“Seducer’s Song”

“Native American folklore has been passed from generation to generation verbally and through song and dance. Is it possible these ancient petroglyphs depict at least in part some of these wonderful myths and parables? One of the most commonly known petroglyph images is that of the flute playing Kokopelli. The origin of the flute playing Kokopelli is very complex and obscured by time. Some of these images date back as early as 500 AD. We know him to be a whimsical and mythical creature that was present in many celebrations and rituals. His image symbolizes different ideas to different tribes and clans, and he appears in many forms. We most often interpret the Kokopelli as a symbol of fertility and abundance spreading seeds, bringing summer warmth, and promoting crop growth. However, this mysterious character is also considered a wandering minstrel, trader, seducer of maidens, rain priest, magician and trickster. However, it is not the Kokopelli that commands this sacred site, it is the Mountain Sheep, reverently etched into the rock above this ancient minstrel. The power lines joining the mountain sheep with the Kokopelli illustrate a supernatural connection. These connections with animals were made during vision quest, and it is here in this mid-world between sleep and conscious lucidity that humans could commune with animals. A shaman could acquire valuable information from these encounters, in the form of advice or warnings. More often these majestic animals extended their spiritual powers to their human counterpart and taught them using songs and stories.”