke or words to that which lies above can be about honoring creation (note: creation, not creator).
Down: This is the direction of Mother Earth and in making an offering to this direction we often speak about how Mother Earth sustains us and is the source of healing.
Up and Down: In many ceremonies, the offers to that which lies above and to that which lies below is felt to open the portal to the spirit world and to allow humans access to the spirits.
North: This is the direction of dreams, the gift given to humans as a way of communicating with the spiritual world.
South: This is the direction of words. We need to remember that words are living things and continue to exist long after they have been spoken. We seek words which will create harmony and healing and prefer to avoid words which reflect anger, jealousy, homophobia, racism, sexism, ageism, and other things which drive us apart.
West: This is the direction of the setting sun and thus is the symbol of death. It is a good day to die as I have lived well. Death is seen as a transition.
East: This is the direction of the rising sun and thus is the symbol of birth and rebirth. This symbolizes new things, new ideas, new people.
Inward: The final direction looks inward at our own personal spirit, soul, life, and Manitou. It is a reminder that each of our paths is person and we are not judge or gossip about the paths of others.
Welcome to Street Prophets Saturday. This is an open thread. Feel free to talk about what’s on your mind and in your life. Discussions of food, pets, hobbies, and other things are welcome here. Since Street Prophets is found at the corner of Religion and Politics, these topics are also welcome.