The Cherokee Sacred Calendar: A Handbook of the Ancient Native American Tradition (Paperback)

by Raven Hail (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Raven Hail, an elder of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, divulges the secret Cherokee system of astrology in The Cherokee Sacred Calendar. With an easy-to-use chart and graph, readers are able to decipher which of 20 "day" signs he or she may be (Flint, Eagle, Deer, Redbird, etc.), which, like more familiar forms of astrology, describe the characteristics of an individual's personality. Also, each day has one of 13 numbers associated with it to further describe the individual. In explaining the Sacred Venus Calendar of Natal Days, the author offers insightful and amusing information concerning the whole pantheon of Cherokee cosmology. Wondrous beliefs abound, such as that every sentient being--whether rock, turtle, or tree--is the reflection of a star and that The People came from the Pleiades. The beauty and wisdom contained in this fascinating resource of indigenous tradition are undeniable. --P. Randall Cohan

Review
An interesting and reader-friendly introduction to the Cherokee's astrological tradition. -- Today's Librarian, June 2000

Recommended to customers interested in astrology, because it will add new depth and dimension to their astrological knowledge. -- Joi Eden, New Age Retailer, Jan/Feb 2001

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Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892818042
• ISBN-13: 978-0892818044
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #78,784 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tsalagi or Mayan...that's the question..., June 22, 2000

By	Zane Ivy (Seoul) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've enjoyed reading a number of the works of Raven Hail in thepast, and have found them very informative concerning Native Americanand particularly Tsalagi tradition. This book however, confuses me more than clarifies things for me concerning Tsalagi "star knowledge" or the use of the various cosmic cycles and its relationship to Tsalagi ceremony of the present and past. What surprised me most of all was the very, very close correlation between the names of the days as given by Raven Hail (in English and Tsalagi-in-transliteration), and the names of the days in the Mayan day count. This just leaves me with unanswered questions such as, "how much of the Tsalagi tradition has come to us from Mesoamerica?" I wish that Raven Hail would have gone into more detail about her own sources of this knowledge that she presents as traditional Tsalagi teaching.

For the traditionalist who is really bothered by the incorporation of non-Tsalagi sources/ideas into teachings, I think this book is going to seem a little too "New Age." Raven Hail brings in insight from "Old World" wisdom sources as well as traditional Tsalagi teachings, though her underlying down-home humor is apparent and is definately traditional Tsalagi.

For those who are just looking for alternative ways outside of their own tradition of thinking about the patterns within human variety, you might like this book, but you might be more interested in checking out some of the Mayan-inspired studies that go into greater detail. The calendar Raven Hail includes at the back of the book does make it easy to find out either your "Cherokee" or "Mayan" day sign though.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Please, December 18, 2003

By A Customer

As an official of the Cherokee Nation, let me advise the readers that the "teachings" of "Raven Hail" are not endorsed by the Nation, nor in fact, do they follow any Cherokee historical or cultural beliefs that I have ever heard.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Cut and paste book, August 18, 2001

By	W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I don't like or recommend this book for the following reasons.

1. Why is the Mayan 20 count included in a book about the Cherokee?

2. Raven Hail goes into an astrological system that seems to imply that one's future is set in stone. It is NOT. I am living proof that one can be anything thet want to be; providing they have the will and desire to change their life.

The book has a few Cherokee legends.

Please E-Mail me if you have questions or comments about my reviews. Two Bears

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)