Walking the Earth Path: A Guide to Native American Astrology

While Western astrology looks upward to the constellations to understand human nature, Native American astrology looks downward to the Earth. It is not star-gazing; it is “Earth-gazing.”

Rooted in the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel, this system views time not as a straight line, but as a circle—a continuous loop of seasons, directions, and elements. It teaches that we are not separate from nature; we are nature. The animal that governs your birth time is not just a symbol; it is a totem, a spiritual relative that shares its instincts, strengths, and challenges with you.

The Medicine Wheel: The Circle of Life

In Native American philosophy, the Medicine Wheel is the sacred hoop of life. It is divided into four cardinal directions (North, South, East, West), each representing a specific wind, season, and stage of life.

Your birth date places you on a specific point on this wheel. Unlike the zodiac, which emphasizes personality traits, the Medicine Wheel emphasizes your responsibility to the Earth and your community. It asks: What medicine do you carry?

The 12 Spirit Keepers (Animal Totems)

In this system, the year is divided into 12 moons. Find your birth date below to discover your Spirit Keeper.

1. The Snow Goose (Earth Renewal Moon)

• Dates: Dec 22 – Jan 19
• Direction: North (Renewal)
• The Energy: Like the goose that flies long distances in formation, these individuals are ambitious, reliable, and driven. They are perfectionists who value tradition and structure.
• The Challenge: They can be rigid or overly critical if they don’t learn to relax.

2. The Otter (Rest and Cleansing Moon)

• Dates: Jan 20 – Feb 18
• Direction: North
• The Energy: Playful, unconventional, and visionary. The Otter sees the world differently. They are humanitarian, intelligent, and often misunderstood because they refuse to follow the “normal” path.
• The Challenge: They can become rebellious or detached if their freedom is restricted.

3. The Wolf (Big Winds Moon)

• Dates: Feb 19 – Mar 20
• Direction: North-East
• The Energy: The Wolf is the teacher and the pathfinder. These individuals are deeply emotional, intuitive, and passionate. They value family (the pack) above all else but need solitude to recharge.
• The Challenge: They can be overly sensitive or vague, struggling to articulate their deep feelings.

4. The Falcon (Budding Trees Moon)

• Dates: Mar 21 – Apr 19
• Direction: East (Illumination)
• The Energy: Sharp-eyed and decisive. The Falcon is a natural leader who acts quickly. They are pioneers who waste no time on hesitation.
• The Challenge: Impatience. They may lack the stamina for long-term projects, preferring the sprint to the marathon.

5. The Beaver (Frogs Return Moon)

• Dates: Apr 20 – May 20
• Direction: East
• The Energy: The builder. Beavers are industrious, practical, and incredibly determined. They create stability and comfort for themselves and others.
• The Challenge: They can be possessive or stubborn, often refusing to change their methods once their mind is made up.

6. The Deer (Corn Planting Moon)

• Dates: May 21 – June 20
• Direction: East-South
• The Energy: Gentle, alert, and communicative. The Deer moves quickly and notices everything. These people are the “social glue” of the wheel, bringing humor and conversation.
• The Challenge: A lack of focus. Like a deer startled by a noise, they can be scatterbrained or anxious.

7. The Woodpecker (Strong Sun Moon)

• Dates: June 21 – July 22
• Direction: South (Growth)
• The Energy: The nurturer. Woodpeckers protect the nest. They are empathetic, loyal, and deeply connected to their emotional roots.
• The Challenge: They can be possessive or jealous, struggling to let go of loved ones.

8. The Salmon (Ripe Berries Moon)

• Dates: July 23 – Aug 22
• Direction: South
• The Energy: Electric and creative. The Salmon swims upstream, defying the odds. These individuals are confident, charismatic, and driven by a strong inner purpose.
• The Challenge: Arrogance or intolerance. They often expect everyone else to have their same level of energy.

9. The Brown Bear (Harvest Moon)

• Dates: Aug 23 – Sept 22
• Direction: South-West
• The Energy: The pragmatic healer. The Bear is slow, steady, and discerning. These people are excellent at sorting the wheat from the chaff—finding practical solutions to complex problems.
• The Challenge: They can be overly critical or cynical, focusing too much on what is wrong rather than what is right.

10. The Raven (Ducks Fly Moon)

• Dates: Sept 23 – Oct 23
• Direction: West (Introspection)
• The Energy: The diplomat and the magician. The Raven sits between worlds. These individuals seek balance and harmony. They are charming and often serve as mediators in conflict.
• The Challenge: Indecision. They can see so many sides of an issue that they struggle to take a stand.

11. The Snake (Freeze Up Moon)

• Dates: Oct 24 – Nov 21
• Direction: West
• The Energy: Transformation and mystery. The Snake sheds its skin to grow. These people are intense, secretive, and possess a powerful healing energy. They are not afraid of the dark.
• The Challenge: They can be secretive or vindictive if crossed.

12. The Owl (Long Snows Moon)

• Dates: Nov 22 – Dec 21
• Direction: West-North
• The Energy: The wisdom keeper. The Owl sees in the dark. These individuals are independent, adventurous, and wise beyond their years. They value truth above all else.
• The Challenge: Bluntness. They can deliver the truth without tact, unintentionally hurting others.

The Elemental Clans

Just as Western astrology has elements (Fire, Earth, Air, Water), the Native American system organizes these animals into Clans:

• Turtle Clan (Earth): Beaver, Brown Bear, Snow Goose. (Focus: Stability)
• Frog Clan (Water): Woodpecker, Snake, Wolf. (Focus: Emotion)
• Thunderbird Clan (Fire): Falcon, Salmon, Owl. (Focus: Action)
• Butterfly Clan (Air): Otter, Deer, Raven. (Focus: Change)