The Celestial Star Gods
The Skidi Pawnee organized their entire society around the stars. Six major stars represented gods controlled by Tirawa: the North Star (watched over the people), Northeast Star (Big Black Meteoric Star, controlled animals and bison), Southeast Star (Red Star, regulated day and animals), South Star (ruled the land of the dead), Southwest Star, and Northwest Star (both female). The Milky Way contained paths that guided the dead to South Star's dominion. The sun (Shakuru) and moon (Pah) were the last gods placed in the heavens. The four villages of the Skidi were given by the four leading stars.