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Spider Messages

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Tags: Nature Symbols | Insect Totems | Spider Symbolism

Spider Messages: Avia's New Roommate Shares Sage Advice on Life

Spider Messages: Avia's New Roommate Shares Sage Advice on Life

It’s been a brutal few weeks, but I’ve gotten by with a little help from my friends (shout out of “Thanks!” to my soul sisters, Donna Faber and Michele Knight  for helping me keep it together).

I want to also acknowledge gratitude to my new eight-legged roommate.  She moved into my home office window three weeks ago.  On the lunar eclipse (and full moon) to be precise and that she made herself known to me on this auspicious date should have clued me into the revolutionary writing on the walls.

Without going into too much detail (as my friend Donna says, I’m still percolating), I did want to share a few ”instant spider messages” my orange arachnid roomie had to share to date:

  • Who is Weaving Your Web?
    My spider sage asked if I was the weaver of my own life experience, or if I was letting my life weave circles around me (and consequently allow myself to be consumed by the process of living).
  • How Divine is your Design?
    Messages tumbled out of her spider web as if to say “See my design? I made it purposefully.  Each loop, turn, cross and connection was strategic and tailored to my own ideals.  Be as purposeful as I am in building your experience and you won’t have these problems, Avia.”
  • Get Real!
    I love how my roommate looks so pissed off in this picture.  That look was conveyed in a few spider messages too.  She expects me to tow the line, and that stern look is a confirmation.  She’s asking me to sift through the illusions and get real about focus.

To be sure, more spider messages are coming, with more on the way. 

If you’re working with Spider Energy, you might be interested in my full article on Symbolic Meaning of Spiders here

I’ve also written about symbolic suggestions when we experience spiders and other creepy crawlies in the home here (with “creepy” being a term of endearment, of course).

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Number Four as a Sacred Sioux Symbol

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008

Number Four as a Sacred Sioux Symbol

Number Four as a Sacred Sioux Symbol




The number four is a sacred Sioux symbol, but why?  

I got this Native American symbolism question a few months ago.  The oncoming of (one of many) thanksgiving events charged my mind with ceremonies, and holy events orchestrated to honor the sacred in all things.

Never far from my thoughts are the Prime People, and their ways of elegant expressionSioux, among all Earth Cycle peoples have such clarity in perception, and an ease of understanding that sweeps me off my feet.

The Sioux, and other Native minds were open to the natural flow of Great Creation.  They allowed their observations of Creation to spill into every aspect of their lives.

The Sioux observed the number four  as dominating several profoundly influential aspects of existence.  To wit:

And so, to the Native Mind, as the number four is so vitally interwoven into such foundational concepts as the ones above mentioned – it was only honorable and logical to incorporate that sacred foundation into their living community practices.

We see these incorporations of the number four consistently in Sioux life.  Perhaps most poetically expressed is in ceremony:

  • Pipe Passings: The pipe is offered to participants from four different directions
  • Sweat Lodges: Traditional Sioux ceremonies guide initiates through four endurance challenges
  • Sun Dances:  There are four direction facings to this ceremony

Here are some other links that might assist you on your journey to explore the sacred meaning of number four in the Sioux way of thought and beyond:

Meaning of Number Four (generalized)

Sioux Symbols

Nature Symbolism

Spiritual Meaning of Numbers (brief)

Meaning of Numbers (portal page to more detailed explanations)

Native American Symbols

I also invite you to look at this post on the Navajo Medicine wheel symbolism - which is also in quadrants.

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Diamond Symbol Meaning – Native American Symbolism

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

Diamond Symbol Native American Indian Symbol Motif

Diamond Symbol, a Native American Indian Symbolic Perspective




The Diamond Symbol meaning from a Native American Indian perspective includes several aspects.

The diamond motif is seen in butterfly symbolism, where it represents the concept of transformation and immortality.  I’ve written about the Native perspective on the diamond butterfly (including an actual image of the motif) here.

The diamond symbol is also seen from the Osage as a representation of the earth.  It will have a equa-distant cross in the center indicating the importance of the four cardinal winds/directions

The diamond shape is also symbolic of protection in the form of the wind.  I’ve written about the Native American symbol for wind here.

Also a symbol of life in the Native perspective, each side is a facet of life’s learning phases:

  • Freedom
  • Equality
  • Unity
  • Eternity

Other more in-depth information can be found here:

Diamond Symbol Meanings

Diamond Meaning as an Alchemy Symbol

Diamond Lozenge as Native American Symbol for Wind

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Symbolic Meaning of Crossroads

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

I see crossroads, and thus I’m compelled to explore the symbolic meaning of crossroads.

When I see them, Eric Clapton’s voice and ax come cutting through my mind with “Crossroads,” and I wonder what prompts the passage “fall down on my knees and ask the Lord for mercy please” in the song.

Of course, my ruminations produce some symbolic thoughts on this….

Crossroads (the intersection of four roads to make it simple for this post) were considered significant markers for supernatural or non-local activity.  In other words, reports of seeing ghosts, apparitions, spectres at crossroads count up into the thousands.

Primitive South American cultures such as Aztec, Mayan, and some southern North American Indian tribes used crossroads as a place of sacrifice.  Alters, or totem-like poles would be erected at these locations to indicate hallowed ground.

Early Europeans used to bury criminals and suicide victims at crossroads with the thought that when their spirit rose from the dead, they would be confused and return from whence they came and leave the living undisturbed by their presence.

Crossroads are often situated on top of natural ley lines which are intersections of high energetic vibrations from the earth and its atmosphere.  These high voltage spots are often blamed for car accidents at intersections.

Perhaps these ley lands attracted witches as it is reputed they would secretly meet at crossroads to conduct coven work.  Then again, maybe the witch association came from Hekate (Hecate), the Greek goddess of sorcery, who was said to appear at earthly crossroads with baying wolf-hounds at her side. 

Hermes, son of Zeus, was also reputed to hang out at crossroads.  In fact, statues called herms were erected at crossroads as Hermes represented one of the gods of travel (particularly commerce/trade roads) to the Greeks. 

It is fabled that if you simply must make a deal with the devil, do so at the crossroads because you have four times better chance of outrunning devilish clutches with a choice of four roads (I guess the devil can’t predict which road you’ll choose).

Dreaming of crossroads may be symbolic of confusion, and not being able to see our way clear of a solution to a problem. It may also be a portent of many opportunities on the horizon for us.

Setting superstitions aside, I have to answer my deeper ruminations about crossroads thusly…

Ultimately, the symbolic meaning of crossroads deals with choice, consequence, making a selection about the direction in which we want to go (both physically and philosophically).  Furthermore, my visions of standing at the center of a crossroads speaks of being poised in a position of pure potential.  Suspended upon a vortex of power – and that begs the question from me “in what direction shall I navigate that power?”

For many of us, being in a position of power requires taking a stand for what we believe, even when we do not know what we will encounter upon the road we have chosen.

If we can’t make that stand it’s sometimes helpful to think of the symbolic meaning of crossroads in terms of the equal-armed cross which I’ve written about here.  I rather like the mental picture of four in-roads leading to our hearts with each protrusion representing four perspective beatitudes of the cross:

  • Nature
  • Self
  • Knowledge
  • God

That’s the kind of power I’m talking about.  That’s the kind of capacity for soul-quaking, paradigm shifting I’m alluding to.

In the combining of these four sacred concepts we meet in the middle – the center – which is both the beginning and ending.  No choice in direction need be made when we seat ourselves in this kind of navigational setting.  We merely wait for the roads to come to us.

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Brief Look at Native American Symbolism of Feathers (Sioux & Hopi)

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007
Feathers and Native American Indian Symbolism

Feathers and Native American Indian Symbolism



There are hundreds of Native American tribes who have evolved and developed their beliefs and rituals over the span of hundreds of years.  This being the case, it is difficult to pin point one single, specific meaning of feathers to Native Americans.

However, I have read legends in which the Hopi used turkey feathers in various symbolic placements and rituals.  The number of Turkey feathers used is four.  The Turkey is a symbol of the wildness of the Earth, and the number four represents the four winds.  Together, this is a symbolic message that the Earth is a wildnerness that man can never control.

I also know that the Sioux would use feathers in headdresses (reserved for the higher-minded or wiser souls, tribe noblemen, soothsayers, etc). 

Twenty eight feathers were used in Sioux crowning rituals.  Twenty eight is sacred to the Sioux to represent the life of the Moon breathes within a span of twenty eight days.  There are also twenty eight ribs within the cage of the Buffalo, which was/is sacred to this tribe.

Also among the Sioux, the Eagle (specifically, the Golden Eagle) was a sacred symbol, and twelve of her feathers were used in ritual, ceremonial events to signify the number of months in the year as well as the twelve symbolic rays of the sun.

Other information on feathers:

 

Symbolic Meaning of Finding Feathers on Your Path

Symbolic Meaning of Feathers (general/cultural)

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Native American Starburst Symbols

Monday, November 12th, 2007

One of my readers asked me about the meaning of Native American starburst symbols, to which I respond here:

Multiply the hundreds of Native tribes, by the hundreds of eras of their existence, by the hundreds of regions they have inhabited, by the hundreds of artistic renditions of the Native starburst motif, by the hundreds of interpretations of that starburst pattern designated by each tribe…this may explain some of the difficulties in narrowing down one meaning to a single starburst symbol for which you seek.

However, here are a few meanings: 

Many (plains tribes) Native American starburst are simple triangles formed around a circle.  Within the circle is usually depicted a stick figure of a man or animal to symbolize strength, courage and virility.

The starburst symbolism for many tribe deals with cosmic union – and man’s strength derived from such connection.

Algonquin and Arapaho would often draw these starburst patterns as a record of dreams or vision quests.  They were also drawn in manhood rituals – a right of manhood – coming of age ceremony.

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Native American Symbolism for Seer

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

I got an email from a gentleman who was working on a tattoo and wanted a Native American symbol for seer, to which I respond:

Dear Marks Alot: 

There are a few symbolic elements you can incorporate into your clients tattoo to represent the Native American concept of “seer.”

Most plains tribes consider the Lynx & the Crow to be immaculate “seers.” They consider these creatures to be highly intuitive, and keeper of secrets.

It is believed that Higher Authorities within the tribe such as Medicine Men, or the Grandmother figure were able to speak to these creatures. 

The Lynx and Crow would only speak to those who were open and wise enough to receive their messages.  Further, it was said that these creatures would give messages to these specially developed tribe members – messages dealing with future events, and status of people among theirs and other tribes.

Another option are tracks.  Plains tribes placed enormous value on one who could “read sign.”  Accurately reading tracks was not just for hunters of the tribe (common misinformation).  Rather, those who could read the signs of tracks as well as the rhythm of the trees, the ways of the sun, moon, stars and seasons…members who could literally read the tracks of the Mother were viewed as true “seers” among the tribe.  

Photo by Hashmil on Flickr.

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Native American Symbol for Sister

Friday, October 26th, 2007

Shown left is an adaptation for the Native American symbol for sister (plains Indian).

The X with a small circle is a represents woman-ness, female power, fertility, and compassion.

Side-by-side, these symbols represent two women bonded in a relationship of the soul – sisters.

Should one female symbol be above the other – this would be a symbol for mother or a representation of a grandmother relationship.

The positioning of side-by-side is very important as it indicates a union, bond, equality – a sharing in the journey of blood.

The circle around the two female symbols signifies family – family ties, family blood, clan closeness & protection.  The circle that never breaks – it holds that which can never be broken – the bond of souls, the bond of blood between this female relationship.

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Native American Symbols for Mother

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

I was recently asked for a Native American symbol for mother, to which I respond.

Dear Maternally Instinctive,

There are two Native American symbols for mother that come to mind. 

The first (shown left) is the Hopi Tapuat – the mother child symbol.  The lines represent stages of life, umbilical cord, and the path of moving – always within the watchfulness of the Mother.  The center symbolizes the amniotic sack – the center of life – the beginning.  This piece is also refered to as the Journey symbol.

The next symbol (shown left) is the Navajo nahas-tsan beh-assun – Mother Earth.  Traditionally painted in turquoise, and marks on her body symbolize corn, pumpkin, tobacco and beans – all life giving elements to the Navajo.  She is rarely seen without her counterpart – Father Earth (yash-diklith beh-hasteen).

I would encourage you to do further research on your own about the Native American culture and their perceptions of the mother concept.  These are only two symbols from two tribes…there are far more Native American symbols for mother than just these.

Further, take the time to meditate upon these concepts for yourself.  You’ll be amazed at how much the Native American energies are willing to share when you come with an open heart and mind as well as a sincere desire to learn.

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Navajo Medicine Wheel – A Powerful Native American Symbol of Life Phases

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007




One of my readers asked me for information on Native American Medicine Wheels.  Specifically,  she wanted to know how the phases of human life were represented within the wheel – to which I respond:

Dear Native Nurturer: 

As you know, there are numerous Native American tribes.  Each tribe (if each indeed has a specific symbol for the life phases) will each have a different symbol.  Although some tribe symbols are similar, no symbols are universal amongst all tribes.

The best I can provide you with is the assignment of characteristics of human growth designated by the Navajo medicine wheel (shown above).  These assignments are according the the directions of the wind, the creatures of the Mother, and the colors of the spirit realm.  Attributes of this powerful Native American Symbol are as such:

  • Child: South/Mouse/Red
  • Death: West/Bear/Black
  • Adult: North/Buffalo/White
  • Birth: East/Eagle/Yellow

The symbolism of each quadrant within the wheel is mammoth, and require much devotion for fullness of understanding.  

As you contemplate the wheel, and the developmental stages through the Native’s eyes, consider the following philosophical phrases in conjunction with the above listed wheel designations:

  • “With the sway of south winds we flow from the blood of the Mother, small as mice and innocent yet with powerful potential in our tiny eyes.”
  • “Our newborn dew passes off from us like the sun setting west.  We explore our domains and form conclusions about the way of things.  In play we mount courage and find our way as the bear. ”
  • “As high pines kiss north skies, we stand tall in our growth. We provide, we expand, we rule thunderously as the buffalo.”
  • “The sun rises upon our lives and judges it fit for sacrifice.  With supple eagle wings we now slip off the flesh and climb light’s highest rung.”

I hope this information proves useful on your journey to deeper understanding of Native American symbolism/philosophy.

Regards & blessings to you,
A. Venefica

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Native American Swastika Symbol Meaning (Hopi)

Tuesday, August 14th, 2007

The Hopi tribe is among the most prolific in offering Native American symbols. One of the more common of these is the “swastika” or ”four angle cross.”

We can delve into the Native American swastika symbol meaning by investigating several Hopi legends.

In one Hopi legened, the first portion is the cross (without the right-angle bends).  This symbol represents spiritual migration.

These people understand that they first journey is a spiritual one.  We start from the center and move out in four directions in a spiritual sense – extending our senses and spirit out into the etheral realm.  This makes up the cross (without the right-angled bends).

The right angle is representative of the physical migration of the Hopi. According to legend after the spiritual journey is made, the physical migrations of the clans began along the North/South axle of Earth and along the East/West axle of Earth.

There is also another Hopi legend that the first portion of the symbol meaning was part of a sun walk ritual where the first of the individual clans walked out into the Sun migrating out as far as the Sun’s rays extended.

After walking the length of the Sun’s rays, they then turned left and walked as far as the Earth would allow.

This form of the legend makes the four-angled cross a sacred symbol of Sun & Earth.

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