Black Elk's Vision
At the tender age of nine, Black Elk experienced the vision that would change his life. Unconscious for twelve days, a beckoning from the sacred spirits appeared as two men carrying arrows. They told the young boy that the “Grandfathers are calling you,” (Neihardt). Thus began his long and intricate vision, full of animals and symbols.
When the six grandfathers invited him to speak, to Black Elk they seemed “old like hills, like stars” (Neihardt). They represented the “Powers of the World” – the four directions, above and below. After the first five grandfathers imparted their wisdom, he watched as the sixth grandfather changed into himself. This Grandfather told him to “have courage, for my power shall be yours, and you shall need it, for your nation on the earth will have great troubles” (Neihardt). The placement of Black Elk as the sixth grandfather “identified [him] as the spirit of all mankind . . . foreshadow[ing] his life as a holy man” (DeMallie). This was a daunting responsibility, especially for a young boy. Although confused about its meaning for years, an avenue did exist within his culture for Black Elk to act upon this compelling vision.
The six directions of Black Elks’ vision are not arbitrary, but represent an organizing principle of space and time. Author and Professor Lee Irwin observes that “each direction enfolds a variable complex of qualities and power emphasizing color, particular beings (plant or animal), and geographical landmarks.” Black Elk’s vision was rich in important cultural symbols. For the Lakota, these could be varied for each seeker. The dimension of time is also flexible and not measurable in linear fashion. Mimicking the qualities of a dream, everyday boundaries between time and space become fluid. Irwin asserts that “the dream space is centered on the perceptions of the dreamer as actor,” thus giving it a flexible venue. These organizing principles provide a framework for a seemingly abstract process.
In her book Carl Jung: Wounded Healer of the Soul by Claire Dunne, Jung states that more significant dreams are distinguishable by their “plastic form, which often has a poetic force and beauty.” This is certainly the case regarding the vision of Black Elk. Jung asserts that these type of dreams tend to occur “during the critical phases of life, in early youth, puberty, at the onset of middle age, and within sight of death.” Black Elk’s dreams came to him during youth, and he was anxious to share them in old age. Jung also states that the individual does not have enough knowledge to contribute to the interpretation of such a large dream. These dreams transcend the personal and are concerned with “general ideas.” While Black Elk was unable to enact his vision without the assistance of his community, his vision did transcend the personal. The symbolism used reflected images from the Lakota world, acting as a guide and source of inspiration for Black Elk throughout his life.
To read his entire vision:
http://www.welcomehome.org/rainbow/prophecy/BlackElk.html
Read more:
Black Elk, Lakota Visionary
Black Elk and John Neihardt
Black Elk's Vision
Mediator between realities
Spiritual Rituals
The Life of Black Elk
Influence of Black Elk
Recommended Reading and Photo Credits
About the Author