Gifts of the Directions

Gifts of the Directions

"Star of the East, give us kindly birth,
Star of the South, give us great love,
Star of the West, give us quiet age,
Star of the North, give us death."
     ___ Fiona MacLeod, "Iona"

  Throughout the world, every traditional society has its own local understanding about the gifts of the different directions. These are seldom written down, remaining firmly embedded in consciousness and folklore.

  In Britain, the gifts of the directions above are commonly accepted in many locations. The east - the place of beginnings, where the sun rises --- guards the time of birth and development; the south - the place of growing, where the sun is at its warmest -- is where our love is most strongly engaged; the west - the place of maturity, where the sun sets - is the place of vision; the  north - the place of endings, where only by midnight sun shines - is commonly thought of as the place of death and still abiding.

  The gifts of the directions depend upon the location of a land mass on the globe and are affected by the prevailing winds, the nature of topographical features, the position of the sea, and many other factors. Many books attempt to assign fixed definitions to the gifts of the directions, but these cannot hold in every place on earth. The only way to learn more about these gifts is too seek them out in the place where you live - from your own experience., not from a book. Then you will truly be in a position to receive and experience those gifts for yourself and to give thanks for their guiding qualities.

"Standing or sitting outside, face each of the directions in turn. With eyes closed, meditate upon each direction, feeling for its particular gift and opportunity. Try repeating this at different times of day and night. How do these qualities intermesh with your life?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]