Native American Spirituality

yigaquu osaniyu adanvto adadoligi nigohilvi nasquv utloyasdi nihi

(May the Great Spirits Blessings Always Be With You)

 

What is a fetish?

The word fetish can be broadly applied to a number of Native American ceremonial artifacts, including prayer sticks, calumets (peace pipes), medicine bags and so on. But today, the word is most often used to mean an animal carving, usually of stone, which houses the spirit or supernatural qualities of the animal.

The use of fetishes by Native Americans dates to pre-Columbian times. Most valued at the time were naturally formed stones (call concretions) that seemed to resemble people or animals. They were considered very powerful and were thought to be ancient animals or people turned to stone. As the centuries passed, carvers took to representing actual animals from the world around them, each with its own spirit or significance. Across the continent, Native Americans of many tribes have used animal fetishes in prayers and ceremonies as talismans for successful hunting and fishing, procreation, agriculture, protection of the young, health and long life, etc. Fetishes may be of personal or tribal in use.

Historians tell us that the smallest fetishes, which could be concealed in one's palm came into popularity with the arrival of the Spanish, who tried to suppress fetish worship. Today, fetishes are carved in many sizes, styles and materials.

What kind of stones are used in fetishes?

Traditional materials for fetishes include turquoise, jet, shell, pipestone, alabaster and serpentine. Contemporary carvers have also learned to use amber, lapis lazuli, sugilite, azurite and other nontraditional semiprecious stones. Contrasting stones or other materials are often chosen for features such as eyes, horns, heartlines (which represent spirit essence) or for elements which can be placed on the animal's back as an offering to the spirit.

What do different animals represent?

While it is important to recognize that each individual fetish has its own unique spirit, certain animals forms have traditionally held specific meanings.

Native Americans consider those things that are the least understood and the most mysterious as the most sacred and powerful. Because animal ways can never truly be understood by humans, animals represent unknown powers. As man tries to grasp forces which are beyond his immediate control, he looks to animal spirits as a bridge to the distant greater powers.

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Fetish Animals

Armadillo:  slow, sure, in no hurry.  Gets things right.  Keeper of the home.

Badger:  boldness, perseverance, individuality. 

Bat:  guardian of the night, cleaner

Bear:  strength, introspection, power of the soul, lightens emotional burdens.  

Beaver:  builder, strong sense of family & home.  Keeper of the waterways

Buffalo:  endurance to over come, great emotional courage, provider to all

Coyote:  trickster, associated with laughter, humor, works well in a group.

Deer:  great power of gentleness

Dolphin:  trust, loyalty, spirit of friendship

Eagle:  Creator, teacher, loyalty, great integrity, spirit connection to the divine.    

Elk:  strength, agility, freedom

Fish:  purifier, character, ability to hide emotions

Fox:  camouflage, protection, ingenuity, quickness, great passion

Frog:  rainmaker, silently warns against danger, associated with abundance

Hawk:  messenger of the sky, observer

Horned Toad:  self reliance, longevity, protects ancestral bounty

Horse: swiftness, strength, enlightenment, possesses healing powers

Hummingbird:  messenger, stopper of time

Kokopelli:  fertility, music, joy

Lizard: conversation, agility

Mole:  amplifies connection with the earth, protects the fields.

Moose:  headstrong, unstoppable, longevity

Mountain Lion:  leadership, resourcefulness, great courage, high standards.  

Mouse:  timid, secretive and sneaky

Owl:  wisdom, patience, mental endurance, controls dark side of nature. Keeper of the night.

Otter:  laughter, curiosity, mischievous

Pheasant:  confidence, attraction, flamboyance

Quail:  sacred spiral, ceremonial, holy

Rabbit:  virtue, serenity, low curiosity, quiet talent, restrained passion

Raccoon:  bandit, shy, resourceful

Ram:  sense of self worth, assures an increase in flocks

Raven:  trickster, teacher, hoarder

Seal:  family oriented, possesses power in numbers

Sheep:  charity, elegance, passion.  Best at the arts.  Talents bring riches

Skunk:  wary, conspicuous, intense

Snake:  transmutation, life, death, rebirth

Spider:  creative patterns of life

Squirrel:  natural intelligence, saver, protects reserves

Turkey:  smart, elusive, festive

Turtle:  longevity, fertility, symbol of mother earth, home and reliability

Wolf:  teacher, family oriented, warm, deeply spiritual, pathfinder on journey of survival.