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Working with the seven directions is a cornerstone of shamanism, a powerful tool that unites you with the energies of the world and the living order in nature and the cosmos. The seven directions represent the wholeness of existence: the four cardinal directions plus Mother Earth, the Creative Force (the universe) and the inner space of our own heart. This deep, mythological structure is used in ceremonies and practice to create balance, protect the sacred space and connect us to the sources of wisdom and power.
East, South, West and North
East is the place of sunrise, new beginnings and clarity. This direction is associated with the element of air and represents wisdom, thought, inspiration and spiritual awakening. It is here that the light comes in - also metaphorically as new insight and thus an invitation to growth. When you call in the East, you invite clarity and new possibilities into your life.
South stands for the midday sun, energy and the flame of passion. The element of fire gives warmth, motivation and transformation. South fills us with the power to act, with creativity and the will to carry things through. When this direction is called in, it lights up the journey and reminds us of the power we have to create and change.
West is the "gate of evening" where the sun goes down and inward toward deeper reflection and healing. The element of water lies at its foundation, and the energies of the West bring calm, emotional insight and intuition. It is in the West that we meet the mysteries of darkness and the ability to let go. An invitation to humility and renewal.
North is associated with the dark of night, the wisdom of ice and the strength of the earth. The element of earth gives stability, endurance and the ability to manifest. North helps us anchor our energy in reality, give form to dreams, and reminds us that patience and structure are keys to the building of life.
(Different traditions place the elements differently; in this article we build on the Nordic wheel.)
Mother Earth - who carries us all
Mother Earth is she who carries all life. She gives us nourishment, care and stability. When we honor Mother Earth, we acknowledge our body, the rhythms of nature, and our deep connection to the planet that carries us. In the rituals, her presence is the foundation for all growth and protection.
The Creative Force - the light upward
The Creative Force, also called Father Sky or the Universe, is the divine source and the infinite potential. Upward is the direction toward the great all, toward the creative light and the wisdom that governs the rhythms of life. Here we draw guidance, truth and connection to the cosmos. The ascending movement symbolizes lifting oneself out of the earthly to a higher spiritual view.
The Heart - the direction inward
The seventh direction, the heart, is perhaps the deepest and most intimate. It is here we find our inner compass, compassion, love and the connection to all living things. The heart is both the direction inward and the "fire" that some call the eye of the Creative Force. It is the flame that burns within us, the power that gives meaning and holds the balance between the outer and the inner.
When we turn our attention toward the heart and the blazing fire, we open ourselves to the truth about ourselves, to our ability to love, understand and live in harmony.
Weaving the sacred space
In all ceremonial practice the work often begins and ends with a calling in of the seven directions. Through this the energies that surround us are honored, balanced and activated, and the sacred space is woven together.
When all is ready, the voice is raised
to greet the four corners of the world.
North and the wisdom of ice,
East and the dawning day,
South filled with fire and will,
West where the calm of evening carries the prayer onward.
- From the forthcoming book Draumsjå
Practical exercises for the seven directions
Preparation and centering
Find a quiet place, sit comfortably and breathe calmly.
Think through your intention for the calling - what do you wish to strengthen or open yourself to?
Call in the four cardinal directions in this order:
East: Imagine the sunrise, breathe in new energy and clarity. Say aloud or silently: "I call in the wisdom and inspiration of the East."
South: Feel the warmth of the sun, listen to the dance of the flame. Say: "I call in the power and transformation of the South."
West: Visualize the calm of evening, the mirror of water. Say: "I call in the healing and deep insights of the West."
North: Feel the foundation of the earth beneath you, the strength of the cold. Say: "I call in the strength and stability of the North."
Calling in Mother Earth
Think of the earth that carries you, that gives you nourishment and stability.
Say: "I call Mother Earth, my nourishing carrier and strength."
Calling in the Creative Force (Father Sky/the Universe)
Turn your gaze and your feeling up toward the sky, the cosmos.
Say: "I call the Creative Force, the infinite wisdom and power of the universe."
The direction inward - the Heart and the fire
Turn your attention inward to your own heart and the inner blazing fire.
Say: "I open my heart, the eye of the Creative Force, to compassion and true connections."
Feel the balance and the connection
Feel how the energies from all the directions embrace you.
Feel yourself connected to the earth, the sky, the wind and your inner self.
Closing
Give thanks for the energies that have come.
Let the breath flow calmly and be present in the wholeness.
Through these exercises you learn to weave the seven directions into your practice - as a powerful way to balance body, soul and mind, and to anchor yourself in both the earthly and the cosmic. The seven directions give you tools to create harmony in rituals, open yourself to wisdom and draw strength from the world's web.
To have a living relationship with the seven directions is to live in closeness to both the rhythms of the universe and your own heart - where the gravity and the magic of shamanism find their balance.
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