Blackfoot Archetypes

Blackfoot ceremonially opens sacred space starting by welcoming in the Archetype from the East and going clockwise to South, West, North, Earth and Sky.

Eagle (East): to teach us to fly with the Great Spirit and see the big picture from great heights.

Whitetail Deer (South): to teach us to walk softly on the earth, to see, hear, smell and to shed what no longer serves us, just like the deer sheds its winter coat.

Grizzly Bear (West): to teach us to walk through the forest of life without fear.

Raven (North): to spread his black wings of protection over us and to teach us to see both the serious side and the funny side of ourselves and life.

Earth: We ask Mother Earth to carry us on her back in safety while we do our medicine work.

Sky: We call on the old one Napi, and the Great Spirit Aapiistotoki to keep us safe while we are doing our work.