Did My Research
So!
I did some in-depth exploring and looked up links between Native American culture and astrology. Apparently the astrology really pertains to no specific groups of Native Americans and it’s a watered down version of Mayan astrology.
From what I gather, like most modern-day astrology, it’s really just another new-age spirituality. The calendar is based on a two hundred day scale instead of three and has twenty animals instead of twelve.
One book about Cherokee Astrology was written by Raven Hail. The book gets okay reviews and she was an elder of a Cherokee tribe in Oklahoma, but the information it provides isn’t very in-depth and also reflects Mayan influence. She apparently doesn’t cite her sources in the book. Not to mention that information on Raven Hail is scarce.
I also contacted one of my professors who is Cherokee and grew up on a reservation. She said that she does know of that particular zodiac, but says it doesn’t have an origin in Cherokee culture.
I found a couple more books on Native American astrology, but they also seem to reflect the Mayan study of the stars as well.
However, there is such a thing as a Cherokee Zodiac.
It is a boat. : )
Why don’t I clarify a little bit on this tattoo. I was looking up symbolism of the snake and I came across a website that talked about Native American astrology. I read a little bit on what would supposedly be my astrological sign (which happened to be the snake) and thought it was pretty cool. I then decided I didn’t want a tattoo because I don’t want something on my body that would last forever. I also knew that I didn’t know enough about Native American culture nor am I positive that I even have Cherokee blood in me so it would’ve been stupid to get a tattoo supposedly representing the culture. This all happened yesterday evening. Today I created a tumblr and just posted the thought I had about tattoo’s which then pissed off an entire culture.
Kudos to me for being one insignificant person and having an impact.
I wonder if the Chinese get this pissed when they see their symbols tattooed on random white people.
I guess I should understand why they get angry when people take their culture out of context. I get mad when people take my beliefs out of context. I guess I just don’t feel the need to burn people at the stake.
Oh well. It still shouldn’t have been as big of a deal as it was. You would’ve thought I tattooed the Cherokee alphabet across my face and tried to join a tribe with the way people reacted. I don’t view what I did as disrespectful in any way. I just made a mistake.
No one could’ve simply told me there is no astrology originating in Native American culture? I guess I understand why the white man called them savages… <- Now see, THAT, was disrespectful. Go ahead and tear my throat out over that one.
Now, thanks to the responses on here and the writings of Sherman Alexie, I’m completely turned off to Native American culture and I have no desire to learn about the Cherokee or any others.
TL;DR
No there is no such thing as a Cherokee zodiac, or anything like it.
Not knowing anything about Natives, you might think that last paragraph would be upsetting to us. It’s not, hahaha.
(via myfoursouls-deactivated20120323)
@3 months ago with 13 notes
