The nature horoscope

The “Native American” horoscope, or nature horoscope, assigns an animal to each birth period — falcon, beaver, deer, woodpecker, salmon, bear, raven, snake, owl, goose, otter, wolf. It is widespread and easy to take in. Its origin is worth knowing.

Where it comes from

Not from the traditions of the indigenous peoples of North America. The system in its present form was assembled in the twentieth century in the esoteric circles of North America and Europe.

Its structure shows this plainly: twelve segments whose boundaries fall exactly on the western zodiac signs, linked with the four elements and the four cardinal directions. A system that came out of indigenous star lore would have no reason to line up with the boundaries of the Greek zodiac.

Why this matters

Two reasons.

The first is honesty towards existing traditions. The star lore of the North American nations is varied, tied to particular peoples and well researched. Gathering it under an invented collective name makes it invisible.

The second is practical: it explains why the periods fall out as they do. Anyone surprised that they match the western signs has the answer — they come from there.

How it is put together

Twelve birth periods, each with an animal, a cardinal direction, an element and a season. The interpretations follow the nature of the animal and the meaning of the season — a system of images consistent in itself, and easy to remember.

As a system of images it works. As a tradition it is not one, and saying so does it no harm.

If indigenous star lore is of interest

Then the way leads to the sources: to the traditions of individual nations, in their own words, with their own constellations and calendars. That is considerably more interesting than any compilation.

See also: Chinese astrology — a genuinely independent system with a documented tradition — and the western zodiac signs.