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GoodGod!

Meet the Gods: Shakok

 

Shakok is the god of winter of the Northern Mountain, according to Native American mythology. The story goes that Acoma’s chief’s daughter, Co-chin-ne-na-ko, married the winter spirit. After he came to live with them, the winters became colder, snow fell harder, the world stayed frozen longer, crops no longer matured, and food became scarce. One miserable winter day as Co-chin-ne-na-ko was searching for food, she met Miochin, the spirit of summer. He was wearing a yellow shirt woven of corn silk; leggings made of green moss; a tall pointed hat, and moccasins decorated with butterflies and flowers. Upon learning her people were eating cactus leaves, he gifted her a large bundle of corn from his home far to the south.

She liked him better than Shakok, and asked to accompany Miochin to his home where the corn was abundant and flowers were always in bloom. Miochin knew Shakok would be angry if she left, but he did promise to bring more corn the next day.

When she arrived home, Co-chin’s family was surprised to see the corn instead of cactus leaves and told Co-chin to bring Miochin home with her. The next day, Miochin brought enough corn for all the people, and was welcomed at the home of the chief. When Shakok returned in the evening, he began throwing snow, hail, and fierce winds at Miochin, who melted the snow and turned the cold wind into a summer breeze.

The two both wanted Co-chin and agreed to meet in four days to fight for her. Each prepared for combat. On the fourth day, Shakok came from the north to the Acoma village with black storm clouds, snow, sleet, and hail. Miochin arrived with smoke and steam from wood fires. Neither could overpower the other and at last they called a truce. The two spirits decided they would each have Co-chin-ne-na-ko for half a year, Shakok for the winter and Miochin for the summer.

That’s how the seasons came into being, according to the legend.

If you are one who loves winter, you might call on Shakok, the spirit of winter, for better skiing conditions, a snow day off of school, or enough cold to force bugs to vacate your space.

Sources list a variety of ways to worship a snow deity:

-Build a bonfire and do snow dances to summon snow.

-Raise a toast with quality alcohol at sunrise or sunset.

-Do anything outside in a bathing suit (or sky clad) such as making snow angels or running around the yard.

-Build a snowman.

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About the Author:

Lynn Woike

All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice.

 

When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie – a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.

thewitchonwheels.com