Monday, November 23, 2009

symbols of nature

The belief system of the Native Americans assigned an animal spirit keeper for each of the four directions.
The buffalo was the totem of the North. It taught endurance and contemplating knowledge.




The spirit of the East is represented by the eagle who teaches new beginnings and creativity.






The coyote, spirit keeper of the South known as the Trickster, gives the gift of trust.





The animal spirit keeper of the West is the grizzly bear, a problem solver and teacher of family and community values.






Drumming was often used to communicate with the spirit keepers and to get in touch with one's own heartbeat, which was sacred.



The first Thanksgiving held in 1621 between the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Native Americans was as it is today: an expression of gratitude, giving thanks.
Wild turkey was on the menu from the Pilgrims.


The Native Americans brought five deer for the venison meat.









Indian corn and gourds were crops raised and harvested by the Native Americans.


Gratitude to my blogger friends!
Sources:
Dancing with the Wheel by Sun Bear, Wabun Wind, and Crysalis Mulligan.
Sacred Drumming by Steven Ash.
The First Thanksgiving, article by Kathleen Curtin, Historian at Plymouth Plantation.

30 comments:

  1. I love this post Margaret because it took me back to a time when things were very basic.
    To think how far we have come since the very first Thanksgiving day.
    In some ways it's sad because people today have so much and want more.
    I am quite sure that in 1621, gratitude meant so much more. A morsel of food,warm blanket and shelter from the wild.
    It makes one think twice, at least this one.
    Thank you for the reminder!
    Love Di

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  2. margaret thanks for filling me in on this american tradition. a rich beautiful post about a loving time. enjoy these days. steven

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  3. Enjoyed your post Margaret, having an American Indian heritage I related to it.
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  4. Happy Thanksgiving

    I hope I am not showing my ignorance by returning these greetings now.
    From all I hear I know it is the major celebration in the US calendar; your symbols are very beautiful. I had no idea that Thanksgiving started as a custom involving native Americans.

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  5. Am really enjoying your pieces about native americans Margaret... you are so clearly putting alot of heart into them...

    And I'm honored that you wish to make me an adoptive blog nephew ! Now two sisters and an aunt... who will be next ???

    May your Thanksgiving be full of simple pleasures and quiet reflections...

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  6. Thank you! I'm ever more interested in Native American culture and wisdom. And our world needs this wisdom more than ever, yes? Your contribution is needed and most welcome and appreciated.

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  7. eh bien on en apprend des choses chez toi !
    moi je suis plus tentée par l'est ! peut-être mes origines polonaises :-)
    et j'adore le portrait du "sacred spirits" !!!
    passe une belle journée margaret
    kiss xxx

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  8. Great post! Thanks for the interesting history Margaret!!
    Hugs! :)

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  9. Oh my gosh. That man in the photo is handsome. You feel like you can see his soul through his eyes. Another interesting post, perfect for our holiday. Happy Thanksgiving Margaret!

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  10. We don't have Thanksgiving here, but it sounds like a good idea!

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  11. Hi Diana~ Thanksgiving is one of many sumptuous meals to us. We brought a cooked turkey down to the church today for the soup kithen's trip to Harlem for their Thanksgiving. It's so different; they really appreciate it and are so humble. btw, I loved your Norman Rockwell today!
    Happy and blessed Thanksgiving to you! xxox
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    Hi Steven~ I wonder why we don't share the same Thanksgiving day. You must have your own story. Haiku and wine sounds good to me!
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    Hi Wanda~ Pocohontas would have celebrated a little differently. You wouldn't kill that sweet buck in your garden! But you will have a long table of guests, and I wish you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! xxox
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    Hi Friko~ We don't have exactly the same culturual celebrations, but some things we share. Will you be celebrating Advent? A nice, quiet, reflective time of year. xxox
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    Hi Owen~ Will you be celebrating Thanksgiving? Not too French a holiday. I remember how much I loved my first Reveillon in France--so beautiful.
    We're having a French aperitif, Lillet (blanc) with a slice of orange. Do you know it?
    And I will make time for quiet reflections and simple pleasures, a lovely wish. Amities, Tante M.
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    Hi Dan~ You got me started on this path! I find it fascinating and meaningful. It's too bad the wilderness is so far away, but we do have a coyote in the neighborhood, owls, deer, and there's always the moon!
    Happy Thanksgiving, Dan!
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    Hi Karine~ Je suis attiree par l'est, mais les Indes. Mon mari est d'origine Hongrois (il adore le chou farci!).
    J'ai l'impression que cet Indien nous regarde des yeux perces comme s'il nous voit de vrai. Oui, je l'aime aussi.
    Je t'embrasse, Karine! xxox
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    Hi Rain~ I was just saying to Steven above that it's odd we have two separate Thanksgivings! What is the story of yours? xxox
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    Hi Sharon~ The way he looks directly at us is as though he really "sees" us. And as you said, we can see into his eyes to his soul. He connects so much with us. Happy and blessed Thanksgiving, Sharon! xxox
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    Hi Saj~ You can always come to ours! I was telling Owen we were having a French aperitif called Lillet (white) that you serve with a wedge of orange. How's that for Tuesday Tipple?! xxox

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  12. Hi Margaret! I think it mostly has to do with celebrating the harvest in Canada. But I vaguely remember from history classes that one it was started in October by one of the explorers who discovered parts of Canada? Not too sure on that one, but I am sure about the harvest celebration!
    :)

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  13. Oh btw Margaret, on a separate note, I found my telephoto lens! Because my camera is a point and shoot, and because it's an older model, finding a telephoto was really challenging! The only one available is a 1.7x, so when I have my 12x it'll make it a 20.4x optical zoom! Wow, I needed a calculator for that equation. I'm also planning a sturdier tripod! Those are my xmas gifts to myself and I really hope I can get them before the blue moon of December! Exciting! :)

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  14. Hi Margaret, that tipple sounds divinely simple! Less time spent fussing about making it and more time to drink it - perfecto!

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  15. juste un petit bonjour en passant margaret :-)
    passe un bon jeudi !

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  16. Sending you best regards from Germany where I am for a short trip!

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  17. A nice and interesting post Margaret!

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  18. j'espère que tout va bien pour toi, t dois être très occupée, je ne te vois plus nulle part :-)
    bisous xxx

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  19. This is a lovely reminder of simpler times. I love the photos, especially the one of the young Native American. His eyes are mesmerizing.

    Hugs and love,
    Angela

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  20. Hi Margaret, it's been a little while, hope you're ok, missing seeing you out and around everywhere, in many of the places I love to go too... hope all is ok with you...

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  21. hey i was thinking of you this morning as i wandered around my bloggy faves! have a peaceful christmas time. steven

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  22. hello dear friend...tu nous manques beaucoup...j'espere que tu vas bien...donnes nous de tes nouvelles...on S'INQUIETE...je te souhaite de bonnes fetes de fin d'année...lot of kisses...:o) a lot....

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  23. Merry Christmas to you and your family Margaret! I hope you are alright.

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  24. I wish you dear friend Margaret by heart the best for the year 2010! Happy new year to All of you!

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  25. Hey Margaret - have missed you and have been wondering if everything is alright? Happy New Year.....I'll be looking for your re-appearance. All the best to you.

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  26. Hi Margaret,
    Hope all is well with you and yours. Merry Ho Ho Ho and Happy New year from way down here (where it's nice and warm...)

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  27. Just dropping in to wish you a good year Margaret!

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  28. Hey Margaret, please give us a sign of life... funny how there is a silent corner of the blogosphere when you're not there popping up all over the map...

    Take care, stay warm, and a good new year to you...

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  29. Helloooo...Margaret....??? Have been missing you for a long time now...I add my voice to your other blog friends in sincerely hoping that all is well with you.

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  30. Oh dear, I do sincerely hope all is well with you! Thinking of you, cheers from New Zealand! xx

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