Native American Lore
A long time ago when the Cherokee people were new upon the earth,
they thought that life would be much better if there was never
any night. They beseeched the Ouga (Creator) that it might be
day all the time and that there would be no darkness.
The Creator heard their voices and made the night cease and
it was day all the time. Soon, the forest was thick with
heavy growth. It became difficult to walk and to find the
path. The people toiled in the gardens many long hours
trying to keep the weeds pulled from among the corn and
other food plants. It got hot, very hot, and continued that
way day after long day. The people began to find it
difficult to sleep and became short tempered
and argued among themselves.
Not many days had passed before the people realized they had
made a mistake and, once again, they beseeched the Creator.
"Please," they said, "we have made a mistake in asking that
it be day all the time. Now we think that it should be night
all the time." The Creator paused at this new request and
thought that perhaps the people may be right even though all
things were created in twos... representing to us day
and night, life and death, good and evil, times of plenty
and those times of famine. The Creator loved the people
and decided to make it night all the time as they had asked.
The day ceased and night fell upon the earth.
Soon, the crops stopped growing and it became very cold.
The people spent much of their time gathering
wood for the fires. They could not see to hunt meat
and with no crops growing it was not long before the
people were cold, weak, and very hungry.
Many of the people died.
Those that remained still living gathered once
again to beseech the Creator. "Help us Creator,"
they cried! " We have made a terrible mistake.
You had made the day and the night perfect,
and as it should be, from the beginning.
We ask that you forgive us and make
the day and night as it was before.
Once again the Creator listened to the request
of the people. The day and the night became,
as the people had asked, as it had been in the
beginning. Each day was divided between light
and darkness. The weather became more pleasant,
and the crops began to grow again. Game was
plentiful and the hunting was good. The people
had plenty to eat and there was not much sickness.
The people treated each other with compassion
and respect. It was good to be alive.
The people thanked the Creator for their life
and for the food they had to eat. The Creator
accepted the gratitude of the people and was
glad to see them smiling again. However,
during the time of the long days of night,
many of the people had died, and the Creator
was sorry that they had perished because of the night.
The Creator placed their spirits in a newly created tree.
This tree was named a-tsi-na tlu-gv
{ah-see-na loo-guh} cedar tree.
When you smell the aroma of the cedar tree
or gaze upon it standing in the forest,
remember that if you are Tsalagi {Cherokee},
you are looking upon your ancestor.
Tradition holds that the wood of the cedar tree holds
powerful protective spirits for the Cherokee.
Many carry a small piece of cedar wood in their
medicine bags worn around the neck. It is also
placed above the entrances to the house to protect
against the entry of evil spirits.
A traditional drum would be made from cedar wood.
Does the author believe this? Well, lets just say
that there is a piece of cedar in my medicine pouch
and I wear it always. The Creator did not make the
people because of loneliness, but because the
Creator wanted to show generosity
and love to the people.
Accept the blessings and the gifts given
and always give thanks for them.
Your birth on the 26th day of the month (8 energy)
modifies your life path by increasing your capability
to function and succeed in the business world.
In this environment you have the skills to work
very well with others thanks to the 2 and 6 energies
combining in this date. There is a marked increase
in organizational, managerial, and administrative
abilities. You are efficient and handle money very well.
Ambitious and energetic, while generally
remaining cooperative and adaptable.
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