Related Myths
about Breath / Spirit

Myth 1

Myth 2

Navajo Myth

"Winds lying on one another from within the Earth, by which she spoke to the people, were placed on the Earth surface for the Earth Surface People. The first one placed in the East is very holy, is female, and it gives direction to Life. [Wind] two is male and lies in the South. Another female [wind] was added in the West and another male [wind] in the North . . .

"These four [Winds] which were put up in the four directions are conceived to be the Winds by which man is given direction in his Life, movement, thinking and action to carry out plans. These are the same as 'the wind standing within us' which 'enters in the process of reproduction'. . . .

"While these Winds placed in the Cardinal directions enter within people as 'the one standing within us', other Winds formed on Earth's surface which could influence human life and behavior: Two Winds emerged from the Earth, two came from the water, and another two came from the clouds: when these met, six Winds were formed above and six below. We live between these, and they all affect us and some of which cause difficulty and sickness. . . ."

(Cajete, 1994, p. 52-53)