Our logo is inspired by the Deer Mask found at Spiro Mound in present-day Oklahoma, dating back to the 12th-14th centuries AD. Carved from red cedar and adorned with marine shell, this sacred object is believed to have been worn by a shaman during the Deer Ceremony, a ritual dance meant to ensure balance between people and the animal world, and to call forth abundance in the hunt. An artifact from the Mississippian culture, part of what scholars now refer to as the “Southern Death Cult”, which reflects a deep spiritual connection with the natural world.

We chose this symbol with great care. In many “old way” traditions, the deer is the one that gives its life so that others may live. It is a being of grace, humility, and quiet strength. The antlers represent receptivity, antennae to the spirit world, while the mask itself calls attention to the ceremonial roles that once guided communities in rhythm with the land.

At In The Old Way Institute, we see the Spiro Deer Mask not as a relic or artifact, but as a reminder. It speaks to our purpose: to rekindle the old ways of listening, remembering, and living in harmony with Earth. As languages vanish, as the voices of elders grow quiet, we hold this image as a sacred marker, pointing us back to the ceremonies, teachings, and stories that once kept us in balance.

This logo is not a decoration. It is a prayer carved in wood and shell. A commitment to walk gently, remember deeply, and keep the fire of tradition alive.