The Prophecies of the Native Americans Part I: The Hopi Visions

In the course of their communion with the Great Spirit, native Americans have received many visions of the destiny of civilization on this continent. The largest number of such prophesies have been preserved by the Hopi in Arizona. Their community of Oraibi is the oldest continually inhabited settlement (about 1,000 years) in North America. The name Hopi is derived from Hopitu Shinumu (“Peaceful” or “Righteous” People).

The Hopi believe that the human race has evolved through three world stages of life since its origin. Each of these worlds was destroyed in turn, and human life was purified and nearly ended by the Great Spirit because of man’s corruption and greed.

In the Hopi cosmology, the universe at first was only infinite blackness in the mind of Taiowa, the Creator. Taiowa made Sotuknang, the first man, and commanded him to order the cosmos. On the first day, Sotuknang divided the universe into nine worlds. One world was reserved for Taiowa, one was for Man, and seven were for future worlds. The present is the Fourth World.

Topkela was the first and most beautiful of the worlds. There, humanity thrived in harmony with Nature in the company of animals. But the Snake spoke and seduced Man away from Taiowa the Creator. Seeing this, Taiowa ordered Satuknang to destroy Tokpela and its inhabitants, except for a few “children of pure heart” whom he sheltered in the center of the Earth when he rained fire upon the planet and burned the sky. The people stayed underground while volcanoes erupted. Afterwards, the people emerged and moved into the second world, Topka, which was less beautiful than the first. There, men lived in huts, learned crafts, and drew apart from Nature. Eventually they became greedy, materialistic, and insatiable as before. Taiowa again ordered Sotuknang to destroy the humans and the world they had ruined. The faithful few again hid underground with the Ant People. The earth rolled over twice, and everything on it was destroyed by ice, which covered everything. After the ice had melted enough to make the world inhabitable, the survivors emerged into the third world, Kuskurza. There, man built cities and tall buildings, and departed further still from the Creator’s nature, becoming very evil. Kuskurza in turn was destroyed by flood.

When the Hopi’s ancestors emerged from the underworld, they met the demigod Maasaw, who owns this world. Maasaw had been caretaker of the Third World, but because of his pride, he had been demoted to become the god of death. When Kuskurza was destroyed, Taiowa gave Maasaw another chance and appointed him to be the guardian of this world. The people asked Maasaw for permission to live in the new land of Turtle Island (North America). Maasaw said:

“It is up to you, whether you are willing to live my poor, humble and simple life. It is hard, but if you are willing to live according to my teachings and instructions and will never lose faith in the life I shall give you, you may come and live with me. Now you look at me. I am a poor man. I have almost nothing. I have only my planting stick, my seed corn, and a jug of water. I live a simple life. If you wish to live with me, you must sacrifice many things. If you want me for your leader, your chief, you must prove that you can live this way of life.

“Now look around. See this land. It is poor land. There is not much water and very few trees. But this is the richest land. There is great wealth under. But hear this warning – you are not to disturb this land and take this wealth out as long as there is still war going on. If you do, these things will be used to destroy life and this will not be your salvation…

“Never disturb this land. Do not cede your land to anyone; don’t ever give it away. Above all, it is to provide your nourishment. Hold this land dear like a mother as long as you live. If you sell it you will no longer reap crops. Be prepared: one after another people will approach you and put you to the test in this matter.

“If, in addition, you are willing to adopt the religion which I practice, you will derive further benefits for your life… But you have arrived with great ambitions and expectations. When you fall into your evil ways again, you will make me weep…

“All right, you have settled in a desert, yet the land is filled with riches. You reside on the very backbone of the earth. All kinds of precious things are buried in this earth. There exists a storehouse of treasures underground but you must not dig them up yet.

“Three times big war will rage. Should you excavate these treasures while the killing is taking place, powerful weapons will be forged from them and people will be slain by them. If you act on your own in this matter, you will do wrong. Not before the day of purification has been completed, may you unearth these things. At that time people will benefit from them. However, if these wars ever take place here, don’t pick up your weapons, and don’t engage in the business of killing…”

The people asked Maasaw to be their leader, but he declined:

“No. A greater one than I has given you a plan to fulfill first. When the previous parts of the world were pushed underwater, this new land was pushed up in the middle to become the backbone of the earth. You are now standing on its west side slope. But you have not yet made your migrations. You have not yet followed your stars to the place where you will meet and settle. This you must do before I can become your leader. But if you go back to evil ways again I will take over the earth from you, for I am its caretaker, guardian, and protector… So go now and claim the land with my permission.”

Maasaw then placed four different colors and sizes of corn before the leaders of the four different racial groups, and had each one choose which would be their food in this world. The Hopi were the last to choose, and they picked the smallest ear of multi-colored corn. Pleased by their choice, Maasaw said:

“It is well done. You have chosen the real corn, for all the others are imitations inside of which are hidden seeds of different plants. You have shown me your intelligence; for this reason I will place in your hands these owa tutuveni (sacred stone tablets), symbols of power and authority over all land and life, to guard, protect, and hold in trust for me until I return to you in a later day, for I am the first, but I am also going to be the last.”

One of the three Bear Clan tablets describes the land from the Grand Canyon to the Rio Grande, which was granted by Maasaw to the Hopis. Another tablet is inscribed with mnemonic symbols of prophecies. A third tablet maps the allocations of farmland to the various clans, and delegates leadership to the Bear Clan. (Figures 1, 2)

The fourth tablet is a very precise map (one square mile, about a 95% match with the topographical map of the area) of the location of Sipaapuni, the great underground city where the Hopi ancestors hid during the destruction of the past worlds. This writer figured out the location and visited the site at the behest of Maasaw, and then reported on it to the Hopi elders. I asked for permission to enter, but was told by Grandfather Martin Gawanesha that if I did so, I would be cursed, and my family too. I replied that I already live under a curse, do not have a family, and that I had been invited by Maasaw. The elders laughed me off. Nevertheless, I have not returned to the place and will not until Maasaw instructs me to do so. The missing piece of the Owa Tutuveni is stored there. The Elder Brother did not take it with him on his travels, since it would be nearly impossible to retain possession of it across the centuries and many incarnations. He will retrieve it when he returns to the Hopi. You are advised herewith not to interfere with Hopi affairs. They do not want or need your attention or good intentions, which are only a curse to them.

Figure 2: The Owa Tutuveni (J. Jochmans)
The symbols on the front of the tablet now held by the Fire Clan show the mask of Maasaw and the swastika pattern which represents the Hopi migrations. One corner is missing. The back of the Fire Clan tablet shows the figure of a headless man, which symbolizes the following prophecy:

“In a time to come, the Hopis will be forced to develop their lives at the dictates of a new ruler. They are not to resist, but must wait for their Elder Brother, Antsa Qoetsapava Powatanica. A corner of the Fire Clan tablet was broken off and given to the Elder Brother when he left on his migration. He hid it in the Sipaapuni city because he did not want to risk losing it in the course of his travels and reincarnations. He will retrieve it when he returns. In due time, the tablet will be split open to expose interior inscriptions which will reveal the origin and identity of the Hopi. Fitting the missing corner piece to the tablet, the Elder Brother will thus identify himself to the Hopi. The tablet will be split open to expose interior inscriptions which will reveal the origin and identity of the Hopi. Then Pahaana will proceed to deliver them from their persecutors and develop with them a new and universal brotherhood of man. But if he accepts any other religion, he must assent to having his own head cut off. This will dispel the evil and save the Hopi people.”

The chief of the Bow Clan led the faithful Hopi to this new land, but he fell into evil ways. His two sons rebuked him for his mistakes, and after he died they assumed the responsibilities of leadership. Then Maasaw sent the Elder Brother to the east and across the ocean. Upon reaching his destination, he was to start back to look for his younger brother, who remained on Turtle Island. The Elder Brother’s mission was to help his younger brother to bring about Purification Day, when evil people would be punished and destroyed. Afterwards, real peace, brotherhood, and everlasting life would be established. The Elder Brother would restore to his younger brother all the land which the Evil One among the white men had taken.

The younger brother (the Hopi ancestors) was instructed to travel throughout Turtle Island and mark his trail with the petroglyphs we see today. This was done to claim the land, and to record and preserve the history of the Indians throughout the reign of white men. The whites would destroy most of the native Americans’ oral history and culture before destroying themselves also.

A great white star would appear when the Elder Brother reached his destination. All people were to settle wherever they happened to be at that time, and there they were to remain until the Elder Brother returned.

The Hopi settled in Tuuwanasavi, the area now known as Four Corners, where the state lines of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado meet. This area is the “heart” of Turtle Island and of Mother Earth, and it is the microcosmic image of the entire planet. There, the Hopi lived a simple life as stewards of the land, which produced abundant crops despite being a desert. Their katsina ceremonies serve to maintain the balance of natural forces and to reaffirm their faith in Taiowa, in Maasaw and other spirits, and to show respect for all life.

Maasaw told the Hopi that after a time Pahana, White Man, would come and take their land and try to lead the Hopi into evil ways. Life would be Koyaanisqatsi (“World out of balance”). The Hopi were told that they must hold to their ancient religion and their land, and they must do it without violence. Maasaw promised that if they succeeded, their people and land would be a center where the True Spirit would reawaken.

Maasaw said that after many years the Elder Brother might change the color of his skin, but his hair will remain black, and he will wear it long, in a braided tail. He will wear a red cloak or a red cap which resembles the back of a horned toad. He will speak the Hopi language, and he will be able to write. He will follow no religion but his very own. He will bring (or come to recover) the missing corner of the owa tutuveni, and he will correctly interpret the tablets.

The Hopi are to meet him on the trail on the east side of Oraibi if he is on time (on the last day of Soyal, the winter solstice ceremony), or on the trail to Sikya’wa (Yellow Rock), at Chokuw (Pointed Rock), Nahoyungvasa (Cross Fields), or at Tawtona (Where the Sun Ray Goes Over the Line) below Oraibi if he is 5, 10, 15, or 20 years late. Then, great judgment and punishment will take place. The Elder Brother will help the younger brother obtain justice. In one day he will gain control of the whole continent. Even the Hopi people must beware:

“If he comes from the East, the destruction will not be so bad. But if he comes from the West, do not go up on your housetops to see because he will have no mercy.”

It is said that the Elder Brother will bring with him two great, intelligent and powerful helpers. One will have a sign of a swastika and the sign of the sun. The first helper can be interpreted to represent the German-Japanese Axis of World War Two. From the Hopis’ perspective, these enemies of the USA were doing the Indians a real service. The second helper will have the sign of a Celtic Cross with red lines between the arms of the cross. In the Hopi symbology, this form of cross represents women, and the red lines indicates their menstrual flow. The symbol represents their liberation and the revival of matriarchal power after ages of suppression.

Maasaw warned that if these great beings failed, terrible evil would befall the world and great numbers of people would be killed. However, they would succeed if enough Hopi remained true to the ancient spirit of their people. Unfortunately, there are very few traditionalist Hopis remaining today, so the situation looks very bleak.

Hopi prophecy states that World War III will be started by the people who first received the light – China, Palestine, India and Africa. When the war comes, the United States will be destroyed by “a gourd of ashes” which will be thrown to the ground. The rivers will boil, the earth shall burn, and no grass will grow there for many years. It will cause a disease that no medicine can cure. This can only mean that nuclear weapons will be used against the USA. The Hopi traditionalist Thomas Banyaca has said that if many US soldiers are sent overseas, they will be killed by atomic bombs, and then Turtle Island also will be bombed. “Men will fall from the sky,” meaning that invading soldiers will parachute to earth.

According to another prophecy, “When the Blue Star Kachina dances in the plaza, the time of the great trial will be here… The end of all Hopi ceremonies will come when a Kachina removes his mask during a dance in the plaza before uninitiated children. For a while there will be no more ceremonies, no more faith. Then Oraibi will be rejuvenated with its faith and ceremonies, marking the start of a new cycle of Hopi life.”

The following Hopi prophecy was first published in a mimeographed manuscript that circulated among several Methodist and Presbyterian churches in 1959. While driving along a desert road one hot day in the summer of 1958, a minister named David Young stopped to offer a ride to a Hopi elder, who accepted with a nod. After riding in silence for several minutes, the elder said:

“I am White Feather, a Hopi of the ancient Bear Clan. In my long life I have traveled through this land, seeking out my brothers, and learning from them many things full of wisdom. I have followed the sacred paths of my people, who inhabit the forests and many lakes in the east, the land of ice and long nights in the north, the mountains and streams of jumping fish in the west, and the places of holy altars of stone built long ago by my brothers’ fathers in the south. From all these I have heard the stories of the past, and the prophecies of the future. Today, many of the prophecies have turned to stories, and few are left – the past grows longer, and the future grows shorter.

“And now White Feather is dying. His sons have all joined his ancestors, and soon he too shall be with them. But there is no one left, no one to recite and pass on the ancient wisdom. My people have tired of the old ways. The great ceremonies that tell of our origins, of our Emergence into the Fourth World, are almost all abandoned, forgotten. Yet even this has been foretold. The time grows short…

“My people await Pahana, the lost White Brother, as do all our brothers in the land. He will not be like the white men we know now, who are cruel and greedy. We were told of their coming long ago. But still we await Pahana.

“He will bring with him the symbols, the missing piece of that sacred tablet now kept by the elders, given to him when he left, that shall identify him as our True White Brother.

“The Fourth World shall end soon, and the Fifth World will begin. This the elders everywhere know. The signs over many years have been fulfilled, and so few are left.

“This is the First Sign: We are told of the coming of the white-skinned men, like Pahana, but not living like Pahana – men who took the land that was not theirs. And men who struck their enemies with thunder.

“This is the Second Sign: Our lands will see the coming of the spinning wheels of wood filled with voices. In my youth, my father saw this prophecy come true with his eyes – the white men bringing their families in wagons across the prairies.

“This is the Third Sign: A strange beast, like a buffalo but with great long horns, will overrun the land in large numbers. These White Feather saw with his own eyes – the coming of the white man’s cattle.

“This is the Fourth Sign: The land will be crisscrossed by snakes of iron.

“This is the Fifth Sign: The land will be crisscrossed by a giant spider’s web.

“This is the Sixth Sign: The land will be crisscrossed with rivers of stone that make pictures in the sun.

“This is the Seventh Sign: You will hear of the sea turning black, and many living things dying because of it.

“This is the Eighth Sign: You will see many youth, who wear their hair long like my people, come and join the tribal nations, to learn their ways and wisdom.

“And this is the Ninth and Last Sign: You will hear of a dwelling place in the heavens, above the earth, that shall fall with a great crash. It will appear as a blue star. Very soon after this, the ceremonies of my people will cease.

“These are the Signs that great destruction is coming. The world shall rock to and fro. The white man will battle against other people in other lands – with those who possessed the first light of wisdom. There will be many columns of smoke such as White Feather has seen the white man make in the deserts not far from here. Only those which come will cause disease and a great dying. Many of my people, understanding the prophecies, shall be safe. Those who stay and live in the places of my people also shall be safe. Then there will be much to rebuild. And soon – very soon afterward – Pahana will return. He shall bring with him the dawn of the Fifth World. He shall plant the seeds of his wisdom in their hearts. Even now the seeds are being planted. These shall smooth the way to the Emergence into the Fifth World.

“But White Feather shall not see it. I am old and dying. You – perhaps you will see it. In time, in time…”

The Hopi elder became silent. They had arrived at his destination, and Rev. Young stopped to let him out of the car. They never met again. Rev. Young died in 1976, so he did not live to see the further fulfillment of this remarkable prophecy.

The signs are interpreted thus: The First Sign is of guns, and the Second is of the pioneers’ covered wagons. The Third Sign is of longhorn cattle. The Fourth describes railroad tracks, and the Fifth is a clear image of electric power and telephone lines. The Sixth Sign describes concrete highways and their effect of producing mirages. The Seventh Sign predicts catastrophic oil spills such as the Exxon Valdez. The Eighth Sign suggests the hippy movement of the 1960s and 70s. The Ninth Sign was the U.S. space station Skylab, which fell to Earth in 1979. According to Australian eyewitnesses, it appeared to be burning blue. Or, the Russian space station Mir may be indicated here.

Another version of this prophecy says that when a black ribbon (the highway) is built on the land, a bug (the automobile) will move on it, and this will be this sign for the first shaking of the Earth, World War One. The first shaking will be so violent that the bug will be shaken off the earth and will begin to fly (the airplane), leaving a trail of dirt behind it. Eventually the sky will become so dirty that it will cause diseases that will become worse and worse. This may refer to the current controversy about “chem-trails”, the aerial web of chemical sprays that are beings spewed over America.

Another Hopi prophecy warns that nothing should be brought back from the Moon – obviously anticipating the Apollo 11 mission that returned with samples of lunar basalt. The Hopi warned that it would disturb the balance of natural and universal laws and forces, resulting in earthquakes, severe changes in weather patterns, and social unrest. All these things are happening today.

In 1948, the Hopi spiritualist leaders met in Shungopavi and chose four representatives to approach the United Nations. Because of their prophetic knowledge, the Hopi leaders felt it was time to go east to the edge of Turtle Island, where a “House of Mica (glass) would stand at this time, where Great Leaders from many lands would be gathered to help any people who are in trouble.” They were to go there when the lands of the Hopi and other Indian brothers were about to be taken away from them and their way of life was in danger of being completely destroyed by evil ones among the white men and by some other Indian brothers who were influenced by the white race. This is a clear and present danger, because the infernal meddling of Christians, the betrayal of treaties by the federal government, the sale of tribal lands by Indians, and the ecological disasters caused by coal and uranium mining, are destroying the Hopi land and people, and all native Americans.

According to prophecy, at least one, two, or three leaders or nations would hear and understand the Hopi warnings, for they too should know the ancient instructions. Upon hearing the message of the Hopi, they were to act immediately to correct many wrongs being done to the Red Man. However, the Hopi might find that the doors of the Mica House would be closed to them:

“When Great Leaders in the Mica House refuse to open the door when you stand before it that day, do not be discouraged or turn about on the path you walk, but take courage, determination, and be of great rejoicing in your hearts, for on that day the White Race who are on your land with you have cut themselves from you and thereon lead themselves to the greatest Punishment at the Day of Purification. Men shall be destroyed for their sins and evil ways. The Great Spirit has decreed it and no one can stop it, change it, or add anything to it. It shall be fulfilled!”

In 1959, another delegation of six traditional Hopi elders, led by Dan Katchongva, traveled to the UN building. Their prophecies foretold that if the Hopi’s request to address the House of Mica was refused after knocking (visiting) four times, mankind would surely be destroyed. Thomas Banyaca knocked for the fourth time in 1991, and was permitted to address the General Assembly for a few minutes during the opening ceremonies of the UN’s International Year of Indigenous Peoples (December 10, 1992). He was the last speaker, and only a few UN delegates remained to hear him. He said:

“We have made a sacred covenant to follow Maasaw, the Great Spirit’s Life Plan at all times, which includes the responsibility of taking care of this land and life for his divine purpose. Our goals are not to gain political control, monetary wealth, or military power, but rather to pray and to promote the welfare of all living beings and to preserve the world in a natural way.” Banyaca then told the Hopi story of the previous worlds which were destroyed because of human greed, and warned that this world, too, is near its end. He said, “This is now a time to weigh the choices for our future. We do have a choice. If you, the nations of this Earth, create another great war, the Hopi believe we humans will burn ourselves to death with ashes. That’s why the spiritual Elders strongly urge that the United Nations fully open the door for Native spiritual leaders as soon as possible… The Native peoples of the world have seen and spoken to you about the destruction of their lives and homelands, the ruination of nature and the desecration of their sacred sites. It is time the United Nations used its rules to investigate these occurrences and stop them now.”

Grandfather Banyaca requested that the UN protect the Four Corners area, because it will have a special purpose in the future survival of humankind. He asked that the UN keep its doors open for spiritual leaders of all peoples “to come to speak to you for more than a few minutes.” He also invited world leaders to visit the Hopi country and “sit down with our real spiritual leaders in their sacred kivas” and learn their “ancient secrets of survival and balance.” The UN has failed to respond.

A 9th century Tibetan prophecy states that, “When the iron bird flies, the Dharma [Buddhism] will go east to the land of the Red Man.” This prophecy was fulfilled in 1980 when the Dalai Lama visited America and met with Hopi elders in Los Angeles and with leaders of the Iroquois Confederacy in Syracuse, NY.

Between 1975 and 1986, a group of traditionalist elders and English-speaking Hopis cooperated to produce 44 issues of a newsletter called Techqua Ikach (Land & Life), totaling over 200 pages which outlined their prophetic message in great detail. In 1993, Thomas Mails was selected by Dan Evehema (then 100 years old) to represent the authorized prophecies. The resulting book Hotevila was written in complete secrecy to prevent interference from the Hopi Tribal Council.

“One day Hopi children with short hair or bald heads would be the ears and mouth for the elders, and in time become the leaders. So the Hopi Tribal Council was formed… The Bahanas’ government will gradually cease their responsibility in caring for the Native people… Any mistake we make will be our own doing. The Bahana government would not be responsible. Their influence would linger on in making sure we run our government the Bahana way, not by our own… traditional ways… If we link ourselves with a culture not of our own… it will be difficult to regain what we discard in the name of progress. Of course we can continue to practice what we lose, but it will have lost its value. What happens at the end will be the consequences of our carelessness.

“According to prophecy, the Hopi are to be the last target. We are to be conquered, not by the Army and their weapons, but by our own people. By our sons and daughters without us lifting our hands. Their weapon will be what they learned through the education so kindly taught by the Bahana… The Bahanas will pat the back of the conquerors while cheering and applauding. They will be satisfied that they are not required to finish the task which they set out to accomplish. It is our own people who bring this about and the Bahanas, therefore, cannot be blamed. The conquest will be over and all Native People will be finished. This is a sad ending and it is a pity that we must end this way…

“It is said if purification does not come, our Great Creator will take the land back because we do not care for the land and we don’t deserve to be on it. The above subject, to our children, is soundless and has no meaning…

“One day our own children may become our enemies. Schools will destroy the sacred balance of Hopi life. They will interrupt the traditions and people will forget the instructions of Maasaw. This destruction will reach much further than our village. The whole Earth could go off balance.

“As foretold, all of this information must come out into the open at the period when we are about to be overcome by harmful elements and can step no further…

“Just two or three righteous people will be able to fulfill the Creator’s mission. Even one truly righteous would be able to do it…

“Three people were named who were to help the Hopi when we reached the crisis of no return. The Paiute Indian was to help according to his wisdom, but if he is unable the Navajo Indian will help also, according to his wisdom. If their efforts fail then Bahana will come to aid. This is where we are now…

“So it was predicted that one day we would encounter the presence of people with ways different from our own; they will pose as good-hearted. Their words will be charming and they will multiply like ants. We must not be deceived by them, for the vines of their kingdom will spread throughout the land, diluting and dissolving everything that gets in its way. We must be cautious and not covet or adopt any of their ways, for it will forever be a curse upon our nation…

“It is said, among the Bahana the people of the Cross will appear on our land. They will be kind and helpful with good hearts. Beware, for they will be the instruments of Bahana’s kingdom and will seduce you into forsaking the laws of our Great Creator. The wicked of our people will join their flock to clear their sins, but this will be in vain…

“One day a strange people will appear in our midst, people who will create man in his own image. Once given his language and knowledge, our people will become the instrument by which he will try to rule over us and carve the rest of us into his image. Our own people will become his tools, and he will make certain they do a good job.

“But if we remain strong and firmly rooted, we will not be reshaped, whereas others will slump because they are rootless. So when the tests come we must possess the strength to preserve ourselves…

“The Earth is like a spotted fawn, and each spot has a duty to make the body function. Hopiland is the center of the earth’s body. It is the spot of power with the duty to foretell the future by comparing the actions of mankind with the prophecy told them…”

The Hopi traditionalist elder Grandfather David has given a similar warning:

“If there are only two One-Hearteds found, perhaps a brother and sister, then the promise of Maasaw will be kept, to met us and lead us into a world of peace, plenty for everybody, love and everlasting life. If, however, no One-Hearteds remain on that critical day, then the Earth will turn over three times and the next world will be inhabited by the Ant People.”

Martin Gawanesha, a traditionalist Hopi elder, emphasizes that most of the events predicted by their prophecies already have happened, and that the Great Purification is imminent:

“Life has become out of balance. When people are so out of balance, some one will hear our voice and our White Brother will answer the call and clean away the evil ones. According to prophecy, when the purification is over only a handful of people will survive in every nation overseas. Then they will come to this continent, which we call heaven. This is where the Creator first lived and that’s what he called it. He sent his own son from Oraibi to Bethlehem in order to be born there. The Hopi already knew that the morning star would rise one day and someone special would be born…

“In our prophecies there are two brothers, one dark-skinned younger brother and the light-skinned elder who we call the White Brother. Together they will decide how the purification will be accomplished.

“The two brothers were with us when we first came to this continent. When their father passed away, the elder brother went out in the direction of the sunrise and the younger brother stayed here. They had agreed the elder brother would go, but would not stay away too long. He would return when people would travel on a road built in the air. At that time we would know that the earth had been corrupted to the point that it must be purified.

“We’ve come to that point now. Everything has been corrupted. Because we are out of balance, we don’t obey the laws… It’s too late now for gradual voluntary corrections…

“As Hopis… we are calling for the purification because it is our obligation. We’re ready, we want it to happen… We’ve already gone over the time limit that was given to us in the prophecy…”

Hopi prophecy also warns that there will be three divisions among the Hopi. The first division was in 1906 between the traditionalists and the modernists. The traditionalists were forced to leave Oraibi and move to Hotevila. The second division took place in the aftermath of a spectacular UFO sighting in August 1970. The third division is occurring now as the Tribal Council has forced the installation of electric power and other modern inconveniences upon the unwilling traditionalist residents of Hotevila.

During the Hopi Hearings of 1955, many elders spoke forth to remind people of the ancient prophecies. One elder said:

“Then the sun won’t be as hot any more, and the summer season will grow shorter and shorter. One day the weather will no longer get warm. You will experience snowfall at the height of planting time. Then you will have to sow wearing gloves and long underwear. To sow, the farmer will have to push aside the snow, dig a hole, and then plant his seeds. It will come to this if you extract those precious things from the earth.

“And all the grasses across the land, which many different animals feed on to raise their young, will not grow as before. In the future the animals will suffer great hardships. Then the grasses will not sprout. There will be no point in having rain; nothing will grow as it used to.

“Gradually your corn plants will produce only tassels and then everything will freeze. And when you replant, only tiny, stunted ears will appear, and then they too will freeze. The third time you sow, the stalks will still be short before the frost strikes. By the fourth time the plants will barely have pierced the earth before freezing. All of these predictions Maasaw made to the Hopi.”

The newsletter Techqua Ikach warned, “When the end is near, we will see a halo of mist around the heavenly bodies. Four times it will appear around the sun as a warning that we must reform, telling us that people of all color must unite and arise for survival…

“We were warned the ice will grow again. Should the (Flute) Clans with the controlling powers vanish or stray away from the great laws of the Creator, there will be no way of stopping the ice buildup. So the time will come when we will experience late springs and early frosts, this will be the sign of the returning Ice Age…

“The time will come when from the Earth will arise a mystic fog which will dilute the minds and hearts of all people… A sudden eruption will explode in the midst of their follies, and this will… creep over the earth. Then men will destroy each other savagely…

“According to prophecy, the day will come when people in high places will be hunted and vice versa, the lowly hunters will be hunted. This will get out of control. The hunting will gather strength and spread far and wide…

“The period of this age will close by the gourd of ashes which will glow brighter than the Sun. The earth will turn over four times and mankind will end up in the lowest level of darkness where they will crawl around on all fours forever. Then the spirits of our Ancient Fathers will return to reclaim the land. They will mock the lowly man for he will no longer deserve or be worthy of the land. Only those who are obedient to the guidance of the Great Creator’s laws will survive… the true brother and sister will give a rebirth to the Earth and renew its life.”

It is also said elsewhere in Hopi prophecy, that “Turtle Island could turn over two or three times and the oceans join hands and meet the sky.” Several passages in the Bible also suggest that the Earth will some day roll over in its orbit (Isaiah 13:13; and 24:1, 19, 20, 23; Matthew 24: 29; Revelation 6:12-14; II Peter 3:10; Amos 8:8, 9). Since 1931, geophysicists have detected nearly 500 shifts of the north magnetic pole, moving northwest.

Thomas Banyaca has said, “If corruption of nature becomes so thick and pollution so thick, we will be in darkness, and if we don’t change things, the animals… they’re going to yell at us. Pretty soon the eagles flying over us will be going to cry at us; when you walk in the woods, the trees, some will cry at you — because human beings are supposed to take care of them also, through prayer, meditation, and ceremony instead of destroying them with machinery and inventions that you have made…”

According to Thomas Banyaca, in the 1950s the elders also predicted to him the development of genetic engineering, saying that, “You’re going to see a time in your lifetime when the human beings are going to find the pattern that makes us. They’re going to cut this pattern. They’re going to make new animals upon the earth, and they’re going to think these things are going to help us. And it’s going to seem like they do help us. But maybe the grandchildren and great grandchildren are going to suffer. They will release these things; they will use them. You will see new animals, and even the old animals will come back, animals that people thought had disappeared. They will find them here and there. They’ll begin to reappear.”

After the Great Deluge several thousand years ago, the survivors split up into four groups, who migrated north, south, east and west. Only one group completed their journey – to the North Pole and back – under the guidance of a brilliant “star” in which Maasaw traveled. When he landed, Maasaw drew the petroglyph on Second Mesa, showing a maiden (with the traditional “butterfly” hair arrangement) riding in a wingless, dome-shaped craft. The petroglyph tells of the coming Day of Purification, when the true Hopi will fly to other planets in “flying shields.”

The famous “Prophecy Rock” petroglyph (Figure 4) is known as the Hopi Life Plan. Some people claim that the petroglyph was carved in the 20th century. A Hopi man (a resident of Old Oraibi) whom I met at Prophecy Rock told me it did not exist when he was a youth in the 1970s. The following explanation, which was provided by the Hotevila faction, has been approved by the traditionalist Hopi elders:

“In the figure of the Life Plan, (a) represents Maasaw pointing to the earth from which the Hopi emerged. The short lines (b) between his right hand and foot represent the Hopi clans. In recent years, the Hopi added a bow to the right of Maasaw to illustrate his instructions to lay down their weapons and live in peace. With his left hand, he is touching the path of Life Plan (c) which the Hopi are to follow. The circle (d) near his left hand represents the Hopi’s stewardship over Turtle Island.

“Point (e) indicates the time when, as Maasaw predicted, the Hopi would digress from the True Path and follow another trail. The square (f) at this point is supposed to represent Oraibi. The two lines leading from Oraibi mark the split that occurred in 1905 between the progressive Oraibi and traditionalist Hotevila factions. The upper line (g) branching from the square is the false path of the wicked people who strive to dominate Nature and rise above other people without the guidance of God. The three human figures (h) on the false path are the generations of wicked people who walk that way. Hopi elders claim that in recent times, heads were added to the symbols. The lack of heads would represent the punishment of death that will befall the wicked.

“Two zigzag lines (I) branch from the false path. They represent carelessness and different paths to the final destruction pursued by the wicked people. Each zig and zag is another evil intention that eventually will be exhausted, which is indicated by the drooping symbol for turning around or sagging down (j) at their ends.

“The lower straight line (k) is the true path of life leading to everlasting life (l), symbolized by the masked figure of Maasaw (o). He holds a planting stick in one hand while touching a corn stalk with the other. Maasaw stands waiting at the end of the True Path of Life because, as he says, ‘I am the first and I am the last.’

“The True Path is interrupted in three places by arches (m) which might have been complete circles at some time in the past. These are said to represent gourds, symbolizing three great ‘shakings,’ or wars, that will rattle humanity before the Life Plan is fulfilled. Hopi elders say the third gourd is the ‘final war of purification in which all evil will be destroyed.’

“Line (n), which also resembles a corn stalk, connects the false path with the true way. It offers a last chance for the wicked to repent and return to the Path of Life. The two dead-end zigzag trails indicate complete and permanent destruction of body and soul, since they continue for only a short distance beyond the point of no return.

“Symbol (p) is obscured by scratches, but the Hopis claim it is a crucifix, added to the petroglyph after a bloody 17th century encounter with the Spanish. The symbol was at Maasaw’s behest to show that Christianity is incompatible with the Hopi Life Plan, and should not merge with it.”

The three figures on the upper path also have been interpreted to mean the white man’s inventions of the wagon and automobile, the train, and the airplane.