THE ORIGIN OF THE PLEIADES

Hi dear friends and followers today we continue to explore the world of Native American legends

As I recall from studying geography in the fourth grade, the Middle Atlantic States are next on the list. The states in this group are New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

New York is the home of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, an alliance of five Native Peoples whose constitution and form of government served as the basis republic that is America. The Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy are: the Mohawk; the Oneida; the Onondaga; the Cayuga; and the Seneca.

Given the number of Peoples that resided in New York State, it seems proper to share more than one legend. We will first do two from the Onondaga, then one from the Iroquois.

THE ORIGIN OF THE PLEIADES

A long time ago a party of Onondaga went through the woods toward a good hunting-ground, which they had long known. They traveled several days through a very wild country, going at a leisurely pace and camping as they went.

At last they reached Kan-ya-ti-yo, “the beautiful lake,” where the gray rocks were crowned with great forest trees. Fish filled the waters, and at every jutting point the deer came down from the hills around to bathe or drink of the lake. On the hills and valleys were huge beech and chestnut trees, where squirrels chattered, and bears came to take their morning and evening meals.

The chief of the bans was Hah-yah-no, “Tracks in the water,” and he halted his party on the lake shore that he might return thanks to the Great Spirit for their safe arrival at this good hunting-ground. “Here will we build our lodges for the winter, and may the Great Spirit, who has prospered us on our way, send us plenty of game, and health, and peace.” The Red Man is always thankful.

The pleasant autumn days passed on. The lodges had been built, and hunting had prospered, when the children took a fancy to dance for their own amusement. They were getting lonesome, having little to do, and so they met daily in a quiet spot by the lake to have what they called their “jolly dance.”

They had done this a long time, when one day a very old man came to them. They had seen no one like him before. He was dressed in white feathers, and his white hair shone like silver. If his appearance was strange, his words were unpleasant as well. He told them that they must stop their dancing, or evil would happen to them. Little did the children heed, for they were intent on their sport, and again and again the old man appeared, repeating his warning.

The mere dances did not afford all the enjoyment the children wished, and a little boy, who liked a good dinner, suggested a feast next time they met. The food must come from their parents, and all these were asked when they returned home. “You will waste and spoil good food,” said one. “You can eat at home as you should,” said another, and so they got nothing at all. Sorry as they were for this, they met and danced as before. A little to eat after each dance would have made them happy indeed. Empty stomachs cause no joy.

One day, as they danced, they found themselves rising little by little into the air, their heads being light through hunger. How this happened they did not know, but one said, “Do not look back, for something strange is happening.” A woman, too, saw them rise and called them back, but with no effect, for they still rose slowly above the earth.

She ran to the camp, and all rushed out with food of every kind, but the children would not return, though their parents called piteously after them. But one would even look back, and he became a falling star. The others reached the sky, and are now what we call the Pleiades, and the Onondaga the Oot-kwa-tah. Every falling or shooting star recalls the story, but the seven stars shine on continuously, a pretty band of dancing children.

I'm glad to see you here! Thank you for reading this Native American legend, I would appreciate knowing what your thought are on this weeks legend. Thank you and have a wonderful week.

✿ڰۣ❤In Loving Light from the Fairy Lady❤ڰۣ✿