"A ritual is the enactment of a myth. And, by participating in the ritual, you are participating in the myth. And since myth is a projection of the depth wisdom of the psyche, by participating in a ritual, participating in the myth, you are being, as it were, put in accord with that wisdom, which is the wisdom that is inherent within you anyhow. Your consciousness is being re-minded of the wisdom of your own life."  Sacred Feathers...Feathers in hair for Native Americans had a spiritual meaning. They were worn by Native American Chiefs to symbolize their communication with the Spirit, and to show off their divine wisdom. Feathers also represented the power of the thunder gods, along with the power of air and wind. Sometimes feathers were representative of courage during a battle or a successful hunt.  This Condor feather is a rare find as they are illegal to purchase since Condor's are on the endangered list. This feather was bought to us from Peru as a gift to be used for healing ceremonies.... Again I write about ritual and symbolism. Ritual is important aspect of healing, as our ancestors used it to help clear psycho-spiritual-physical aliments. The act of a ritual is a powerful healing tool for all people collectively, as it has been practiced for millennia by our ancestors, around the world. Symbolism is the language of the psyche (subconscious) and is most effective in communicating with the parts of ourselves that are still in the in the dark or unconscious as it were.
Feathers have an ancient symbolic meaning, they are linked to the air element, freedom and pure potential. They are attributed to transformation that is strong, swift and potent. Feathers are used by a healer ("yachek" in the Andes or shaman) on the aura (energetic body) of an individual, in smooth, long strokes from the head to the feet, in order to clear energy. They are used from any one of the nine cardinal directions towards the body in order to invoke healing energy. The Andean Condor is associated with the Sun deity and is the ruler of the upper world. Condors live in the Andes Mountains, the highest peak of which is 6,962 metres high (some smaller species are found in California and Mexico). Condor is a symbol of power and health. Condor has a wingspan of 2.7 to 3.2 metres. Its plumage is all black, except for frills of white feathers at the base of its neck. It also has patches of white bands on its wings. The colour of the skin on its bald head changes as a form of communicating emotion. In males the irises are brown and in females they are deep red. Condors have extremely good eyesight and can spot food from miles away, symbolising being able to see or plan far into the future. Condor’s talons are not for hunting. In fact condors hardly ever kill for food, they eat meat that they find (benevolence) and thus symbolise making use of what we find and working with what we have. They use branches, sticks and feathers to make their nests, also symbolising the use of things that are to be found in our everyday lives. They nest very high on cliffs teaching us to make our home in heaven. They glide from mountain peaks and often make use of wind currents to soar, teaching us to surf the currents, ebbs and flows of life. Condors typically lay one egg, teaching us to treasure that which is rare and that some things only come along once in a lifetime. They have no natural predators and are thus Kings and Queens of the heavens, because they are at the “top of the food chain” although they rarely kill. These birds can fly at 90 km/h and are thus the harbingers of rapid transformation. The people of the Andes view the condor as their guardian. When the Spanish arrived in the Andes the condor became a symbol of freedom from oppression and slavery. Condor is the messenger of the gods and the carrier of our dreams and prayers to heaven, because she flies much higher than any other winged animal. She teaches us about the ancient mysteries of life and death, about communion with the spirits and how to soar above our limitations. Condors have an uncanny ability to sense death, so they are sometimes seen as the angels of death, circling around when life is about to end. Condor is very powerful protection in the spirit world. Condors live on average between 50 and 80 years, roughly the average lifespan of a human and thus teach us about life. Although humanity has been responsible for the near extinction of the condor, we have also been responsible for saving these birds, whose numbers have increased in recent years. This represents humanity’s ability to solve problems which we have created for ourselves. The prophecy of the Eagle & the Condor says that when the Masculine Eagle (mental aspects) and the Feminine Condor (heart aspects) fly together again (when the north and the south are no longer at odds), we will again live in harmony and recreate paradise on Earth. Condors rest at night and fly by day. Legend says that they draw the dawn and the sun across the sky. Condor chicks leave the nest at age two, symbolizing independence. These birds also signify connection to the land and one’s place of birth, because they do not migrate at all. Condor helps us transform that which is dead and no longer serves us into energy that helps us soar above, into greater heights of awareness. Thank you for reading! Monica* References: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condor en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Condor kalypsyd.hubpages.com/hub/Animal-Symbols-and-Meanings tqe.quaker.org/2005/TQE138-EN-Condor.html
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Permaculture Ethics: "Care of the Earth, Care of the people, Share the surplus" - Bill Mollison I recently listened to a lecture by the director of the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia, Geoff Lawton. I really enjoyed what he said about ancient cultures and ethics. In order to live in community, people lived by an average of 18 ethical principles, they lived harmoniously (within their tribes) with each other and their environment. Creating and living by a system of ethics meant life and harmony vs. disorder, chaos and possibly death. Where are our current ethics? If they are not taught at home, when and where are they discussed? You don't really hear of the word? Is this part of why current reality is not in harmony? Is it because ethics and values are no longer part of our consciousness? Is it missing in interactions with each other, with our environment? Is this why greed is rampant, even at the cost of our environment and ourselves? Permaculture has 3 ethical principles, Geoff stated, that with these as a minimum, societies etc. can live more harmonious and sustainably. They are: Care of the Earth, Care of the people, Share the surplus (back into both). Perhaps people can begin to discuss and identify what ethics are, or even a virtue? Then perhaps once again, they can be a part of society at large. I love this diagram because it illustrates Native American virtues (which are related and connected to ethical principles) that were valued and I believe created much more harmony and happiness in communities. Wisdom:..... To cherish knowledge is to know Wisdom. Wisdom is given by the Creator to be used for the good of the people. In the Anishinaabe language, this word expresses not only “wisdom,” but also means “prudence,” or “intelligence.” In some communities, Gikendaasowin is used; in addition to “wisdom,” this word can also mean “intelligence” or “knowledge.” Love:..... To know Love is to know peace. Love must be unconditional. When people are weak they need love the most. In the Anishinaabe language, this word with the reciprocal theme /idi/ indicates that this form of love is mutual. In some communities, Gizhaawenidiwin is used, which in most context means “jealousy” but in this context is translated as either “love” or “zeal”. Again, the reciprocal theme /idi/ indicates that this form of love is mutual. Respect:..... To honor all creation is to have Respect. All of creation should be treated with respect. You must give respect if you wish to be respected. Some communities instead use Ozhibwaadenindiwin or Manazoonidiwin. Bravery:........ Bravery is to face the foe with integrity. In the Anishinaabe language, this word literally means “state of having a fearless heart.” To do what is right even when the consequences are unpleasant. Some communities instead use either Zoongadikiwin (“state of having a strong casing”) or Zoongide’ewin (“state of having a strong heart”). Honesty:........ Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave. Always be honest in word and action. Be honest first with yourself, and you will more easily be able to be honest with others. In the Anishinaabe language, this word can also mean “righteousness.” Humility: ......Humility is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation. In the Anishinaabe language, this word can also mean “compassion.” You are equal to others, but you are not better. Some communities instead express this with Bekaadiziwin, which in addition to “humility” can also be translated as “calmness,” “meekness,” “gentility” or “patience.” Truth:....... Truth is to know all of these things. Speak the truth. Do not deceive yourself or others.  |
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