Just as a candle cannot burn without fire,
a human cannot live withut a spiritual life.
Buddha

​Fire.  Just the word conjures imagery in every culture.  When you see, say, or hear the word, what images come up for you?  Do you see the campfire, chasing the shadows of the night?  Do you see the hearth warming body and spirit?  Do you see the Alchemists fire, transforming and transmuting?  Do you see the wild fire scouring everything in its path?  Fire is all of these and more.  Fire has always been with us and is an element that we believe that we can control only to find in the end that control is an illusion.

So what is the essence of fire?  On a symbolic and energetic level, fire is one of the core energies of the universe.  It is transformation, purification, and cleansing.  Fire is passion, power, and authority.  It is the drive of the intellect seeking knowledge and the drive of the body seeking gratification.  It is the divine energy, the spirit, and eternity.  Fire can be the power that wipes the slate clean, allowing a fresh clean burst of fertile creative energy.

Fire rituals can be found in every culture ad stretch well beyond the mists of history.  In ancient China, fire was clarity, independence, and vision.  In ancient Tibet, they spoke of the sword of flames of power and influence.  For the Mayan's, the hand of fire was the initiation into magic and the unification of the body and psyche.  The Greeks stole fire from the gods.  For the Alchemist, fire is the force that consumes and transforms all material beyond its limitations.  For many Native Americans, fire is a life giving energy that cleanses and connects one to the divine.

They are all an attempt to harness the power of the force that has been both our savior and our destroyer.

Today, in our tamed and domesticated world, we tend to dismiss the power of fire with a casualness and complacency that borders on disrespect and lack of mindfulness for consequences.  The pilot light lights our furnace fire and the stove.  The power plant lights out dark homes.  A tiny contained explosion of fire propels us from place to place.  With casualness and disrespect, we miss and forget the true power of fire and the ceremonies that were so important to our ancestors.

As we misuse and disrespect fire, it is beginning to remind us that there are consequences for its misuse.  As tragedies unfold and fingers are pointed, fire is screaming: "Respect, Balance, Mindfulness, Courage, Change".

So, yes, I work with fire, and so should you, with mindfulness and respect.  I use the alchemist's free to transform hard grain and indigestible vegetables into delicious nutrition.  I light a candle on the long nights for prayer, intention, and peace.  I set my prayers into the smoke of ceremonial fire to transform my heart and spread the intention for balance and peace.  When the fire is burning, I respect the fire and honor it by sitting with it until it is done showing me its colors and telling me its stories.  And I always remember that fire is the untameable flow of energy that can be directed but never truly contained.

Ancient tool of the sacred feminine
To transform bits to nurture and sustenance
Vessel of transmutation and alchemy
To change elements to magic and medicine

The cauldron is an ancient cooking tool that was designed to put over a fire.  It was used to slow cook nourishing and sustaining food for the family.  It was designed for cooking, serving, and transport.  It truly was a multi-purpose tool.  Not only was it a cooking tool for the family, it was also the tool for making medicines for the wise woman or hedge witch.  It has long been the too for both nurture and healing for the wise woman's community.

This ancient tool has long been associated with the sacred feminine and the Goddess.  It is the mother energy that represents the womb, creativity, and the energy of creation.  It represents the sacred mysteries and alchemy.  It is the tool that the wise woman uses to transmute the elements and herbs into the magic and medicine she needs to serve her community.

The cauldron is now a symbol of magic and healing of the sacred feminine.  It is the symbol of the wise , the sacred knowledge keeper, and wisdom.  It is the vessel that transmutes the elements and intention into healing magic.

Some see the cauldron as a metaphor for the human vessel and the person's ability to transmute energy into healing intention.  What will you use your cauldron for?

Sources
thecauldrongoddess.ca
cassieuhl.com
​shamanicpractice.org

The quiet strength of earned grace
The magic of knowing the transformations
The purity of finding your true self
Learning to trust your intuition

Most of us have an image of a swan in our mind's eye.   For me, it is an image of regal beauty and grace.  But it also comes with a sense of something more that is hidden behind a facade that I can't quite wrap my mind around.  So, it might be time to dig into this iconic symbol of universal love.

In most traditions, the swan is a symbol of love, grace, purity, and spirituality.  It is easy to see why.  They display an unhurried gentle grace in everything that they do.  When they mate, they mate for life.  Most swans are white which in most traditions signifies purity and spirituality.  Watching a pair of swans on the water is watching confidence in motion and dedication to their mate.  It is a confidence that suggests a deep self knowledge and trust in life and their place in it.

But the swan's life does not start that way.  That beautiful, graceful bird starts life as a lumbering, uncoordinated grey cygnet, bumbling from one challenge to another.  For anyone that is familiar with the ugly duckling, there is some truth to that.  It takes a long time, and overcoming a lot of challenges for that ungainly babe to transform into the white bird of beauty and grace.  It's a grace that is hard earned and only found when the swan grows into its potential.  The same can be said of truly beautiful people.  True beauty and grace is earned by going through life's hard knocks and coming out the other side knowing who you are, living in your potential, and living courageously.

As the swan grows and earns its feathers, it transforms into a creature that is unrecognizable to its former self.  This symbol of magic and transformation gives us lessons in accepting the changes in our life in order to become who we can be.  Accepting life with an open heart and fierce courage allows us to magically become more than what we were.  This is the courage to stand in who you are with the purity and authenticity to be who you are.  When you can do that, like the swan, you can say to the world, "That was yesterday, this is now.  This is who I am now."

Most cultures have legends around this beautiful bird.  In many of them, the swan is a shape shifting woman that can shed her cloak of feathers to become human by the moonlight and change back by the light of day.  In several stories, swans are children trapped in a swans body by a vengeful magician.  According to some beliefs, the swan is the soul of a shaman voyaging between worlds.  To others, the swan is a dimensional traveler, traveling the dream time from reality to reality.  No matter which story resonates with you, the swan is a mystical, spiritual being that sees more than she lets on.

The black swan is a rare one indeed.  Of the species of swans, only one is black.  Many people see the black swan as the dark side or the opposing side.  I think that might be a misunderstanding.  I would say that the black swan represents the shadow.  She is what is hidden and mysterious.  The black swan represents the unknown.  Or,maybe what we don't want to face.  But stepping into the depths of that mystery without the expectation of understanding can also lead to a quiet, courageous, and confident grace.

To me, the swan is the love of life that embraces and accepts everything that life throws at you.  It is the innocence and purity of standing authentically and courageously in who you are without demanding that the world bend to your will.  It is the trust in yourself and in life that allows you to transform, grow, and change over and over and over.  The swan is your intuition and your spiritual abilities growing and developing every day.  The swan is the sacred feminine energy, power, and beauty.

The swan understands and accepts the mysteries of life.  She lives in the rhythms of the universal flow.  Because she trusts in the balance and in her intuition, she is able to see beyond the illusion.  From that altered state, she knows what could be and navigates when waters with grace and ease.

Sources
whatismyspiritanimal.com
thedruidscauldron.net
spirit-animals.com
​Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams

Channeling the truth from beyond the veil
To weave the worlds old and new
With the magic of words to create a reality
In the sacred dance of dissolution
         and remembering
Each one is the Story Teller
Each to whom the story is told

The Story Teller is one of the oldest spiritual archetypes.  The Story Teller might be the most ancient of the artists and crafters.  The Story Teller is one of the oldest human entertainers and teachers.  The Story Teller is my grandfather telling his fish Tales, my daughter showing me her latest find, and the new mother dreaming her infants potential into being.  The Story Teller is you and me fashioning narratives to help us understand the world in which we find ourselves.

In some Native American traditions, and other ancient traditions as well, The Story Teller was one of the sacred wisdom keepers.  He or She would keep the histories and the traditions, and the societies values alive through narratives that drew the audience into the story.  They were the bridge between what was, what is, and what could be.  They highlighted the cost of folly and greed.  They brought the audience with them for journeys of adventure, courage, and values.  They were the travelers bringing news, lessons, and ancient wisdom.  They were an aid to interpret dreams and the ones seeing life's patterns.  In some Native American cultures, The Story Teller was the gentle teacher that brought the medicine stories to life so each participant could receive the lessons they were ready for.

The role of The Story Teller is to weave a world and invite the listener into it.  The best story tellers lead the listener on a journey of purpose.  Then The Story Teller leads the listener back to the present transformed in some way.  The nature of that journey and the transformation is a dance and an interaction between The Story Teller, the story, and the listener.  It is a ritual and a coming together where all participate in the connection and the progression.  The Master Story Teller works on many levels in an ever deepening well on meaning designed to work at the level of the listening participants.  The purpose maybe to impart wisdom or values.  It may be to teach history and culture.  It may be to solidify culture or to change it.  It may be to bring the past and the myths to life.  It may be just to get the listener to the point of self-reflection.  No matter what the other meanings of the story are, it is always designed to connect the listener and The Story Teller to something greater.

The Story Teller is a magician and an energy worker.  The Story Teller weaves reality with the words, images, and allegories chosen.  The tapestry that The Story Teller weaves can bring the past into the present to connect and root the listener into the established culture or norms and values.  The tapestry can give a vision of the future that transforms and shifts perspective.  The story can be an initiation or a lesson.  It could teach morals or it can be societal glue.  The nature of the story and dismiss or invite and expand.  Such is the power of The Story Teller.  The words are power.  The story solidifies perception or shifts perception.  The story led by a Master Story Teller creates reality.

The truth is that each of us is the master story teller in our own lives.  The story that we tell ourselves defines how we perceive the world and how we interact with the world.  The story creates a tapestry upon which every aspect of our lives sits.  Like the caterpillar, our world shifts and transforms as we shift and retell the story in a new way.  The Butterfly emerges unrecognizable to what it was before.  Such is the power and the magic of The Story.  The world that we see is created from the stories that we tell.  Such is the power and the curse of The Story Teller.

Sources
eaglesflight.com
feminismandreligion.om
blueeyeart.com
starryeyedsupplies.com
​Sacred Pathways Cards by Jamie Sams

Son of a king, seeker of truth
Found the wisdom of the Middle Way
In the universal law of peace and balance
Is the power to be truly happy
Your inner strength to stand in values
Is the life of character leading the way

Over 600 years before Jesus, Siddhartha Gautama was born the son of a kink near the border between modern India and Nepal.  Unsatisfied with his life, he left the life of privilege to seek the truth and the path to spiritual enlightenment and wisdom.  He is the guide and teacher that today most people think of as the Buddha, or the historical Buddha.  There are many legends and stories around Siddhartha Gautama that seem to elevate him above other humans.  In reality, Buddha is a title that Siddhartha Gautama achieved in his lifetime.  Buddha is a title meaning one who has reached enlightenment or the awakened one.  The title refers to one who understands the true nature of reality, one who has broken free of the cycles of birth and death.

There are two primary teachings of the historical Buddha.  The first is the 4 noble truths - Life is suffering, The cause of suffering is craving and ignorance and ego There is an end of suffering, There is a path to the end of suffering.  The second is the 8 Fold Path of right living.  These two teachings are the basis of most Buddhist traditions and is beyond the scope of this article.  Buddha goes beyond this.  There have been many Buddha who have attained ultimate wisdom, and intellectual, and ethical perfection.  It is the ability to see the truth of the universe and rise beyond the state of suffering and the cycle of life.  Some even recognize several types of Buddhas.  There the Buddhas of the 5 elements, the medicine Buddha, the solitary practitioners, and the Buddhas that have achieved enlightenment through effort.

The human Buddhas have achieved enlightenment through effort.  It is a symbol and a path of discovering and living by the universal laws of love, harmony, peace, and balance.  It is a symbol and a path of empowerment, wisdom, and happiness.  The Buddha is a teacher of finding inner strength to live in the truth and stand in your values. It is a path of developing a deep level of character and integrity.

The Buddha is not a god.  The Buddha is a teacher, a mentor, and a symbol of enlightenment.  It is connected to the wheel of life, the cycle of life, and the truth that all energy cycles.  It is a symbol and a reminder to live a life of compassion, discipline, thoughtfulness, focus, and ethics.  If the Buddha is sitting, it symbolizes meditation and inner peace.  If the Buddha is standing, it is at readiness to be a guide and mentor.  If the Buddha is laughing, it brings joy and abundance, and good luck.  If the Buddha is reclining, it is the symbol of transformation and transcendence.

The Buddha inspires a deeper level of self knowledge and understanding of the truth of the world.  It teaches patience and discipline in pursuing wisdom and developing character.

Sources
theatlantic.com
Buddha-statues.info
plato.stanford.edu
lionsroar.com
​ancestry.com

The Three Sisters is a concept that came out of the Native American tradition.  On the surface, it is a poly cropping system that takes advantage of the symbiotic characteristics of the Three Sisters.  The Three Sisters are Maize, Beans, and Squash.  All three of these crops originated in Mexico and have been cultivated for nearly 10,000 years in Mexico.  When they are grown together, they support each other and contribute to the growth and health of the others.  When they are grown together, each is actually more productive, and the productivity of the land is increased by at least 20% while at the same time making more efficient use of resources and effort.

The Three Sisters are, when they are a regular part of the diet, the base of a complete and healthy diet.  When they are consumed together, they provide all 9 essential amino acids that are required for a healthy body.  All three have a long storage life, providing healthy, life giving food for the winter when it becomes difficult to find healthy and nourishing food.  While most cultures have a triad of grain, legume, and storage vegetable to get them through the lean times of the year, The Three Sisters have a special significance.  It is such a healthy triad, that it spread from Mexico to be used as a nutritional base for most North America.

There are a number of stories told about The Three Sisters, with each Native American culture having its own.  In one. Sky Woman fell to the Earth.  In order to save her, the animals built Turtle Island.  Sky Woman had a daughter, Earth Woman, who in turn had twin sons.  The first twin was Sapling who was born peacefully in the normal way.  The second twin was Flint, who was impatient.  He cut his way through his mother's side, killing Earth Woman.  In her grief, Sky Woman planted seeds into Earth Woman's body.  From the body grew The Three Sisters, Maize, Beans, and Squash.  From her heart grew strawberries.  From her feet grew the sunflowers and from her head grew tobacco.

Te many stories centered around The Three Sisters have the same themes.  The Three Sisters are a gift from Sky Woman and Earth Woman.  They are to always be honored.  They are to always stay together.  The Sisters are, when they are together, both physical and spiritual sustenance and nurturing.  Each on its own is incomplete, damaged, and damaging.  When they are together, they complete each other, nurture each other, and support each other on every level from their own growth, to the environment, to the society, to the body.

"Plants tell their stories not by what they say, but by what they do."  Robin Wall Kimmerer.  Taken together, The Three Sisters tell a story of sustenance.  According to Robin Wall Kimmerer, they feed the people, they feed the land, they feed the spirit, and they teach us how to live.  Together they live and grow in harmony and balance.  When they grow together, they nurture, support, and protect each other.  They make the best uses of the resources available and cycle those resources back into the environment.  They  attract their helpers (pollinators) and protect each other from their enemies (deer, raccoons, and weeds).  Each receives what it needs most, and gives to the community its greatest gift.

As a part of the lesson of The Three Sisters, they are traditionally grown on a community scale.  The entire community comes together to gently plant and tend a Three Sisters planting.  In return, The Three Sisters sustain the community.  The lessons in this are many.  The first is in the cycle of life.  Those resources are abundant when they are cycled and nurtured.  Receive what is given with grace and gratitude.  Give your abundance of gifts in return.  Respect the space, way of being, and gifts of others.  Support each other in order for each to develop their gifts and way of being.  Create a diverse community where all gifts are honored.  Give your gifts to the world. Your talent, skills and knowledge, and perspective are are more valuable when they are shared.  Always receive the gifts of others with grace and gratitude.

Above all, the lessons of The Three Sisters is one of community.  There is enough for all as long as we work together and each is allowed to thrive in our own gifts.  We are better, healthier, and more productive when we live in cooperation.  The Three Sisters are the Sacred Feminine in action.  Cooperation, nurturing, and support.

Sources:
nai.usda.gov
wikipedia.org
almanac.com
iasquared.org
gbbg.org
Braiding Sweet Grass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

For a brief description on how to plant a Three Sisters Garden, check out this article
​

Lady Justice is an iconic symbol that is found all over the world at this time.  One version or another of this symbol is found somewhere around most courthouses and many legal firms.  This modern version actually has its roots thousands of years in the past in ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

The modern version of Lady Justice is often shown holding a balance scale in one hand and a sword in the other.  Often she is wearing a blindfold.  The blindfold represents fair deliberation without the influence of wealth, gender, politics, or the mood of the moment.  The scales represent the ability to weigh all of the information presented in a fair manner.  The sword is double edged and can cut both ways.  It represents authority and power.  It is finality.  It is the moral imperative to protect the innocent.

When we dig a little deeper, Lady Justice is patterned after the Roman goddess Justitia, The goddess of justice and morality.  In many ways, Justice is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Dike or the Greek goddess Themis.

So we trace the symbol back to the ancient Greeks.  According to Greek mythology, Themis was a Titan that was married to Zeus.  She is the goddess of divine law, order, and traditional rules of conduct.  She symbolizes prophecy and the voice of the natural order.  Sometimes she is equated with Gaia and natural law and ethical conduct.  She is a Greek teacher of the divine laws of equity, justice, morality, and good governance.  She was the fierce protector of the innocent.

We can now trace this symbol back further yet into the ancient Egyptian civilization and the goddess Ma'at.  Ma'at is often seen as a winged woman with a feather in artwork that dates to before 2100 BCE.  She was the goddess of truth, justice, harmony, and balance.  The Egyptians believed that she weighed the human heart against her feather of justice.  If the heart was as light as the feather, the person was accepted into the afterlife.  She was the teacher and the symbol of the principles that govern the order of the universe.  Those who lived by morality, justice, and harmony were welcomed into her presence.  She expected humans to live a life that honored others and the natural world, respect life, and nurture the natural world.  She too was believed to be fierce in the protecting of the innocent.

So when we trace the roots of Lady Justice, we find a rich symbolism of how to live life and structure society.  All versions of this symbol through ancient history instructs us to live according to the universal laws of justice, fairness, equity, order, and harmony.  We are to live our lives based on truth, respect, and caring for others.  We should stay in harmony with the natural world and nurturing the environment and the life around us.

All three of these goddesses that are the base of Lady Justice are symbols and teachers of a universal code of conduct that forms the basis of truly civilized societies.  These principles are also embodied by other manifestations of the divine feminine from Kali to the White Buffalo Calf Woman.  Behave honorably with respect for others.  Do not take that which is not yours by either trickery or force.  Respect, honor, and nurture the natural world, ecosystems, and the life around you.  Live in gratitude and joy.   Spread that joy by caring for those around you.  Practice good and equitable governance.  Demand justice, equity, and respect in all interactions, structures, and systems.


Sources used for this article:
greekmythology.com
theo.com
kenelexperience.com
egyptianmuseum.org
bordaslaw.com
​heatherandlittle.com

Shifting the shape of reality
The messenger from spirit
From the shadows come
One as black as night

It seems as if crows are everywhere.  That perception may not be too far off.  The "crow is actually several common very closely related species of the Corvidae family that also includes ravens, rooks, Jay's, magpies, and jackdaws, among others.  the crow is, in most cases, an iridescent black bird that gathers into family groups called murders.  They are easily confused with raven, which is also usually black.  The crow is a medium sized bird that has a fan shaped tail and speaks in a "caw".  The raven is much larger, has a wedge shaped tail, a shorter heavier beak, and has more of a "croak".

​Crows can be found on every continent except Antarctica.  According to researchers, these highly intelligent birds use over 250 different calls when they communicate with each other.  They also collaborate to protect each other and their young from predators like hawks and owls.  They are often seen either sharing food sources or hiding them depending on the day and the crow.  They have an excellent memory and the capacity to learn.  They often will share gifts with people who feed them.

In some cultures, crows are a bad omen and a symbol of death, and are therefore feared.  This is understandable.  This omnivore will eat almost anything.  They eat grains and insects, but they also hunt and scavenge.  Most often crows are observed scavenging from discarded food and dead animals on the side of the road.  I personally prefer to see the more positive aspects of crows.  They take advantage of opportunity and clean up the negativity and gunk and recycle that energy back into the system.

Crows are a symbol of adaptability, cleverness, intelligence, transformation, and psychic ability.  They have shown the ability to adapt to almost any situation and thrive.  The fable of the crow and the pitcher highlights the crows problem solving capabilities, and they have been shown to make and use tools.  We can use this lesson from the crow to be flexible and adapt to anything that life throws at us.  Instead of resisting change, embrace the changes that life gives us and use what is available in order to thrive abundantly.

Crow is the keeper of the sacred law.  This is the universal law beyond the law of man and religion.  The crow is believed to working the spiritual depth of the laws of the universe in self and teaches us to always align ourselves with the deep truths and sacred law. This spirit animal is believed to travel between worlds and to cross the veils between the physical and the spiritual.  It carries messages from the spirit world to the physical world and may carry our prayers back.  It is a spirit of the void roe the shadows and as such can see from multiple points of view,  the past, present, and future, light and dark, inner and outer.  As a spirit animal, the crow teaches us to speak truth, walk your talk, and live with honor and integrity.

The crow is also seen as a gateway animal int the supernatural and to support and encourage your psychic ability.  Some cultures believed that the crow can bend the laws of the physical universe and shape shift at will.  This master of illusion can also be a trickster and manipulator.  It is a spirit animal of seers and prophets.  To learn the art of alchemy in your life, you might want to fearlessly follow the crow into the shadows as that is where true transformation occurs.  But be careful if you do, for your life will never be the same again.

This creature of mystery and power has captured the imagination of cultures around the world.  Most of the symbolism that I take from the crow comes from the Eastern Woodlands Native Americans, but there are other associations as well.  According to Norse mythology, crows were the messenger of Odin.  For the Greeks, the crow was the messenger of Apollo.  Crows were associated with the Celtic god of creation, Lugdunum, and polarity and prophecy.  For the Japanese, the crow was the heavenly dog and a messenger from the spirit world.  The Hindus believe that crows are the messengers from the ancestors.  And there is more.

Whether you are looking for ancient wisdom or the universal truth, you might want to listen to the crow.  If you seek transformation and the ability to adapt, you might follow the crow's example.  The crow can help you find your voice and strength to shape your future.  But be careful.  The crow can be the mischievous trickster leading you down the paths of illusion.

The sources for this article are:
uniguide.com
whatismyspiritanimal.com
yourtango.com
Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams

Sacred Hoop, sacred space
Four directions of ancient spirit
Interconnected to all my relations
All are equal in the cycle of life

The sacred circle is an ancient form and symbol that is found in most spiritual traditions on Earth.  In general, the circle symbolizes wholeness, unity, the cycle of life, and continuity.  The Medicine Wheel is an ancient form of this symbol found in North America.  The Native American Medicine Wheel can be a mental construct, made into artwork, or symbolic tools, or it can be formed into the landscape.  The Medicine Wheels built into the land are generally created with rocks and maintained by the people who use them.

Some of the oldest Medicine Wheels in North America date to before 4000 BC.  While we can not be absolutely certain of how these circles were originally used, by tradition, they are sacred spaces of prayer, connection, and healing.  Most Medicine Wheels in the landscape consist of a central stone, four stones representing the four cardinal directions, more stones around the perimeter, and spokes connecting the center and the circle.  There are variations on this theme, but those are the basics.  My Medicine Wheel is 12 points around the perimeter and the 13th point is in the center.

The specific meaning of the Medicine Wheel, or Sacred Hoop, varies from tradition to tradition, so I'm going to give a general picture of what the Native American Medicine Wheel represents.  Any specifics in this article are my own takes on the Medicine Wheel.

The landscape Medicine Wheel creates a sacred space that represents the circle of life, the interconnectedness of all life and energy, and the paths of growth and learning.  It is a way of thinking and being in the world that recognizes that every living being and energy is related, sacred, and to be honored. It is a sacred framework that gives an overall view of life's lesson and how life and energy flow in a circular fashion.  The artistic and mental representations of the Medicine Wheel are tools that help create sacred space and connections in life.

Besides the circle itself, there are five basic key points to understand.  The four cardinal directions are the main points on the circle.  The last point is the center.  The spokes of the wheel represent the paths that you take to learn the lessons around the circle.  According to Native American philosophy, all paths, all directions, all life is equal.  According to most traditions, the entry into the circle is in the east.

The East is the place of the sunrise.  This is represented by yellow and fire.  This is the place of the Eagle and the Condor.  The East is spring, enlightenment, and beginnings.  It is the Place of vision and strength.  I honor the East with Tobacco.

The South is the place of summer and the child.  Some traditions hold this to be represented by white. I represent this by red.  This is nourishment, growth, faith, trust.  It is happiness and generosity.  This is the place of the Coyote or sometimes the Hawk.  Some honor the South with Cedar.  I honor the South with Sweetgrass.

The West is the place of the sunset.  It is the place of all tomorrows. The West is introspection and where the past meets the future.  It is Earth, autumn, and solitude.  This is the place of courage, respect, and honoring culture.  The West is the place of the Bear.  I honor the West with White Sage or Prairie Sage.

The North is the place of winter.  It is the end of life, the end of the cycle, and the preparation for the renewed cycle.  The North is the place of wisdom and the elder.  The North is represented by the Bison and the home of The White Buffalo Calf Woman.  This is the place of ceremony and gratitude.  This is the point that I remember that life is a celebration.  Some honor the North with Sweetgrass.  I honor the North with Cedar.

The Center is the place of integration.  It represents the heart and the person.  This is the point of prayer and connection.  The center is that from which all begins and all returns.  To me, this is the fire of the heart and the understanding that none are greater and none are less.  I honor the center with fire.

To me, this is a tool for creating and entering sacred, energetic space.  Sometimes, I enter this space through a circle drawn in the landscape.  Sometimes, I enter this space through my artwork.  Sometimes,I enter this space through a space that I draw in my mind.  No matter how I enter this space, it is a place for connection and guidance.

Sources for this article:
ictinc.ca
oktalakota.sto.org
uwsuper.edu
nlm.nih.gov
sciencedirect.com
Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams
13 Indigenous Grandmothers by Jamie Sams

The Golden Ratio of nature's form
The cycle of life, evolution, and growth
Universal symbol of ancient wisdom
Follow it within to find your path

Trying to unwind the symbol of the spiral is almost like trying to untangle the chicken and the egg.  Diving into the research for this symbol points all over the world and eventually to the unifying ancient source, the Earth herself.  This is an ancient symbol that is found in the art of almost every culture on Earth.  It predates all written records other than the stone upon which they are etched.

There are only a handful of patterns that are very common and repeated throughout nature.  The spiral is one of them that is found at every level of physical reality from the cellular level of DNA to the structures of the galaxies.  The spiral can be found in seed heads and sea shells.  Here are a few of the places to find spirals if you care to look:  Pine cones and pineapples; Roses and sunflowers; Snail shells and nautiluses;  Fiddle head ferns and spider webs;  Cyclonic storms and the Milky Way.  This form was picked up and used by virtually all of our ancestors from Celtic to Greek, Native American to Mayan, Norse to Polynesian, and every culture in between and up to the modern age.

So what is a spiral?  It is a very efficient, stable, and strong natural form.  A perfect spiral or sacred spiral is a logarithmic form that is mathematically expressed as the Golden Ratio and approximated by the Fibonacci sequence (0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,...).  This was first described in the ancient Sanskrit texts and popularized as a modern mathematical formula by Leodardo Fibonacci.  The sacred spiral has been used as a spiritual symbol and meditative device for as long as people have been creating art, as it still is today.

The symbolic and spiritual meaning of the spiral is fairly consistent across most cultures with minor tweaks in the specifics.  The primary meaning that most cultures give to the spiral is the concept of evolution and change.  Our ancestors understood that the world around them was constantly changing, evolving and growing.  The growth of the spiral from the center point to the ever widening circles is a concrete form showing the progression of growth.  They saw that symbol and growth in many of life forms around them like the growth of a snail or a fern.

One other aspect of the spiral is the cyclical nature of time and the cycle of life.  All aspects of life on Earth participate in this cycle.  The cycles of time are present in the movements of the sun and the moon, and the cycles of the seasons.  Each follows a pattern of change where each cycle is similar but is also different.  The patterns of the cycles make the turnings somewhat predictable.  Our ancestors also observed the patterns in the cycles of life that led from birth, to growth, to death, and eventually back to life again.  The spiral is used to symbolize the pattern that holds even when the details change.

On a spiritual or energetic level, the spiral represents both the life path and the connection between the world that we see around us and the spiritual world.  This is sometimes used on a symbolic level as a reminder that all things are connected.  But it can also be used as an energetic tool to focus meditation.  When used this way, the spiral takes the practitioner into an altered state that allows the exploration of the inner realms of the human spirit and the spiritual realms of energy.  This is usually done by following the spiral from the outer edge to its center of origin.

Here are a few more connotations of the spiral:
The journey to knowledge and enlightenment.
Ancient wisdom.
The release of old patterns.
The forces of nature.
The sacred feminine.
The flow of time.
water
air
expansion
healing

The spiral is a symbol that I use frequently in my art at all levels, from jewelry, to dream catchers, to my pen and ink.  To me, it has all of the meanings in this article.  However, if I had to choose one reason that I use it, I would say that I use the spiral to reflect the spiritual, sacred connection that binds all reality together.  Life, the Earth, and the cosmos are all part of a sacred fabric.  They all interact in a beautiful dance that coils in and out of our perception.

Here are some of the sources that I used for this article:
imaginationstationtoledo.org
embracingshamanism.org
learnreligions.com
49native.com
 
For downloadable prints with my stories check out my Buy Me a Coffee page
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