Many indigenous tribes, and ancient cultures around the world have long observed and celebrated the directions for health and healing. There’s a special kind of power you can tap into by tuning into them. When you feel unsupported, weak and question yourself - connect with the directions, feel yourself as part Of It All, embrace your uniqueness, boost confidence and ask for help, guidance and support.
Each of the Four Directions (East, South, West, and North) represent:
Stages of life: birth, youth, adult (or elder), death
Seasons of the year: spring, summer, winter, fall
Aspects of life: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical
Elements of nature: fire (or sun), air, water, and earth
Animals: Eagle, Bear, Wolf, Buffalo (and many others in different tribes and traditions)
Ceremonial plants: tobacco, sweet grass, sage, cedar
In addition to the four cardinal directions- north, south, east, and west - I personally like to tune into Mother Earth below me, Father Sky above me, and the light within me.
Find out with a compass where each direction is and turn to face that way as you approach every direction.
When you turn to each direction you can raise your arms in receiving gesture or place your hands over your heart in Anjali mudra and bow in the direction that you are working with. Anjali is Sanskrit term which means, “to offer” or “to salutate”, and the term mudra means “seal". Doing a yoga asana or a dance move are wonderful ways to further experience your connection with each of the sacred directions as you face and reflect upon each direction, one at a time.
Activate and feel the heat of your personal life energy at your naval center and set an intention to connect it with the sun and with all of nature as you consciously, one by one tune into the energy of the directions.
Start by standing barefoot if possible, with your feet firmly on the ground. Feel your energy grounding and weighting you into the core of the Earth and her infinite generosity and support. Feel your connection to the crystalline core and oneness with the Earth and All That Is.
Then tune into your connection to the Sky above. Feel the light above you streaming in, the air on your skin, and the light that is all around.
Next face the East with its corresponding element of Air. This is the direction of the rising sun, the gateway to spirit, illumination, clarity and enlightenment, of new beginnings, of inspiration, illumination and creativity, of the dawn and spring, new births and childhood. Physical representation includes incense sticks, feathers, or chiming bells. Acknowledge and welcome the light of Archangel Raphael who is the guardian of the East, ask for his blessing and help you with physical, emotional and spiritual healing as well as any rifts in relationships which need healing on a personal or planetary level.
Next face the South with its corresponding element of Fire: the gateway to the physical, trust and innocence. It is the direction of vitality, of high noon and hot suns, of summer and the vigorous growth of youth and passion. Physical representation includes candles, essential oil burner, image of the sun. Acknowledge and welcome the light of Archangel Michael who is the guardian of the South, ask for his blessing and to give you physical and emotional protection as well as psychic protection from confrontational situations.
Next face the West with its corresponding element of Water. This is the direction in which the sun sets and gateway to emotions, inspiration, intuition and change. The west is the direction is associated with introspection, of the evening, of autumn and maturity, deepening and ripening. Physical representation includes water, mirror or an image of the moon. Acknowledge and welcome the light of Archangel Gabriel who is the guardian of the West, ask for his blessing and he can give you guidance on your spiritual growth and direction for your future if you ask him.
Next face the North with its corresponding element of Earth:gateway to the mind, knowledge, wisdom, philosophy, religion, science. It is the direction of night, of winter, of wisdom and transformation, of dropping inessentials to reveal the core. Physical representation includes crystals, or religious/spiritual images that inspire you. Acknowledge and welcome the light of Archangel Uriel who is the guardian of the North, ask for his blessing and inner peace for your own heart and soul, peace within your family or for entire planet.
Finally, look inward. Feel the light and presence of your higher awareness, your most vibrant love, your highest Divine Self.
Allow yourself to just be, breathe, and feel alive and connected to your inner light, to the Earth, Sky, directions, and to all of life.
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