Black Elk's Vision

In a time when the tribe enjoyed the freedom of the Great Plains, a powerful vision took place several years before the Little Big Horn River Battle and strangely, approximately at the same place, a young boy named Black Elk had such an open, understandable vision as it pertained to all of Creator’s Nature which surrounds us. His vision took him into a Rainbow Covered Lodge of the Six Powers of the World. Two spirit men carried him upward to the Spirit World. On a cloudy plain, thunder beings leaped and flashed. A bay horse appeared and spoke: “Behold me!” The boy walked on toward a cloud that changed into a tipi with a rainbow for an open door. Within, he saw six old men sitting in a row.

He went in and stood before the six old men and discovered that they were not old men but were the Six Powers of the World. West, North, East and South Power (Tah tay Toe pah- Four Directions) spoke to him, followed up by Father Sky and Ina Makah, the Earth Power. All six are the Six Powers- Shakpeh- Oohyeay.) (Note: I use phonetic spelling as does the White man with his language.)Yes, you Bible Thumpers- this is how our part of the universe truly is. It is how Creator has made it! Of the powers, the West Power, Wiyopeyata, (pronounced with a guttural –we yoke-pee ahh tah) spoke first. The ‘Life giving Rains come from the West.

When the West Power spoke of understanding, the rainbow leaped with flames of many colors over Black Elk. The West Power gave him a wooden cup filled with water and spoke. “Take this, it is the power to make live.” West Power gave him a bow and spoke. “Take this, it is the power to destroy.” The West Power then left and changed to a black horse but the horse was gaunt and sick. Way ah zhahtah- North Power spoke, “Strength, Endurance, Cleanliness of the white snow. I have the power to heal and gave the black horse a healing herb. East Power spoke. “I am the Red Dawn, every day I come across. I bring you knowledge and wisdom if you have the sense to look for it. Itokaga (Eee toe kah gah)- South Power spoke. “I make all things grow beginning with the Bounty of Spring Time.

Father Sky stated that the things of the air would be here to aid the Earth Spirit in a dangerous time about to come. Mother Earth said nothing except command that she be followed to view a Blue Man of Untruth, Corruption and Greed down below. Where 3 rivers met, the Blue Man was fouling the waters and the air. The land was parched, finned, crawling, four legged lay dying. All, including Black Elk were now on horse back. “Come,” she beckoned. “Let us kill it!” and they swooped down but they could not subdue the Blue Man. “Black Elk, Help us!” They called. His Bow turned to a spear and he swooped down and killed it. This is the way Ben briefly described to me one day in the Black Hills. The Vision is best described and for deeply interested readers regarding the spiritual, I suggest any of my previous non-fiction books and of course Black Elk Speaks by John Neihardt or The Sacred Pipe by J. Epes Brown. Each Power spoke in the above manner. The Blue Man is what is happening now. We are surrounded by Earth killing Blue Men.

The Six Powers concept is a helpful tool, an almost essential ingredient to generate an understanding of Nature’s Code. Millions of readers are familiar with the concept.

The book, Black Elk Speaks has sold millions of copies and these in turn have been passed on to numerous other readers. It is printed in numerous languages as well. Author- John Neihardt- Black Elk intended that the world should know of his vision. Several writers had earlier attempted to secure Black Elk’s story but he was not satisfied with them.

When John Neihardt came to his cabin, he told Neihardt that he was the one he was waiting for.It was in the fall. Black Elk said that it was too late that year to relate his vision. “You come back when the grass is so high,” the holy man held out his hand to indicate the height of spring grass, “and I will tell you my story.” Young Ben Black Elk interpreted between Neihardt and the old holy man. Ben was well satisfied with the finished writing, Black Elk Speaks. His satisfaction should dispel the false accusations which have been heaped on John Neihardt as self composing. Here we have the interpreter being very satisfied. Wouldn’t one who had ordinary common sense and a bit of intelligence easily discern that a son is generally, usually going to know which are his father’s words and which are those of someone else? Especially when he interpreted a long conversation both ways - in English and Lakota!

Ben always spoke glowingly of the finished work as, “My Father’s book!” It was published in 1932, but at that time there existed so much prejudice and ignorance that it went into remainder and copies were sold for 45 cents apiece. It wasn’t until thirty years later that the importance of such a profound vision would be rediscovered, thanks to the interest of Carl Jung and Dick Cavett. The book has now sold well over a million copies and has been printed in many languages, including Japanese. Bill Moyers interviewed the renown Joseph Campbell. “You speak of Spiritual Imagery often. What is the best example from all your travels and study?” Campbell never paused. “Without Question,” he replied abruptly. “Black Elk Speaks.”

The reservation missionaries made a strong attempt to dislodge Black Elk’s vision and were almost successful. Why? All that I can surmise on their behalf is that it intruded on their belief system as this writing will be judged. It was also quite convincing if one would rely on direct observance of what all surrounds us. Yes! God made! They demanded from Neihardt his manuscript to ‘Edit’ it, which he refused. Many Sioux know little about the vision or they believe the detracting dogma perpetuated against it. The missionaries even altered the color arrangements in their boarding schools. From Red-East, Yellow-South, Black- West and White- North, the missionaries switched West and North to White West and Black –North. North originating snow is not black and when the sun sets in the West- White “darkness” does not occur. I saw a Red Dawn this morning and usually every morning and the yellow corn comes from the warming rays of the summer sun rising higher from the South. Green is Mother Earth and Blue is Father Sky. Creator- the 7th and Ultimate Power is all colors. Such are the meddling missionaries and to this day my tribe errantly uses the missionary color arrangement. That is their loss; my opinion.

I harbor little remorse for those who deny direct observation. It is the choice they made while on their Earth journey; a foolish choice; my opinion. Hopefully, there exists a Spirit World in which we can be with our own kind. That categorization, also hopefully, will not be a separation by race or worldly accomplishment, but one of how well we utilized our mind while here upon this journey. How much did we place into this greatest of gifts which Benevolent Creator has designed specifically just for us? Courage, bravery, generosity and sharing - the four cardinal virtues of the Sioux may also have their importance toward our final destination. Direct Observation as well. Human has become so damned ignorant to ignore Nature!

I deeply hope that when one enters the Spirit World, one will be able to go or be placed with one’s own kind. ‘According to your truths!’ This could be the real ‘Heaven or Hell’ most of us wonder or ponder about, if we are at all truthful.

Black Elk’s Vision

By Ed McGaa (Eagle Man)