Navajos will mark solar eclipse as sacred phenomenon — by not watching

The Vedas and the Navajo believe the same thing about Eclipses. Take it or leave it, but try not to disrespect other cultures we can learn from them in a world filled with sitcom trash. I think some respect is deserved here.

They will sit quietly in their Mesa home during the four hours it takes the eclipse to complete its journey. They will abstain from food and water. They will not bathe, comb their hair or sleep.

Why?

A Sacred Renewal

The sun and moon are powerful deities in Navajo culture. The sun controls and regulates the universe, while the moon controls and regulates the earth.

Such responsibility is draining. Navajos believe the sun dies during an eclipse — the term for the phenomenon, Jóhonaa’éí daaztsą́, means "the sun is dead" — and then is reborn through an "intimate" process between the sun and moon.
Just like you don't watch other humans or animals being intimate with each other, you don't watch the sun and moon during the renewal," Keeswood said. "You stay inside, you sit still, you don't run around."

According to traditional teachings, looking at the eclipse can cause eye problems, digestive issues, sunburns or rashes, migraine headaches or birth defects and a host of health problems. There will be negative energy released during the eclipse that can make you go crazy. A ceremony is needed to put a mother and child "back in harmony" if a pregnant woman watches the eclipse.

"As the younger generations raise their children and become more Westernized, some of the old teachings are lost".

www.azcentral.com...

a reply to: ADSE255

But this is the 21st century. There will be leaked sex tapes of Sol and Luna all over the place.

I'm just glad my gods are exhibitionists.

a reply to: ADSE255
can you imagine the quiet if everyone just sat still inside and didn't run around for a few hours...
it probably would have a renewing affect on lots of people.

a reply to: Abysha

I know. How civilized civilization has fallen.

a reply to: dawnstar

I can imagine the silence, and the inner healing a person would have from that. I'm sure that's why cultures like those aren't crazy like ours tend to be.

originally posted by: ADSE255
a reply to: Abysha

I know. How civilized civilization has fallen.

Fallen? Nah. This is just what it looks like when we get back up.

What a difference viewing everything in nature as sacred makes.
Each thing and occurrence has meaning which creates customs to honor and reinforce that meaning.
The Apache for instance would not eat fish despite the extreme lack of food available.
The water was sacred therefore any life in it was not to be despoiled.
There is a great deal of wisdom to be learned from the customs, traditions, myths and stories of aboriginal people.

It's a fricken shadow.

a reply to: Asktheanimals

I'm glad you mentioned the Apache Natives. In a world of seeming chaos it's nice to see there are still sane and peaceful cultures to remind us of these treasures we would otherwise have long forgotten.

originally posted by: ADSE255
a reply to: Asktheanimals

I'm glad you mentioned the Apache Natives. In a world of seeming chaos it's nice to see there are still sane and peaceful cultures to remind us of these treasures we would otherwise have long forgotten.

I think perhaps there is a tendency to romanticize the current culture of Native Americans. I live in New Mexico almost in the center of the 22 pueblos and Reservations. And even with the Indian casino's around every bend, NAs lives are still mostly characterized by poverty, alcoholism, drugs, abuse and most negative things urban society enjoys.

Contemporary culture and the www. has changed everything on the rez. The old ways are dieing out, the languages are forgotten.

a reply to: olaru12

The more westernized society is the more corruption you'll see. I'm really talking about those trying to go back to their traditional roots.

As long as there are decent people amongst society like the Navajo, there's always going to be a solid foundation to remember and continue on traditions and knowledge.

I don't think the old ways are dying out or that their language will be forgotten, just the opposite happens when corruption is high, people tend to band together and the younger generations as I have seen myself going back to the roots of their Ancestors.

a reply to: olaru12

Yes more selective reading by the MSM,there is all kinds of criminal activity's in reservations,they have their own police,so never hear of the antics

originally posted by: Asktheanimals
What a difference viewing everything in nature as sacred makes.
Each thing and occurrence has meaning which creates customs to honor and reinforce that meaning.
The Apache for instance would not eat fish despite the extreme lack of food available.
The water was sacred therefore any life in it was not to be despoiled.
There is a great deal of wisdom to be learned from the customs, traditions, myths and stories of aboriginal people.

It would seem that the entire world is alive, and I suspect as we learn more the entire universe is also alive, what we have come to understand as sacred geometry may well be far more educational than we can grasp right now.