Off A Cliff

Dipping my Toes: Ancient Earth Works

The past week has been an interesting one. Amidst overwhelming exhaustion and physical pain, I embarked on this Journey of light. I’ve done more lying around campsites trying to recover from my adventures in packing and moving than creating than new adventures but… a few I have had. Here is a recounting of the work I’ve done so far.

As mentioned elsewhere, I consciously arranged to visit a few archeological sites first, affording me opportunity to dip my toe into the energetic waters, as it were, before plunging into the deep end. I am more glad of it now than I could have imagined, as I have needed the time to get things “right,” both internally and externally before hitting the work heavy duty.

Mother Earth/Father Sky

The cards I drew for today are Dog, which represents taking the shamanic journey  while staying connected to where you are from, and the goddess of Wind, which represents wind, breath, spirit: reminding us that, like the wind and our breath, spirit is with us and around us at all times. Today, may the breezes that blow around me keep  me in remembrance of the presence of Spirit always.

Toltec Mounds

The first site I visited was the Toltec Mounds in Scott, Arkansas. These mounds, which have nothing to do with the Toltecs, were a good place to begin this journey, as they were believed to be a prehistoric ceremonial site from 600 – 1150 A.D. The Natives, named by archeologists as the Plum Bayou Indians, traveled to this site, mostly via canoe, from all around the region to gather the branches of the tribe for rituals, games, and other gatherings. The state of AR has done a good job of restoring these mounds, painstakingly removing all the trees that had grown atop them over time, without damaging the mounds. Now one can now see the original pyramidal shape to the earth works. Due to farming and other practices of the early settlers, only four of the original eighteen mounds now stand. When intact, however, the mound complex was arranged so that each solstice could be noted by the sun’s rising and setting behind the various mounds. Also of interest is the fact that the entire compound was built using multiples of 47.5 meters. So if any of you readers out there are good with numerology, I look forward to reading your comments.

The main mound, which still stands, is believed to have been the ceremonial mound atop which the shamans or priests permanently lived. One can imagine these tribal holy men making prayers and offerings and various rituals on behalf of the tribe on a daily basis. This was definitely the mound where I sensed the most energy. I sat on the ground before it, opening myself to any impressions, messages or dreams with which the ancient ones might choose to grace me. A fleeting but clear rush of images hit me, like a time bomb exploding upon my consciousness, and then was gone as fast as it came. Tears formed in my eyes at the intensity of it. That night, I dreamt of the natives performing rituals and playing a strange game with sticks and rocks, similar to hockey, upon the field there.

Before leaving, I took a little tour of the museum, fascinated by some of the technology for drilling holes, starting fire, etc. How very clever they were! My treat of the day was learning how to throw a spear with an alatl, a sling-like implement that extends the reach of the arm while releasing the spear, providing further momentum. After only one practice pitch, I managed a straight, long throw using the alatl. Fun!

Poverty Point

The second site, Poverty Point, is located outside the small town of Epps, Louisiana. This site, which dates back to the time of old Egypt, was one of the first ancient cities in North America and probably the very earliest settlement of the Mayans as they migrated up from the Yucatan area. Inhabited by 1000 – 2000 people at any given time, it was a major trade as well as religious center. Artifacts uncovered include copper from the Great Lakes, over one thousand miles away; wood beads, plummets, spear heads, and other items from materials as far east as Florida.

Surrounding a 37-acre plaza, which was probably the place of trading and games, is a series of earthworks comprised of six concentric half-circles, upon which simple homes were built. There were also great mounds, a few of which still survive. One appears to have been created in the shape of a great bird which can only be detected from at least 1000 feet in the air. Taking into account 4,000 years of erosion, it is estimated that at one time the mound was possibly 100 feet high. Today, at 72 feet tall, it is composed of over 300,000 metric tons of soil and covers over six acres. Considering the builders had no wheelbarrows, pack animals or wagons, carrying the soil in baskets that could hold 50 pounds at best, the immensity of the effort it took to build just this mound, let alone the city, is truly mind blowing.

Birds and goddesses appear to have played a major role in the beliefs of these ancients. Since carvings of these are abundant in the artifacts found, I chose to sit at the foot of the bird mound to test the energy. It was difficult, as this particular day found two busloads of teenagers on a tour of the place and the energy was obviously degraded by time and a history: agriculture plowing over the area, a county road being built right through it, etc. After settling in, however, I again experienced a brief rush of energy and feelings from the place. The images were not clear, but there was again that sense of living history, of people calling a place sacred, that brought tearing to my eyes. It is a shame that not more of this place survived. In a country that teaches its children that its history begins with the coming of Europeans, it is incredible to think about this city thriving here before the Great Wall of China, the founding of Hinduism, Socrates and Plato.

I’m having some camera issues so sorry I don’t have any photos as yet. But here’s some links to view these sites:

http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/toltecmounds

http://www.lpb.org/programs/povertypoint/pp_transcript.html

Stayed tuned for future posts, as I move deeper and deeper into the journey of earth energies, ancestors, and other wonders of the world! 🙂