SPIRITUAL BELIEFS OF THE CHEROKEE
THE WAY OF THE CIRCLE
The �Way of the Circle� has been passed down from generation to generation and is represented in all the Cherokee stories, myths and legends and other forms of teaching.
When you arise each morning, give thanks to the Creator, to the four sacred directions, to Mother Earth and Father Sky and all your relations.
Remember that all things are connected.
All things have a purpose.
Honor others by treating them with kindness; always assume a guest is tired, cold or hungry. Provide them with the best of what you have to offer.
If you have more than what you need, then give the excess to another who is in need.
Your word is your honor, do not break your word unless permission is granted by the those you promise something to.
Practice silence and patience.
Practice modesty in all things.
Always show respect and be aware of all things around you.
Always greet a friend in passing.
Never criticize or talk about anyone in a harmful way.
Never touch something that belongs to another without permission.
Always respect the privacy of others.
Never interrupt someone talking, it shows lack of patience, control and respect.
Listen with your heart.
Always remember that a smile is sacred.
Live each day as it comes.
CODE OF RIGHT RELATIONSHIP
(As spoken to the people by the Pale One)
1. Speak only words of truth.
2. Speak only of the good qualities of others.
3. Be a confidant and carry no tales.
4. Turn aside the veil of anger to release the beauty inherent in all.
5. Waste not the bounty, and want not.
6. Honor the light in all. Compare nothing; see all for its suchness.
7. Respect all life; cut away ignorance from one�s own heart.
KEEPING OF SACRED THINGS
The Cherokee people are very organized about their effects, especially spiritual items. It is believed that when these sacred items are not in use, they should be protected by being wrapped in deerskin, especially white deerskin, or some other material in the color, white indicating a spiritual thing.
Spiritual items were wrapped in white cloth or deerskin. The White Spirits lived in the South.
SPIRITUAL BEINGS
The Cherokee are strong in their beliefs of spiritual beings. Each and every day includes the existence and/or communications, or interactions with spiritual beings. The Cherokee believe that these spirits are very much a part of the natural world. It is known that in some point in time, each individual will have at least one spiritual encounter, while there are others who have continual interactions.
Sometimes these spiritual beings are our contact with our ancestors. Some guide us through our lives, some help us in healing and protecting. Some are just the eyes and ears for those on the other side.
The most famous of these spirits are the legendary �Little People.� These are very small spirit people who are invisible to everyone unless they want to be seen. When they make themselves visible they appear to be very small Cherokee people with very long hair. The Little People reside in various places such as caves in the mountains, shelters made of rocks and sometimes in laurel thickets. They love drumming and dancing. They have been known to find lost children, or to help children who are experiencing troubled and sad times. The Little people have been known to be very mischievous and when dealing with them you must be very cautious and you must observe the traditional rules about them. They don�t like to be disturbed and when a person constantly bothers them, it is said that they can cause that person to be �puzzled� throughout their life. It is said that if a person sees one of the Little People, they are not suppose to talk about it, or tell anyone about it for at least seven years. Also it has been told that the Little People should not be talked about after sunset. {Yunwi Tsunsdi}