In August 2007 being guided by my intuition, I decided to relocate to Arizona. This move was the beginning of my spiritual journey towards freedom.
After spending years in the Christian church and experiencing a terrible divorce I wanted a change in my life. I lay aside everything that I had been taught and I asked the divine to speak to me like in times past when I was a child hiding in my mother’s closet.
I had no idea at that time where my life was headed but I knew that in my heart it felt good so I ran with it. I had no idea that I was being intuitively guided to connecting with my native American ancestors.
During my 12 years in Arizona, I was fascinated with the native American culture but I had never given any thought to tracing my heritage even though I knew that there was a high percentage of Cherokee blood running through my veins.
I was drawn to the city of Maricopa which is about 40 minutes outside of Phoenix. People always complained about how far out it was but it was like being in heaven to me.
Before moving away from this sacred place just a few miles from the native reservation, I stopped into a nearby pawnshop and fell in love with a silver ring. I knew the ring had a message for me and as I began to ask the seller what the symbol meant, in walked a beautiful native girl who overheard us talking so she began to explain to me the story about the Man in the Maze.
Long-time ago, the “O’odham” people used to represent “The man in the maze” mostly on their baskets, then, later Hopi tribe picked it up for their jewelry.
The interpretation of this symbol varies from family to family, but the common one is that circle with a man and a labyrinth represent life, with good and dark paths, birth and death.
The man at the top represents birth (of individual, of family or the tribe). The maze under him represents the changes one goes through during life. With each twist and turn, the man becomes more understanding and stronger as a person.
The dark center represents death or the beginning of a new journey and thus, the cycle repeats itself. The journey of life is a journey through a maze, beginning at birth and continuing through childhood, adulthood and finally ending in old age. The Man in the Maze design symbolizes the experiences and choices we make in our journey through life. The center of the life symbol is your goal in life.
There is a dream at the center and you reach the dream when you get to the middle of the maze.
Upon reaching the center of the maze you have one final opportunity (the last turn in the symbol) to look back at your choices and path, before the Sun God greets you, blesses you and passes you into the next world. The “Man in the maze,” is an emblem of the Tohono O’odham Nation of Southern Arizona who was formerly known as the Papago Indians.
It wasn’t until last year that I discovered that the Cherokee Ak-Chin tribe is located in Maricopa, AZ. just a stone’s throw from my former residence.
The city where I left an offering at the Native American church and donated several bags of my old clothes.
Like the man in the maze, I’ve reached the center, the DARK part of the maze, the beginning of a new journey where my DREAM is coming into fruition. At this final half phase of my physical life here on earth, I thank God for one more opportunity to LIVE a life of abundance, full of joy, peace, and happiness. Most of all, I am grateful to have found my tribe!
