Zitkala Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a groundbreaking Native American woman who fought for the rights and recognition of her people. While she is often celebrated for her activism and writings on Native American culture, it is important to understand her perspective from a pagan point of view. Paganism is a broad term that encompasses a range of indigenous religious beliefs and practices. For many pagan populations, the natural world and its spirits hold great significance. There is often a deep respect and reverence for the earth, animals, and the spiritual forces that govern them. In understanding Zitkala Sa's work, it becomes evident that her writings are deeply rooted in her pagan beliefs and her connection to her traditional Native American heritage.
The first book to differentiate between rods and wands was the 13th century Latin grimoire, the “Oathbound Book of Honorus”. The wand was widely adopted in Europe and used during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. By 1862, famous occultist Eliphas Levi wrote about them in his book, “Philosophie Occulte”.
Once the wood was selected, it was often carved, sanded and decorated with symbols and designs that reflected the intentions of the wand maker or the user. Different types of wood were believed to have different magical properties and the choice of wood was often based on its symbolic and magical associations.
In understanding Zitkala Sa's work, it becomes evident that her writings are deeply rooted in her pagan beliefs and her connection to her traditional Native American heritage. One of Zitkala Sa's most notable works, "American Indian Stories," provides a firsthand account of her experiences growing up as a Native American woman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her stories often center around themes of nature, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.
The History of the Magic Wand
Have you ever wondered how the wand became one of the most important tools in the practice of magic?
Magic wands, rods, and staffs have been used since antiquity. The scepter was carried among Egyptians. Moses had his legendary staff. In the Odyssey, Athena uses her rod to change Odysseus’s age. Circe used her rod to turn Odysseus’s men into pigs.
The first book to differentiate between rods and wands was the 13th century Latin grimoire, the “Oathbound Book of Honorus”. The wand was widely adopted in Europe and used during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. By 1862, famous occultist Eliphas Levi wrote about them in his book, “Philosophie Occulte”.
In the classic hoodoo grimoire, “Legends of Incense, Herb & Oil Magic” written in 1936 by Lewis de Claremont, there is an illustration of what is titled a “holy wand”. Those outside the Jewish faith would probably assume that this is a magic wand used by wizards and, in a way, it is. However, people educated in the Jewish tradition, will immediately recognize wand as a “yad” or pointer that is commonly used by Jews to keep one’s place while reading the Torah—a text so sacred and revered it may not be touched by human hands.
The origin of the yad is veiled in mystery. Based on a story in the “Talmud” (the next most influential text in Judaism after the Bible), some people believe that yads date back to the year 130 C.E. In the Talmudic story, during the third Jewish war (the Bar Kokhba revolt), an enemy forced himself into one of the schools and some of the teachers stabbed him with their pointers (Giṭ. 58a).
Yads are usually less than a foot long, wider at the base, taper and the narrowed end may terminate with a closed hand with an extended pointer finger. Often they are beautifully decorated. It is not uncommon for the yad to be made of silver, but hard wood also is used (preferably the olive-wood grown in Israel) with an ivory hand.
Sometimes the yad is inscribed with a Biblical verse, such as "The law of the Lord is perfect, renewing the soul" (Psalms 19). The yad is also used to ornament the Torah and when the Torah is not in use, the yad is hung from the Torah by a chain.
It is easy to see why a person in medieval times who saw a Jew for the first time might have thought that they had just come face-to-face with a wizard; for what is the European perception of a wizard?—An older bearded man, with a strange cap, cloaked in robes (prayer shawl), poring over very old scrolls containing secret information that has been written in bizarre-looking, non-European language while holding a holy magic wand…our friendly old Kabbalist (from which the word, “cabal” is derived).
You can purchase a traditional holy wand similar to the one described in “Legends of Incense, Herb & Oil Magic” in our shop.
Because this is an essential tool in the practice of magic, for a limited time we are offering a FREE holy wand.
Different types of wood were believed to have different magical properties and the choice of wood was often based on its symbolic and magical associations.
In "The Trial Path," she describes a spiritual vision quest where she seeks guidance and direction from the spirits of her ancestors. This vision quest is a pagan ritual that seeks divine wisdom and connections with the spiritual realm. Zitkala Sa's writings also highlight the pagan perspective on the land and its significance. In her story "The Soft-Hearted Sioux," she describes her profound love for the land and nature, stating, "I loved the land of rolling hills, the sioux loved it." This love for the land is a reflection of the pagan belief in the sacredness of the earth and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Furthermore, Zitkala Sa's activism and advocacy work can also be viewed through the lens of paganism. As a pagan, she would have seen her fight for Native American rights as a spiritual duty and a way to honor the spirits of her ancestors. Her work aimed to protect the sacredness of the land, preserve indigenous cultures, and ensure the well-being of Native American communities. In conclusion, understanding Zitkala Sa's perspective from a pagan point of view provides valuable insights into her writings and activism. Her deep connection to the natural world, her reverence for the spirits of her ancestors, and her fight for Native American rights all reflect a pagan belief system rooted in the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of honoring and protecting the earth. By recognizing the pagan perspective of Zitkala Sa, we can gain a deeper appreciation for her contributions and the significance of her work in advancing the rights and recognition of Native American people..
Reviews for "Paganism as a Theme in Zitkala Sa's Work"
1. John - 2 stars
I was disappointed with "The Pagan Perspective of Zitkala Sa." While I appreciate the exploration of indigenous culture, I found the writing to be lackluster and disjointed. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without a clear direction or purpose. Additionally, the characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, which made it difficult for me to connect with the story. Overall, I found the book to be a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the pagan perspective and provide more meaningful insights.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"The Pagan Perspective of Zitkala Sa" was a letdown for me. I was expecting a thought-provoking exploration of pagan beliefs and traditions through the eyes of Zitkala Sa. However, the book failed to deliver on that front. The writing was dry and lacked passion, making it hard for me to stay engaged. Moreover, the storyline felt disjointed and left me confused about the overall message the author was trying to convey. Overall, I found the book to be a missed opportunity to shed light on the pagan perspective in a compelling and meaningful way.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I was excited to read "The Pagan Perspective of Zitkala Sa," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was unremarkable and didn't capture my attention. The author didn't fully explore the pagan perspective, and the plotline felt shallow. I was hoping for a more in-depth understanding of Zitkala Sa's perspective and experiences, but the book left me wanting more. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in substance and depth.
4. Emily - 2 stars
"The Pagan Perspective of Zitkala Sa" had the potential to offer a unique insight into pagan beliefs, but it fell short. The writing lacked clarity and failed to effectively convey the nuances of the pagan perspective. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the author didn't provide enough context or background information to fully understand their motivations. Additionally, the plotline was predictable and lacked depth. Overall, I found the book to be a missed opportunity to delve into the pagan perspective with more depth and substance.