Native American Zodiac

For North American Indians, natural phenomena have always been and remain an important frame of reference for spiritual experiences and practical everyday life. And because they live at a latitude that equates roughly to that of Europe (particularly Southern Europe), they experience similar seasonal rhythms:

• the winter solstice around the 22nd December,
• the summer solstice around the 22nd June,
• the spring equinox around the 21st March and
• the autumnal equinox around the 23rd September.

This influences the basic division of the year which, however, is marked by the winter solstice and not the start of spring. The four resulting seasons are called Spirit of the North or Waboose for Winter; Spirit of the East or Wabun for the spring; Spirit of the South or Shawnodese for the summer and Spirit of the West or Mudjekeewis for the autumn.

This cycle is further divided into three Moons (=Months) which are named after twelve animals. Although they are related to the Western zodiac, the terms have their origins in the North American environment. It is remarkable that all the symbols in the American Indian zodiac originate from the animal kingdom. There are no human symbols.

American Indians also consider four to be a sacred number: This traces back to their experience of the four points of the compass, the four winds and the four seasons.

American Indians often think of the zodiac as a medicine wheel. The following scheme has been attributed to the Chippewa-Medicine man Sun Bear.

• Red Hawk, corresponds to Aries energy, dynamic and striving towards the future;

• Beaver, corresponds to Taurus energy, sensual and aesthetic;

• Deer, corresponds to Gemini energy, attentive and cautious;

• Woodpecker, corresponds to Cancer energy, domestic and caring;

• Sturgeon, corresponds to Leo energy, powerful and desirable;

• Brown Bear, corresponds to Virgo energy, planning and strict;

• Raven, corresponds to Libra energy, balanced and fair;

• Snake, corresponds to Scorpio energy, devoted and erotic;

• Elk, corresponds to Sagittarius energy, spiritual and searching;

• Snow Goose, corresponds to Capricorn energy, tenacious and persistent;

• Otter, corresponds to Aquarius energy, clever and communicative;

• Puma, corresponds to Pisces energy, hidden and otherworldly.

For unknown reasons, this Native American zodiac is has become rather popular in German astrological circles.

Literature

Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology by Sun Bear (Author)and Wabun Wind (Author), 1980 Amazon link