Rediscovering the Pagan Ethics and Values in Zitkala Sa's Stories

Zitkala Sa, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a Native American writer and activist who played a significant role in promoting indigenous rights and culture. As a member of the Yankton Sioux tribe, she had a deep connection to her pagan heritage, which greatly influenced her writing and activism. One of the pagan values that Zitkala Sa embraced was a strong belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings and the earth. She saw nature as a spiritual force that needed to be respected and protected. This belief can be seen in her writings, where she often described the beauty and power of the natural world. Whether it was the majestic presence of the sun or the delicate dance of the prairie grass, Zitkala Sa's pagan values led her to find solace and inspiration in the natural world.

"All religions have some kind of death and funeral provisions and rituals, and I suppose to people who did not understand them they could be viewed as kind of weird and scary," said Danny L. Jorgensen, chairman of the department of religious studies at the University of South Florida. "The stuff the Wiccans do is no stranger than anything else if you understand what they do and why they're doing it."

Calling witches Satanists or devil worshipers is not accurate, because Wiccans, by definition, do not believe in God or Satan, since they reject most traditional Christian teachings. Wiccans have mastered this, so monitor your teenagers participation in suspicious chat rooms, instant message buddies, e-mail newsletters and websites.

Whether it was the majestic presence of the sun or the delicate dance of the prairie grass, Zitkala Sa's pagan values led her to find solace and inspiration in the natural world. Another pagan value that Zitkala Sa championed was the importance of storytelling and oral tradition. For Native American tribes, oral tradition was a way of passing down history, cultural values, and spiritual beliefs to future generations.

evil eye

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• JewishEncyclopedia.com - Evil Eye
• Jewish Virtual Library - Evil Eye
• Livescience - Evil eye: History of the ancient curse
• Academia - Evil Eye: The Cause of Death and Destruction

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

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• JewishEncyclopedia.com - Evil Eye
• Jewish Virtual Library - Evil Eye
• Livescience - Evil eye: History of the ancient curse
• Academia - Evil Eye: The Cause of Death and Destruction

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

evil eye, glance believed to have the ability to cause injury or death to those on whom it falls; pregnant women, children, and animals are thought to be particularly susceptible. Belief in the evil eye is ancient and ubiquitous; it occurred in ancient Greece and Rome, in Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu traditions, and in indigenous, peasant, and other folk societies, and it has persisted throughout the world into modern times. Those most often accused of casting the evil eye include strangers, malformed individuals, childless women, and old women.

The power of the evil eye is sometimes held to be involuntary; a Slavic folktale, for example, relates the story of a father afflicted with the evil eye who blinded himself in order to avoid injuring his own children. More frequently, however, malice toward and envy of prosperity and beauty are thought to be the cause. Thus, in medieval Europe it was considered unlucky to be praised or to have one’s children or possessions praised, so some qualifying phrase such as “as God will” or “God bless it” was commonly used.

Measures taken to ward off the evil eye vary widely between cultures. For example, some authorities suggest that the purpose of ritual cross-dressing—a practice that has been noted in the marriage ceremonies of parts of India—is to avert the evil eye. Asian children sometimes have their faces blackened, especially near the eyes, for protection. Among some Asian and African peoples the evil eye is particularly dreaded while eating and drinking, because soul loss is thought to be more prevalent when the mouth is open; in these cultures, the ingestion of substances is either a solitary activity or takes place only with the immediate family and behind locked doors. Other means of protection, common to many traditions, include the consumption of protective foodstuffs or decoctions; the wearing of sacred texts, amulets, charms, or talismans (which may also be hung upon animals for their protection); the use of certain hand gestures; and the display of ritual drawings or objects.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.

Why are teenagers drawn to Wicca? The appeal of “magick” is “inside information” on how the world works behind the scenes, and getting power that others don’t have. Some teens feel powerless and alone and seek to gain some kind of advantage over their peers. For others, Wicca is simply a fad, a fun secret shared with close friends. Regardless of the motivation, Wicca continues to be effective in drawing in new recruits.

Zitkala Sa recognized the importance of preserving these stories and traditions in the face of rapid assimilation and cultural erasure. Through her writing, she sought to amplify the voices and stories of her people, ensuring that their pagan values and traditions were not forgotten. Zitkala Sa also embraced the pagan value of community and communal responsibility. In many Native American tribal societies, the well-being of the community was prioritized over individual desires or gains. Zitkala Sa reflected this value in her activism, dedicating her life to improving the conditions and rights of Native American people as a whole. She recognized that the struggles faced by one community member were shared by the entire tribe, and it was through collective action that positive change could be achieved. In conclusion, Zitkala Sa's pagan values greatly influenced her writing and activism. Her belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings, the importance of storytelling and oral tradition, and the value of community and communal responsibility shaped her work and advocacy efforts. By embracing and promoting these values, Zitkala Sa made significant contributions to the preservation and celebration of indigenous culture..

Reviews for "Zitkala Sa's Pagan Perspective on Gender and Identity"

1. Jane - 1 star

I found "The Pagan Values of Zitkala Sa" to be a highly offensive and disrespectful portrayal of indigenous cultures. The author seemed to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and failed to provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities of Native American beliefs. Furthermore, the writing style was disjointed, making it difficult to follow the plot or connect with the characters. I would not recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain a genuine appreciation for indigenous cultures.

2. Mike - 2 stars

"The Pagan Values of Zitkala Sa" had the potential to offer an intriguing insight into Native American traditions, but unfortunately, it fell short. The characters were underdeveloped, and the plot lacked depth and coherence. I also found the descriptions of cultural practices to be oversimplified and lacking the authenticity that one would expect from a book exploring indigenous beliefs. This novel fails to do justice to the rich and diverse heritage of Native American cultures.

3. Emily - 1 star

I was highly disappointed with "The Pagan Values of Zitkala Sa." The author seemed more focused on sensationalizing Native American rituals rather than presenting them in a respectful and accurate manner. The representation of indigenous cultures felt shallow and tokenistic, relying on outdated stereotypes. The writing style was also uninspiring, lacking the emotional depth and character development needed to make the story engaging. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a genuine understanding of Native American customs and values.

The Power of Pagan Symbolism in Zitkala Sa's Writing