Jiibay-miikana, or jiibay-ziibi, is the celestial passage to the Spirit World: a path that extends the length of the night sky all the way to the summer constellation Wenabozho Anang (Scorpio). Jiibay-miikana, which is translated into English as the Spirit Road, is the path, or river, marked across the sky by the Milky Way galaxy when it is turned westward. (The association with a river is reflected by the name Jiibay-ziibi, River of Souls.) The turtle, known for its wisdom, and Oshki Kwe, a female spirit who at one time went to earth and transformed into a Giizhik (cedar tree), walked the night sky, etching this river path while leaving a shimmering trail of stars behind them. This celestial pathway is a testament to the eternal bond between the Cedar Tree and the Anishinaabeg people and still serves as a guiding light for the departed souls, leading them safely back to their eternal home. The giizhik aniibiishan (cedar leaves) depicted in the illustration represent the journey of the jiibayag (souls of the deceased) travelling along the Spirit Road/River toward their final destination: the deceased's celestial clan. In the Anishinaabe language, another word for the Milky Way is Binesiwi-miikana, the Thunderbird’s Path. Some Anishinaabeg call it Nanabozho Miikana: Wenabozho's Path. Other names in use are Giizhik Miikana, Mashkiki Miikana, and Mashkiki Ziibi: Respectively Cedar Trail, Medicine Trail, and Medicine River. To read more about the Path of Afterlife, see Star Stories, part 8.

Waawaatewag the Northern Lights. Painting by Zhaawano Giizik.

JIIBAYAG NIIMI'IDIWAG ("Spirits Dancing")

Jiibayag Niimi'idag is translated into English as "The Spirits Dancing." This phenomenon is also called Waawaate by the Anishinaabeg from present-day Minnesota and from some parts of Canada. In the English language this phenomenon – which is not depicted in the star map image – is called the Northern Lights, or by its Latin name, Aurora Borealis. According to Ojibwe and Ininew (Cree) tradition, the Northern Lights are the jiibayag/cheepayak (Soul-Spirits) dancing as they proceed westward through the star world to their final destination. When these lights dance, they have come to take the jiibayag of the newly-departed to the Spirit World. When you view the sky at night and see the lights of the spirits dancing, you know they have come to our world to collect the souls of the newly-departed and take them home. In other stories, the polar lights are the campfires lit by the grandmothers and grandfathers who left the earth and who sit alongside the Path of Souls in the Milky Way to guide the spirits of the recently deceased to their final home. To read more about this phenomenon, see Star Stories, part 25.

Wenabozho and the Message From the Thunderbirds painting by Zhaawano Giizhik

JIINGWANAN: comets, meteors.

Also called gwiigwanan; baashkanangoog (shooting stars); waazoowaad anangoog (long-tailed stars); wiiyagasenhmood anangoog (dust-tailed stars); onwaachigewin/niigaanaajimowin anangoog (foreboding/prophecy stars) and enwaachiged anangoog (prophet stars). These names are sometimes used to denote Gichi-anang, or Halley's Comet. The Prophecy Star takes about 76 years to orbit Giizis (the Sun) once. The Orionids that typically appear each year around October/November are believed to come from this comet. This meteor shower is named after the Gaa-biboonikaan (Orion Constellation) as the shower appears to originate from the point in the sky where the constellation is located.

Many traditions and stories of the Anishinaabeg and Ininewak Peoples originated from actual observations that occurred centuries ago, but are still preserved in aadizookaanan, our oral traditions.

The comets and meteors travel across the skies and stories about them are told today and passed on by ayaadizookedjig, our storytellers. Some of these aadizookaanan (sacred stories) tell us of impacts that caused mass explosions in the past.

It is understood that these celestial bodies that contain rock, ice, and dust, are sent down by GICHI-MANIDOO to deliver a message for all who are open to it. Some Elders say that the great miigis (sea shell) was a meteor and that the Anishinaabeg followed this star to the west. This was the first seven fire sign. The story of the prophecy star tells that, when nature becomes out of balance and the People lose their spiritual path and purpose, a star spirit will return and either restore life from a new beginning or help the People to survive and thrive again.

One tradition relates how the great bay Azhashkiiwaaboo-wiikwed ("Muddy Bay," nowadays Hudson Bay) was created by a maji-ishkoden (fire ball from the sky).

"Many moons ago, young thunderbirds roamed the skies freely. They were troublesome birds always causing great, destructive storms in their rambunctious play. One day their fathers held counsel and agreed that the troubled young thunderbirds needed an activity to keep them out of trouble. The Elder thunderbirds decided that they were going to teach them how to play baaga'adowewin (lacrosse).

Instead of baaga'adowaanag (lacrosse sticks), the young thunderbirds used their wings to wield a ball that their fathers had made from lightning. However, their furious play and flapping of wings caused a great storm and the ball fell to earth. The lightning ball hit the earth and the impact created what is known today as the Hudson Bay. The smaller pieces of the lightning ball created all of the smaller lakes in Northern Ontario. The stars fell from the sky and broke into thousands of pieces that blink off and on. The rest of the falling stars changed into fireflies and the young thunderbirds promised to never cause trouble again..." (Source: Mishkiki.)

MAANG ("Loon")

Maang is translated into English as "the Loon." It is this constellation – see the loon with the North Star in its tail – where our leader clans come from. The same goes for Ajiijaak/Bineshi Okanin,“Cygnus,” depicted as a red crane flying northward. In several traditional Ojibwe stories the Ojiig-anangoons represents the brightest seven stars in Maang; see the image shown below. The Maang constellation/Ojiig-anangoons asterism (called Ursa Minor and Little Dipper on the Western star maps) are notable for marking the location of the north celestial pole, as it is home to Giiwedin-anang (North Star/Polaris), which is the bright white star in the loon's tail.

On earth, Maang doodem, along with Ajijaak/Baswenaazhi (the Ojibwe Crane Clan), embody ogimaawiwin (chieftainship). Maang is ogimaa in the sky, and ogimaa on the Earth and in the lakes. This notion perfectly illustrates the mirroring of Earth/Water and Sky. Maang, which is visible all year round, dives in dagwaagin (the fall) to spend time with the water clans throughout biboon (the winter).

The teachings of Maang are many. In Ojibwe cosmology, Maang dwells in the nebulous zone between the water and the land and, symbolically, sits on that intangible border between the spiritual and the material. Since maang has a very close connection to the water, he avoids going on land, except to nest. Physically, maang has the stars of the night sky reflected on its back; the stars show as white dots on his black plumage (see the image to the left, an acrylic on paper by Simone McLeod). Even today, this very old notion of earth-water-sky mirroring is respected and maintained even after a loon dies; traditionally, when an Ojibwe hunter kills a loon, it is never to be turned upside down since, in analogy with the maang constellation, the backside of the loon must always be facing the sky.

MAANG ANANGOONS: Little Loon Star

Maang Anangoons is called Delphinus on the Western star maps. Visible in late summer, it is one of the smallest niikaanag (constellations) in the sky and recognizable for the diamond-shaped pattern formed by its brightest stars.

The Little Loon Star is a smaller version of the Maang constellation, where our ogimaag (leaders) come from. It is depicted here as a red loon, next to the summer and autumn constellations Moose and Crane/Thunderbird (called respectively Lacerta and Pegasus, and Cygnus on the Western Star maps). The image below clearly shows the diamond-shaped pattern of this constellation.

In archaic times the Maang, or Big Loon, was seen as the Little Bear. The latter was seen as the celestial partner of Gichi Makwa, the Great Bear. The story of the Great Bear and Little Bear changed throughout the ages into the more modern story of the Fisher and his celestial bride, the Little Fisher. Nowadays the Little Bear/Little Fisher constellation is also often called Maang (Loon).

See also: Ajijaak, Maang, Makoons, and Mooz.

MADE-MAKADEDANOO-BAGONEGIIZHIG ("Distant-keeps-dark-in-place-makes a-hole-in-the-Sky): A Black Hole. See: Ajijaak.

MADOODISWAN: “Sweat Lodge”

The Madoodiswan, or Madoodison constellation is depicted here as a silver bracelet adorned with Thunderbird feather designs and mounted with turquoise stones and a crown of red corals (representing seven fires). The Sweat Lodge appears among the same stars as the Greek constellation of Corona Borealis.

The Sweat Lodge plays a sacred role in many Native cultures throughout Turtle Island (North America). The basic design for a madoodiswan is a low canopy of wooden poles covered with animal skins or canvas cloth. Participants gather within the sweat lodge as heated stones -– madoodoowasiniig, sometimes addressed as nimishoomisaabikoonor Grandfathers – are brought in and placed in a depression in the center. Water is poured over the nimishoomisaabikoon to create steam. The sweat lodge, which was gifted to the Anishinaabeg when a great sickness fell upon them, is a place to cleanse and heal the spirit, mind, body, and emotions.

The seven bright stars drawn directly underneath the silver bracelet form Madoodoowasiniig (the Stones of the Sweat Lodge). These stars – which some storytellers link to the poles used in the construction of the Sweat Lodge, or to the seven poles used in the construction of the lodge that hosts the Jiisaakaan (Shaking Tent ceremony) ¹ – can be viewed in a circular pattern with the door of the sweat lodge opening to the north/northeast. Madoodoowasiniig rise in the northeast sky in March, are directly overhead during the early evenings of June, and disappear on the horizon in September. The Madoodiswan and Bagonegiizhig constellations trade places in the sky after about 12 hours time.

To the Anishinaabeg, the constellation right next to the Madoodiswan (portrayed as a bluish white figure dancing and shaking zhiishiigwanan, or rattles) is the Noondeshin Bemaadizid or Exhausted Person, who is an exhausted participant ("bather") after the ceremony. Depicted here is his spirit, revived and reborn after the fatigue of the purification sweat. The Noondeshin Bemaadizid is the constellation that was called Hercules by the ancient Greeks.

The seven stones that are heated for the Sweat Lodge ceremony have also been observed in the Bagonegiizhig star cluster (called Pleiades by the ancient Greek ); see the image to the left. The Madoodiswan and Bagonegiizhig trade places in the night sky after about 12 hours time.

According to Anishinaabeg izhitwaawin (our cultural belief) and Anang Nibwakawin (our star wisdom) the Madoodiswan constellation, besides representing the sweat lodge on earth, is sometimes also regarded as a Thunderbird's nest among the stars. Alongside the Sweat Lodge/Thunderbird constellation are the seven bright stars that either represent madoodoowasiniig (sweat lodge stones), Binesii-waawananoon (Thunderbird eggs), or the poles of the sweat lodge or shaking tent in the night sky. The 7 stones/eggs represent many things to the Anishinaabeg... there are many stories. One aadizookaan (story) tells of Ode'imin (Heart Berry), the boy who founded the Midewiwin, who upon his death traveled the Stars and visited the Elders in the Celestial Sweat Lodge. It is said that when he returned to Earth, Ode'imin ogii-waawiyetoon iwe omadoodison: he taught his People to make the sweat lodge round.¹ See also: Midewigaan, Mashkode Bizhiki, Mikinaak anangoog, Bagonegiizhig, Binesii-wazison, Noondeshin Bemaadizid, Madoodoowasiniig, and Nimitaaman Anang.

¹ The shaking tent is related to the Mashkode Bizhiki, as it is believed its origin lies in the constellation of that name.

MADOODOOWASINIIG or MADOODOOWASINAN: “Stones of the Sweat Lodge”

These stones are represented by the seven bright white stars forming a semi circle around the silver Madoodiswan/Sweat Lodge bracelet; see the image to the left. The seven red corals, forming a crown to the turquoise stone mounted on the bracelet in the image, are also references to the stones of the sweat lodge, which are red hot when used in the Sweat Lodge ceremony. Sometimes the madoodoowasiniig are observed in the seven stars of the Bagonegiizhig (Pleiades), as well. See also: Bagonegiizhig, Madoodiswan, and Noondeshin Bemaadizid.

MA'IINGAN ANANG ("Wolf Star")

Ma'iingan Anang is translated into English as the Wolf Star. Ma'iingan, the wolf, is brother to Wenabozho and walks the star world with him. It is called Canis Major on Western star charts. Ma’iingan Anang, a winter constellation, represents Ma’iingan Doodem (the Ojibwe Wolf Clan) on earth.

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MA'IINGAN MIIKANA, “Wolf Trail”

Ma'iingan Miikana is called Ecliptica in Makadewikonayemowin (Latin) and Ecliptic in Zhaaganaashiimowin (English). The Wolf Trail is the yearly path Gimisoomisinaan Giizis (Grandfather Sun) follows on the celestial sphere, as seen from Earth. This path includes the Zodiac star constellations.

Ma’iingan Miikana was also used to describe the phenomenon of the retrograde motion of aadawaa'amoog ogimaag (planets). Our ancestors observed that a few times a year certain aadawaa'amoog – such as Waaseyasiged Azhebaashkaabizod Aki (Venus) and Oshkaabewis (Mercury) – travel retrograde (westward in relation to anangoog, the stars).

As keen observers of nature, they noticed that, although ma'iinganag (wolves) usually travel in packs, sometimes a lone wolf rebelliously sets off in a different direction for a while to hunt for moozoog (moose) before eventually rejoining the pack. This is why they saw Ma’iingan’s presence on earth mirrored in the night sky as Azhe'ose: A moose-hunting Contrary walking the backward path as it is disobeying the rules of the other Sky Beings.

Up until today, this phenomenon, of aadawaa'amoog azhe'osewag (planets seemingly traveling the opposite path), is known as Ma'iingan Giizhig Miikana: the Wolf Sky Trail.

The above image shows a silver belt buckle designed and handcrafted by the author, featuring an Ojibwe Anishinaabe hunter addressing the spirit of the great hunter-teacher Ma'iingan, who walks his earthly trail all the way up into the sky. See also: Mooz, Binesi, Ma'iingan Anang, Oshkaabewis.

MAJI-ISHKODEN ("Fireballs")

The maji-ishkoden are the comets that come close to us; said to bring about sadness and misfortune if seen. A maji-ishkode is a falling star which is presumed to be an ancestor who may have not made their journey. We are taught to look away. See also: Jiingwanan.

Grandmother Telling Stories of the Sky Bears Painting by Zhaawano Giizhik

MAKOONS: the “Little Bear”

Makoons is called Little Dipper on the Western Sky maps. In archaic times the Little Bear was seen as the celestial partner of Gichi Makwa, the Great Bear. The story of the Great Bear and Little Bear changed throughout the ages into the more modern story of the Fisher and his celestial bride, the Little Fisher. Nowadays the Little Bear/Little Fisher constellation is named Maang (Loon).

MANOOMINIKE ANANG: Wild-Ricing Star constellation. Also called Gookomisinaanasabikeshiinh: Our Grandmother Spider.

This constellation is called Cassiopeia on Western star maps. Depicted in the image as two ricers in a white jiimaan (canoe) outlined by a cluster of many stars. The canoe is modeled after the ancient Anishinaabe mazinaajimowinan, or rock paintings that can be found on cliff walls scattered throughout the Great Lakes and Canadian Shield areas. In our culture, while harvesting manoomin (wild rice) in autumn, the poler traditionally stands in front of the knocker while pushing the canoe through the shallow water of a rice bed. By standing in the front of the canoe, the poler pushes the canoe through the rice bed, while the knocker sits in the back knocking the ripened grains into the jiimaan.

In the night sky, the celestial canoe revolves in a circular motion in the circular area of the night sky – commonly known as the circumpolar region. As it slowly revolves around Giiwedin Anang (Returning Home Star, or North Star), Manoominike Anang can be seen in different regions of the sky throughout the year. This constellation never sinks below the horizon.

During Manoominike-giizis (the Moon of the Wild Rice Harvest), which is visible in the month of August, Manoominike Anang sits just east of Giiwedanang in the early evening and, like all other stars and star clusters in the night sky, makes its way around it in a counterclockwise direction. On clear nights, numerous stars can be seen outlining the canoe; and if you look closely you will notice one bright star in particular, representing the poler in front of the canoe pushing it forward through the rice bed. As the celestial canoe is located in the Pathway of Souls, it serves as a constant reminder of those who have gone before us on the journey to the Spirit World.

Some Anishinaabe stories speak of Gookomisinaanasabikeshiinh, or Gookominaagesh ("Our Grandmother Spider") when referring to this constellatiion. See also: Giiwedin Anang, Jiibay Miikana.

MASHKODE-BIZHIKI ("Bison")

Mashkode-bizhiki is translated into English as the Bison. This is the constellation in the northern sky known as Perseus on the Western sky charts. It can be found in a direction away from the center of the galaxy into the outer reaches of the Bison Arm, the second major spiral arm that emanates from the core of the Path of Souls (Milky Way). The bison is the guardian of the Gozaabachigan, or Jiisikaan (Shaking Tent ceremony). In the winter, the Bison Star (depicted here as buffalo the color of turquoise blue) can be easily seen, but in the summer she is barely visible because she is on Earth, feeding and helping the Anishinaabeg – who, by the way, do not have a bison clan. See also: Bagonegiizhig, Madoodiswan.

>See Star stories, part 28 to read more about the link between the Shaking Tent ceremony and the Mashkode Bizhiki constellation.

MIDEWIGAAN: the Medicine Lodge constellation

Depicted in the image as a parallelogram of four bluish white stars right below the very bright Chi-ogimaa (Vega). According to modern (post-contact) Ojibwe tradition, Ajijaak, the Crane constellation, was flying a long time ago through the Jiibay-miikana (Milky Way) when Gichi-manidoo (the Great Mystery) asked the crane to tell all the animals in the below-world that the Anishinaabeg would soon be lowered from the skies to the earth. Once grown up on the island-earth called Mikinaakominis (Turtle Island), the Anishinaabeg would be gifted a Medicine Lodge on earth, called Midewiwin, its rectangular structure called midewigaan. Also, Ajijaak showed a large group of Anishinaabe migrants the way to their destined land and soon after that told the animals that they would become the Anishinaabeg's clan families, with the crane and the loon representing the principal Leader clans.

As soon as the celestial Midewigaan – which is positioned close to the Chi-ogimaa and coincides with the constellation that the ancient Greeks called Lyra – rises in the spring, the Anishinaabeg know it is time to gather for ceremony. The constellation is visible in the stars throughout the winter season along with Ajijaak, the clan leader who brought the lodge to the Anishinaabeg.

MIKINAAK ANANOOG ("Turtle Stars")

Mikinaak Anangoog is translated into English as the Turtle Stars. This group of stars – represented in the image by the silver hair barrette beneath the North Star depicted in the center, which is attached to the tail of the loon – is called Capella on Western star maps. Although it appears to be a single star to the naked eye, Mikinaak Anangoog is actually a quadruple star system organized in two binary pairs, made up of four different stars. The Mikinaak is the bright "star" depicted at the top of the hexagon named Auriga on Western star maps. It is visible halfway between Gaa-biboonikaan (Orion's Belt) and Giiwedin Anang (North Star).

Mikinaak in the sky represents the Ojibwe (Snapping) Turtle Clan on earth. The word "mikinaak" is translated "snapping turtle," but its literal meaning is "Making a Roadway" or rather "Making a Spirit Roadway." Snapping turtles are known as important spiritual messengers between different layers of the earth, water, and sky. They live in the domain between earth and water; as they live in the lakes, rivers, and wetlands they lay their eggs on land buried in a nest.

Mikinaakwag are spiritually associated with the Jiisakaan or Shaking Tent ceremony, where they are the teachers and interpreters of those who participate in the ceremony. The aadizookanag (spirit grandfathers that are being addressed) speak in their own language, and the turtle interprets what they are saying to the jaasakiidjig (Shaking Tent Seers).

MISAABE: the Giant

Also called Gichi-misaabe, he is a giant from the forest who teaches the Anishinaabeg to be honest with yourself. Often visualized in the night sky as Gaa-biboonikaan, the Winter Bringer constellation (Orion).

The Misaabe constellation embodies the virtue of Gwayakwaadiziwin, meaning Honesty or Righteousness, which is the fifth of the Grandfather Teachings of the Ojibwe Anishinaabeg Peoples. Our ancestors looked at the giant named Gichi-misaabe for the one who models this Teaching. Gichi-misaabe, a friendly, four-legged giant from the forests who, when he is among humans, walks on two legs, reminds us to be honest to the Great Mystery of Life and to ourselves and not to be someone we are not. An honest person is said to walk tall like him... See also: Gaa-biboonikaan, Wenabozho.

MISHI-BIZHIW GAA-DITIBAANOWE ’ (Lynx, the Curly tail)

The first constellation of spring is Mishi-bizhiw Gaa-ditibaanowe’ (Great Lynx, the Curly Tail). Bizhiw, the terrestrial lynx, traditionally plays an important role in the Anishinaabe cultural, spiritual, and physical landscape. This agile hunter from the deep spruce and fir forests of the northwoods is known and admired for its solitary and fierce character. In addition, Bizhiw doodem (the Lynx clan) is one of four Ojibwe warrior clans (the other three being Nooke/Bear, Ma'iingan/Wolf, and Waabizheshi /Marten) and its members are known for their steadfast and resolute nature. Lynxes are both represented in the night sky and the underworlds of the earth and the lakes. See episode 1 to read more about the Lynx in the Sky.

MISHI-GINEBIG: the Great Serpent

This constellation, located in the Southern celestial hemisphere, is believed by some to be the same as Wenabozho constellation — called Scorpius/Scorpio on the Western star charts. It is located at the end of Binesiwi-miikana, “the Thunderbird’s Path”, which is how the Anishinaabeg call the Milky Way Path. Mishi-ginebig, the horned guardian of the underworld of the lakes and patron of wisdom and healing, is the main antagonist of upperworld entities such as the Binesiwag (Thunderbirds). The Mishi-ginebig constellation is the celestial manifestation of the Mishi-ginebig of the lakes’ underworld. In this capacity he is the guardian of the Realm of the jiibayag/souls. The jiibay/soul, once it was was successful in its encounter with the Mishi-ginebig, would join the clan ancestors in the Land of Everlasting Happiness.

In several Anishinaabe adizookaanan (sacred stories) Mishi-ginebig is also visible — in the shape of a great Underground Lynx (Mishibizhiw) — as a meteor or can be seen during summer moons flying across the night sky, from one watery entrance to the Underworld to the other.

The image shows a depiction of the Great horned Underwater Serpent that has its abode in the waters of the Great Lakes as well during meteor showers in the night sky. See also: Binesiwi-miikana, Wenabozho Anang, and Mishi Bizhiw Gaa-ditibaanowe’.

MOOZ: the Moose constellation

In the Fall sky the shape of a moose (see the blue figure at the bottom of the image) can be seen in the night sky, shining down on the Anishinaabeg full strength. The moose, with the autumnal equinox, dominates the night sky through the moon called Gashkadino-Giizis, or Baashkaakodin-Giizis (Freezing Over Moon; the month of November). To find it, look for the constellation called Pegasus on Western star maps. See Star Stories, part 10 to read more about the Mooz in the night sky.

NAAWINAAGOZ: "Appears to Be Far Away" (Pluto)

Naawinaagoz is also called Awasinake Aki, or Awasinakaag ("Planet Beyond"). This "dwarf planet" was named Pluto by the ancient Romans. See the orbit depicted to the far right. See also: Aadawaa'am Ogimaan s.

NAAWINAAGOZI: "It Appears to Be Far Away" (Planet X)

Also called Waazakonewed: "It Gives Off Light." See also: Aadawaa'am Ogimaans.

NANABOZHO ANANG: see Wenabozho Anang

NIGAABII-ANANG: the Evening Star; literally, "Star of the West"

Nigaabii-anang (which shines at nightfall) and Waaban-anang (which rises the following dawn) form together one star, named Giizhig-anang, the Day Star – known by the name of Venus by most non-Native people. Nigaabii-anang, also called Gozaabii-anang (“Star Sinking in Waters”) or Ikwe-anang (Women’s Star), is a powerful aadizookaan and medicine man who resides in the land of E-bangishimog (the Spirit of the West) and Ningaabii’ani-noodin (the West Wind). Since time immemorial he is used in navigating at night; he is the patron of all women; and was once the elder and tutor of Waaban (the Dawn). Representing old age and wisdom, Nigaabii-anang teaches healing and the need for moderation and patience. He symbolized a force contrary to that of Waaban, and the conflict that resulted from this images the lasting human conflict between knowledge and wisdom, between youth and age on earth.

The spirit of the Nigaabi-anang/Evening Star is symbolized here by the 18K gold, sterling silver, ricolite, turquoise, and red coral pendant floating in the western night sky. See also: Giizhig-anang, Waaban-anang.

NIIKAANAG: "THE BROTHERS" (STAR CONSTELLATIONS)

The singular form of Niikaanag is Niikaan. Also called Madogaanan: "(Cone-shaped) Lodges."

Other Ojibwe names for a constellation are Anangoog ("stars") and Gaa-maamawowaabikizid, plural Gaa-maamawowaabikizidjig: "multiple stars creating one constellation."

NIMITAAMAN ANANG: "BOWSPRIT STAR"

A white binary star (called Alphecca on Western star maps) that is the brightest star in the Madoodiswan constellation (Corona Borealis). The name refers to a young Ojibwe man who traveled great distances and was given the water drum, along with a gift of a ceremony, to help his People. A bowsprit points the way, so the name of this star confirms the metaphor of a man, a navigator, who puts himself in the front of a canoe to show the way in difficult places. The Nimitaaman star sits directly opposite the Bagonegiizhig star cluster, with which the Madoodiswan trade places after about 12 hours time. See also: Madoodiswan, Bagonegiizhig.

NOONDESHIN BEMAADIZID: the Exhausted Person

Commonly translated as "Exhausted Bather," this star formation is an early summer constellation and part of the lower foot of the Greek constellation of Hercules. The shape of a person undergoing a sweat lodge purification ceremony can be seen among the stars next to the Madoodiswan and helps to complete the Sweat Lodge story. The person – portrayed here as a bluish white figure dancing and shaking zhiishiigwanan, or rattles – is an exhausted participant ("bather") after the ceremony. Depicted here is his spirit, revived and reborn after the fatigue of the purification sweat, but full of life and renewed on the inside... See also: Madoodiswan, Madoodoowasiniig.

OBIKWANISH: see Ojiig-anangoons

ODOODEMAKING: Solar System. Literally: "In the Clan World"

OGICHIDAA: "Warrior" (Planet Mars) (oshki-ikidowin/neologism)

Also called Akwaabikizid Aki: "It-Is-a-Certain-Length-World." See the small planet depicted left of the large planet called Ogimaa (Jupiter). See also: Aadawaa'amoog Ogimaag.

OGIMAA AKI ("Chief World"): planet Jupiter (oshki-ikidowin/neologism)

See the large planet in the inserted image.

Ogimaa, or Zhaawan-anang (Southern Star) as it is often called, is the fifth planet from Gimishoomisinaan Giizis (Our Grandfather Sun) and the largest and oldest of the akiin anangookaaning (planets) that orbit the Grandfather. Another name for this planet is Gichi Ogimaa Waasamod Aki: "Great Chief Lightning World." This is a reference to a place in the sky where the Thunder Beings come from. See also: Ogichidaa.

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OJIIG ANANG: the “Fisher Star”

Ojiig Anang is an asterism called Big Dipper on the Western sky maps. Also called "Ojjig" (Fisher), “Gwaaba’igan” (Dipper; possibly a neologism), and “Aadawaamoog Anang” (They Go With Someone in a Canoe Star). The Fisher ascends high overhead in summer. There are many variations of the aadizookaan (sacred story) of the Fisher Star, one of which will be given here. See also Gichi Makwa, Ojiig-anangoons.

Image: the rotation of the Ojiig Anang (Fisher Star/Big Dipper) asterism around the Giiwedin Anang (North Star). In ancient times this asterism was seen as a bear (the quadrangle) chased by three hunters and their dogs (the "tail of the fisher/bear). The quadrilateral (or the "bowl" of the asterism) represents the body of the bear itself, while the handle representing the three hunters are the tail/handle of the fisher/dipper.

Legenda:

Giiwedin Anang = The North Star (Polaris). Literally: "Homecoming Star."

Ziigwan: Spring

Niibin: Summer

Dagwaaging: Fall

Biboon: Winter

OJIIG-ANANGOONS, the Little Fisher

De Ojig-anangoons is depicted here as a reddish brown loon. The literal meaning of Ojiig-anangoons – a constellation that has seven stars with four in its bowl – is “Fisher Little Star.” Also called Ojiigansikwe (Little Fisher Woman), Maang (Loon), Makoons (Little Bear), Gwaaba’igaans or Gaaba’iganens (Little Dipper; these names are possibly neologisms), and Obikwanish. Called "Ursa Minor" (literally: "Lesser She-Bear") and "Little Dipper" on the Western star charts. Giiwedin-anang, the North Star, is part of the Little Fisher. In the inserted image it forms the end of the Loon’s tail. The Fisher, along with the Marten, represents the Ojibwe Waabizheshi Doodem (Marten Clan). See also: Gichi Makwa, Giiwedin Anang, Maang, Makoons.

ONAAGOSHI-ANANG: the Evening Star

See: Nigaabii-anang.

OSHKAABEWIS: Mercurius (neologism)

Called Mercurius or Solis planet 1 in Western astronomy, Oshkaabewis is the smallest aadawaa'am ogimaa (planet) in the Solar System and the closest to Giizis, the Sun. See the small mercury-colored planet drawn to the left of Giizhig Anang (Venus). Oshkaabewis has several meanings, such as waiter, ceremonial helper or messenger, and pipe bearer. The term is a neologism as it refers to the name the Romans gave to this planet. The Romans named the planet after the swift-footed Roman messenger god, Mercury (Latin Mercurius), whom they equated with the Greek Hermes, because it moves across the sky faster than any other planet.

WAABAN-ANANG: the Morning Star

Waaban-anang is known by the name of Venus by most non-Native people. From of old, the Anishinaabeg and Ininewak (Cree) honor the Morning Star, the one star/planet that remains visible after the sun rises on the horizon. For them the Morning Star remains a sacred object and an ancestral home. It is said Wenabozho, the beloved trickster-hero of the Anishinaabeg, came from Waaban-anang originally. In some stories Waaban-anang is a medicine man and the antipode of Niigaabii-anang, the Evening Star. According to other sources Waaban-anang is a female spirit and the wife of Wenabozho. See also: Giizhig-anang, Niigaabii-anang, Wenabozho Anang.

WAAKWIING: "In the Land of the Deceased"

Waakwiing is the realm beyond the giizhig (sky vault). Also the name for Uranus (planet 7) as well as for the star that the Arabs named Alnilam. Waakwi, the Land of the Deceased, has been associated with a far-away place where all life began. Also called Gaagige-minawaanigoziwining: "The Land of Everlasting Happiness."

WAASEYAA: Venus

Waaseyaa, which is Ojibwemowin for "Light," is a reference to the planet named Venus (Solis planet 2) in Western astrology. Also called Waaseyasiged Azhebaashkaabizod Aki: "the Bright Planet That Spins Backwards."

WAAZAKONEWED: "It Gives Off Light" (Planet X)

See: Naawinaagozi.

WENABOZHO ANANG or WIISAGEJAAK ANANG is the Nanabush Star Constellation

It is located at the end of Binesiwi-miikana, “the Thunderbird’s Path,” also called Jiibay-miikana/zibii, “the Path/River of Souls” (the Milky Way). It is depicted in the top left corner of the above image as a hare (which is one of Wenabozho's physical manifestations) in a white canoe shooting an arrow at Mishibizhiw Gaa-ditibaanowe’ (the Great Lynx constellation, called Leo and Hydra by their Latin and Greek names). The Great Lynx is depicted in the bottom left corner as a green catlike figure with horns and a long tail.

Wenabozho, or Nanabush/Nanabozho, also called Wiisagejaak (Crane Spirit) by the Anishininiwag (Oji-Cree), a beloved trickster-transformer often pictured as a hare, is the elder brother and teacher of the Anishinaabeg, and closely related to Ma’iingan, the Wolf (see Ma’iingan Anang). There are many Wenabozho stories; according to tradition, they are orally told when there is snow on the ground.

Wenabozho is visible in the southeast in June and includes the constellation called Scorpio in Western astronomy. This constellation is often depicted as Wenabozho shooting an arrow at the Mishibizhiw Gaa-ditibaanowe’ (Great Lynx, the Curly Tail).

Some Anishinaabeg use the term Nanabozho Anang (Wenabozho Anang) for the Orion constellation during the summer moons; as soon as the first snow falls Nanabozho Anang changes into Gaa-biboonikaan, “One Who Brings the Winter.” Wenabozho/Gaa-biboonikaan – depicted at the bottom of the image as a blue and white medicine sky man holding an otter medicine bag in his left hand – points the jiibayag (soul-spirits of the deceased) the way to our source and origin, which is Bagoni-giizhig –“Hole in the Sky,” a constellation the ancient Greeks named the Pleiades. The “Hole in the Sky” – depicted as a silver ring with gold spider and sun motifs – gives access to Jiibay-miikana, the Path of Souls. See also: Gaa-biboonikaan, Jiibay-miikana, Misaabe, Mishibizhiw Gaa-ditibaanowe’, and Wiindigoo.

WIINDIGOO (alpha Orionis)

Wiindigoo, a cannibal winter monster from the North, does not only live in the below-world; old Anishinaabe star stories relate of a celestial being with the same name that lies in ambush along the Jiibay-miikana (Milky Way) to snatch those unprepared for the celestial journey. Wiindigoo, which is part of the Gaa-biboonikaan (Bringer of Winter, Orion) winter constellation, is called alpha Orionis on Western star maps.

From basic Anishinaabe star lore we know that Wenabozho was represented in the belt of Gaa-biboonikaan; close to Gaa-biboonikaan sits the Ma’iingan constellation (“Wolf”: called Canis Major on the Western star maps). Between them and Gichi Makwa (the “Great Bear” or “Big Dipper”) is the bright red star Ishpiming Wiindigoo or "the Wiindigoo in the Sky"; depicted here right above the right shoulder of the Bringer of Winter (beneath the red and white Amik/Beaver constellation).

An Anishinaabe aadizookaan (traditional story) explains Wiindigoo’s bright red color. A long time ago, Wenabozho (Nanabozho) and his brother Wolf once fought a wiindigoo by taking a menstrual cloth from Nookomis, their grandmother, and throwing it at the wiindigoo, covering him in blood. Nookomis, in Anishinaabe cosmology, has always been associated with Dibiki-giizis or grandmother moon who, as we know, controls the menstrual cycle of women on earth. See also: Aadawaa'amoog, Giizhig-anang, Gaa-biboonikaan, Wenabozho, and Ma’iingan.

WIISAGEJAAK ANANG, or Crane Spirit Constellation

See: Wenabozho Anang.

ZHAAWAN-ANANG, Southern Star (Jupiter)

See: Ogimaa.

Return to part 1 (A to I)

An Illustrated List of Ojibwe Anishinaabe Stars & Planets, part 2 (J to Z)

AN ALPHABETICAL LIST OF STARS, PLANETS, STAR FORMATIONS, AND ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA ARRANGED ACCORDING TO LATIN OR GREEK NAME, FOLLOWED BY THEIR OJIBWE NAMES

ILLUSTRATED WORD LIST J to Z:

JIIBAY-MIIKANA: the Milky Way