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Journeying with the elements will help you in a variety of ways. One of them is that you will be able to recognize the energy of each element wherever you run into it. You will also be able to begin to feel when one or more of your elements are out of Balance and get an idea of what needs to be done to restore harmony and well-being. Although what you experience in the Dreamtime will be very vivid, it is very common to have everything suddenly begin to fade away like a dream once you return to this Middle Kingdom. This is why I strongly encourage you to have your journal right next to you and immediately record what you have experienced when you are doing these exercises. I know personally that sometimes there is so much that I cannot seem to write it all down fast enough. At those times, I usually like to record my voice so that I can later transcribe my experiences.
In the Native American traditions I studied, like in many other parts the world, it is said that the world is made up of five elements. The element of spirit consistently remains in the center of the Medicine Wheel, but which element is assigned to each compass point depends on the tribe. To give you an overview, fire is seen as the Breath of the Creator. Air is seen as movement and thought. Water represents the element of Heart. Earth represents the body and environment. Spirit represents soul and transcendence. In order to preserve harmony and health, these five elements need to be maintained in Balance. Doing so ensures that the energy of life flows around you and through you peacefully and with little resistance.
If there is an imbalance of the elements, then there can be sickness and unneeded destructive chaos that run rampant in a person’s life. I would like to emphasize, though, that order and chaos are both seen as neutral and necessary forces. As I like to tell people, if you have ever moved or repainted your home, then you know that there is always chaos before new order! If you continue along this path, then you need to further study the interaction of these elements because this is critical to being able to determine what someone or a situation might need in order to restore things as they should be.
In Western thought, if someone is sick or if there is a problem, only that particular symptomatic area is looked at. It is only in very recent history that a more holistic view of wellness and health is being adopted by Western cultures. In the Native American viewpoint, the illness is addressed differently. Say, for example, that someone was overeating due to tremendous stress at work and obsessing about it. The condition is not severe yet but can become so if not addressed. The two elements that are out of Balance are earth, because food is involved and any weight issues are being caused in this case by excessive eating, and air, because his mind is restless and he can’t stop thinking about his situation. Western thought would heavily focus on the aspects of his body, which are earth, and his thought process, which is air. Depending on the practitioner, the other elements might not be looked at as closely.
For us, that type of strategy would only be looking at part of the problem. We would first engage the element of water, which is Heart. This element would help us comprehend the deep underlying causes of where this faulty survival habit sprang from. We would then look at energy, which is the element of fire. We would try to understand where he is spending his energy and help him begin to reclaim it so that he could redirect it to something healthier. Finally, we turn to spirit by having him look at the greater perspective of what it is that he wants for himself and for his career, short and long term. It would be very much like adjusting a scale that in the beginning is completely out of Balance because the elements of earth and air are completely tipping the Balance off center. By slowly adding the other elements, the scale becomes more level, and then finally, after the other three missing elements are engaged, we return again to the initial elements that created the imbalance to begin with. We would revisit earth to see how to improve his environment and perhaps suggest a new diet. We would also take another look at air and give him techniques to begin to reframe his situation. This would help him develop a healthier mindset and perspective when working on this health issue
I would like to clarify that if an element is severely out of Balance to the point of causing harm, we would attend to it first and stabilize it before moving on to the others. When you begin to train in this tradition, it is always this way. Balance is a dynamic process. What helps keep things in Balance today might shift tomorrow because circumstances change. The movement of the elements is dynamic within an individual and also within that person’s environment.
The way I’m presenting the elements and the directions they are aligned with is in relation to the tribes I learned from. The directions, the colors, and the teachings I share in this chapter are from the Anishinaabe Nation. The animals are strictly of my own choosing because I feel they embody the element and may make it easier for you to connect with the element you are working on. I have created these exercises to assist you in going further in this endeavor. If you study under other tribes or nations, remember that although the universal teachings will be very similar in the manner that they are relayed and in emphasizing which lessons are important to remember, the compass points and associated elements might be very different. Even within a nation there can be variations.
I am describing the elements to help you grow in your spiritual practice. The elements can also be applied to bring greater harmony and order within your environment. I would also like to say that here I am using my kin, which are the animals, to assist us in learning about the elements. I strongly encourage you to go back over these exercises with your kin to discover which of them would help hold the energy and essence of that specific element for you.
The techniques of honoring the elements should be kept the same. You will find that each time you honor the elements, you will receive a different insight in addition to strengthening your connection with the element as time goes on.
Earth: The Element of
Creativity and Building Foundations
It is this element that represents our bodies and our environment. In Native American spirituality, they are inseparable. What you do to your environment will ultimately affect you; what you do to yourself will in the end impact those around you and your environment. The element of earth, when compared to all the others, is the slowest moving but the longest lasting. It teaches us patience and perseverance. Through earth’s resistance, we build character and know what we are willing to take a stand for. How incredible it is that what we can feel in our Hearts and envision with our imaginations we can then apply creativity to, manifesting just about anything! Earth’s color is red like the rising of the sun. Earth’s direction, east, represents infancy when correlated to human age. It is the time in our lives when everything is brand new and we do not yet have a complete understanding of the world that is before us. It represents the season of spring when the land becomes fertile once again. Earth is the element that allows us to complete our karmic lessons and makes us focus on what truly matters.
When this element is in Balance, it is like a pleasant land of rolling hills and golden sun. This sacred element teaches us the importance of giving and receiving equally. The greatest example of this is a potluck meal for a large group of people. It would be too much burden on any one person in both time and money. In the beginning, there is nothing but a bare table. As everybody brings something to share, there is such an abundance of food at the end of the gathering that it actually has to be given away! It is true. When we all give a little, then we all have a lot! This element teaches us the value of thoughtful generosity. If you are willing to be in your body and take care of it, then you will have strong health. If you are willing to be of this world and contribute in a meaningful way, then you will be rewarded with a good environment and a happy life. In a way, the element of earth teaches us in instant “karma.” What is inside of you and what you do comes back to you in various manifestations. What we do collectively is reflected back to us in our societies and global environment. When earth is in Balance, we receive nourishment and can see what solid foundations there are to build a life of stability.
When earth is out of Balance, it is like a tremendous earthquake that crushes and destabilizes everything. When this element is out of Balance, then greed becomes a driving factor. Sadly, we see this happening all too often on our own good Earth Mother when so much needless destruction is done for the sake of profit. When this sacred element is out of control, our environment internally and externally becomes increasingly toxic until it can no longer sustain life. This can manifest as weak health or disease in the body as well as instability and conflict in all areas of our lives. When earth is out of Balance, instead of taking time to think about what we are doing, we impulsively jump into things. The result is that there can be long-term harm from those mindless short-term actions.
Power Animal: Monkey
Chattering and smiling at us is the clever Monkey. This Power Animal is honored in many various spiritual pathways. In Hinduism, the god Hanuman appears to be a monkey upon first impression, and the Maya consider monkeys to be the patrons of creative endeavors. Of all the mammals, primates are the closest to us. They live in groups called troops. They teach and care for each other and express a wide range of emotions in a manner similar to ours.
When this sacred animal is in Balance, it represents cleverness with the ability to invent that which is new and captivating. The Monkey is family oriented and can easily adapt and take advantage of any situation, whether it be in the wild or within the cities of humankind. This Power Animal shows us the value of focused hands-on creativity and building. In the wild, some primate species build “beds” of branches and leaves as well as tools in order to make their lives easier and more comfortable.
The spirit of the Monkey entertains and is entertaining. Hence, there is the old expression that something funny or mischievous is “monkeyshines.” This is an animal that allows all generations to coexist within their troops. And so, this Power Animal sets an example for us that we should also appreciate all our generations from the youngest to the oldest. When the Monkey is out of Balance, it becomes very self-serving and greedy. If the animal feels self-important, then it can become aggressive within its troop and pick fights easily. Whenever it is nervous, it chatters and becomes restless and scattered. It will then jump from thing to thing and does not complete whatever it was doing. This is very much like us when we are undisciplined or afraid.
Before you go on this journey to reconnect with the element of earth, I want you to take some time to contemplate in detail the next thing that you want to manifest or achieve. Is there a goal that you are working toward? Remember that this is the element of solid foundations and building upon them. I would ask for you to think about what you wish to accomplish in both the long and short term. What would be the result of you successfully completing this task?
Gather what you need and prepare for your journey. Face east and, if you like, have something red in color to represent this direction. Build the Fire of Your Heart. Deeply connect with your body and the life that is around you. Feel the ground beneath you. As you relax, you will naturally connect more fully with our good Earth Mother as you sit upon her. Focus. Begin to envision the Monkey, with his grin and long arms and legs. Look at his long tail that can grab branches and items. Monkey comes to you with a mischievous smile and a knowing face. He beckons you to follow him, for it is time for you to go for your lesson. Follow Monkey through the trees and feel the mesmerizing motion of the swaying branches. The sensation is almost like rocking gently in a chair. You notice that there are other Monkeys that are also accompanying you. You hear many different kinds of birds squawking in protest as they fly out of your path. You go deeper into the forest until at last you come to a forgotten stone temple. All the Monkeys fall back except one, who is the leader. The leader beckons you into a room within this temple. A hole in the ceiling allows for shafts of sunlight to illuminate the walls that are here. The stone is very worn, but clearly there are the symbols of cultures from around the world and throughout time. The Monkey who led you falls back and gestures for you to sit in the middle of the room to gaze upon the symbols.
Recall to Heart and to mind what it is that you wish to manifest. These are thoughts that you had before you began this journey. If you are working on more than one thing, focus on them one at a time. You will notice that certain symbols get your attention or begin to glow in response to what it is you are seeking to understand. See what symbols stand out. Get up and touch them. What is the energy that you feel coming from that symbol? Open your intuitive senses to understand its meaning. Once you have the answer for one question only, then move on to the other. It is normal to feel as if your head is becoming full of information that you can’t quite grasp at the moment and your Heart is brimming from the energy of the symbols and the temple. Do not worry about deciphering things in detail now, for it is more important for you to be in this moment.
Monkey taps you upon the shoulder. If you did not get a chance to get the answers to all your questions, know that you can come here at any time.
It is time to return. Giving thanks to Monkey and to the helpers seen and unseen of the temple, you turn to go back with the troop of Monkeys through the trees. Meet your Guardians and return to the Fire of Your Heart.
Get your journal and draw the symbols quickly, for they may fade like smoke from your memory if you wait too long. Take time to write down everything, for some of the knowledge that you could not grasp consciously while you were in the Dreamtime will begin flowing through you now. Capture everything that you can before it goes away. Sit with what you have been given.
It is preferable if you sit upon the ground if you are able to and even better if you are outside and can sit with your back up against a tree. If you are inside, then sit next to a plant, or if you do not have a plant, holding a stone or crystal will work as well. Be within your body and spirit. Feel your life force and your own heartbeat. The connection between you and All Your Relations is easy and strong.
If you are outside, feel the life force of the tree you are sitting up against. Permit yourself to become one with the tree and feel the element of earth, how the roots go deep within the earth and draw that energy upward as it stretches into the heavens through its branches and leaves.
If you are inside, perceive the energy within the plant or the stone or crystal that is in your hands. Feel its essence and its connection to earth. Allow the Medicine of this being to connect with your own body. As this energy joins with yours, it will be resonating within you.
Practice equally giving and receiving energy with your breath. Receive as you inhale, give back as you exhale. The better you become at doing this, the more intense the exchange of energy is. In time, this will become second nature. You will receive the blessings of strength, stability, and guidance. While you are here in the state of meditation, begin to contemplate these things. What are you creating in your life right now? Do you have the wisdom, resources, and healthy relationships for the future that you need?
You know you are done when the tree, plant, stone, or crystal begins to lessen what they are giving you. You are politely being dismissed. Be not surprised if you receive some messages. Trees and stones hold much memory and wisdom. They love to share with those people who approach them with humility and a desire to listen and learn. In Native American tradition, we call the stones the Old Ones for they are the bones of Earth Mother herself.
Air: The Winds of Thought That Carry Us
The next element I would like to cover is air. It represents thought and process. It is the ability to communicate with all beings seen and unseen. The communications are not limited to merely the written and spoken word but encompass all forms of communication that are possible, such as body language. This element has us focus on our mental structures. It is our mental constructs and outlook that set the tone for how we perceive a situation and can create a predisposition in the way that we would handle it. The direction of air is south, and its color is yellow like the sun at its highest point. The season this direction represents is summer. Chronologically, it represents youth and young adulthood.
When this element is Balanced, it is like a friendly wind. It brings clear thought with honest and open communications. Just as air easily moves and bends around objects when this element is in Balance within us, it gives us the ability to be flexible and to adapt. When we master the lessons of this element, we discover how we can properly pace ourselves when we are working or playing. Air encourages us to be open-minded and helps us laugh at ourselves and at life.
When air is out of Balance, it rages and tears things apart like a roving tornado. It symbolizes scattered thoughts or when the mind becomes so overwhelmed it just shuts down. Miscommunications are common because of narrow-mindedness. As air runs out of control, it manifests as one extreme or the other, such as workaholism or procrastination. When this element is out of Balance, it represents when we are too serious and can overengineer things. Garbled communications and mounting frustrations are the result of not communicating to others in a way that they can comprehend.
Power Animal: Deer
The Power Animal that came to teach us about the element of air is the Deer. The Deer guides us to embrace and unconditionally love all parts of ourselves, both light and shadow. This sacred animal helps us become attuned to the rhythms of nature and our society without becoming lost in them. The Deer shows us about freedom of movement. For many tribes, it is the totem of the shaman and the ability to journey between the worlds. The lessons of this Power Animal teach us how to build bridges between people and instruct us about the Sacred Hoop of giving and receiving equally.
When out of Balance, the Deer represents fearfulness and becoming paralyzed when we see shadows both within ourselves and in the outside world. It is when we have tunnel vision and mindlessly continue on a course of action even if it is self-destructive. We become selective in our memory and in our listening. When the Deer is in this state, it represents anxiety about new people or new situations. It is when we would rather stay stuck within what is familiar even if it is not healthy.
Here we are going to ask the spirit of the Deer to assist us in learning about the element of air. Prepare for your journey as you normally would and sit facing south. If you wish, you may bring something with the color yellow to represent the energy of the south. However, this is optional.
Relax. Kindle and strengthen the Fire of Your Heart. Let it fill you and focus on your breath. Feel your breath going over your breastbone as you breathe. Remain here and continue focusing on this sensation until it is all that exists. Focus on your heartbeat. Its rhythm is like the hoofbeats of a dancing deer. Envision this Power Animal. See the points of his antlers, his sharp hooves, and the color of his fur. Note his clear, dark eyes and his strong yet delicate steps. Feel the spirit of the Deer and ask for this sacred animal to help you.
Follow the Deer to a field and back to his herd. Take time to pay attention to the feeling of the air. Pause to notice how many are in the herd, including the young Deer. Feel the beautiful wind moving around you; it inspires the young Deer to leap joyfully. You can feel the rhythm of their hooves on the ground as they dance. Open your Heart to this energy and feel yourself also wishing to move and dance. Run with the Deer. Let yourself be free like the wind. Become the wind! Revel in the freedom and joy of movement and of being. Free your mind of any doubts and negativity. Enjoy this exciting moment. When the herd stops, it is at the edge of a beautiful forest. Lift your arms to the sky and release any and all tensions that you have in your mind and in your body.
When you are ready, allow the leader of the Deer herd to approach you. See your reflection within his large and beautiful eyes. Receive this Power Animal’s blessing. The Deer will breathe upon your Heart and fill it with strength and freedom. Be in this moment. Do not rush it!
When the Deer herd is ready to go, it is time for you to return. Give thanks to this beautiful sacred teacher. Return to the Fire of Your Heart. Breathe deeply and allow for the blessing of the Deer and the lightness of being to run completely through you. Allow it to become integrated into every fiber of your body, mind, and spirit. Once more give thanks and begin to journal what you have experienced.
Acquire an incense that you find pleasant to smell. If you have asthma or allergies, then you can use cold mist like that from a diffuser that uses water instead. If you are able, go outside and look up at the clouds in the sky. As always, dedicate everything back to the Great Spirit and to All Your Relations by offering the incense or mist to them. Feel the sacred breath of life within you. As you have done previously, focus on the sensation when you inhale and as it goes over your breastbone. Relax. Allow your breathing to naturally become deeper. Open your Heart and feel the air around you. Pay close attention to how it feels on your skin and what smells and sounds there might be riding upon it. Allow yourself to get lost in the sensation of the wind if you are outside or on the plume of smoke or steam if you are inside. Unite your breath with the rhythm of the winds and remain there.
Gaze deeply into the smoke, steam, or the clouds if you are staring up at the heavens. What images or symbols do you see? Do not bother interpreting anything now. Be in the moment. Fill your whole being with the element of air. Once you complete this honoring, give thanks. If you are using incense or smudge, remember to bury the ashes! While you are connecting your breath to this sacred element, contemplate these questions: How does your worldview affect how you interact with life and communicate with others? What is your current mindset?
Water: The Element of the Power Within
We turn now to water, the element of Heart. As stated before, emotions and intuition are important expressions of Heart. It is good to pay attention to how you are feeling and to psychic impressions you receive, but like water, they are only healthy if they flow through you and do not stagnate. This is the place of Knowing, where true, profound transformation begins. It is the element of going into the Great Silence, where you can hear the Voice of the Creator within you, also known as the Voice Within. Manifestations begin here because we attract what we believe, whether we are conscious of it or not. Water’s direction is west, and the color is like that of the night sky, which is commonly represented with black or a deep, deep blue. The season this direction represents is autumn. Chronologically, this relates to middle age.
When water is in Balance, it is like a gently flowing river or a calm ocean. It helps you hear the Voice Within. It is the element that allows you to connect heart-to-heart with others so that there can be nonverbal communication, which can be more impactful than words. Water carries you to a place within you where you will discover inner peace. Another gift of the Knowing is an intuitive understanding of divine law, karma, and how the universe around you works. Like the water of a river flowing within its banks, this element will teach you how to create healthy boundaries so that you express and reinforce them so that others will respect them.
When the waters are out of Balance, they become more like a furious ocean or dangerous whitewater rapids. You will sense that your Heart is closed and that you are isolated and lonely. You will feel as if you have no boundaries or that people are constantly violating your boundaries if you have them. When this sacred element is churning like an angry sea, you will experience internal turmoil that can escalate to soul suffering. Toxic emotions will create painful drama and blind chaos that can overwhelm and drown you because everything seems hopeless and personal! When the element of water is crashing out of control, you cannot listen to the Voice of the Creator within you.
Power Animal: Dolphin
The Power Animal that is kind enough to join us is the Dolphin. This animal is seen in many cultures as a protector and a good omen. It has been recorded from centuries ago up to this current day that the dolphin has the compassion to save other species, such as human swimmers. When this Medicine is in Balance, it opens and deepens our connection of Heart with ourselves and All Our Relations and can help us navigate our sea of emotions. This inquisitive animal reminds us to keep on playing and learning new things throughout our lives. The dolphin lives in pods and is the perfect instructor regarding the power of cooperation and community. Since this sacred animal has heightened senses and intelligence, it can assist you in learning to read the currents of energy and the trends of a situation while using your intuitive abilities.
When the Dolphin is out of Balance, it becomes irresponsible and childish. Its intelligence is used for manipulation and is divisive. This Medicine, when out of control, can manifest itself as insensitivity toward others in words and action. In this mode, the Dolphin is lazy and becomes petulant if asked to do anything at all.
It is time now to dive into the oceans with the Dolphins. Prepare for your journey and sit facing the west. If you wish to represent this sacred direction, you have the option of bringing something that is black or at least very deep blue in color. Begin your Waterfall; concentrate and completely surrender to the flow of this divine energy flowing through you and around you. Send this energy into the Fire of Your Heart. While you are in this meditative space, pay attention to how you truly feel very deep inside your own Heart. What emotions are you experiencing in different areas of your life?
When you are ready, focus and envision the Dolphins in the ocean. You see swift movements and fins breaking the surface of the water. You hear their whistles and clicks as they call to you. Go into the ocean and feel the waves. Know that you are safe, for the Dolphins are all around you. They invite you to swim with them; if permitted, you may ride one. If you allow yourself to connect fully with the energy of this sacred Power Animal, you might shape-shift into a dolphin. The tides carry you and feel very soothing. The Dolphins’ sleek bodies are graceful, and they invite you to leap playfully as they do in the ocean. As you go racing through the waves with the Dolphins, release your sorrows and any toxic energy that you have. The shining sun burns this energy off and restores the ocean to its beautiful, pristine state. The Dolphins guide you to a cove that holds a magnificent crystal glowing brightly with divine Power. Experience its color, energy, and light. When you feel that you have permission, gently take the crystal in your hands and touch it to your Heart.
Let go! Permit yourself to be open to receive the energy of this crystal, touch it, and let it suffuse every part of you. Be receptive to the messages and blessings that this crystal is giving to you. You will know when the crystal wishes to be returned to its place within the cove. With respect and gratitude, return it to its place. The pod of Dolphins is joyfully whistling and jumping. It is time to return. Once more go into the water and enjoy the sensation of being with them through the rolling waves.
Back upon the shore, you rejoin your Guardians to return to the Fire of Your Heart. Take a moment to enjoy the sensations and bask in the energy that is now throughout you. Breathe deeply and relax. You do not need to rush here. When you are ready, open your eyes, and be in your Heart. Remember to record what you have experienced.
Most people find water to be the easiest of the elements to connect with. Get a bowl that has no decorations on the inside. A darker colored bowl will make this exercise easier but is not critical for success. If you are able to be outside and work with moving water like the sea or a river, that is even better. Fill the bowl almost to the top with clean, clear water. If you are outside, see the reflection of the sky upon the surface the water. If you are inside, use soft light, and do not have the light source directly reflected on the water.
Sit quietly and concentrate on your breathing. Gaze with soft eyes. This means that you allow your gaze to become unfocused, or as if you are gazing at a depth that is twice as deep, beyond the bottom of the bowl. If you are outside, soften your gaze upon the movement of the water or the ocean waves. Focus on your heartbeat and connect it with the energy and, if you are outside, the rhythm of the water. Let your mind be open and trust your feelings. Become one with this divine element. Feel the calmness of the water and let it touch you to calm the waters of your soul. Allow this sacred element to cleanse you and energize you. If you begin to see images on the surface of the water or sense energies, do not interpret or engage them. Let them flow by. Remember that you are here to Balance the element of water within you.
When you are connecting with this sacred element, it would be good to contemplate these three questions: What do you really believe in your Heart about yourself? Does life support you? What beliefs need to be let go and what new beliefs need to be brought in? Once you are done, give thanks to all your helpers seen and unseen. Give the water that is in the bowl back to Earth Mother. You can do this by watering your plants or by pouring the water outside on the dirt. It should never be thrown down the drain, as that would be very disrespectful. Record what you have experienced.
Fire: The Breath of the Creator Within Us
Fire is the Breath and Energy of the Great Mystery. It represents the life spark. Out of all the elements, fire is most like a living being. It starts off as a small and weak ember that needs to be nurtured or it can easily die. It needs to be constantly fed and be given enough nourishment of both fuel and air in order to grow. As it becomes larger, fire requires more “food” in order to sustain itself. Fire can have offspring in the form of other flames that also grow and mature. Ultimately, if fire is not maintained and if it is not given proper shelter, it can age and die. Of the directions, this is the compass point of north. Its color is white like the winter sun, and the season it represents is winter. Chronologically, it represents old age. I joke that it is a uniting factor because it does not matter what ethnicity you come from—as we age, we all get “snow on our mountaintops.”
This element teaches us that we must pursue our passions responsibly. Just as fire can help us see in a dark room, Sacred Fire helps illuminate the darkness within our souls and helps us understand our shadows. When fire is properly maintained, it can warm us, protect us, and cook our food so it is safe to ingest. When your Sacred Fire is properly cultivated, it can help protect you from the darkness of the mind and toxicity in the environment. It is able to give you the wisdom to see things from a greater perspective so that hard concepts are broken down and you can easily integrate them.
When fire is out of control, it becomes a wildfire that does not differentiate what it chooses to consume and destroy. It obliterates everything in its path. When a person’s Sacred Fire rages out of control, it will ultimately destroy their life by “burning” the people around them and can also destroy their work life by putting too much energy in the wrong places. When fire turns dark, it will create bad Medicine by wanting to wrongfully take energy from others, and it can also manifest itself in the form of all-consuming jealousies and a wrongful sense of superiority. Eventually, just like a physical fire, a person will suffer from burnout.
Power Animal: Jaguar
The Power Animal that I ask to assist us is the Jaguar. The Jaguar is very prevalent in spiritual traditions, especially in the southern points of North America, in Central America, and in South America. This animal is very strong and is at the top of the food chain where it is found. The Jaguar represents personal Power and building self-confidence. When this Medicine is in Balance, this Power Animal teaches us how to engage and temper the gifts that we have in order to create our reality. This big cat symbolizes leadership and overcoming obstacles through well-thought-out action.
When out of Balance, the Jaguar can bring direct conflict through contests for dominance and of will. It can become drunk with its own Power and be given to excess. Leadership becomes arrogant tyranny. Might makes right, and there is no regard for who or what is destroyed in the process. Perseverance becomes blind stubbornness.
On this journey, we’re going to ask the Jaguar to show you and to strengthen the qualities of the fire within you. I ask you to sit facing to the north. If you like, you can have something white in your sacred space to represent this direction, but this is optional. Call your Guardians to you. Feel the Fire of Your Heart. Focus and envision a Jaguar. Ask the Jaguar to come to you. Feel the strength of this powerful animal. See her sleek movements and the fire in her eyes. Connect with the Jaguar.
Ask her to take you to see the Sacred Fire. In this place, there will be a ceremonial fire ring made of white stones. This fire is a reflection of the Fire within your own soul. Meditate and feel it. Note its color. Inquire what can be done to strengthen your fire. Be open and listen to the wisdom she gives you. Feel the strength of this big cat and ask her to lend some of her energy to your fire. If you find that the flames are smoky, dark, or fluttering weakly, that means that you have blockages and are allowing toxic people and energies to influence you too strongly in your life. If this is the case, then ask the Jaguar to use her sacred breath to cleanse the flames. Let her teach you how to feed your Sacred Fire properly. Thank the spirit of the Jaguar for all that she has shared with you.
Gently return with your Guardians back to the Fire of Your Heart. Once you are fully back, start reflecting on what you have been given. Make sure to practice what you have been shown so that your soul’s Fire may remain in Balance.
Get a candle. It does not have to be large, but it should be no smaller than a votive candle. If you can get one that is white, then that is preferable. Dedicate the candle to the Creator and to All That Is. Once you have done this, then the candle should only be used for your shamanic practices.
If you are able to be outside, you can use a bonfire instead of a candle. An offering of smudge and tobacco will need to be thrown into the fire as you dedicate it to this spiritual purpose. This particular fire may not be used for anything else after this point. When you are done with this exercise, thoroughly extinguish the fire as normal to protect the environment.
Face to the north. Light your candle and begin to gaze at the flames. Relax. Allow for yourself to get lost in the movement of this little fire. Feel the Fire Within, feel the energy of your own spirit. Breathe deeply. Open your Heart and feel the connection to the candle flame. The flame represents the Breath and Fire of the Great Spirit. Be open. Go deeper. Allow the Fire Within to connect with the fire before you. Be in this moment completely. While you are communing with this element, begin contemplating these questions: How are you using your energy? What is it creating in your life? What are you feeding the Sacred Fire Within You? Give thanks. Snuff out the candle. With an open Heart and mind, sit and reflect on the answers that you have received.
I know it goes without saying, but I shall say it anyway: never leave a lit candle unattended! In this spiritual practice, to extinguish it, snuff it out. Never blow out a sacred flame.
Spirit: The Element of the Great Spirit
That Lives Within Us
We have reached the last element, which is spirit. This is the element within us that channels the Breath of the Great Spirit and unites us with the Creator. This element is the most Powerful of all of them and can be the most elusive to understand. Spirit is our soul. Connecting here gives us the capacity to see the big picture and the essence of any situation or relationship. Cultivating the element of spirit will help you evolve and go further on your spiritual journey. This is the element of transcendence and is not confined by time or space. The direction that it has is the center. Since this is the aspect of us that is a part of the Creator, it does not know limitations. Several tribes would place a star that pointed to the Four Directions in the center of the Medicine Wheel. So, because of this, you may use your favorite color, for all colors are the colors of spirit. This element allows us to understand karma and comprehend intuitively those things that go beyond logic and the five physical senses. With the element of spirit, we can gain insight to what our soul agreements were before we incarnated. It is through here that we are able to go beyond our own selves and connect with All Our Relations.
When in Balance, the element of spirit allows us to commune directly with the Creator. Here we can sit with our sacred selves. This is the element that instinctively tells us how our choices impact ourselves and others so that we can make Balanced decisions. A Balanced decision is one that takes into account equally your personal needs and the needs of the many. This is the element of enlightenment and unity. When in Balance, it is like a bright shining star that brings life and light during the darkest times of our lives.
When it is out of Balance, then the element of spirit within us is more like a black hole. It brings isolation and despair. You can feel as if you are locked strictly into this physical world. Instead of unity, there is a disconnection and disassociation with life. When spirit is out of Balance, there is a block to the Breath of the Great Spirit, and you will be in a constant state of exhaustion. It will seem as if life does not support you and all there is is suffering no matter what you do. Disconnection from this element can also come when you do not own your actions and words.
Power Animal: Eagle
The bird that comes soaring in to guide us to connect with the element of spirit is the majestic Eagle. The Eagle has been a symbol of Power and leadership throughout the centuries. In Native American spirituality, the Eagle is the great messenger to the Creator. It is said to fly higher than any other bird, and it has the capacity to see from great distances as well as being able to focus on small details. When this bird is in Balance, it teaches us about the Balance between the needs of the self and the needs of the community. Eagle likes order and structure. It will show you how to use these properly to preserve and be the vehicle of what you are trying to create. Eagle is the perfect instructor to teach us how to use our oversight of a situation plus insight, which identify the details of a situation, together to manifest the best possible outcome. It is taught that Eagle flies so high that it is able to carry our prayers and strengthen our connection with the Great Spirit. Eagle has the qualities of both justice and mercy. It has the spiritual ability of translating divine messages and law into simple concepts and practices that we can follow.
When the Eagle is out of Balance, it abuses Power because it arrogantly believes that it is above the law and that it is the ultimate authority. It can be very unfair, favoring those it likes to the detriment of others. Eagle can be extremely overprotective of what it believes be true or thinks is important, regardless if that is actually true or not. When the Eagle is in this way, it is negatively judgmental and critical of anyone who does not conform to its views. Eagle can be relentless in achieving its goals no matter what the price, including the wrongful idea that might makes right. Instead of supporting peace and unity, this sacred animal will be quick to fight with total disregard for the final results or how high the price.
The point of this journey is not to answer questions. It is to learn how to go to the place of spirit within you. Engage this element to develop a deeper sense of oneness with the Creator and with All That Is. This journey is a way of connecting with your own soul. You may sit in any direction that you are called to, and if you wish to have a representation of this element by using your favorite color, you are welcome to do so. The color that you choose can change each time you do this journey since you may be working on different aspects of yourself and of your life. Complete your preparations to journey and kindle the Fire of Your Heart. Concentrate on it so that it becomes bright and strong. Pay attention to what it feels like, the color of it (if it has one), and how strong it is.
Concentrate on your desire to become more connected to the Creator and All That Is. Focus and breathe. Envision Eagle with his sharp eyes that can see right through you. See the details of this bird’s powerful wings and sharp talons. See it soaring and coming toward you. With a sharp cry, the Eagle calls you to follow him into the sky. Deep within you, something responds and wishes to fly free with this Power Animal. It is your soul. Concentrate on your desire to become more connected to oneness. Focus. A feeling of jubilation moves through you as you spiral ever higher with the sacred bird. You can feel your own wings. See the vastness of the heavens above you. See the beauty of Earth Mother below you. Open your wings and soar upon the winds that are the Breath of the Great Spirit. Feel the element of spirit within you. It shines like a bright star within your Heart. See how it responds to being here in the Dreamtime.
You follow the Eagle even higher and see a bright light that is stronger than the sun, but it does not burn you. It is the Light of the Creator. Let the rays of light from the small star that is your soul within you touch the greater light. If you find that it is too intense, then it is okay to circle at a level where you are comfortable. Let yourself be open, for there will be so much that you will wish to express that has no words! Allow yourself to be in this radiance, which is made of divine love, profound wisdom, and infinite compassion. Do not be surprised if, when you try to see yourself, you have become pure light. After all, we are merely spirits having a human experience.
You will know that it is time to return because you will feel completely satiated but not uncomfortably so. The Eagle whistles and calls you back. Follow this sacred bird back to the Fire of Your Heart. He gives you a blessing by fanning you with his wings. This helps secure the blessing of your journey into your body. Express the deep gratitude that is in you and fully return into your body. It might take you a little bit to be able to be completely back, so take your time and do not be in a rush to stand up. It is also very common that when you are working on the element of spirit, Sacred Ancestors or Sky Teachers will join you. If this is the case, then feel honored and take the time that they request to “sit” with them. Usually, they will gift you with advice so that you can learn how to integrate and better harness the energy of spirit. Spirit is the element that you can journey with to take a look at your other elements to see which ones need to be put back into alignment if you are unsure.
If Sacred Ancestors and Sky Teachers join you, spend time with them. You are in the place of eternity. Let yourself feel healed if you are carrying sorrows; this is the place to feel what divine and Balanced Power should feel like.
Spirit is the easiest to honor of all. Since this element is of the Great Spirit, who is in all things and beyond all things, what you do in the name of the One and of the many is a way of honoring this element. Take time to meditate and pray. Acts of kindness and compassion for the greater good that are so needed in this world, so long as they come from a place of authenticity, will feed your soul, Balance the element of spirit within you, and help you evolve. Simple things like drumming, chanting, and playing a musical instrument are ways of expressing joy that do not have to always use words. Another way would be to sit peacefully and just be.
When you are doing this, it is good to contemplate these questions: Do you know your greater purpose and are you willing to live it? Are you living authentically? Let your mind be silent. Allow your Heart and the element of spirit to respond. Ask that you be shown what you can do to grow in alignment with your greater purpose and with becoming who you were meant to be.