Calling in the Directions

[Wind]

I have had a number of requests for instructions for calling in directions. Since so many are scattered far and wide, the option of teaching this in person is rather remote. So, we’ll see what we can do with a written instruction. Feel free to question.

As you get familiar with this, you may want to make changes to suit your own needs. Just don’t get sloppy. Do what you do with Sacred Intent and impeccable care.

CALLING IN THE DIRECTIONS

Wherever we are, we are surrounded by energy. There is energy on all sides of us, there is energy above us, there is energy below us and we, ourselves, are energy in the center.

When we are focusing on working with energy, as we do when praying, meditating, engaging ceremony or even just going through our day/s in our human manifestation, there is reason to attend to the energies around us and invite them to be involved in our intents. We refer to this as “calling in the directions.” The following is an instruction that defines this process as it was taught to me. This “ritual” may occur in many forms in different cultures but, if you understand the basic intent, you should be comfortable participating anywhere or creating your own, personal ritual. The objective is to focus on the energies and to bring them into your own life in a consructive manner.

Let’s begin with a brief description of each of the directions.

1. We treat the compass direction of EAST as the first direction to be called. East is the direction where the sun rises and the day begins. It represents new beginnings, morning, Spring, planting, birth and infancy. Some cultures assign Eagle as the Spirit animal of East and have a sense of Eagle energy being aligned with East. When we call in East, these are the energies we are inviting.

2. In our ritual, we always move in a clockwise direction. Thus, the second direction is SOUTH. The Spirit animal is Coyote and carries the characteristics of playfulness and the “trickster.” South energy is akin to Summer, childhood, mid-day, and growth.

3. The 3rd direction is WEST and the Spirit Animal is Bear. West is where the work of the day is coming to fruition. It carries the energy of adulthood and maturation. It is evening and it is Fall. Bear brings power and, consistent with hibernation, Bear brings introspection-looking inside.

4. The 4th direction is NORTH and the Spirit animal is Bison-some say “White Buffalo.” This carries the energy of eldership, of finalization, of wisdom and of abundance. It is nightime and Winter. In the Circle of life, it comes before morning/rebirth.

5. The 5th direction is referred to as FATHER SKY. This energy watches over us and is our protector. It brings Sun during daytime and Stars and Moon at night. It brings rain and snow and clouds. So many energies.

6. The 6th energy is MOTHER EARTH . She nurtures us in so many ways, providing food, shelter, all of Nature and this wonderful place to live our human lives. She is our true MOTHER.

7. The 7th direction is SELF or we often look to the depths of our personal, Spiritual Heart. This is where all the other 6 energies merge and collectively become Creation and Creator.

Once you have a bit of sense of the directions, it is time to incorporate them into a meaningful ritual. You can do this alone and virtually anywhere or anytime. You can do it with a group. I suggest you do it out-of-doors in a quiet place with Nature as your surround. Nothing is necessary but a few props might enhance your effort.
Bring your drum if you have one. A pan to beat or any instrument is an alternative
A small amount of unsalted cornmeal
A candle and lighter/matches or materials for a fire
Smudging materials
NOW BEGIN:
1. Consider creating a defined, sacred Circle in which to call the directions. One way to do this is to draw a circle on the earth with unsalted cornmeal. Leave an opening in the East to serve as a gate. Your Circle can be whatever size suits your immediate purpose.

2. Light your candle or fire in the middle of the Circle. Smudge the space you have created.

3. Face EAST and turn clear around(rotate) to your right so that you are in the same place and still facing East. Then play your drum as a way of getting the attention of the energy of East. Then call out and invite the energy of East to join in your sacred Circle. For example, “Great Eagle, Spirit keeper of the East, please come to this Sacred Circle and bring us your great vision that we may learn to SEE.” YOU decide your words for inviting Eagle.

4. Standing in the same spot, rotate 1 ¼ turns to the right so you are now facing South. Use your drum or pan or noisemaker to get attention of Coyote. Then invite Coyote to join you in your Sacred space. One of the attributes you might request is playfulness.

5. Again, rotate 1 ¼ turns clockwise, make your noise to attract Bear and then invite Bear’s energy to join. You may ask Bear to please bring some attribute that is in Bear power.

6. You get it by now. Rotate 1 ¼ turns to face North, make noise to attract Great Buffalo and issue your invitation.

7. Now rotate 1 ½ turns to be facing the center of your circle. Play your drum and then reach to the sky as you invite Father Sky to join you in your Sacred Circle.

8. Rotate 1 full turn and kneel so you can touch the ground beneath your feet. Play your drum and then summon Mother Earth.

9. Stand, rotate 1 turn, drum and with hand on heart, summon the depths of your heart to come and join these energies of all the other directions.

Take some time and allow all what you have done to settle. Go over the energies you have called-in and put all this in the context of your Intent in this ritual. You might want to drum quietly or just stand or sit quietly at this time. You have done something that has tremendous power and it is there for you to use. When ready, go on with your ceremony or whatever has been your Intent. Remember, when you finish what you have come to do, give thanks to the energies of the Universe that have been there to help you along on your journey.

[Wind]

Chanda just remined me of something we do when calling directions but that I neglected to include in the instruction above. Simply put, in Sacred Space, we are very respectful when another person is speaking. This means that only one person speaks at a time and as they finish speaking, they say they are done and everyone else recognizes and expresses appreciation for the words spoken. We use the expression “AHO” for these functions. When a speaker is finished, they declare as much by saying “AHO.” In essence, they are saying, “I am finished. That is all I have to say about that.” Then, those who have been listening respond by echoing, “AHO.” They are essentially saying, “Thanks for your words.”👌 They may also be saying, “Thanks for ending your words.”🤣

“Aho” is used in different ways in different cultures and the use we have chosen is neither in contradiction of nor in competition of any of those. It is simply noise produced by mouth-hole and perceived by ear-hole and with assigned meaning/s. You may hear it used in any number of ways in other contexts. None is any more right than any other nor is any the property of any particular pair of “holes.” We are ONE! AHO!

[Wind]

The time when the sun peaks over the horizon in the morning and the time when it drops back over the horizon in evening, is referred to as the “CRACK BETWEEN THE WORLDS.” These are considered particularly auspicious times to be calling in the directions.

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