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Crow Dreams and Pearls of Patience

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010


Crow Dream Interpretations

Crow Dream Interpretations

For many nights now, a behemoth Crow cackles in my consciousness. She comes dressed in her classic black, iridescent robes.  A daughter of Nyx, dark as soot – her presence equally clingy within my inhaling mind. 

Always in moments like these I wonder about the concept of dreaming within dreams, which prompts me to consider reality – and this all leads to a chain-reaction of odd musings that hurl me off-track from my focus.

And what is my focus?  

Oh, yeah – right…the dream…

Did you know Crows are mother figures to the Hopitu-Shinumu Indians?  Uh huh.  The Crow is one among the Hopi’s legion of Kachinas.  It descends in the Winter, spitting out seeds like a Tommy Gun run amok – rapid fire and with widespread dissemination being more important than technical aim.  Those seeds represent the promise of the future – the continuation of the tribe.

This makes sense.  In the span of one month, two mother-figures in my life have left this physical life.  Good for them.  But, not-so-good for those of us left behind dealing with the sucking black holes of our separation-issues. 

On February 1, my Ma (mother-in-law) passed.  On March 1, my Ruth (spiritual mother) passed. 

Since these “deaths” this Onyx Crow keeps cawing in my dreams, and her symbolism keeps shifting, twisting, morphing.  Typical.  It’s the Crow way to be elusive.  She makes us work for meaning.  We must earn the epiphanies.  In this way, our understanding of her presence becomes substantial – galvanized in our psyche.  The lessons learned from the Crow are solid, permanent.

She is shrill and course in her speech.  Her voice pierces like a big-tooth saw heaving through stainless steel, rendering an unearthy sound – metallic, jagged, like reverberating insanity.  Of course, it’s an attention-grabbing technique.  I’ve been numb.  -Nothing like an  other-world “rebel yell” to get one’s attention. 

It works.  I become lucid within the dream, the spectral body sits up bolt-straight. 

Now that she has my attention, the Crow stills her ripping cackles and shits a pearl in my left hand.  Yes, you read that right. 

I borrow hope from the Hopi, interpreting this Crow as a Mother come to rattle my attention until the numb-fluffs are shaken off. 

This interpretive approach is underscored by the presence of that white-bright lustery pearl.  In Chinese symbology, pearls are very yin.  They are associated with water, the moon and feminine themes.  I like how pearls are born from an oceanic womb – dark as night, just like my Mother Crow.

I also appreciate how pearls are wrought into existence via  a defense mechanism.  Pearls are formed as a response to an irritant or parasitic invasion upon the mollusk. 

This makes sense in context of my recent mental states.  Tons of intruders in the form of rogue emotions/memories/mental frenzies have invaded my space as a result of these recent “deaths.” 

I keep my interpretations of this dream rather loose, because I know my Obsidian Compatriot – that crazy Mother Crow will tweak my perception again.  She is every inch a task-master in spiritual learning.  I also know her pearl-pooping symbolism will morph in meaning too. 

A prime point to be taken away from this post is this: Sometimes a dream interpretation is far from succinct.  Pat answers simply will not apply to certain dreams/experiences. 

There are times when waking and dreaming life coalesce in a weird crockpot, and the symbolic flavors must stew over time before any real sense can be made of any of it. 

That’s a tough pill to swallow for some of us.   In this instant-download-push-button-get-it-now world, the concept of waiting for a big picture to formulate does not sit well.  But wait we must.  Sometimes that’s the only option: Patience in the process, and faith in knowing illumination will come when it’s damn good and ready (and of course, when we are ready to receive).  

Other stuff:

Mother Symbolism

Raven Symbolism

Six Steps to Interpreting Dreams

Dream Symbolism

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Porcupine: A Symbolic Guide Through Grief

Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Porcupine Symbolism In Times of Grief

Porcupine Symbolism In Times of Grief

My mother-by-marriage (and mother-by-heart) passed away on Monday. 

Her transition naturally triggers a chain reaction for every soul she touched in her life, including me.

It’s been numbing.  Also, it’s been very telling to observe how each human copes so differently with the physical loss of our beloved.

Equally intriguing is the observance of various energies surfacing amidst raw human emotion.

Upon every encounter with physical death, the Porcupine wobbles into my presence with aplomb.  It enters my awareness with a casual authority, squatty legs shuffling through my mind, my meditations, moving through my moods.

I observe those quills as I have in the past, and know with piercing clarity the ability to barb in reactive situations.  So, I become mindful of my tongue & the energy I’m outputting in these moments of crude emotion.  Porcupine quills are slightly snagged at the tip making them neigh impossible to remove.  Once they meet their target those clever darts tend to stay put. 

 I keep my quills in-check these days following the death of my mother; keeping close watch on my behavior so as not to cause damage that cannot be undone.

Thankfully, those quills are multi-purpose.  Did you know they serve as floating devices?  Very apropos.  In murky pools of turbulent emotion, I feel my energetic quills fanning out – filled with air, they keep me afloat.  When waves of melancholy and morose moods threaten to overcome, Porcupine ingenuity keeps me buoyant, solvent, topside.

Also, mom’s passing and the ensuing madness are tailor-made for burrowing, something the Porcupine and I do together in silence.  Retreat.  Withdraw.  Porc’s don’t hibernate, but they are masters at holing up until the sun chooses to show itself again.

Which reminds me, Porcupines are considered solar or fire animals in many cultures.  Their quills are likened to sun rays spanning out from our solar orb.    I take comfort in this, as I am reminded of the radiant nature of my mom, she was a penetrating light and a presence of compassionate warmth to all who knew her – including me. 

I also find it fitting that aboriginal Nigerians paid special homage to the Porcupine, and saw the creature as a liaison to the spirit-realms. I totally dig this association.  With its unassuming candor, the Porcupine is a perfect travel guide through the veils of parallel life/lives. 

My Native American kin tell me the Porcupine is also an “in-between” walker.  With nonchalance, it moves through shadows of life and death…  straddling weird and paradoxical realities with aloof matter-of-fact’ness.

For these and many more reasons, the Porcupine has a stoic calm that proves invaluable in times of excruciating grief.   This totemic guide also opens channels of curious awareness – which, in solemn pits of sorrow can be priceless. 

The Porcupine delivers a childlike sense of wonder, which breathes new life in topics of death.  Adjustable focus, silver linings, awe, inspiration – all effective tools for healing in times like these.

In both life and physical death the Porcupine remains a remarkably effective compatriot:   A reminder, a guardian, a friend, and of course, a consummate flotation device in consumptive, emotional waves.

Other pages of interest:

Solar Animals

Hedgehog Symbolism

Animal Totemism


Thanks to Moosealope on Flickr for the Porcupine image above.

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January Wolf Moon Symbolism

Thursday, January 28th, 2010


WolfMoonSymbolism

Wolf Moon Symbolism

Native American wisdom marries every full moon in a month with a specific feature in Nature.   These moon associations will vary depending upon the tribe we are honoring.  This month, January is deemed the Wolf Moon or Cold Moon by various tribes indigenous to the Great Lakes region of North America.

It’s been a tough month for some of us.  I thought it fitting to toss out some symbolic observations about the January Wolf Moon with a goal to offer inspiration to folks facing some challenges right now.

Lunar Symbolism:
Before blasting off into Wolf Moon symbolism, let’s take a look at lunar implications. Subtle, cunning and soft in silky shadows, the moons meanings can be slippery.  But, to those who grasp moon symbolism, great insights follow.  Typically feminine in archetypal understanding, the moon carries themes of cycles and fertility. 

Moreover, the moon conveys a kind of creativity that is born from veiled magic.  Consider the moon’s growth cycles (waxing, full, waning, new).  These phases are wrought from the moon’s movement.  And, the manifestation of her development is made known to us through light and shadow. 

What’s the symbolic lesson here?  Progress is sometimes subtle.  Manifestations of evolution often occur behind the scenes, in shadow – before we “see the light” or the end-product of our vision.

When contemplating this month’s full moon and its partnership with the Wolf, we must not cram our intellect into the void.  Rather, the Wolf Moon asks us to use intuitive instinct in soft ways

 The gifts of this full moon come to our senses like steam rising over sacred waters marbled with frosty stillness. 

Wolf Symbolism & Wolf Moon Solutions:
Strategic, resourceful and incredibly communicative, the Wolf is a noble mentor for humankind.  Wolves have specific protocol and rank within their packs.  This observation is a cue to look to community for creative solutions during this full moon.  Communicate with those in your pack to help you with your challenges.  But don’t break taboo.  If you follow specific traditions in social communication, hold to them.  In fact, use this full moon to honor traditions of your heritage.  Take time to honor your elders too.  Tribal rituals should be heeded this time of year.

Wolves are vastly expressive.  Sure, their vocalizations (baling, howling and barking) are legendary, but Wolves also have an complex system of body language and even eye contact to convey intent and current state of being.   Discipline in the pack is rarely corporeal.  Rather, behavior is admonished or reinforced by intricate expressions.  One look from the Alpha can convey as much power as a physical blow. 

There’s big medicine in this.  Use this full moon to get in touch with your own modes of expression.  Explore your own eye contact and body language.  Examine yourself in the  mirror (yes, I’m serious) as you’re talking on the phone.  View yourself objectively.  What are your expressions conveying?  How can you modify or enhance your body language to portray more authority or power?  Or, perhaps more softness and sensuality is needed.  Too often we are unconscious about our eye and body  movements in the scheme of social interaction.  This is a great time to ponder these nuances of communication.

Wolves are also phenomenally resourceful.  In fact, their resourcefulness is partly why this moon carries the Wolf moniker.  January is a brutal month in the northern regions.  The frigidity of winter crunches life to a stand-still in the wild.  To be sure, it’s a time of “sink or swim” to all wildlife exposed to the elements this time of year. 

Wolves, however, often thrive during this lean month.  They are designed to handle the brutality of cold quite well.  Furthermore, as Wolves are inclined to pick off weaker animals, January offers up a host of feasting options.    Perhaps we can use the resourcefulness of the Wolf to reconsider our options in life.  Maybe what seems bleak or lame in our life is actually an invitation for opportunity.  Food for thought.

I hope these symbolic ideas about the cold Wolf Moon inspire you to take advantage of January’s lunar fullness.  Take a pause on the evening of this month’s full moon to contemplate your own inner wisdom too.  I bet your findings will be illuminating.

Shine on.

Other topics designed to inspire:

Native American Full Moons

Your Native American Full Moon Zodiac Sign

Moon Symbolism

Moon Tattoo Symbolism

Moon Sign Personality Types

Wolf Symbolism & Wolf Totem Meanings


The image above was created by Avia Venefica using her moon photo, and a Wolf image from Dennis Matheson on Flickr (used with permission via Creative Commons).

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Symbolic Meaning of the Blue Moon

Thursday, December 31st, 2009


Symbolism of the Blue Moon

Symbolism of the Blue Moon

I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss the symbolic meaning of the Blue Moon….after all, it only happens once in a blue moon (I know, trite. But I couldn’t resist).

You can go to Wiki for blue moon facts, but stay here if you want a proper philosophical wax about the rare (and symbolic) lunar gifts proffered tonight.

So what’s this Blue Moon fever all about Alphie?

Here are some symbolic points for your consideration:

Color Me Cobalt
Although it’s dubbed the “Blue Moon” it isn’t necessarily blue, but that doesn’t dampen the symbolic implications of this colorful label.  Blue hues are all about communication and clarity of expression. 

Consider the Vishuda chakra.  It’s that shiny azure pinwheel that spins in the throat of our energetic matrix.  Right at the center of our verbal communication H.Q. – the voice box.  When the color blue shoots a bullseye in my symbolic awareness, I’m always compelled to pay close attention to my modus communicandi.  This full Blue Moon, I invite you to do the same:

What are you expressing? 
What kind of signals are you sending? 
What’s the motivation behind your communication?

Utilize this blue-moon-moment in time to contemplate your spoken and unspoken articulations. 

Lassoing the Symbolic Moon
To truly appreciate this rare Blue Moon event, we would do well to move our minds over the symbolic meanings tied to the moon.  Admittedly, this feat can be exhaustive, because pulling on one strand of shimmery lunar symbolism – causes the whole of moon symbolism to unravel like a ball of spun silver yarn.  Cutting overwhelment off at the pass, here are a few basic symbolic features we can drink from the lunar chalice:

  • Feminity - The Moon is the Yin, sweetly partnered with the Solar Yang. For women, this means a time of reaffirming the glory that makes us female.  For men, this is a time to polish your starbright armor  (be reflective & tap into the sensitive side of chivalry).
  • Shadowy - Making no light of her own, our Luna Domina is a cloaked mistress. Her knowledge (and our own awakening) is best tapped with physical eyes shut.  This means reliance upon intuitive methods for gaining insight.
  • Silvery - Alchemists have long associated the attributes of Silver to the moon.  This symbolic hand plays prime aces like: Clarity, Purification, Subtlety, Transition and a whole slew of appropriate adjectives.

Timing is Everything
This Blue Moon is rediculously symbolic because it lands on the last day of the traditional calendar year.  Lady Luna is gravid with her shadowy potential – she has been building up to this moment…now what are we going to do about it? 

This is a brilliant time to recount the phases of our lives that have lead us to this very moment in time.  Milestones in memories ought to be revisited on this auspicious Blue Moon night.  Epiphanies of the past should be taken out of our velvety Soul pouches and turned over in our minds. 

This is a kind of night to hold our spiritual glimmeries up to the lunar light and watch them sparkle with delight.  Recount those *bling bling* moments in your life on this night.  Doing this is like forming a powerful union with this unique full moon.  As our Lunar Queen is full of promise, so too shall YOU be full.  You are a vessel filled to the brim with potential

Reinforce your inner radiance by taking stock of all the brilliance you have achieved, encountered and facilitated up to this point.  Become pregnant with your remarkability, and allow the lunar light to amplify the pageantry of who you are.

All that said, my deepest trust is that each of you shall step into this bright sapphire night with renewed lunar insight. 

This is an insanely pivotal moment in time.  Seize it.  Squeeze the ever-loving stuffin’ out of it!  Reap the lunar tides my hearties (and come back here to tell me about your revalatory reveries!).

A few more light-bright luminations for your pleasure:

Symbolism of the Moon

Full Moon Meanings in Native American Style

Native American Full Moon Zodiac Signs

Symbolic Frolic through Color Meanings

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Deserts of Misconception

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009


Deserts of Misconception

Deserts of Misconception

Last night, I was a dust-encrusted cowboy riding my horse in the desert. 

My tongue was a dry stone.  My eyes were gritty pits.  Every inch of me made friction noises because my skin was sand paper. 
 
And I was riding, slowly, aimlessly, exhausted…everything a blur.
 
And the desert winds blew a question in my sand-stuft ears.  And although muffled, the question was no less demanding.
 
The inquiry penetrated my granular coma.  The question made me slip off my saddle. 

But instead of landing in a dry heap upon the blistering desert sands, I splashed in cool, calm Waters – transported – transformed – revived – renewed – refreshed.
 
Isn’t that a great dream? 

The desert was amazing.  Even in its killing power, it was an incredible place to be.  And my horse was equisite (I thought – in my “lucid” mind – I wonder if I can go back to the desert for a moment and bring my horse back to this Oasis!).

You know me – I’m all about the symbolism, and this dream delivers that in spades.

In my experience, this was the “Desert of Misconception” and we’ve all been a nomad in these desolate lands from time-to-time.

My dream is a replay of some very archetypal images – a theme of pilgrimage & exodus.  A phase of life in which we endure the lean weeks, months…maybe even years with sometimes only faint whispers of hope to keep us moving forward.

We’ve all been in that barren land in which our perception is bleak, and we strive to move past unsavory appearances.  It’s why I call it the Desert of Misconception because in spiritual realitywe exist only in Oasis

Happily, each of us has been called out of the desert too.  Maybe we haven’t heeded the call – but the Voice has beckoned us.  I guarantee it.

We are obligated to keep ourselves keen to the Call that shakes us out of our saddle and splashes us smack-center in the Oasis of Life.

Even if our ears are stuffed with sand – the Call of the Divine has the power to pierce all obstructions. 

Listen.  There is more to hear than the soft shuffling of horseshoes in the sands.

Other Topics that may perk your ears……

Common Dream Meanings

Symbolism of the Horse

Six Simple Steps to Understanding Dreams


Thanks to SlopJob on Flickr for the Photo!

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The Pinecone, The Pineal Gland and An Illuminating Meditation

Friday, December 18th, 2009



The Pinecone: A Symbol Of Illumination

The Pinecone: A Symbol Of Illumination

I love how the most unassuming bits from Nature represent very big meanings when we take the time to dig into their symbolic potential.

What’s so special about the pinecone that it could possibly be a sign of illumination?

…Ever heard of the pineal gland?  It gets its name because it looks very much like the pinecone.   But their visual likenesses aren’t what intrigue me.

The pineal gland is a remarkable feature of the human experience.  Nestled in the brain between the two hemispheres, it is a source of endless intrigue in the realm of mysticism.  Indeed, it’s known by pseudonyms such as the “third eye” the “dream center” and the “mystic seed.” 

From a purely biological perspective, the pineal gland is integral to the production of melatonin, which is a hormone that facilitates homeostasis of wake-sleep patterns.  In short, it regulates the natural rhythms of sleep according to our environment.

The pineal gland registers our exposure to daylight, and, regulates production of its sleep inducing elixirs according to its findings.  Less light means more melatonin.  More light means less melatonin.  It’s an ancient human thing – less light meant winter was encroaching and although humans didn’t hibernate – more sleep was an ideal way of conserving energy during lean winter months. 

Mystics have also suspected the pineal gland is a receptor of Spiritual Light too – with the ability to open up to mystical awareness upon the presence of an ascended master and during periods of enlightened consciousness.

So what’s this got to do with the pinecone?

I find it fascinating that not only do the pinecone and pineal gland share similarities in appearance, but they are also both keenly affected by Light

The pinecone, like the pineal gland, is extremely affected by Light, and takes action according to what it senses.  Cones will open themselves up to the sun’s rays, and close up during cloudy or stormy days.  It has to do with continuation of the seed-line.  Sunny days offer more arid conditions and the tiny seedlings nestled in the scales of the pinecone can become airborne more easily.  Damp or rainy days are crumby conditions for seed spreading, so the pinecone just closes up shop during these weather conditions.

That action is symbolic in itself (like: Opening up spiritual awareness in order to sow seeds of limitless potential and continuation of Soul Growth) …. but to keep with our comparison, we can now draw corollaries between pineal gland and pinecone in terms of gauging Light, seeking Light, and becoming activated in the Light.

We could say, pinecones are the external reflection of the “mystic seed” (the pineal gland).  From this perspective, all these pinecones we see this time of year bring on a whole new meaning. 

What if every time we saw a pinecone during this holiday season we

*stop*

*engage our inner domains*

*and purposefully widen  our inner Vision*

That’s what I do when I see pinecones.  I consciously “stop, drop, and roll” into my inner realms with intent to broaden my mystical view.  I tell you, it is revolutionary and worth a try if you’re game for a mind-blowing experience. 

You can also try meditating with the pinecone as a more organized approach to stimulating the pineal “dream center.”  Here are some meditative tips:

  • Find a pinecone and place it before you in preparation for your meditation
  • Light a candle while setting your focus upon expanding your consciousness
  • Cast your physical and spiritual eyes upon the pinecone and observe it in the candlelight
  • Envision the pinecone opening itself to the Light and warmth of the candlelight
  • As you continue this solemn, calm perception, begin to see that pinecone within your mind
  • Nestled warmly, snuggly between the two halves of your brain, get a clear visual of that pinecone within your mind’s eye
  • Now visualize your inner pinecone opening gently to take in nourishment from Divine light
  • See your pineal gland (pinecone) radiating and stimulated from the calming light of the cosmos
  • Continue to enhance this meditative experience according to your own impulses and requirements. 
  • When you’re ready, conclude your meditation by centering yourself back into  your common reality – resurface & reaffirm your bodily presence.

The idea is to tap into the pinecone and transfer its visual/symbolic qualities to the pituitary gland with a goal to expand, illuminate and ascend.

I’ve had phenomenal results with this meditation.  Namely, this exercise has catapulted me to insanely blissful and utterly unreal realms where I was transformed in truly ballistic ways. 

Just work with the pinecone as an extension of your pineal “third eye” and see what happens.  Let me know what kind of experiences you have!

Other topics that might hone your cones (ha ha):

Christmas Symbols and Meanings

Fir Tree Symbolism

Nature Symbolism

Cups Four in Tarot  (thoughts on how it relates to the pineal gland)

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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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