For thousands of years indigenous shamans and elders have understood and foreseen cycles of change. In the ancient Incan language of Kichwa, each 500 year cycle is referred to as a pachakuti – or a change in space and time ( pacha = space and time, kuti = change). Each pachakuti is characterized as masculine, symbolized by the Eagle, or feminine, represented by the Condor. The masculine Eagle has dominated these cycles for the last few thousand years. This is now changing. The prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor extends throughout the ancient wisdom of indigenous tribes in the Americas. It has been prophesized that a time would come when the Eagle and Condor would finally fly as one. That time is now.
The symbolism of the Eagle and the Condor prophecy is rich and multi-faceted, and frames much of the current chaos in our world. The Eagle is masculine and domineering - the Condor, feminine and nurturing. The Eagle is North America – the Condor is South America. The Eagle represents detached rationality, consumerism, aggression, greed, political power, and the destruction of nature for profit. The Condor is submissive, sharing, peaceful, nurturing, considerate and thoughtful.
The new pachakuti is a feminine one. The Andean Condor is found only in South America, has the world’s largest wing-span, and flies higher than any other bird. It is a venerated symbol of spirituality and messenger of prayer and intention from terrestrial mankind to the spirits above. The Condor reminds us to see things from a higher, more heart-informed perspective.
The Eagle is often used as a symbol by authoritarian national and political powers –the Persian Empire, Imperial Rome, Nazi Germany, etc. - each using its strength to occupy or colonize other territories and destroy natural resources for profit. In the last pachakuti, the white man wreaked havoc on North America. The Spanish Conquistadors imparted an even more brutal and devastating fate to South America. They brought disease and in some cases systematically killed whole races of indigenous peoples, stealing their riches and plundering natural resources.
Eagles are selfish beings - flying and hunting alone. An eagle will kill other beings for its own betterment. They devour more than they need to survive. They don’t share. They are territorial killing machines, in service to themselves.
Condors soar in pairs or packs and are family-oriented. They eat that which is already dead, accepting others, even from other families, to share in the meal. They eat only what they need, leaving behind the leftovers so that other animals or organisms can benefit. They are a model for a “service-to-others”, or a community-oriented approach. Condors nurture. They have a leader – an elder – who teaches and passes wisdom and patience to it’s young. The eldest condor often turns white from age. To the Andean people, the white condor or “condor blanco” is a symbol of an elder’s poise and wisdom.
The new 500-year cycle began around 1993…it is the new era where the Condor and the Eagle dance together in cooperation. Energy is shifting toward a more nurturing feminine world view - a spiritual awakening. Now is a time to accept both the feminine and masculine within each of us. We are two… and we are one. It is time to bridge the gap between the Eagle and the Condor. It is time to become ambassadors of the prophecy – to be doulas of the earth. It is time to present the wisdom of the Condor to the masculine leaders of today… to show them that fear is not necessary.
As westerners, as northerners, as “gringos”, we will never be Condors. We will never fully understand what it is to be indigenous. But we can learn. We can change. We can embrace their ancient and wise ideals, empowering the indigenous and thus empowering ourselves.
As Eagles we must be cognizant of our influences - that we export greed. The indigenous see what we have and they want it. As a result many of them are disavowing their old ways. There must be a balance, a conscious cooperation. The Eagle and the Condor each have something to share. As Eagles we can share our resources. We have developed technology that can make the old ways easier. Most importantly, cell phones and the internet can be a means for the Condors to pass their wisdom to the world - out of the mountains and the jungles where it’s been kept safely hidden for so long. The indigenous shamans of the world can now come out of hiding and share their wisdom with a world in dire need of it.
In turn, the Eagle learns to live from the earth - to respect it - to dance together in harmony and beauty with the Condor.
When white men are seeking indigenous wisdom, even with good intent, they are often looked at with suspicion and mistrust… and for good reason. Hundreds of years of oppression, colonization, disrespect and mistreatment have prefaced this new pachakuti. But when white men approach with open hearts and a generous spirit, a wonderful thing happens. A trust is formed. Friendships are forged. The indigenous peoples see that we come to their ancestral lands - their homes - to re-learn the old ways and to be keepers of their reverent wisdom. Their ancient hearts embrace us, and they take us in.
Some older shamans, the elders, the “condor blancos”, tend to be a bit stuck in the old view of the world, lacking newer perspectives. Younger condors who have listened and respected their elders are seeing the opportunity. Our presence gives them reason to carry on their traditions and understand the importance of their traditions. They are recognizing the changing world and are stepping up to teach the old ways - and they teach them generously.
Indigenous peoples are often looked down upon by society in their own countries. As ambassadors of change we can arrive and gift them our ears, with a respect and understanding that they very simply are not used to. When we seek their teachings, they are validated, and to them this is no small matter. We let them do their thing. We give them confidence. We bolster their cultural pride. We strengthen their faith that they can fulfill their role in this new pachakuti.
