Meditations on the Primary Directions

The four primary directions are West, North, East, and South. Combined with the center stone these form four paths: West, North, East, and South. The Spirit Keeper stones refer to the beings that are basically in charge of the four directions. These include Yanu, the Bear, who is the Spirit Keeper for West. Yunsu, the Buffalo, is the Spirit Keeper for the North. Awahili, the Eagle, is the Spirit Keeper for the East, and Tsistu, the Rabbit, is the Spirit Keeper for the South. The West represents power, the North, wisdom and purification, the East, enlightenment, and the South, life and growth.

The main animal associated with the West is Yanu, the Bear. This is a source of strength for the seeker. The West is also where the sun-goes-down, and is thus the gateway into the eternal, the doorway to our afterlife. This is the place of introspection, where we can turn to see our life's meaning. From the west come the Thunderers, bringing the storms of the seasons. Since the color of the West is black, stones that are black, such as obsidian, would be of use to us here. Such is the West.

The West Path, from the center stone to the West stone, is the Force of Lessons pathway.

The main animal of the North is the Buffalo, specifically the White Buffalo Calf Woman. The North is a place of wisdom. Its color is white, and as such it represents purity and purification. Clear colored stones, such as quartz, would be of use here.

The North Path is that of physical and spiritual purification.

The main animal of the East is the Eagle. The Eagle flies high, and carries our messages to the Great Spirit. The East is also the source of illumination, and yellow is its color. Crystals associated with the East would include opal and yellow fluorite.

The East Path is that of enlightenment, and the substance of lessons.

The main animal associated with the South is the rabbit, although the mouse is also associated with that direction. Red and green seem to be colors often associated with the South. Due to that, stones such as agates and garnets are linked to the South.

The South Path is that of life and growth.

Spring can also be associated with East, summer with the South, fall with the West, and winter with the North.

The stone path going North/South is The Good Red Road, the happiest portion of your Spirit path. The West/East path is The Black Road and represents painful lessons in life.

The stones connected the cardinal direction stones represent various moons in the wheel of the year.

The months used on the Shadowlight Medicine Wheel are as follows: (1st name from Creek, middle name from Plains tribes, last name from Cherokee)

• January: Little Winter Moon/Snow Moon/Icicle Moon
• February: Wind Moon/Hunger Moon/Frost Moon
• March: Little Spring Moon/Crow Moon/Thawing Moon
• April: Big Spring Moon/Grass Moon/Flower Moon
• May: Mulberry Moon/Planting Moon/Mockingbird Moon
• June: Blackberry Moon/Rose Moon/Dogwood Moon
• July: Little Heat Moon/Heat Moon/Hawk Moon
• August: Much Heat Moon/Thunder Moon/Sassafras Moon
• September: Little Chestnut Moon/Hunting Moon/Squirrel Moon
• October: Big Chestnut Moon/Falling Leaf Moon/Birds Fly Moon
• November: Frost Moon/Beaver Moon/Woodchuck Moon
• December: Big Winter Moon/Long Night Moon/Long Sleep Moon

The placement of the moons is as follows: Cardinal direction North; three stones going from that to the East stone. In order, these are Icicle moon, Frost Moon, and Thawing Moon stones. From the East stone to the South stone the moon stones are Flower Moon, Mockingbird Moon and Dogwood Moon. From the South stone to the West stone the three moon stones are Hawk Moon, Sassafras Moon and Squirrel moon. Finally, from the West stone to the North stone the moon stones are Birds Fly Moon, Woodchuck Moon and Long Sleep Moon stones.

Be in a still and tranquil place where you will not be disturbed. Have the lighting dim, with pleasant music in the background if you so desire. Smudge before you do this meditation. Smudge yourself, the chair you will sit in, and the area you will work in. Have writing materials nearby in case they are needed, and don't forget to smudge those, too.

Have four crystals there to use (and smudge): one that is yellow in color, one red, one black, and one white.

Hold the yellow crystal in your hand, and envision yourself standing outside on an open field facing east. No signs of "modern" humanity are around; there is only you, the plants, the sky, the sun, and the mineral kingdom. As you stand looking east, say a prayer to the Great Spirit, asking for illumination and guidance. Call upon your brother the Eagle to come and take your prayer to the abode of the Great Spirit. Stand and watch as the wind gently moves across your body, and see an Eagle come in from the east. Watch as the eagle passes above you, looking directly down at you as it gives forth its powerful call.

Watch the Eagle begin to climb higher in the sky, higher and higher until you can no longer feel its presence. Let the energy of the sun and of the Eagle flow through the yellow crystal into your body.

Now see yourself turning towards the south, and picking up a red crystal. Call upon the spirits of the south to help you receive the illumination from the east in a state of innocence and grace. Respect that which you receive, and express your desire to return to the ancient ways of respecting the earth and all our relations. Feel the energy coming to you from the earth itself, filling the crystal, and then flowing out into your body. Receive the energy of the south.

Turn toward the west, and pick up the black stone. Call upon Yanu, the Bear, to give you strength so that you can take the illumination and lessons you have learned in humility, and have the courage to apply them to your daily life. Ask that Yanu be with you throughout each day to help you call upon your own courage to face the problems of the world. Accept the energy coming from the west into your crystal, filling it and then flowing out of the crystal and into your body.

Turn now and face the north, picking up the white stone. Call upon Yunsu, the Buffalo, and the Buffalo Calf Woman to give you the wisdom to apply your learning with strength and innocence for the purpose of helping your people. Let the energy of the north fill your crystal, then spill out and flow into your body. Receive the energy respectfully and gratefully.

Look down at the ground around you. See the path laid out in the color red, running from south to north. This is the Good Red Road, the spiritual path where you will be happiest.

See also a road running from the east to the west, and colored black. Know that this is the Black Road, a road of difficulty and painful lessons, but one that you sometimes must walk.

See the stone in the center of this circle. This is the Great Spirit stone. Kneel down near the stone, and gently reach out to touch the stone with your hands. As you touch the stone you can feel your spirit expanding, see the colors and animal spirits of the four directions watching you, offering their help and protection. Feel the power that is the Great Spirit. Know that the Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka, wishes for you to have a good life, and a life where you can help others.

Release your touch of the center stone, and stand once again. Face the four directions and thank the spirits of each for the help and guidance you have received. If you so wish, you can pledge yourself to follow the Medicine Path, respecting Mother Earth and all our relations upon it, and offering to help your people as much as you can.

Return then to your room and your chair. Place the stones gently down, relax, then allow yourself time to sit and think about what you have seen and heard.