Starlore Among the Navaho [SOLD]

Starlore Among the Navaho

By Berard Haile (1874-1961)

Publisher: William. Gannon, Santa Fe, 1977

Reprint of the edition published by the Museum of Navajo Ceremonial Art, Santa Fe, 1947.

Subjects: Navajo mythology. Stars--Folklore. Navajo astronomy. Stars--Religious aspects.

Softcover, staple spine, 44 pages, 7 leaves of plates, two of which are fold-out

From the Summary

It may be said that Black god is generally accepted as the author of known constellations.  Available charts of stars tabulate some 37 constellations, the knowledge of which is not general among natives.  Many constellations have human forms and body parts and igniter is singled out for them which furnishes light for the entire constellation.

There is evidently some relationship between groups of constellations whereas other constellations move independently.  This relationship between constellations appears to be prototype for conditions upon our earth.  Especially in this time of Pleiades, Hyades and Orion constellations and those known as Bear and Thunder.

Chantway ceremonials recognize stars of the first magnitude both by reproducing the big stars in sandpaintings and by consulting through star gazers who determine which etiological factor happens to be responsible for a patient’s condition.

Even in a brief study as this has been one gets the feeling that the Navaho are much concerned with stars and constellations.