myths symbols sandplay

Trust

Native American Winter Symbol and Ceremonies

 

"Native American Indians were a deeply spiritual people and they communicated their history, thoughts, ideas and dreams from generation to generation through Symbols and Signs such as the Winter symbol. Native American symbols are geometric portrayals of celestial bodies, natural phenomena and animal designs. The meaning of the Winter symbol was to signify the passing of time. A clever, simple way to symbolize and record the passing of time. The Native Indians had no clocks but used the environment to measure time. Sunset and sunrise organized the parameters of the day. The cycles of nature, the cold and warm seasons, organized task related work especially agricultural life such as the planting seasons. Rituals and special ceremonies were also scheduled by nature. 

Native American Indians have celebrated both Solstices and equinoxes from ancient times as deeply meaningful. Many Native American stone structures are aligned with the position of the Sun. The Hopi tribe mark this time with the Soyal ceremony which lasts for 20 days and includes blessings and purification rituals. The Pueblo tribe celebrate the Winter Solstice with rites focusing on Spring and rebirth. Other Native American tribes celebrate the winter solstice with rituals such as the Bear Dance, the Feather Dance and the Navajo Night Chant."

From: https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/winter-symbol.htm

Winter

"Activity gives way to dormancy. Life is still, indwelling and silent. This is a time of introversion, contemplation and going within. Symbolic winter invites us to quiet the mind, still the soul, and crystallize our inner workings."  ~Avia Venfica

Potential

"Vision is the ability to see potential in what others overlook."  ~Rick Warren

More Resources For Sandplay Items

I bet you can find some of these items around your home to add to your sandplay collection:

• buttons
• small imitation fruit and vegetables (also can be found at craft/hobby stores)
• thin chain
• small mirrors
• small candles (if you have young clients, you can buy small battery operated tea lights)
• poker chips
• dice
• dominos
• chess pieces
• marbles
• beads
• small blocks
• small tiles
• foreign money
• string, yarn, ribbon (I have in my collection 18" lengths of ribbon, in colors to represent water, sky, fire - each group knotted together. Clients have used these groups of colored ribbon to represent streams, rivers, fire, water, etc.