Some Native American tribes believed that the spirits they worshipped lived in the clouds of the sky. They even had explanations for the various types of clouds, rain, lightning, and thunder.
When the spirits were pleased, it is said that the clouds would be few. Those that did show up would be fluffy white and often held positive messages for the people below living on earth. But only the most faithful were able to interpret and use the messages to their benefit.
I found that concept particularly interesting as it might explain why so many of us still look to the clouds. Most of us, at one time or the other, have played the game where we look for cloud shapes that are familiar to us. Perhaps those were messages that some of us simply didn't know how to interpret.
When there were no clouds in the sky, it was believed that the spirits were in council somewhere in the realm beyond mankind. During that time, the spirits talked about ways to guide their people. Sometimes, these council meetings resulted in new gifts for mankind. Other times, a less pleasant result would occur.
When the clouds were thin and wispy, it supposedly meant that the spirits were not in the mood to expose themselves to their people on earth. Just like us, they may have, from time to time, become bored or disillusioned with life in general and with the foibles of mankind in particular.
When the clouds were gray, the spirits were expressing their unhappiness or disappointment. Sometimes, it would have to do with how mankind treated with another. Other times, it was because man forgot to be respectful of their animal brothers or of the benevolence of the land that provided them with food, clothing, and protection.
When the gray clouds resulted in rain, many believed that the spirits were attempting to wash away the many sins of mankind. If they felt that the rain worked, the sky would light up with a rainbow after the storm. This was meant as a symbol of the spirit's newly awakened hope.
However, when the clouds were dark and rolling, with lightning and thunder it meant that the spirits were angry. The more intense the storm, the angrier they were.
When the spirits were pleased, it is said that the clouds would be few. Those that did show up would be fluffy white and often held positive messages for the people below living on earth. But only the most faithful were able to interpret and use the messages to their benefit.
I found that concept particularly interesting as it might explain why so many of us still look to the clouds. Most of us, at one time or the other, have played the game where we look for cloud shapes that are familiar to us. Perhaps those were messages that some of us simply didn't know how to interpret.
When there were no clouds in the sky, it was believed that the spirits were in council somewhere in the realm beyond mankind. During that time, the spirits talked about ways to guide their people. Sometimes, these council meetings resulted in new gifts for mankind. Other times, a less pleasant result would occur.
When the clouds were thin and wispy, it supposedly meant that the spirits were not in the mood to expose themselves to their people on earth. Just like us, they may have, from time to time, become bored or disillusioned with life in general and with the foibles of mankind in particular.
When the clouds were gray, the spirits were expressing their unhappiness or disappointment. Sometimes, it would have to do with how mankind treated with another. Other times, it was because man forgot to be respectful of their animal brothers or of the benevolence of the land that provided them with food, clothing, and protection.
When the gray clouds resulted in rain, many believed that the spirits were attempting to wash away the many sins of mankind. If they felt that the rain worked, the sky would light up with a rainbow after the storm. This was meant as a symbol of the spirit's newly awakened hope.
However, when the clouds were dark and rolling, with lightning and thunder it meant that the spirits were angry. The more intense the storm, the angrier they were.
- Some Native American tribes believed that fluffy white clouds held messages for mankind.
- Lightning, thunder, and twisters were symbols of the spirits' anger and frustration.
- Many Native American myths shared morals for how mankind should live.
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http://gloriagreent.wordpress.com
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01/31/2009
My experience with clouds is that when I lay down on the grass and look upwards, taking my time, I see all kinds of faces. Some incredible, some silly. Please read my blog Random Musings on this to see what I mean.
Good article :) Sheri
Very very very pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the idea of watching clouds. Very informative article. :-)
Fascinating article! I am a cloud watcher.
I am a sky/cloud watcher. I sure enjoyed this Charlie.
Fascinating as usual. My Hidatsa friends believed that gray skies (but not thunderheads) were a symbol of the Great Spirit's love for them, because those clouds brought the rain that blessed their crops. Thunderstorms they viewed much as you describe, as the anger of the Great Spirit, so they'd ask themselves what they had done to bring these often-destructive thunderstorms, with wind and hail that ruined their crops. And I think we still often feel that way. In our on-going drought here in ND (we're into the 11th year now) too often the gray skies bring only wind and hail; and many of us wonder if it's something we've done (besides polluting the air, of course!). Great story, well told!
Great Native American story about clouds. I love all the myths from this culture.
Very interesting read! You should really write a book about Native American myths and such!
Fantastic! I often see faces, shapes and animals in the cloud formations. It is truly fascinating. Good article, I enjoyed.
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