Diverse Native American nations and tribes have revered the stars for millennia, and they have long woven profound insight and taken deep meaning from the tapestry of the Heavens and the Earth’s dance in the cosmos. As in other parts of the world, the Indigenous Americans have their own approach to astrology and the Zodiac, which offers a deeply nuanced and rich perspective on many aspects of Life.
KEY INSIGHTS
· The Zodiac is a belt of space around the Earth that is divided into 12 equal sectors and follows the path of the Sun, Moon, constellations, and planets from Earth’s perspective. Its interpretation differs in different parts of the world.
· Native Americans of many tribes traditionally revere and find meaning in the cosmos, and a modern interpretation of traditional Native American beliefs gives us the Native American Zodiac.
· The Native American Zodiac is based on the lunar cycle and animal totems, taking deep insight from the ancient medicine wheel.
· Indian Traders has Native American jewelry, Native American blankets, and associated products that depict some of these animal totems – and our jewelry is handcrafted by Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni artisans here in the southwest.
What is the Zodiac?
Humans have observed and sought meaning from the heavens since time immemorial and used the movement and positions of the stars and other celestial bodies as a form of oracle. At one time, astrology (the practice of observing and directly associating celestial phenomena with Earthly concerns) was considered important and relevant all over the world.
The term “zodiac” derives from an ancient Greek word meaning “relating to little animals”.
Speaking broadly, the zodiac is a specific belt of space that traces the apparent path of the Sun across the sky over the period of a year. It incorporates the Moon, planets, and twelve distinct astronomical constellations of stars, and it is divided into twelve equal sectors. These sectors are assigned “signs”; traditionally in Western astrology, they are physical coordinates (from Earth’s perspective) that reflect the constellation the Sun passes through at specific times of the year: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.
This system dates back to Babylonian astronomy of at least 1000 BC, during the First Persian Empire, after which it was incorporated into ancient Greek astronomy and the emerging, corresponding Hindu (Vedic) Zodiac. The system was used widely by the time of the Roman Empire. Astrology was also a distinct Islamic discipline by the 8th century AD.
The Chinese have their own unique Zodiac system, based on the Chinese (lunar) calendar and twelve meaningful animals who represent human traits.
Whichever zodiac system is used, it is used to ascribe expected personality traits and predict life events based on the sign under which a person is born.
Understanding the Native American Zodiac
While the Native American Zodiac can’t be traced to a specific nation or tribe, it is a modern interpretation of various tribes’ traditional belief systems.
For many Native Americans, astrology has long been integral to tradition and culture – after all, many tribes, including the Hopi, believe their forebears literally came to Earth from the stars (specifically, for the Hopi, from the Pleiades constellation).
Though the nations and tribes are themselves incredibly diverse, Native American tribal traditions almost always view humanity in the context of its place within the natural world (as opposed to the unfortunate and widespread modern Western view of humans being of primary importance and in ownership of the natural world). Being harmonious with nature is intrinsic to this belief and way of living, and animals and the seasons are extremely significant.
The Medicine Wheel
· Native American astrological principles are based on the lunar (moon) phases and specific totem animals.
· The year is divided into four clans that represent the four directions/elements: Turtle (earth), Butterfly (air), Falcon (fire), Frog (water)
Each clan is divided into three equal sections.
Together, this makes twelve sections which, placed together, form the medicine wheel.
· An important symbol (circle), the medicine wheel represents unity and convergence.
These twelve sections mirror the traditional Western zodiac, but use animal totems rather than an astrological sign:
Hawk/Falcon = Aries
Beaver = Taurus
Deer/Elk = Gemini
Woodpecker = Cancer
Salmon = Leo
Bear = Virgo
Raven = Libra
Snake = Scorpio
Owl = Sagittarius
Snow Goose = Capricorn
Otter = Aquarius
Wolf = Pisces
Each animal totem is associated with a specific Full Moon, and the totems are also grouped according to the season and compass direction with which they are associated – together, the qualities of the Moon and season help ascribe meaning to each totem animal.
The totem animals represent birth signs and energetic personality types or spirits.
Summing Up…
While looking into astrology and the zodiac can be, for many of us, lighthearted and a bit of fun, its roots in Native tradition are incredibly meaningful and culturally important – and speak to the richness of these belief systems and a way of living in the natural world around us with integrity.
Indian Traders proudly offers a vast range of Native American jewelry, Native American blankets, and associated products that depict some of these animal totems – and our jewelry offerings have been authentically handcrafted by Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni artisans here in the southwest.
Would you like a Hopi Bear Bracelet?
Navajo Overlay Bear Paw Earrings?
A vintage Deer Pin?
Desert Animal Guardians Etched Crystal Glassware?
Or something else? Explore our store for your special piece today.