The Blessing to the Four Directions has its roots in Native American culture. It is the belief that human beings are tied to all things in nature. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the four cardinal directions; East, South, West and North.
Blessing to the Four Directions 1
In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home. The heat of the heart’s passion. The light created by both to lighten the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake. The swift excitement of the river. The refreshing cleansing of the rain. The all encompassing passion of the sea.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North: A Firm foundation on which to build. Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives. A stable home to which you may always return.
Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things, which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools, which you must use together, in order to create what you seek in this union.
Blessing to the Four Directions 2
In many ancient religious traditions, it is customary to bring a service of worship or celebration by calling on the four directions.
This is a way of symbolically inviting all of creation to be present and take part in the festivities.
This morning, we, too, want to invite the whole of creation to be with us here and now.
Oh Great Spirit of the North, we come to you and ask for the strength and the power to bear what is cold and harsh in life.
We come like the buffalo ready to receive the winds that truly can be overwhelming at times.
Whatever is cold and uncertain in our life, we ask you to give us the strength to bear it. Do not let the winter blow us away.
Oh Spirit of Life and Spirit of the North, we ask you for strength and for warmth.
Oh Great Spirit of the East, we turn to you where the sun comes up, from where the power of light and refreshment come.
Everything that is born comes up in this direction the birth of babies, the birth of the puppies, the birth of ideas and the birth of friendship.
Let there be the light.
Oh Spirit of the East, let the color of fresh rising in our life be glory to you.
Oh Great Spirit of the South, spirit of all that is warm and gentle and refreshing, we ask you to give us this spirit of growth, of fertility, of gentleness.
Caress us with a cool breeze when the days are hot.
Give us seeds that the flowers, trees and fruits of the earth may grow.
Give us the warmth of good friendships.
Oh Spirit of the South, send the warmth and the growth of your blessings.
Oh Great Spirit of the West, where the sun goes down each day to come up the next, we turn to you in praise of sunsets and in thanksgiving for changes.
You are the great colored sunset of the red west, which illuminates us.
You are the powerful cycle, which pulls us to transformation.
We ask for the blessings of the sunset.
Keep us open to life’s changes.
Blessing to the Four Directions 3
Long ago, people believed the human soul shared characteristics with all things celestial.
They therefore designated virtues to the East, South, West, and North.
So, in keeping with that age-old tradition . . .
We bless this marriage with the virtues of the East: communication between your hearts, minds, and bodies; fresh beginnings with the rising of every day’s Sun; and the value of the wisdom of sharing silences.
We bless this marriage with the virtues of the South: a warm and welcoming home; the delight of your hearts’ passion; and the ability of both to lighten the darkest of times.
We bless this marriage with the virtues of the West: the deepness of the lake; the swift flow of the river; the newness after rain; and the all-encompassing fervor of the sea.
We bless this marriage with the virtues of the North: a firm foundation to enrich your lives; a constant home to which you will always return.
Each of these blessings emphasizes things that will help you build a happy and successful marriage.
But remember, they are only tools; tools you must both use – individually and together, in order to have what you seek from this marriage.
Let the image of water and the romance of your story always flow in your hearts in strong waves, knowing they are guiding you towards a goal fulfilled, a dreaming that is true.
Blessing to the Four Directions 4
Great Spirit of Light, come to me out of the East with the power of the rising sun.
Let there be light in my words, let there be light on my path that I walk.
Let me remember always that you give the gift of a new day.
And never let me be burdened with sorrow by not starting over again.
Great Spirit of Love, come to me with the power of the North.
Make me courageous when the cold wind falls upon me.
Give me strength and endurance for everything that is harsh, everything that hurts, everything that makes me squint.
Let me move through life ready to take what comes from the north.
Great Life-Giving Spirit, I face the West, the direction of sundown.
Let me remember everyday that the moment will come when my sun will go down.
Never let me forget that I must fade into you.
Give me a beautiful color, give me a great sky for setting, so that when it is my time to meet you, I can come with glory.
Great Spirit of Creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South.
Comfort me and caress me when I am tired and cold.
Unfold me like the gentle breezes that unfold the leaves on the trees.
As you give to all the earth your warm, moving wind, give to me, so that I may grow close to you in warmth.
Man did not create the web of life, he is but a strand in it.
Whatever man does to the web, he does to himself.
