A Season of New Beginning

Spring is many things to many people.  Here on the Navajo Nation, it is time to renew one’s mind, spirit and body. It is when many Navajo families conduct Blessing Way ceremonies.  It is a time to plant new seeds for a new crop.  It is a time for birds and animals to begin their new journey on earth.  And it is time for sheep growers to begin spring shearing.      

Traditional Navajo stories say that our sacred prayers, songs, ceremonies, four sacred mountains, four seasons, four directions, four  sacred colors, four sacred stones, plants, herbs, and animals were put upon mother earth to create order and balance.  Traditional Navajo teaching also says there are four major elements in life: air, water, mother earth, and fire.

Here is an excerpt from Navajo Medicine Man Johnson Dennison who wrote a poem about fire and ceremony:

At the center of the Hogan, a fire is burning gently.  The aroma of burning cedar fills the air in the Hogan where a traditional Navajo ceremony is in progress.  At the west corner of the Hogan, the medicine man sits with his legs crossed.  He holds his corn pollen bag and a shiny black arrow head.  The flickering of lights from the fire reflects the medicine’s man’s turquoise beads, silver bow guard, and bracelets.  His red head band brings out his beautiful silver gray hair, which is tied back in a traditional bun.  His facial expression assures comfort and safeness.  He sings beautiful songs that graciously echo into the universe where the spirits dwell.  The spiritual energy of the universe restores harmony and balance so there will be goodness in life.  The healing begins with a thought of happiness and long life, which is the essence of his songs and prayers.  The fire is burning patiently, which not only provides light, but reflects the spiritual energy in the sacred universe. The fire is our grandfather.

The Blessing Way Ceremony or the Beauty Way Ceremony is one of many traditional Navajo ceremonies still conducted today.  The purpose of the Blessing Way Ceremony is to restore good health, happiness, and harmony in one’s life.  A puberty rite ceremony is one form of a Blessing Way Ceremony which is conducted when a young Navajo female enters womanhood. 

Another form of Blessing Way is when a couple gets married.  These ceremonies are usually private and visitors can only attend if invited.

Spring time is also a time when many people are sleepy and it is hard for them to wake up early.  Navajo elders incorporate animals and humor in their teaching to instill values, and to help build character.  For example, one teaching says that if one sleeps too much, he or she will grow old quickly, their skin will become chapped, they’ll be irritable, jealous, and they will live in poverty. Navajo teaching says the Holy People travel in the dawn, and they only see and bless those who wake up early.

Moreover, Navajo teaching says one will have good fortune if he or she is an early riser like the blue bird. It is said that the blue bird showed the Navajo people how to plant blue corn centuries ago. The Holy People also taught the Navajo people how to plant yellow corn in the spring.

It is also said that animals end their hibernation when the first lightning strikes.  So it is a season of awakening for everyone so to speak and a time to rejuvenate one’s spirit, mind and body.

According to western world view, the end of March symbolizes the beginning of warmer weather yet sometimes it may not feel like spring.  And we cannot control or predict the power of Mother Nature.  Not surprisingly, there are times when it may snow in late April or early May – this in Navajo culture is called an “In-Law Chaser.”

Navajo teaching says if an in-law has a weak mind, that individual will state he or she can’t work outside because it’s snowing.  Moreover, an in-law may also be afraid to travel when it snows this time of the year.  It is therefore, a form of teasing in-laws yet a way of building character.

Traditional Navajo stories always make reference to the natural forces of Mother Nature such as the sun, moon, stars, and animals – Navajo elders say they were put here upon Mother Earth to teach us about the past, present, and future.