The Cherokee Nation lies to the South East.
Their magic relates to their beliefs:
GODS AND SPIRITS
Unetlanvhi (Creator)
Unetlanvhi, meaning “The Great Spirit” or “Creator,” is the supreme being and source of life in Cherokee spirituality. Representing wisdom, goodness, and balance, Unetlanvhi is considered the giver of life, ensuring harmony among all living things and the natural world.
Kanati (The Great Hunter)
Kanati, also known as “The Lucky Hunter,” is a cultural hero associated with hunting and providing sustenance. He embodies the skills, knowledge, and respect for nature required for survival, teaching the Cherokee to hunt ethically and responsibly. Kanati’s stories impart lessons on balance with the environment.
Selu (Corn Mother)
Selu, or “Corn Mother,” is a goddess of fertility, agriculture, and harvest, representing the essential life-sustaining power of corn. As Kanati’s wife, she taught the Cherokee how to cultivate and harvest crops, particularly corn, which is central to Cherokee sustenance and culture. Selu’s sacrifice in certain myths underscores themes of renewal and the cycles of life.
The Thunder Beings (Aniyvdaqualosgv)
The Thunder Beings, or Thunderers, are powerful spirits associated with storms, rain, and protection. They are revered for bringing rain to nourish crops and cleanse the earth. The Thunder Beings symbolize strength, and are sometimes called upon for protection and guidance, especially by warriors.
Uktena (The Horned Serpent)
Uktena is a supernatural, dragon-like serpent with a crystal in its forehead, known to be powerful, mysterious, and dangerous. It is often depicted as a spirit with great knowledge and strength but can also bring destruction if disrespected. In some stories, Uktena guards sacred sites or is challenged by brave warriors to prove their courage.
The Little People (Yunwi Tsunsdi)
The Yunwi Tsunsdi, or “Little People,” are small, invisible beings with magical abilities. Known for their kindness and mischievous nature, they help those in need but can also punish those who disrespect them or nature. They represent the importance of humility, respect, and connection to the unseen world.
The Sun Goddess (Amatoya Sunoyi)
The Sun is personified as a female deity, bringing warmth, life, and illumination. She is honored for sustaining life on Earth, and many Cherokee ceremonies are performed in her honor. Daily prayers and certain dances pay respect to the Sun, thanking her for her light and warmth.
Four Directions Spirits
Each cardinal direction (east, west, north, and south) is sacred, associated with specific colors, animals, and elements that hold spiritual significance. The directions are invoked in ceremonies to create balance and protection. They represent aspects of life such as birth, growth, rest, and renewal, guiding individuals in their journey through life.
Animal Spirits
Animals, especially the Eagle, Bear, and Deer, hold deep symbolic meanings and are often seen as spiritual guides. The Eagle, for example, represents vision and higher wisdom, while the Bear symbolizes strength and healing. Each animal offers lessons about life and encourages respect for nature and all creatures.
The Spirit of Water
Water is sacred in Cherokee belief, symbolizing purity, life, and renewal. Traditional water ceremonies involve using rivers or springs for cleansing rituals, seeking spiritual renewal and physical well-being. Water is also considered a link to the spirit world, often used in rituals to communicate with ancestors or receive blessings.
Ancestors and Spirit Guides
Ancestors play an essential role in Cherokee spirituality, with the belief that they watch over the living and offer guidance. Elders and spiritual leaders often share stories of ancestors to pass down wisdom and cultural traditions. Ancestors are honored in ceremonies, reinforcing the Cherokee connection to family and continuity.
Healing and Medicine People
Cherokee medicine people are called upon for healing physical and spiritual ailments, as well as guiding the community in times of difficulty. They draw upon the natural world, using plants, songs, and rituals to maintain health and harmony. Cherokee healing practices emphasize balance between mind, body, spirit, and the environment.
Ceremonies and the Sacred Fire
The Sacred Fire is a vital element in Cherokee spirituality, symbolizing purity, unity, and a connection to Unetlanvhi. Fire ceremonies, such as the Green Corn Ceremony, celebrate renewal, thanksgiving, and the agricultural cycle. The Sacred Fire serves as a reminder of the Creator’s presence and the interconnectedness of all life.
Balance and Harmony
Cherokee spirituality emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony with nature, community, and self. This concept is present in the Cherokee worldview, where individuals are encouraged to act in ways that contribute to the well-being of others and the environment. Living in harmony reflects the Creator’s teachings and brings peace to both the individual and the community.
Oral Tradition and Storytelling
Cherokee culture is preserved through oral traditions, with Elders and storytellers passing down wisdom, history, and spiritual teachings through myths and folktales. These stories serve as moral guidance, teach respect for the natural world, and ensure the continuity of Cherokee values across generations.
RITUALS
Green Corn Ceremony (A-ma-gi-do-hi / New Corn Ceremony)
One of the most important ceremonies, the Green Corn Ceremony is held in late summer to celebrate the ripening of the corn, the main staple of the Cherokee diet. The ceremony includes purification rituals, fasting, dancing, and offerings of the season’s first corn. It is a time of renewal, where people forgive grievances, renew friendships, and seek harmony within the community. The Green Corn Ceremony also involves a “scratching” ritual, where people use animal bone combs to scratch the skin, symbolizing purification.
Purification and Cleansing Rituals
Purification ceremonies, often involving water, are central to Cherokee spirituality, as water is seen as a cleansing and healing force. Ceremonies typically involve bathing in rivers at dawn, especially for those preparing for significant events or roles. This practice, called "going to water," is done while facing east, and is meant to purify both body and spirit, connecting the individual with the life-giving power of water and the spirits.
The Stomp Dance
The Stomp Dance is a sacred dance traditionally performed around a fire in a circular pattern, led by a medicine person or spiritual leader. Participants follow the leader, alternating between singing and chanting, and dance to the rhythm of turtle shell rattles worn by women around their ankles. The dance serves as a way to honor the Creator, connect with ancestral spirits, and foster community harmony. It’s often held in conjunction with other ceremonies, like the Green Corn Ceremony.
Healing and Medicine Rituals
Cherokee healers, often called medicine people, have extensive knowledge of plants, chants, and rituals used to treat physical and spiritual ailments. Healing rituals may include smudging (using smoke to cleanse), prayer, and the use of medicinal plants. The medicine person plays a critical role, performing rituals to restore balance and health, as illness is viewed as a sign of imbalance in body, mind, or spirit.
Prayers and Offerings
Cherokee people offer prayers and gifts to the Creator, nature spirits, and ancestral spirits. Offerings might include tobacco, cornmeal, or small items left at sacred locations such as rivers, mountains, or ancient trees. These prayers and offerings show respect, seek blessings, or request guidance and protection. Prayers often honor the seven directions (north, south, east, west, above, below, and center) to maintain balance with all aspects of the universe.
First New Moon Ceremony
The First New Moon Ceremony, held in early spring, celebrates the new cycle of growth and rebirth. It’s an opportunity for renewal, marked by communal feasts, dances, and prayers. The ceremony seeks blessings for the coming year and ensures a successful planting season. This celebration emphasizes the Cherokee belief in cyclical time and the importance of seasonal changes.
The Seven Clans and Sacred Fire
Cherokee society is organized around seven clans, each with distinct roles and responsibilities, and the clans are considered sacred. The Sacred Fire, central to many ceremonies, represents the eternal spirit and the unity of the Cherokee people. Fires are kept during important rituals and gatherings to honor the Creator, the ancestral spirits, and the unity of the seven clans. In ceremonies, the fire may be symbolically “fed” with offerings.
Rite of Going to Water
An important purification ritual, Going to Water is often performed before special events or ceremonies. People enter rivers or other bodies of water at dawn, praying to wash away negativity and seek protection and strength. This ritual is also performed on significant life events, such as births, deaths, and marriages, to purify and renew.
Seasonal Ceremonies and Festivals
The Cherokee hold ceremonies that correspond to each season, honoring cycles of planting, growth, harvest, and rest. Each season is marked by dances, feasts, and communal prayers to express gratitude for the Earth’s abundance and to celebrate the community’s connection to nature.
Dream Interpretation and Spirit Communication
Dreams are an important aspect of Cherokee spirituality and are believed to contain messages from the spirit world. Medicine people or elders may interpret dreams, especially if they involve animals or visions, as guidance from spirits or ancestors. Dreams are often regarded as spiritual insights that can influence personal choices or lead to ceremonies if they involve omens or visions.
Rituals for the Deer and Animal Spirits
The Cherokee have deep respect for animals, particularly the deer, which is a vital food source. Hunters perform special rituals before and after a hunt, asking the spirit of the deer for permission and forgiveness. This practice reflects the Cherokee belief that all animals have spirits and that hunting should be conducted with respect and balance.
Storytelling and Oral Tradition
Storytelling is a sacred tradition in Cherokee culture, used to pass down spiritual teachings, history, and values. Stories about the origin of the world, the deeds of animals, and lessons about moral behavior are shared by elders, often around a fire. These stories help the community remember their ancestors, respect the natural world, and preserve their spiritual beliefs.
The Sacred Pipe Ceremony
In some ceremonies, Cherokee use the sacred pipe, representing peace, unity, and prayer. The smoke from the pipe is believed to carry prayers up to the Creator. While not as prominent in Cherokee ritual as in some other Indigenous cultures, the sacred pipe may be used by medicine people during certain ceremonies for healing or community unity.