Native American Traditions and the Pleiades: Ancestral Spirits, Star People, and Winter Hunting Cycles
The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, hold profound significance in the traditions and cosmologies of many Native American tribes, including the Lakota, Cherokee, Hopi, and others. This celestial cluster has long been associated with ancestral spirits, star people, and winter hunting cycles, forming a crucial part of indigenous oral traditions, spiritual beliefs, and seasonal rituals.
In this expert-level exploration, we will uncover the deep-rooted connections between Native American cultures and the Pleiades, examining how different tribes perceive this star cluster, its role in spiritual practices, and how it governs traditional hunting seasons.
The Pleiades in Native American Mythology and Cosmology
1. The Lakota: The Seven Sisters and the Wanaği Oyáte (Spirit Nation)
The Lakota people, part of the Great Sioux Nation, recognize the Pleiades as a sacred celestial formation linked to the Wanaği Oyáte, or Spirit Nation. According to Lakota cosmology, these stars are the home of ancestral spirits, guiding the souls of the departed toward their next existence.
Lakota Star People and the Pleiades
The Lakota also hold strong beliefs in star people—advanced celestial beings that impart wisdom and knowledge. The Pleiades are often considered a gateway to these beings, with Lakota legends describing spiritual travelers who descend from the cluster to interact with humanity. Some stories suggest that the Lakota people themselves are descendants of the star people, emphasizing the connection between their terrestrial and celestial origins.
The Pleiades and Winter Hunting Cycles
For the Lakota, the appearance of the Pleiades in the night sky signaled the arrival of winter hunting season. The position of these stars helped determine the timing for essential migrations and hunting expeditions, particularly for buffalo, which were central to their survival.
2. The Cherokee: The Lost Pleiad and the Story of the Seven Boys
The Cherokee also revere the Pleiades, referring to them as Ani’tso’tso’i (The Seven Boys) in their oral traditions. A well-known Cherokee legend tells the story of seven boys who loved to dance rather than work in the fields. Their mothers, frustrated with their laziness, scolded them, leading the boys to seek refuge with the Great Spirit. In response, the boys ascended into the sky, forming the Pleiades cluster.
The Missing Star in the Pleiades
Many cultures, including the Cherokee, have myths about a missing star in the Pleiades cluster. Cherokee tradition speaks of one of the seven boys returning to Earth because he missed his mother, which is why some observers only see six visible stars in the cluster today.
The Pleiades and Cherokee Winter Ceremonies
Like the Lakota, the Cherokee used the Pleiades to mark seasonal transitions. The Cherokee New Year began in autumn, around the time the Pleiades reached their highest point in the sky. This celestial event was celebrated with the Great New Moon Ceremony, a time of renewal, purification, and gratitude for the bounty of the past year.
During winter, the Pleiades’ visibility signaled the start of hunting and food storage preparations. The Cherokee relied on this star cluster to plan their survival strategies during the cold months.
3. The Hopi: The Pleiades and the Blue Star Prophecy
The Hopi people have a deep spiritual connection with the Pleiades, which they refer to as Choochookam. In Hopi tradition, the Pleiades play a central role in their prophecy of world cycles and renewal.
Hopi Blue Star Kachina and the Pleiades
The Hopi speak of the Blue Star Kachina, a celestial being who will appear in the sky as a harbinger of great change and purification. Some interpretations suggest that the Pleiades are closely linked to this prophecy, indicating a time when humanity must return to balance with nature.
The Pleiades and Agricultural Cycles
For the Hopi, the Pleiades also serve as a calendar marker for agricultural cycles. When the cluster rises just before dawn in June, it signals the time to plant crops such as corn, beans, and squash, ensuring a successful harvest before the winter months.
Other Indigenous Connections to the Pleiades
4. The Blackfoot: The Bunched Stars and the Origin of the People
The Blackfoot people call the Pleiades the Bunched Stars and regard them as the home of powerful spirits that watch over their ancestors. Some Blackfoot stories suggest that their people originated from the Pleiades and will one day return to these celestial homes.
5. The Iroquois: The Pleiades as the Hunting Guides
For the Iroquois Confederacy, the Pleiades marked the time for hunting game animals, such as deer and elk, before the deep snows of winter set in. They also played a role in storytelling and ceremonial traditions, particularly during the long nights of the winter solstice.
The Pleiades and Indigenous Astronomy: A Celestial Timekeeper
Native American tribes across the continent have long used the Pleiades as a reliable astronomical guide. Whether determining the arrival of winter, marking the start of sacred ceremonies, or serving as a link between the spirit world and the physical realm, this celestial cluster has played a fundamental role in indigenous cultures for centuries.
Key Ways the Pleiades Shaped Native American Traditions:
• Spiritual Gateway: Many tribes believe the Pleiades connect them to their ancestors and celestial beings.
• Seasonal Indicator: The rising and setting of the Pleiades signal critical seasonal transitions, particularly winter hunting and agricultural cycles.
• Prophetic Symbolism: The Pleiades appear in legends of world cycles, renewal, and cosmic balance.
Conclusion: The Eternal Presence of the Pleiades in Native Traditions
The Pleiades remain one of the most enduring celestial symbols in Native American traditions. Across different tribes, these stars bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds, guide seasonal survival strategies, and reinforce cultural identity. Whether through Lakota beliefs in star people, Cherokee tales of the Seven Boys, or Hopi prophecies of the Blue Star Kachina, the Pleiades continue to illuminate the sacred traditions of indigenous peoples.
As modern astronomy deepens our understanding of this star cluster, Native American oral traditions remind us that the Pleiades are not merely distant celestial bodies, but living entities interwoven with the history, spirituality, and survival of indigenous cultures.
By honoring these ancient stories and knowledge systems, we gain deeper insight into the profound relationship between the stars and the people who have revered them for millennia.