Cherokee Beliefs Creation of Earth

The earth was a great island floating in a sea of water, suspended by a cord at each of the four cardinal points, hanging down from the sky vault, which is solid rock. When the world grows old and worn out, the people will die, the cords will break and the earth will sink back into the ocean and all will be water again. The Indians fear this.

When all was water, the animals were above, beyond the arch, in Galunlati. It was very crowded and they wanted more room. They wondered what was below the water and "Beaver's Grandchild", the water beetle, offered to go and learn. It darted in all directions across the water's surface but could not find a firm place to rest. Then it dove to the bottom and returned with some soft mud, which began to grow and spread on every side until it became the island we call earth. Afterward it was fastened to the sky with four cords but no one remembers this.

At first, the earth was flat, very soft and wet. The animals were anxious to get down so they sent different birds to see if it was dry but they found no place to alight and returned to Galunlati. When it seemed to be time, they sent out the Buzzard, telling him to go and make ready for them. It was known as the Great Buzzard, father of all buzzards we see now. He flew all over the earth, close to the ground but it was still soft. By the time he reached Cherokee country, he was very tired. His wings began to flap and strike the ground. Wherever they struck the earth, there was a valley and where they turned up again there was a mountain. When the animals above saw this, they were afraid that the whole world would be mountains and called him back. The Cherokee country remains full of mountains even today.

When the earth was dry, the animals came down. It was still dark, so they got the sun and set it in a track to go across the island east to west every day. It was too hot this way and the Red Crawfish had his shell scorched to a bright red and it spoiled the meat. The Cherokee do not eat it.

The conjurers raised the sun again and again seven times until it was right and left it there. Every day the sun goes along this arch and returns at night to the starting place.

There is another world under this arch, much like ours in everything...plants, animals and people, except the seasons are different. The streams that come down from the mountains are the trails used to read this underworld. The springs at their heads are the doorways in which it is entered. In order to do this, one must fast, go to the water and have one of the underground people guide them through. We know that the seasons in the underworld are different because the water in the springs is always warmer in the winter and colder in the summer than the outer air.

When the plants and animals were first made ( we do not know by whom) they were told to watch and keep awake for seven nights. In the same sense, young men now fast and keep awake when they pray to their medicine. They tried to do this and nearly all were awake the first night but the second night several drifted off to sleep. The third night more slept and then more until by the seventh night, of all the animals, only the owl, the panther and one or two more were still awake. These animals that remained awake were given the power to see in the dark and to make prey of the birds and animals which must sleep at night.

Of the trees, only the cedar, pine, holly, spruce and the laurel were awake to the end. For their endurance, they were given the power to be always green and to be the greatest for medicine. To the others it was said, "Because you have not endured to the end you shall lose your hair in the winter".

Men came after the plants and animals. In the beginning, there were only a brother and sister until he struck her with a fish and told her to multiply. In seven days, a child was born and thereafter every seven days another. They increased very fast until there was danger that the world could not keep them. Then, it was made that woman should only have a child once in a year and it has been so ever since.

The "Way of the Circle" has been passed down through generations and is represented in all the Cherokee stories, myths, legends and other forms of teaching.

• When you arise each morning, give thanks to the creator, to the four sacred directions, Mother Earth, Father Sky and all your relations.
• Remember that all things are connected.
• All things have a purpose.
• Honor others by treating them with kindness; always assume a guest is tired, cold or hungry. Provide them with the best you have to offer.
• If you have more than what you need, give the excess to another who is in need.
• Your word is your honor; Do not break your word unless permission is granted by those you promise something to.
• Always seek harmony and balance in all things.
• Share with others.
• Practice silence and patience.
• Practice modesty in all things; boasting and loud behavior is not acceptable.
• Always ask permission and give thanks for all received.
• Always show respect and be aware of all things around you.
• Do not stare at others. Drop your eyes as a sign of respect, especially in the presence of elders, teachers and honored persons.
• Always greet a friend in passing.
• Never criticize or talk about anyone in a harmful way.
• Never touch something that belongs to another without permission.
• Always respect the privacy of others.
• Never interrupt someone talking. It shows lack of patience, control and respect.
• Listen to your heart.
• Always remember that a smile is sacred.
• Live each day as it comes.
• Neither kill nor harbor angry thoughts.
• Do what needs to be done now, not later.

The Cherokee believe that if your life is of doing good unselfishly and without the desire of a reward, you will be rewarded with good things. However, if you have done bad then bad things will come to you. Again we must think of the Sacred Circle and the circle of life.