The Cherokee Legend Of The Two Wolves Or Our Inner Forces
The Cherokee legend of the two wolves says that an ongoing battle between two forces occurs within us. It is a conflict between our darker side (the black wolf) and this more luminous and noble area (the white wolf). This duality between good and evil, between joy and pride, guilt and humility largely defines who we are.
Most of us have heard of this story. While it is true that there are doubts about the veracity of this story in relation to its Cherokee origin, it must still be said that there are certain references included in the oral tradition which is transmitted among small Appalachian social groups. from South.
It is interesting to know that there is a slight variation in the argument and that it is precisely this touch, this final nuance that some people overlook that make this story more valuable and this lesson on personal growth unique. We will now find out all about it.
The Cherokee Legend of the Two Wolves: Beyond the Conflict of Internal Forces
The Cherokee were one of the peoples who were part of the so-called “five civilized tribes”. Known for a long time for their cultural richness, their language and their traditions, they are undoubtedly one of the native references which had the most impact on Western society. Many of their stories have been passed down to us, as well as their ritualistic practices or mysticism. All of this has been picked up in very interesting books like Professor Panther-Yates’ Cherokee Clans .
So, in the midst of this immense legacy, one of the most transcendent traces in the world of social media has been the Cherokee legend of the two wolves. The story is articulated as a lesson in wisdom from an old man to his grandson. This man explains to him that deep down, and in the hearts of all men, a terrible battle takes place every day between two wolves.
These two animals symbolize two opposing forces. One is evil, the old man tells his grandson. It is about anger, envy, greed, arrogance and even sadness, feelings of inferiority and ego. The other force represents goodness, joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, compassion and, of course, peace.
When the young Cherokee asks his grandfather which wolf will win the battle, in the majority of the accounts that have come down to us, the old man will respond with the following statement: the one you choose to feed will win. However, there is also another version which is perhaps more interesting.
In the latter, the old Cherokee warrior tells the child that in reality, the two wolves must win because this battle is not a game of forces but a game of balance. We have to feed the two wolves because both need it, we have to be able to guide them both on the right path …
Don’t just feed one wolf: both need to be considered
There are times in our life cycle when we have the distinct sensation of being on a roller coaster. It’s all made up of climbs and descents, times when we enjoy immeasurable luck and times when, almost without knowing why, we are touched by adversity, sadness, rage and despair.
Life can be happy or sad, benevolent or brutal, the human being weaves complex stories of love and hatred, of serenity and of losses, being aware that, indeed, inside him, there is always two opposing forces that he does not know how to control very well and which are engaged in fierce battles.
Thus, the Cherokee legend of the two wolves explains to us that it is not about feeding one wolf and leaving the other to starve. The human being is the very essence of yin and yang, of this duality which, instead of removing a part, eliminating it or putting it in a dark corner, must be taken into account, be put into account. before and be controlled to be experienced in balance.
The old warrior tells his grandson that if he chooses to deal only with the white wolf, the black wolf will hide in every corner to attack him when he feels weak or vulnerable. What is more, the Cherokee legend of the two wolves tells us that we should not despise this animal with its dark coat as the night, with igneous gaze and spiky back.
Because whether we believe it or not, the black wolf also has many qualities: determination, tenacity, courage, strategic thoughts … We find in him virtues that the white wolf does not have. We must therefore feed them both to make the most of their nature, to strengthen their best version, to identify their needs and to get them used to living together in harmony.
As we can see, the Cherokee legend of the two wolves provides us with a valuable learning lesson in balance and emotional management. Such teaching signals that an intelligent distribution of strength and food between the two wolves is a very important factor for our quality of life.
Our thoughts Dreamcatchers are powerful instruments derived from shamanic medicine, the origin of which is attributed to Native American tribes.
