The Four Directions or the Four Winds or the Four Powers of Life are talked about in the cosmology of most peoples. The division of the horizon is very current for modern people in the four compass directions.

However, for many indigenous peoples, the Four Directions had symbolic meaning, ritualistic importance, and ultimately Ceremonial Power.

To acquire the power of the Four Directions it is said the Hopi traveled from their emergence point (Sipapu) to the Four Directions of the continent so that they could find the center of their world. It is said that they brought parts of each of the directions to that center and hence live in the power of life in a very strong way because of that. It is interesting that Black Mesa where the Hopi live is a core part of the North American continent. It has roots deep into the Earth’s mantle and is rotating independently of the rest of the continent. They may have truly found the “back of the turtle” of “Turtle Island” (North America).

Many people ask about the significance of the Four Powers or Four Directions. Many have written about the colors and animals associated with the directions.

However, to assign one set of meanings to the directions is to have a very narrow view of the world, much like the man who says that there is only one path to God, or the farmer who only wants one kind of crop in his field. It is dangerous. It is self defeating.

Because the planet is so different in its many aspects, so the powers are different in their aspects. In North Dakota the North represents cold, snow , long nights, and the white of blinding snow. In Florida, it might represent the great winds, shifting sand, relief from small biting insects… etc etc… So it is wise to consider the powers of the directions as they relate to the place that you are located.

However there are some universal characteristics which can be associated with the Sun. But even North and South characteristics are reversed in the southern hemisphere.

East- This is the place where the Sun rises. It is the power of beginnings and innocence. It is the place of intention and focus. Beginning, Childhood and Innocence, Spring… (more)

West- This is the place where the Sun sets. It is the place of endings. It the place where we look to see the memories of things. It is about letting go and moving on. It is in this place that we go into the dark of the night and find the wisdom which have in our inner being. Completion, Maturity and Humility, Autumn… (more)

South- This is the place where the Sun lives. In winter the Sun comes up more and more to the South and lies closer to the Southern horizon at noon each day until the winter Solstice. This is the place of vitality, the place where the lifeforce of the planet resides. This is the place of action, of doing. work, goals, passion. This is the place of desire. Growing, Youth and Impulsiveness, Summer…(more)

North- This is the place where the Sun moves towards but never really completely reaches. It is the place of night, of mystery, of hidden wisdom. It is the place of the Great Mystery. It is about stillness, and listening for the inner wisdom that comes from the experience of the other three directions. It is the place of the elders and the ancestors. Understanding, Old Age and Patience, Winter… (more)

The Sunwise or Clockwise direction (clocks run the way they do because the shadows on the sundials ran that way) is the direction of creation or advancing. The counterclockwise direction is for healing, undoing, or traveling back to a new beginning. (going back in time so to speak.)

The Medicine Wheel Ceremonies call the Four Powers and connect them for a time so that people can send their prayers to all parts of the creative process in their lives and to all parts of the world and to all parts of time.