Hello everyone! Today, I want to talk to you about a rather special character in Hopi tradition: Coyote. You might think, "Wait, Coyote? The same guy who spends his time getting into mischief in cartoons?" Well, yes, but in Hopi culture, he's much more than that. He's the guardian of the southern direction. He's also the one who shows us what not to do. And guess what? I've learned a lot from him.
I. Coyote, Deceiver of Learning
In Hopi tradition, he bears a name that resonates as a warning: the deceiver of learning. Just imagine for a moment this mischievous character, capable of leading us astray on the path of wisdom by deliberately causing us to make mistakes. He's not a role model to follow, but rather a paradoxical guide, showing us what not to do so that we can discover the right path for ourselves. His nature is a palette of extremes. He embodies raw impulse, insatiable desire, and an unquenchable thirst for immediate gratification. His appetites are voracious, whether they are carnal, emotional, or material. He knows no moderation, understands no limits. But it is precisely this excess that reveals his role in learning: by showing us the consequences of excess, he teaches us the importance of balance and self-mastery.
In many Native American tribes, the coyote is the guardian of the south in the medicine wheel, associated with the element of water which is linked to our emotions. Coyote's medicine teaches us the states we can get into when we fail to manage our emotions and desires. The whirlwind of passions where we risk getting lost, succumbing to illusions and temptations. His actions remind us of our own struggles with our emotions, desires, and shadows. We are often tempted by excess, by instant gratification, without thinking of the consequences.
II. Chasing the Shadow: Shadow Work
Have you noticed this strange proliferation of books on "Shadow Work" since the beginning of the year? I wonder if it wasn't Jung who originated the expression shadow work. By the way, I invite you to read my article on Jung's 12 archetypes. Anyway, it seems that shadow work has become the new trendy topic in the publishing world.
Imagine yourself, searching for your own shadows, those uncontrolled behaviors that lead us into ridiculous situations, driven by our emotions like puppets in a comedy show. This is where the coyote comes in, ready to teach us the subtleties of shadow work. After all, who better than a master trickster to show us the way to our darkest corners?
Dear friends, the next time you feel a bit lost in the darkness of your own psyche, think of Coyote and his medicine. He will be happy to guide you through the intricacies of shadow work, with a good dose of humor and lupine wisdom.
III. Coyote, Master of Creativity
But Coyote is not only the guardian of soul traps, he is also the champion of creativity. To get what he wants, he must deploy ingenious strategies, use cunning and subterfuge. He is the master of artifice, the virtuoso of deception. And like him, we sometimes resort to trickery and creativity to get what we desire. Which was the case for me when I arrived in the United States.
IV. The Chewing-Gum Impulse
When we arrived in the United States, a world of chewing gums with shapes, flavors, and smells of the most incredible variety unfolded before me. For the three-and-a-half-year-old girl that I was, these sweets represented the object of all my desires. One day, during a family outing to the grocery store, I begged my mother to buy me some, but she categorically refused. So, in a burst of creativity worthy of the cleverest coyote, I hid two packets of chewing gum in my puffy panties. Alas, my ruse was soon discovered. Shortly after, my sister found my hiding places, and my chewing gums were severely confiscated. For weeks, the chewing gums were placed on top of our American fridge, which compared to my size was a mountain. I spent weeks sitting in front of it, thinking about what I could invent to get them back. Like the Coyote, I was cornered by my own desires.
V. Retaining the Lessons
This anecdote, though light-hearted, reveals a profound truth: we are all a bit like Coyote, juggling with our emotions and desires. But through our mistakes and struggles, we can learn and grow. So, the next time we find ourselves facing our own shadows, perhaps we should remember Coyote's lessons, guiding us to wisdom through our own wanderings.
And you, dear readers, do you have a story to share where you learned an important lesson from your own mistakes? We would love to hear from you! Feel free to testify in the comments below and share your experiences with the community
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