Native American Traditions

Informative Topics

"O Great Spirit, show me the way of wisdom, and give me the strength to follow it without fear."
~ Ohiyesa, The soul of the Indian

This page reflects Pamela's personal beliefs and practices along with a select few of the sacred Native American Traditions from various tribes. This page was designed with the hope of passing on the sacred values and the wisdom in which they stand for to others.

Native American Traditions are most remarkable for the sacredness upheld in all forms of life. Their ancient ways teach values of honor, love and respect, to one another, all plant life and animals, birds, the earth, and to our Creator, the Great Spirit.

The overall Native American traditional approach to all life and thought is spiritual. It is said that the true Indian's creed is in the joy of living..."so live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart." A quote from The Gospel of the Redman, written by Ernest and Julia Seton.

Native American knowledge is a powerful gift which brings ways of deepening connections to each other, our Earth, and the Great Spirit. All around the world, many of the sacred Native American traditions are still practiced. As our world draws nearer to the millennium shift, it is becoming more and more evident that the old ways are finding their rightful place in people's lives and helping us bring a greater awareness toward caring for our Earth and those around us.

The Sacred Smudging Ceremony

From many ancient traditions, herbs and plants are used to perform the sacred smoke blessing. Smudging is also a ritual of cleansing and purification for the physical and spiritual bodies. Smudging calls on the spirits of scared herbs and plants to drive away negative energies and to restore balance.

Smudging is often used to cleanse and balance the aura energies of people, and used to clear space energy within home and work environments. Smudging is also used to cleanse and remove negative energies from crystals, gemstones and other natural and healing objects.

Mixtures of sacred herbs and resins are burned in a special bowl or shell. Smudging sticks are now available, which are made from dried plants and herbs tied in a small bundle. Smudging is viewed as a way of shifting between the levels of the material, physical, and spirit realms. There are many methods of smudging. The most common method is by lighting the herb or plant, extinguishing the flame, and wafting the rising smoke around the person, area or object, while sending out a prayer or blessing.

Herbs most often used in smudging are sage and sweet grass. Sage drives out negative thoughts, energies, spirits and influences. Sweet grass is used to attract positive energies, after the negative energies are banished. Other herbs and plants used in smudging are, lavender, copal, cedar, juniper and mugwort.

The Sacred Connections in the Tree of Life

From the teachings of the Cherokee it is said; within the Tree of Life, there are Sacred Directions.

It is also said that the Creator planted a Sacred Tree for all the people of the Earth. And in this tree, they would find healing, power, security, and wisdom.

We are all like the Sacred Tree. We live and experience changes of the seasons, and the changing of our lives.

"The tree embodies the sacred connection of all things in the Universal Circle of Life." Within the Tree of Life, we are connected to Father Sky, symbolic of the wind, and wisdom; Grandfather Sun, symbolic of the fire, and security; Mother Earth, symbolic of the life, and healing; and Grandmother Moon, symbolic of the water, and power.

The Four Directions of the Universal Circle

Four Sacred Directions in the Universal Circle of Life observed in the Cherokee Tradition are where each represents a specific color, direction, attribute of learning focus, and path to follow.

This clockwise circle represents the spiral of life, with the directional energy that influences it. The Center is for the Creator, and the Four Directions of the Universal Circle. The Four Directions provide guidance in understanding our behaviors and directions. The Directions provide us balance and we must find the harmony in relationship to all that exists in our environment.

The Four Directions also connect us with the spirit of the animals and birds as our brothers and sisters in the Universal Circle. In traditional teachings, the circle represents an omni-present energy that exists in the universe, which is the never-ending Circle of Life.

EAST	SOUTH	WEST	NORTH
Color - Red Direction - Spiritual Path of Sun	Color - White Direction - Natural Path of Peace	Color - Black Direction - Physical Path of Introspect	Color - Blue Direction - Mental Path of Quiet

Legends of the Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher is hung above a bed or space to filter out bad dreams and thoughts, allowing good dreams and thoughts to come through the web and travel to the receiver.

There are many legends told of the Dream Catcher. One legend is traced back to a Sioux woman whose child was tortured by nightmares. After a time, she asked a medicine woman, known as "spider woman" for advice. She was told to fashion an eternal circle out of willow branches and weave the net of life with threads. It would be there in the web that the bad dreams would be entangled, and the good could come through.

Another legend tells, "A spider was quietly spinning his web. It was beside the sleeping space of Nokomis, the grandmother. Each day, Nokomis watched the spider at work, quietly spinning away. One day as she was watching him, her grandson came in. "Nokomis-iya!" he shouted, glancing at the spider. He stomped over to the spider, started to hit it. "No-keegwa," the old lady whispered, "don't hurt him." "Nokomis, why do you protect the spider?" asked the little boy. The old lady smiled, but did not answer. When the boy left, the spider went to the old woman and thanked her for saving his life. He said to her, "For many days you have watched me spin and weave my web. You have admired my work. In return for saving my life, I will give you a gift." Soon the moon glistened on a magical silvery web moving gently in the window. "See how I spin?" he said. "See and learn, for each web will snare bad dreams. Only good dreams will go through the small hole. This is my gift to you. Use it so that only good dreams will be remembered. The bad dreams will become hopelessly entangled in the web."

Personal Medicine Shield

The Medicine Shield symbolizes the Seven Sacred Directions as well as animal, plant, earth and spirit energies for whom the shield is fashioned for. The Medicine Shield, like the Medicine Wheel, is regarded as a replica of the universe and the elements it embodies. The outline of the shield forms the boundary that protects the bearer from unwanted events.

Often feathers are bound to a Medicine Shield. These are symbols of the wisdom, introspection, and the healing powers of a medicine man. Medicine Shields always should reflect the truth of abilities portrayed.

On a level that cannot be perceived by others, a Medicine Shield reflects what is essential to the inner self of its bearer an what will is possessed. Medicine Shields are often made for specific ceremonies, and as symbols of good luck and healing.

The Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel symbolizes the Four Sacred Directions and the Center which stands for the point of creation, and the Creator.

Feathers, and other carved animal depictions, as well as small medicine bags are often bound to a Medicine Wheel. These symbols represent the wisdom, introspection, and the healing powers contained within the Medicine Wheel. The Medicine wheel is regarded as a replica of the universe and it embodies the elements which are seen as a part of it.

The Painted Drum

The drum itself plays a significant role in Native American traditions. The painting displayed on a drum represents the symbolic intervention intended in accessing other worlds. Energy is created from the music and conveys between the bearer of the drum and the power it manifests.

Music created by the drum is seen a connection to the spirit world. The drum is in shape of the universal circle of life, and serves as a ceremonial tribute to physical life, and life in the spirit world.

The Sacred Pipe

The Sacred Pipe was often lit and smoked while the Council was assembled. It is a symbol of Peace, Brotherhood, Council and Prayer. It was first smoked to the Great Spirit, in Heaven, then to the Four Winds, His Messengers, and to Mother Earth, through whom he furnishes our food. The sacred pipe was smoked by each Council member, and then passed in a circle, like that of the Sun. Rising from the east, moving southward and then setting in the west.

Legends of Spirit and Thunder Beings

In Native Traditions, there are many stories told about Spirit and Thunder Beings. The Spirit people are sometimes seen by medicine men and women, and by the wise elders. They are said to brings messages to earth from the spirit world.

The Thunder Beings are said to be the ones who bring thunder, lightning and rain to replenish our earth.

Story-Telling Pottery

Native Americans are famous for their fine talents in making pottery. The intricate designs used in indian pottery-making have been handed down for generations.

Found in each unique piece of pottery are symbols and images that tell stories of the ancestry of the tribes.

Seven Clans of the Cherokee

Bird
Blue
Deer
Long Hair
Paint
Wild Potato
Wolf

Recommended Resources For Native American Traditions:

All Books Written By J. T. Garrett and Dr. Michael Garrett
A fine collection of books which are dedicated to the teachings and ancestry of the Cherokee.
To view a complete biography on Dr. Michael Garrett, Click Here
For available books by J. T. Garrett and Dr. Michael Garrett at amazon.com, Click Here

Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation
For Official Website of the Eastern Band of Cherokee in North Carolina, Click Here

Museum of Cherokee Indian
For Official Website for the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Click Here

First People
For Website dedicated to the First People of the America's and Canada, Click Here

Special Dedications:

Joesph Rael "Beautiful Painted Arrow"

Joseph Rael, whose name, Tslew-teh-koyeh, given to him as a child at Picuris Pueblo, means "Beautiful Painted Arrow," is widely regarded as one of the great Native American holy men of our time. He holds a Masters Degree in Political Science and has devoted his life to the understanding of vibration and its role in the creation of conscious reality. In 1983 Joseph had the vision to build a Sound Peace chamber, a kiva-like structure where people of all races might gather to chant and sing for world peace. At present, Sound Peace Chambers have been built around the globe.

For over 25 years Joseph Rael has led spiritual dances in the Native American mode, workshops, and mystery schools all over the world. He is the author of a number of books, including Being and Vibration, Beautiful Painted Arrow, Way of Inspiration, Ceremonies of the Living Spirit, and House of Shattering Light. His "portal art" paintings have been displayed in galleries in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and San Francisco.

To learn more about and to view Joesph Rael's web site, Click Here
To view Joesph's Song of Peace Video, Click Here

Joesph Rael and Pamela Nine
February 2005

Center for Peace

The Center for Peace, located in Seymour, TN, founded by Perry and Jeanne Robinson shares the vision of Joesph Rael and maintains a Peace Sound Chamber which provides a sacred space for singing, chanting, meditating, teaching, and other forms of celebrating the abundance of the Earth, the grace of the Creator, and the unity of all people.

The vision of Center for Peace is a holistic spiritual teaching and healing center, is founded on a vision of inner peace available to all people. In our experience, inner peace is found in our awareness of the presence of the Creator (the Spirit Of Life In All Things). Very aware of the power of personal belief systems, the Center for Peace encourages people to evaluate their beliefs as to whether they limit them or free them in their very personal spiritual journey.

Rather than teach a creed or doctrine about the Creator, the Center for Peace teaches people to discover the Creator on its own terms: in its Creations. Since any belief became limited the moment it stepped into the human mind, the Center relies more on experience than indoctrination. In doing so, it draws on what has worked for people throughout human history: ceremony, ritual, dance, shamanic practice, vision seeking, channeling, meditation, chanting, and prayer.

To learn more about and to view the Center for Peace web site, Click Here

Personal Message from Pamela:

In dedication, this page was created for all Native Americans and their sacred traditions, for which I am proud to belong. I have been taught of my heritage and relation to the Cherokee, through my Maternal Grandmother. She has crossed over now, but through Spirit and unconditional love, she continues to guide my path.

In my personal life and beliefs, I hold the ancient ways dear to my heart and soul. Over the course of my life, I have had the honor of studying with and becoming friends with a number of very wise and gifted Native Americans of many different tribes. I pay tribute to each of them and practice many of the sacred traditions I have been taught on a daily basis. With assistance from Spirit and my guides, I will continue to teach these sacred traditions to my sons and others who are guided to me for learning.

I would also like to say for everyone to keep in mind the content of this site reflects my beliefs and should anyone of the Native American descent ever be offended by the content of this page, I humbly apologize, as it would never be my intent to cause any offense to traditions I treasure.

With many blessings of love and light,
Pamela ("Little Wolf" ... my Cherokee given name)

< Prev		Next >

Native American Traditions

Site Options

Site Search

Newsletter Signup

Pamela's Community

User Menu