Lakota Divine Woman: Part 2

Part 1 of this series can be found here. Understanding part 1 will be essential to understanding this second part, which deals with the symbolic identity of White Buffalo Calf Woman.

Other than the meaning behind the sacred pipe to symbolically identify her, we have two other things. The account of Black Elk tells us that she is wakan, or sacred/holy/divine. She is a heavenly type of being. Secondly, accounts of her visit demonstrate that the man with “bad intentions” towards her could not accomplish his design.

“Early one morning, very many winters ago, two Lakota were out hunting with their bows and arrows, and as they were standing on a hill looking for game, they saw in the distance something coming towards them in a very strange and wonderful  manner. When this mysterious thing came nearer to them, they saw that it was a very beautiful woman, dressed in white buckskin, and bearing a bundle on her back. Now this woman was so good to look at that one of the Lakota had bad intentions and told his friend of his desire, but this good man said that he must not have such thoughts, for surely this is a wakan woman. The mysterious person was now very close to the men, and then putting down her bundle, she asked the one with bad intentions to come over to her. As the young man approached the mysterious woman, they were both covered by a great cloud, and soon when it lifted the sacred woman was standing there, and at her feet was the man with the bad thoughts who was now nothing but bones, and terrible snakes were eating him.” The Sacred Pipe, p. 3-4.

This woman had power to remain undefiled, despite the bad intentions of another. This, to me, is a tradition meant to preserve something about her nature that helps us identify her type in scripture. This relays the nature of her innate “purity,” both physically and spiritually, in my opinion. I find this similar to a description of a certain woman in scripture:

And it came to pass that the spirit said unto me, Look. And I looked and beheld a tree, and it was like unto the tree which my father had seen; and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty, and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow. And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the spirit, I behold thou hast shewn unto me the tree which is most precious above all. And he said unto me, What desireth thou? And I said unto him, To know the interpretation thereof — for I spake unto him as a man speaketh, for I beheld that he was in the form of a man. Yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.
 And it came to pass that he said unto me, Look. And I looked as if to look upon him and I saw him not, for he had gone from before my presence. And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth, and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceeding fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the Heavens open, and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me, Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him, A virgin most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. And he said unto me, Knowest thou the condescension of God? And I said unto him, I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. And he said unto me, Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the Mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the spirit.
 And after she had been carried away in the spirit for the space of a time, the angel spake unto me, saying, Look. And I looked and beheld the virgin again bearing a child in her arms. And the angel said unto me, Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father. Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him, saying, Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. And he spake unto me, saying, Yea, and the most joyous to the soul. 1 Nephi 3, paragraphs 7-9

To explain this passage a little, Nephi has asked God to see the same vision his father saw, and is given the same vision. He desires to know the meaning behind it and the spirit of God is explaining its meaning. Here, he learns of the Virgin Mary and the birth of Christ, which would come 600 years after this vision. The imagery in this and the angel’s responses imply a divine origin not just for Christ, but also for Mary. And Mary, of course, is through whom Christ would take up His “tabernacle of clay” and dwell among us.

If you follow the pattern, and part 1 of this series, it seems that the tradition of White Buffalo Calf Woman’s appearance, follows the role of Mary. They are both pure. They both bring to the people something of sacred importance: the means of uniting with God.

Compare this idea with these scriptures:

And Elizabeth was filled with the holy ghost, and she spoke out with a loud voice and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is it that this blessing is upon me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed are you who believed, for those things which were told you of the angel of the Lord shall be fulfilled.
 And Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed, for he who is mighty has done to me great things, and I will magnify his holy name for his mercy on those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their high seats, and exalted them of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of mercy, as he spoke to our fathers — to Abraham and to his seed for ever. Luke 1: 7-8

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. Isaiah 4:1

I do think this comparison fits with the tradition of White Buffalo Calf Woman. I also think it is possible, if there is any truth in this comparison, that the faithfully kept Lakota tradition of her, in part fulfills Mary’s words that “all generations shall call me blessed.”

Looking at this tradition another way, and taking it as a type of divine woman leads to the Revelations of John, where even Mary herself, stands of a symbol of something else.

And there appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth: a woman, clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And the woman, being with child, cried, travailing in birth and pained to be delivered. And she brought forth a male child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne.
 And there appeared another sign in heaven; and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was delivered, ready to devour her child after it was born. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred sixty years.
 And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought against Michael. And the dragon prevailed not against Michael, neither the child, nor the woman — who was the church of God — who had been delivered of her pains and brought forth the kingdom of our God and his Christ; neither was there place found in Heaven for the great dragon who was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and also called Satan, who deceives the whole world, he who was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
 And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, Now has come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night; for they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O Heavens, and you that dwell in them.
 And after these things, I heard another voice, saying, Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, yea, and they who dwell upon the islands of the sea, for the Devil has come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time; for when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the male child. Therefore, to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might flee into the wilderness, into her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent casts out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helps the woman, and the earth opens her mouth and swallows up the flood which the dragon casts out of his mouth. Therefore, the dragon was angry with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have also the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelations of John 4:1-5

This specific version, shows that though at first glance, the woman represents Mary, and the child represents Christ, even the Virgin Mary giving birth to Jesus is symbolic of “the church of God” giving birth to the “kingdom of our God and his Christ,” which, of course, comes through Jesus the Christ.

This passage also defines those who make up the “kingdom of God” as “they who have overcome him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death.” This describes those who prevailed against the dragon, and perhaps also the means of how they accomplished this. The “remnant of her seed” are also described towards the end of this passage as those “who keep the commandments of God and have also the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

As this scripture would indicate, “the church of God” isn’t necessarily or likely an organization or building that we refer to as a church today. Rather, it is whoever meets God’s requirements for being a part of His church: “Behold, this is my doctrine: whosoever repents and comes unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declares more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me. Therefore, he is not of my church.” Joseph Smith History Part 10, paragraph 19

This symbolism in the mother of Jesus is echoed in His own words:

While he was yet with them, and while he was yet speaking, there came then some of his brethren and his mother, and, standing outside, sent unto him, calling unto him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, your mother and your brethren outside seek for you. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother? Or who are my brethren? And he looked round about on them who sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren; for whoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. Mark 2:10

To tie together why this comparison of White Buffalo Calf Woman and the "church of God" matters, I've been trying to figure out how White Buffalo Calf Woman’s promise to return relates to anything I know in scripture. Obviously Christ is prophesied to return to earth, but in glory the second time, but how this ties into the promise of the divine woman (White Buffalo Calf Woman) isn’t obvious at first, unless one considers her symbolism as both a mother, and as a group of those who “repents and comes unto me (Christ),” or in other words "whoever shall do the will of God." If we also remember Mary’s ties to the beautiful and white (pure) tree Nephi saw in his vision, then we can see possibly see White Buffalo Calf Woman’s promise to return in the symbolism of another tree.

There is another prophecy in scripture that describes a “mother tree,” and a return to that tree. I’ve written about it before: how the Tree of Peace of the Six Nations resembles the prophecy, similar to how the Anishinabe Seven fires prophecies resemble the prophecies of the gathering of the house of Israel. I have created a page on this site that has the words of that prophecy, Zenos’ parable of the olive tree.

To provide context to what is happening in the part quoted from the prophecy below, the Lord of this particular vineyard has an olive tree representing the “house of Israel” that has provided good fruit in the past, but it begins to decay and die. In an effort to save the tree and still have a means of producing the fruit it used to produce, he cuts the natural branches off the tree and grafts in wild branches to preserve its good roots. The young and tender natural branches worth saving, he grafts into the “nithermost” parts of his vineyard. This works for a time. The mother tree, though separated from her natural branches is preserved, and the natural branches that were divided to different parts of the vineyard and separated from their mother do produce good fruit. But eventually things begin to go downhill again with each tree becoming corrupt and producing wild fruit. The Lord of the vineyard and his servant determine they will return the natural branches to the mother tree in one last effort to store up the desired fruit.

And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree which had become wild, and grafted in unto the natural trees which also had become wild. And they also took of the natural trees which had become wild and grafted into their mother tree. And the Lord of the vineyard saith unto the servant, Pluck not the wild branches from the trees, save it be those which are most bitter; and in them, ye shall graft according to that which I have said. And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof, and we will pluck from the trees those branches which are ripened that must perish and cast them into the fire. And this I do that perhaps the roots thereof may take strength because of their goodness, and because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil. And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their mother tree, and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that perhaps the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit, and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and perhaps that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit, wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our mights in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good, and the most precious above all other fruit. Jacob 3, paragraph 24

This comparison or my logic behind it may not be obvious for everyone to see, but I see here a parallel in White Buffalo Calf Woman promising to return, and this reunion of the natural branches and the mother tree, a union meant to return righteousness to the world prior to the second coming of her Son, a labor necessary to produce the Kingdom of God on earth as it is also in heaven.

This union is described in the scripture below as the gathering of God's people from the four quarters of the earth.

I am Mormon and a pure descendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, that he brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem — and no one knew it, save it were himself and those whom he brought out of that land — and that he hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls. Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph, and inasmuch as the children of Lehi have kept his commandments, he hath blessed them and prospered them according to his word. Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph to the knowledge of the Lord their God. And as surely as the Lord liveth will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth. And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled, in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them. And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth, so shall it be. Amen. 3 Nephi 2, paragraph 18

Some versions of White Buffalo Calf Woman have her performing four transformations into buffalo calves on her departure (Black Elk’s version contains 3). While this could represent ages as suggested in Black Elk’s version (and as I have explored a little more in this post), it may additionally represent the gathering from the four quarters peoples who have become very diverse, but who will become united, like the natural branches returning to the mother tree.

This reminds me of Christ’s words in both Jerusalem and Bountiful about His other sheep. He visited more than the people He lived among at Jerusalem. He had others in the world that knew of Him, that He visited. Likewise this type of divine woman, a mother even, may have been demonstrating a similar statement, something like, Yes, you are my people, but there are others who came from me too, and I promise to return again to all of you, and we will be reunited.

But none of it is possible without the gift she brought us, the gift of Her Son.

These are my thoughts anyway, for whatever that is worth.