out of balance

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 17 Aug 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

the hermit	17 Aug 2002
Just turned off the news after listening to Elvis stories, kidnapping stories, stock market horrors, airline bankruptcies, more killing in the Middle East, rivers rising in Europe, etc. etc. etc. These cheerful reports brought back memories of long ago... In my travels over the years I've had the privilege of speaking with various "holy" men and women around the world. One of the most interesting conversations I had was with a Hopi elder in 1971. He spoke to me of a concept that the Hopi have and how he felt it related to what he called "the outside world". The concept is called "Koyaanisqatsi" in the Hopi language, which basically means "world out of balance". It comes from a Hopi myth in which it has been prophesied that "Turtle Island could turn over two or three times and the oceans could join hands and meet the sky." This will happen because "Turtle Island" (earth) becomes "Koyaanisqatsi", out of balance. At the time we spoke, he was saddened by all of the problems in the "white man's world"... starving children, the wars (the Vietnam war was still ongoing), the political conflicts with the then still existing U.S.S.R, the religious intolerance, drug abuse, hatred, cruelty, the racism here in our wealthy America. I wonder what he would think of today's anger, hatred, cruelty, racism, etc. Since that time, I have read about the Hopi myths and some other views on "life, the universe and everything". But I keep remembering the weathered old Hopi, squatting by a water tank out among the mesas, watching his sheep and sharing philosophy with the me. He wondered then, as I wonder now... How out of balance will "Turtle Island" allow itself to become?

lunalafey	17 Aug 2002
how lucky of you!!! In '71 I was 4, it was not until I was in my early 20's that I learned of the Hopi prophecies. there is also another Native thought, there are cycles (cycle=7 years, I think) that are a number of cycles that are hell and then cycles of heaven. There is also the Earth Cleansing, a medicine man suggests heading for the high country(no wonder I have always wanted to be here), stock up on goods and water!! he says good water will be a problem, find land with a spring, live in small community groups etc. prepare for the cleansing. As a child, I had felt that something like this would happen in my life time. Having no religious up bringing I had no knowledge of the book of revelations, yet thought about it and the like...

the hermit	17 Aug 2002
Quote: Originally posted by lunalafey how lucky of you!!! In '71 I was 4, it was not until I was in my early 20's that I learned of the Hopi prophecies. there is also another Native thought, there are cycles (cycle=7 years, I think) that are a number of cycles that are hell and then cycles of heaven. There is also the Earth Cleansing, a medicine man suggests heading for the high country(no wonder I have always wanted to be here), stock up on goods and water!! he says good water will be a problem, find land with a spring, live in small community groups etc. prepare for the cleansing. As a child, I had felt that something like this would happen in my life time. Having no religious up bringing I had no knowledge of the book of revelations, yet thought about it and the like... I’ve always found it interesting how all myth sets seem to have most of the following— * Creation of humans via shaping from earth, clay, mud, etc. * Virgin birth * World flood * Martyrdom for the “cause” * Epic battle against all odds * Apocalyptic “cleansing” the nature of man... always trying to explain the universe. I guess that's why so many, including myself, enjoy the work of Joseph Campbell.

Minderwiz	18 Aug 2002
I must admit I know little of the Hopi prophesies. On myths of final end to the world I always felt strongly drawn to the Norse myth of Ragnarok which suggests a new beginning and new order following the destruction of the Gods. I have always felt that manking carries the seed of 'God' within and that mankind therefore has the capacity to overcome the 'veil of tears' and achieve spiritual completion. However like you I find many of the news stories deeply depressing - It does seem that we are taking a long time to assert our spirtual over our material side. Only by working together are we likely to overcome the problems facing us - no one no matter how militarily strong they are and how self sufficient they feel themselves to be can ignore the rest of the world. Perhaps if we tried to do something about the material imbalances and gave up some of our material wealth unconditionally, so that others may at least be given some comfort might we find that it really is more blessed to give than recieve. The blessing might be that we really do begin to love our neighbours as ourselves and not as business opportunities. Minderwiz

Laurel	18 Aug 2002
The Hopi prophecies have always interested me. I have a lot of respect for shamanistic traditions. Sometimes I wonder that too, about how out of balance can things get. In terms of "world news"... I ~don't~ think humankind is treating humankind more badly (wars, murder, rape, social injustice) and in fact, we are evolving into a more peaceful species. Evolution happens slowly. The fact that we can hear detailed accounts of worldwide violence is what has changed. It tends to throw things out of proportion and make us feel unsafe as the cumulative effect hits us hard. In terms of "ecological news"... I think how humanity is treating the other creatures that share this planet and perverting the land, air, water is going to come to a head in the next hundred and fifty years. We will have to make changes and sacrifices as societies and individuals on a scale I don't think any of us really yet fathom. The earth will abide and heal. Whether humanity or jaguars are along for the ride depends on humanity's willingness to adapt. Laurel

The out of balance thread was originally posted on 17 Aug 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.