CRAYFISH

Contemplate this… Legend says that Great Creator Spirit made fish and shellfish to live in the water. Then, he told Crawfish [fresh water shellfish] to dive under the water and bring up mud to make the earth…

“It does not require many words to speak truth” ~Chief Joseph (Nez Perez)

THE MOON – CARD 18 – LA LUNA The 18th card among the 22 Major Arcana [tarot] cards is the Moon Card. There is a Crayfish in the Moon card. The moon reflects the light of the sun. The sun symbolizes something ‘major,' that shines behind the moon. It implies that beyond the moon, is the sun, a promise of hope and "light at the end of the tunnel."

The Crayfish symbolizes the individual or the EGO. And each of us has a hard ego shell, which we establish to protect the self, like the Crayfish.

The blue water of the pool, where the Crayfish lives is stagnant, which symbolizes our stagnant, melancholy, and unstable emotions.

The Crayfish must get out of the stagnant water and follow the path in order to go past the moon and on to the sun, which shines behind it.

On the path, however, one initially encounters two dogs which symbolize those who would like us to stay as we are and therefore force us to remain in the stagnant emotions. One is a dog and one is a wolf [tame path|wild path]. It is not easy to go to the moon. The Crayfish cannot easily escape from the stagnant and unstable world.

Crayfish must deal with Lack of Clarity, Tension, Doubt, Deception, Psychological Conflict, Obscured Vision, Confusion, Illusion, Fear & Worry. The Crayfish, who overcomes the EGO, symbolizes the individual who has affirmed their confidence and realize that their way was the right way to go after all. Wise Crayfish learn to trust themselves.

Fun Fact: 'oculi cancri' is made from the gastro stone of the crayfish.

THE MOON - 18 CARD – LA LUNA

“The Cultural History of Crayfish” that in both Sanskrit and Greek the word for crab had the same meaning as crayfish, both animals having pincers.

While the Latin word for Cancer, Carcinus, comes from the Greek karkinos, the English word “crab” has Germanic and Old English roots, and an AngloSaxon chronicle from about the year 1000 identified Cancer as crabba (Allen 107). In Old High German (800-1050), kerbiz meant simply “edible crustacean” and was also used to describe crayfish. The OED links the Middle High German (1050-1350) krebz to the Middle French (ca. 1400-1600) escrevisse, which in turn became écrevisse (crayfish).

Lobster-like Crab, Crayfish for Cancer on the Gate of the Virgin of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. (Paris, c. 1210-1220).

Constellation of Cancer with crayfish in calendar page for June. It is= surrounded by feast days of Apostle Barnabas, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, and the Apostles Peter and Paul. Pierpont Morgan Library, M.355, fol. 5v. (Italian, Veneto or Lombardy, 1386).

“The Cultural History of Crayfish” that in both Sanskrit and Greek the word for crab had the same meaning as crayfish, both animals having pincers.

While the Latin word for Cancer, Carcinus, comes from the Greek karkinos, the English word “crab” has Germanic and Old English roots, and an Anglo-Saxon chronicle from about the year 1000 identified Cancer as crabba (Allen 107). In Old High German (800-1050), kerbiz meant simply “edible crustacean” and was also used to describe crayfish. The OED links the Middle High German (10501350) krebz to the Middle French (ca.

1400-1600) escrevisse, which in turn became écrevisse (crayfish).

PRAIRIE ISLAND Prairie Island Indian Community’s Mission Statement Rooted in Dakota values, Prairie Island Indian Community will be a forward-thinking, sovereign nation focused on achieving unity, prosperity, and security for our Tiwahe (family).

Vision Statement Prairie Island Indian Community will achieve our Tribal vision by embracing innovation to ensure well-being of our Tribal Members, to honor those who came before us, and to prepare for the next seven generations.

Prairie Island Indian Community’s Core Values Bdewakantuŋwaŋ Those born of the water, Woksape Wisdom, Wowaȟbada Peace or Calm, Waciŋic’iya Self-dependence, Akhidečheča Equality, Wowacaŋtohnake Generosity, Oahe Foundation.”

COMMUNITY

“The Buffalo Woman put her sacred mind into their minds…”

Chief Crow Dog (1835-1910)