Pawnee Spiritual Powers

Welcome to the Street Prophets Coffee Hour cleverly hidden at the intersection of religion, art, science, food, and politics. This is an open thread where we can share our thoughts and comments about the day. Traditionally the Pawnees believed that Tirawa (also spelled Tirawahat), the mighty power, cannot come near people nor can it be seen or felt by them. Therefore, lesser powers mediate between the people and Tirawa. These lesser powers, in the order of their creation, include:

Wind: the wind (hoturu) is the breath from Tirawa which gives life to the people.

Sun: the sun (shakuru) gives the people health, vitality and strength. Because it has the power to make things grow, the sun is sometimes called father (atius).

Earth: the earth (h’uraru) is very near to the people and is often called mother (atira).

Vegetation: the Pawnee word toharu refers to all the things that Mother Earth brings forth.

Water: the water (chaharu) is needed by all living things, including the people.

Open Thread