The Seven Directions
Many of the indigenous people of our world like to call in the seven directions to help create sacred space. There are many ways to do this, whether you choose to sit quietly or sing, chant, or recite a poem to honor the essence of all that is around you. It could be drumming, many choose to shake rattles or offer tobacco, and didgeridoos or flutes can be played. Whatever method you choose, the intention for the action is to unite heaven and earth with our hearts.
East Spring - Power, success, Life, beginnings. Place of passion and fire, inspiration and creation. Breaking forth of Spring. Land of the rising sun. Light dawns in the morning and spreads over the earth. The beginning of a new day. The energy of the beginning of understanding and the light of illumination.
South Summer - Peace, harmony, healing, fullness of fertility. Sun is at its highest with the sun’s rays being most powerful. It’s said all life comes from the south. The flowering warmth of summer. The energy or service, the spirit of action.
West Fall – Autumn’s whisper, rest, peace, change, impermanence, ancestors. Sun sets and day ends, evening arrives. Signifies the end of life and changing of colors. Harvest of a fruitful life. Storms come from the west bringing water which is the source of life. The energy or renewal from looking within.
North Winter - Humility, surrender, endurance, stillness, quiet, darkness of night, thankfulness for knowledge. North brings the cold harsh winds. These are cleansing causing the leaves to fall. Death, purification and the transformation of life. Represents the trials people must endure and the cleansing they must undergo. The energy of wisdom and their blessings and the generosity to share them.
Mother Earth - Birth, chaos, giver of life. Earth is our mother where we receive our nourishment, support and guidance. The energy that comes from being deeply rooted to the source.
Father Sky - Order, joy, wisdom, divinity. Great Spirit dwells high above like an eagle in the sky. Vastness, majestic beyond all knowing and understanding.
Within - here and now. Place of union, love and reverence where all are joined. The energy of being connected.
