“Amethyst Dreams”

The morning rain has washed the dust from these ancient symbols once again, and the rocks’ vivid colors glisten wet and clean in the early light. The life-giving rain and the gentle breeze swirling across the canyon walls awaken the spirits of this place. This breeze brings a great life-force which has traveled across mountains and plains to this sacred place.

Petroglyph sites like this are spiritual in nature and exact interpretation is often difficult. The passage of time has obscured the true meaning of many of these wonderful symbols and anthropomorphic images. During the long life cycle of these sacred places, other symbols and images were often added by migrating clans as they moved through the area. Often these additions are prayers that enhance the magic and power of the original prayer, or are just a way to say…”We were here.”

A pair of deities are etched here into the rock surface: they are returning shamans from the spirit world. Their elaborately patterned robes and headdresses, hair whorls, and earrings seem to glow upon the amethyst rock of this ancient place. With upraised and outstretched hands in prayer and greeting, it is the carefully etched patterns of their robes that denote their spiritual status and power. Tucked away in the shadows is a spiral. Spirals symbolize a journey in the spiritual sense as well as the physical, and the celebration of a successful journey would not be complete without the flute-playing Kokopelli. The origin of the Kokopelli is very complex and we know him to be a whimsical and mythical creature, present in many celebrations and rituals. There are thousands of these wonderful Kokopelli images etched and painted upon the rocks. They are created by many different tribes and clans and no two are alike. Most often, the Kokopelli is a symbol of fertility and not just human fertility: the Kokopelli’s magic influences animal fertility as well and he is often depicted spreading seeds, promoting crop growth, and bringing summer warmth and rain.

The animal spirits depicted here are comfortable, and they drift freely into our world, summoned by shamans to become spirit helpers. The mighty elk and agile pronghorn bring strength and abundance, while the quail symbolizes nurturing and family. It is these spirits and the spirit world that is the center of any shaman’s power. Our world and the world of the supernatural is a vast and sometimes dangerous landscape. A shaman must travel there and back in dreams and visions to gain wisdom and help for the tribe.