This second audio clip guides you through the Four Directions Meditation. But the other day, during a meditation, for the first time I felt this at a deeper level. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Light your sage (or other herbs) on fire and then fan the smoke with your feather around your body and anyone else in your space. We give thanks to our Mother Earth for all we have: our food, our water, air, shelter, and so many beautiful beings who are our Brothers and Sisters. When you try to grasp water, it escapes from your hands and is so flexible it always finds a path around obstacles. There are three more Sacred Directions: up above to the stars is yellow, down below to the earth is brown and the center is green. Known for its distinctive red and white speckled cap, Amanita muscaria is one of the most recognized mushrooms in the world. The sky is round and I have heard the earth is round like a ball and so are the stars. It is thought that the conscious mind responds to these instructions. In the Northern Hemisphere, it makes sense that we associate the south, towards the equator, with the warmth of the sun and the heat of the flame. We acknowledge sage, the medicine of the south direction, and acknowledge fire, and the warmth that it gives us. We see this same principle in the Bible. Turning toward the east, we look for a fresh start, an invigorating breath, a new idea. The animals of the west include the beaver for teamwork to prepare for winter and the snake to remind us of how to shed our old skin for transformation. And herein we move to the east - where the thought is awakened in consciousness with the potential to develop into new beginnings - just as nature returns to life in Spring. The invocation involves 'calling in' the energies of the four cardinal directions and then the earth and the heavens. Everything you experience in your daily life is a projection of information stored within the unconscious and rendered in an archetypal form that is reflected in the gods of ancient mythology together with animal totems, tools, gemstones, magical weapons and aspects of nature. It is the direction of inspiration the word that literally means to take in air. This is a continuation of Susan's last 8 meditations which can be heard by clicking below, but it c Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Great visionary, remind me to lead from my pure heart Meditations Past experiences are stored within the neural programming. And they could not be further from the truth. As you face each direction, smudge or fan sage, blow scented water, or shake a rattle and say the prayer aloud. Like our members, Gaia staff are driven by curiosity, passion and the desire to grow, as we continue on our own spiritual journeys and quests. The north represents the place that holds us, that allows us time and space to heal and grow, to feel nurtured and respected. The circle is the earth, the moon and the planets. The Medicine Wheel is a symbol that incorporates the four directions. The directions are not seen as separate and isolated, but rather as part of the interdependent system that makes up the world. The point I am trying to make here is that the exoteric explanations passed off in mainstream forums obscure the true meanings to the point that a beginner would be confused and pass symbolism off as nonsense. Whatever man does to the web, he does to himself. The Seal of Solomon, composed of two interlocking triangles, represents the merging and balancing of male and female, positive and negative energies. Noble Eight-fold Path Right view (samma-ditthi) Right intention (samma-sankappa) Right . Until then, you must follow the anti-clockwise route, look within and find the next missing piece of your emotional puzzle. Our Teepees were round like the nests of birds and these were always set in a circle, the nations hoop, a nest of many nests where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children. from Black Elk Speaks, pp. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Many indigenous tribes, prior to the beginning of a ceremony, honor the directions. Make me courageous when the cold wind falls upon me. Gently close your eyes. Not just sweet Rain, but also the powerful Thunderbeings. We still use light as a symbolic mechanism to represent ideas; think lightbulbs in a skull. It is direct communication with the subconscious mind - a major clue to the esoteric interpretation of the four cardinal points. Though it can be deadly when consumed improperly, some cultures eat it for sustenance after boiling away its toxins. We acknowledge the Thunderbird, who sits in the South and puts his thunder in the storms. Mother of the Life-giving waters The summer holds fertility, passion, growth, joy, and peace. Continuing around the circle, we arrive in the west. Im unfolding the story this way to demonstrate how subtle differences in the interpretation of symbolism creates a canyon between opposing points of view. Qedem means "forward" which shows us that people in ancient times would face the rising sun as the default direction, but it also means "ancient.". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Air represents mental states. The Cardinal Directions have symbolism and meaning that are very important to your Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal quest. The highest point consciousness can reach is when a new understanding is born. It makes sense for us to enter in the north-east section also. Every decision we make is inspired by our vision to empower a community of individuals to come together to build a more conscious world. The four directions, as taught through Native American knowledge, are deeply embedded with symbolism and guidance for transformation: East represents Spring and symbolizes victory, success, and power. While mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, it's more readily available to us when we practice on a daily basis. This is a continuation of Susan's last 8 meditations which can be heard by clicking below, but it can also be enjoyed on its own.1. The flowering tree was the living centre of the hoop and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The same elements found in the microcosm of man are also present in the Universe, the macrocosm of everything in existence. Remember the heart chakra is associated with the element of air, and air is required to stoke a fire. The four quarters are colored red, yellow, black, and white representing the races of man, the seasons, and the stages of life from childhood to old age. The animals of the South hold the lesson of strength, courage, and pride. Specifically, she was given a powerful mandala, and wanted to know in which direction would be most auspicious to hang the mandala in his home. When the smoke vanishes, so too does the negativity that came from within. It is about Fire the Sun burning bright, casting a lot of light. If you look at these clinical trials right now, all of them, without any exception, use music as part of the therapy model. For those looking for an otherworldly experience, its ibotenic acid-rich contents have led many on psychedelic journeys over the thousands of years of its known use. Through each of these symbolic mechanisms, you will see how the cycle of creation is revealed in the four directions. My response follows In my opinion, the symbolism within the four directions is not about developing ideas for cultivating, but about killing old habits to make way for new beginnings. Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. And never let me be burdened with sorrow by not starting over again. If you are seeking to get in touch with your inner life, with your emotions, turn towards the west. See our, Is it possible that the folktale we know and love about Santa Claus finds its roots in the psychedelic mushroom-eating shamanism of people living in boreal regions of Europe? Help me to listen to the quiet, and find serenity and comfort in the silences as they become longer. The Wonderful, Magical, Be Here Now Guru, Mahavatar Babaji: The Eternal, Holy Master of Kriya Yoga, 7 Things That May Block Your Spirit Guides, How to Use the Chinese Magic Square The Lo Shu, Ramakrishna and Sarada Devi: Spiritual Ecstasy, Love and Vedanta, The Minor Arcana: How Numbers and Elements Give Tarot Meaning, Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot: An Esoteric Primer, The Fourth Key to Ascension: Spiritual Practice, Ascension Key One: The Origin of the Great Work, Connecting with Our Personal Mother Goddess. South. In my opinion, this place of darkness and the north also relates to something that is hidden, or unseen. Julia Hamilton, a Harvard Divinity School graduate, serves as Lead Minister of the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (CA). We can get so bogged down in the mundane, but if we soar with the Eagle and the Angels, we can see things from a distance and gain greater clarity. Earlier, we established waters (consciousness) existed before anything else. Meaning of Cardinal Directions. Affiliated with the GW Center for Integrative Medicine, we collaborate with individuals to explore all aspects of their lives for healthier and more complete living. These four sacred directions also correspond to the four natural elements; ( Earth, Water, Fire, Air ), and depending on the tradition, tend to vary in their correlation. Shamanic teachings at least try and offer hope by saying the north is related to illumination, logic, discovery and mental wisdom. But they also say that about the east. Imagine the birds, turning and wheeling in the air, imagine the breeze blowing through your hair. Look straight ahead and think of the souththe source of heatas representing the caldron of life, the chaos, commotion and uncertainty. Each new sunrise brings us new light, and new opportunities to grow in wisdom. West: Water, feeling and reflection. The Wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Eagles fly to the west. Unless you cultivate your mind and evolve, you become stagnant, energy dams up in the body and you become victim to illness and "bad luck". The Medicine Wheel, or Wheel of Life, is represented by the four directions. Unitarian Universalist Association The four directions help to explain how we do that. We invite all Southern spirits of good intent to join us in our ceremony today. Bring into balance the physical, mental and spiritual, so I am able to know my place on this earth, in life and in death. jogee: not the end of a legal saga but the start of one, Is represented by the four directions help to explain how we do that until then, you consent to use! Deadly when consumed improperly, some cultures eat it for sustenance after boiling away toxins. Discovery and mental wisdom visionary, remind me to listen to the web, he does to esoteric! Cycle of creation is revealed in the Universe, the chaos, commotion and uncertainty follow anti-clockwise... 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This cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin mother of the Society... Follow the anti-clockwise route, look within and find serenity and comfort in the Universe, chaos.