4 Directions Of Teachings
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According to our Dine’ philosophy,
the four cardinal directions, East, South, West and North lead an
individual through daily activities, a sequencing of accomplishing
goals, and on the pollen path of harmony towards a good life. I have witnessed among my people and especially the younger generation, that “end of an era.”? East East is the season of Spring The colors and designs of this direction is of the dawn. This is where White Shell Woman resides, on the Blanca Peaks. All life starts in the east, that is why we get up early in the morning and pray/bless and offer our white corn meal/pollen in the east direction. In this direction we begin our thinking/ learning, our life begins is in this direction. It is said that when you get up early enough, you can meet the Deities of the dawn and ask for a good day/life. Talking God helps you with your saying (speech), he stands in this direction for guidance and protection. When the sun comes up, we look to the... South South is the season of summer This is where we plan what we are going to do, The color of the south is blue and Turquoise Woman resides on Mt. Taylor. We wear turquoise jewelry as a sign of protection and open mindedness. Our childhood represents the south. It is also associated with organization, communication, comprehension, the planting of seeds. The Pleiades or Seven Sisters and Turquoise Jewel or also a part of the south. The sun sets in the … West West is the season of Fall In the west is where we do our living, here is where we act out our plans and our thoughts of the east and south directions of our lives. The colors of Abalone and sunset are present here. Abalone Girl resides on the San Francisco Peaks. The Cluster of Stars, Many Stars, the Galaxy, the clan system, kinship, social development, and life cycles are associated with this direction. Harvest God/Fringed Mouth guides and protects and stands behind us from the west. The sun goes down in the… North North is the season of Winter The Big Horned Sheep mountain, La Plata Mountains, the colors of darkness, Black Jet, and Horned Star/Comet associate with this direction. Spirituality, Hope, Strength of our lives are evaluated at the end of the day. It is a time for respecting the darkness, who is our grand mother. The darkness was created for rest and so it allows us the rejuvenation of the mind and spirit. The four cardinal directional hummingbirds are there to bring the gifts of the directions back to us, so that we may relearn the “Life Ways of the Dine’” culture.
It is said that if a butterfly sits on you voluntarily, you become prosperous.
The Teholtsodii (water creature) Sand Painting Design comes from the Waterway, Shooting Way, Beauty Way, and Plume Way. It is believed that he was instructed to make the rivers flow and henceforth be responsible for them. I was inspired to erect this Sand Painting design in my weaving, because of the drought that we are experiencing. May it bring our rivers back in plenty and provide nourishment to our Mother.
A lot of times when you are having problems with alcohol/drugs, your life is full of darkness. Often times it is a never-ending path of falling down and getting back up. They say that with each dawn you have the ability of renewal, to start a new life. Our Mother Earth and Father Sky loves us that much, to forgive us of our troubles and grant us a new start. Every day the cycle is repeated. In each cycle there is a lesson to be learned. In the early morning our prayers to our creator are answered, this is when we ask for forgiveness, guidance and assistance to help us with whatever we would like to do with life. “My mother tells me that being a weaver, you acquire a gift of sensibility, your mind sees your surrounding and it becomes a part of your work. Whatever inspires your mind will also influence you as a person, and your weavings, I believe that it is true. And so I dedicate this piece to my people and the new generation who are in the mist of confusion and have lost souls and identities. So that you may relearn the basic principals of balancing the “Dine’ Way of Life” with your new/contemporary life ways. May you walk in beauty…” |
"May Walk In beauty .”
Roy Kady
Master Dine’ Male Weaver
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