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The Hopi Survival Kit: The Prophecies, Instructions and Warnings Revealed by the Last Elders
Now made public for the first time—an ancient Hopi spiritual guide that may hold the key to our survival in the next millennium
For nearly a century the Elders of Hotevilla—a tiny village on a remote Hopi reservation in Arizona—have been guarding the secrets and prophecies of a thousand-year-old covenant that was created to ensure the well-being of the earth and its creatures. But the elders are dying, and there is no one left to pass on its remarkable teachings. Renowned Native American expert Thomas Mails was chosen by the last surviving elders to reveal to the outside world the sacred Hopi prophecy and instructions at precisely the time in history when they are most urgently needed. The Hopi Survival Kit is the first full revelation of traditional Hopi prophecy. Many of its predictions have already been realized, but the most shattering apocalyptic events are still to occur. And though this may be a sobering realization, it is also our best defense. For the Hopi teachings give detailed instructions for survival—our actions can alter the pace and intensity of what will happen and help avoid a cataclysmic end.
For nearly a century the Elders of Hotevilla—a tiny village on a remote Hopi reservation in Arizona—have been guarding the secrets and prophecies of a thousand-year-old covenant that was created to ensure the well-being of the earth and its creatures. But the elders are dying, and there is no one left to pass on its remarkable teachings. Renowned Native American expert Thomas Mails was chosen by the last surviving elders to reveal to the outside world the sacred Hopi prophecy and instructions at precisely the time in history when they are most urgently needed. The Hopi Survival Kit is the first full revelation of traditional Hopi prophecy. Many of its predictions have already been realized, but the most shattering apocalyptic events are still to occur. And though this may be a sobering realization, it is also our best defense. For the Hopi teachings give detailed instructions for survival—our actions can alter the pace and intensity of what will happen and help avoid a cataclysmic end.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1996
70 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 20, 2010
I'm becoming discouraged by books about the Hopi right now. This book at least addresses the subject matter that I was interested in reading about. However, the way that it was done is just irritating. First off, Mails isn't a very good author. The book would have made a GREAT documentary, where it sat around and interviewed Mails about his opinion, but as a book, and a book that (I was hoping) is purportedly a scholarly work, this certianly was alot of Mails' opinion. It was also interesting, because he refuses to get into Hopi mysticism (which is integral to Hopi-ness) but he wants us all to get on the ark. I'm all about getting on the Ark. I'm all about living a simple, non-materialistic, self-sufficient life. But, really, Mr. Mails? Is that the big secret? That is the hidden truth that the Hopi'd been holding from the world till you in all your importance came along?
What I'd have liked much better would have been a collection of the Hopi Elders Newsletters. Mails tells us the content of many of the newsletters, but the way he orgainzies and arranges it. Is sporatinc and confusing. Anyways, I've vented long enough. I'm still looking for a good work on the hopi - one that is respectful of hop mythology, but at the same time, not an opinion piece. A scholarly, mystical and serious look at hopi mythology and prophecy, and a native hopi look on thier archetypal meaning.
What I'd have liked much better would have been a collection of the Hopi Elders Newsletters. Mails tells us the content of many of the newsletters, but the way he orgainzies and arranges it. Is sporatinc and confusing. Anyways, I've vented long enough. I'm still looking for a good work on the hopi - one that is respectful of hop mythology, but at the same time, not an opinion piece. A scholarly, mystical and serious look at hopi mythology and prophecy, and a native hopi look on thier archetypal meaning.
April 10, 2018
Wanted to like it, but the writing is both too sensational, repetitive and dramatic. Plus the author would throw in odd personal comments and reflections at weird times.
January 18, 2024
I overheard some people at church talking about this book, based on the snippet of the conversation I overheard, I had high hopes for this book.
But overall I was greatly disappointed. The author spent lots of time referencing the “instructions, warnings, prophecies, and the covenant of the Hopi.” But very little time actually getting into what these are.
I did find the little bit that actually discussed Hopi culture and traditions very interesting. But there was much too little of this, and far too much of the author’s opinions as well as tedious portions of tribal infighting and politics. Much of it I found almost unreadable.
2.5 ⭐️
But overall I was greatly disappointed. The author spent lots of time referencing the “instructions, warnings, prophecies, and the covenant of the Hopi.” But very little time actually getting into what these are.
I did find the little bit that actually discussed Hopi culture and traditions very interesting. But there was much too little of this, and far too much of the author’s opinions as well as tedious portions of tribal infighting and politics. Much of it I found almost unreadable.
2.5 ⭐️
May 8, 2011
I started this book because it had an interesting premise and it started out with a history of the Hopi culture and the trials and tribulations they experienced. The writing style is kind of absurd, in the sense that there isn't a lot of editing etc. Basically the ultimate interpretations of the prophecies to survive could be summarized as "live a simple spiritual self-sufficient life". The prophecies themselves are also interesting but I somehow doubt the veracity of some of them, suggestions that the world will end in 1999 and references to Nostradamus also were odd. But really I think that this book is an interesting book by a guy who allegedly was close to some of the last Hopi traditionalists and I think that his other book he co-wrote with Dan the Elderest Elder or reading the newletters he makes reference too would probably provide one with a more accurate account of what the Hopi prophecies are.
June 22, 2015
Interesting--sometimes profound; but poorly written and organized.
April 10, 2018
Apparently, Dan Evehema, the source for this account of the Hopi First Nation, has written a direct message to the world, now published online. Here's an excerpt:
"Hopi, the younger brother, was instructed [by the Great Spirit] to cover all land and mark it well with footprints and sacred markings to claim this land for the Creator and peace on earth. We established our ceremonials and sacred shrines to hold this world in balance in accordance with our first promise to the Creator. This is how our migration story goes, until we meet the Creator at Old Oribe (place that solidifies) over 1000 years ago. It was at that meeting when he gave to us these prophecies to give to you now at this closing of the Fourth World of destruction and the beginning of the Fifth World of peace. He gave us many prophecies to pass on to you and all have come to pass. This is how we know the timing is now to reveal the last warnings and instructions to mankind. ... Hotevilla was established by the last remaining spiritual elders to maintain peace and balance on this continent from the tip of South America up to Alaska. Many of our friends say Hotevilla is a sacred shrine, a national and world treasure and must be preserved. We need your help. Yet in well over 200 years the original Americans have not seen a free day. We are suffering the final insult."
It's signed, but not dated: "Chief Dan Evehema, Spiritual leader, Eldest Elder Greeswood / Roadrunner Clan Society Father / Snake Priest / Kachina Father. From Hotevilla, Arizona, Hopi Sovereign Nation."
Read the whole missive here:
http://www.jnanadana.org/hopi/dan'...
Read the above in conjunction with the newsletters, published 1975-1986, entitled "Techqua Ikachi" (The land, My life), written and published as a kind of samizdat underground press by the Hopi Traditionalist elders themselves (now also available online at the above website). As to the Mails book, although the style is very rambling, and some of his interpretations depart from what Evehema himself writes in the above "missive to the world," it is nonetheless a good source for the telling of the story of how and why the clandestine newsletters were eventually published, even under threats from the Tribal Council, and includes information about the Hopi Prophecies that will doubtless be new to many readers. One of my favorites among the prophecies told herein:
"There are two water serpents, one at each pole with a warrior sitting on his head and tail. These command nature to warn us by her activities that time is getting short and we must correct ourselves. If we refuse to heed these warnings, the warriors will let go of the serpents, they will rise up, and all will perish."
chp.7 Prophecies Present and Future, p.206, under the rubric "Prophecies Yet to Be Fulfilled"
But again, compare Evehema's words above, according to which "all prophecies have [already] come to pass." There is the contradiction between Mails who writes in this book that some prophecies have yet to be fulfilled whereas Evehema himself says everything is done now, and the story can be told. The reader, like this one, may find themselves in need of an elder to help with the above serpents, and all other obscure parts of the prophecies. There's testimony from Thomas Banyacya, Sr., Hopi Elder, interpreter for the Kikmongwis (Hopi spiritual leaders) that may also be of use; he took his message all the way to Salzburg, Austria, in 1992. Read his words online: https://ratical.org/radiation/WorldUr...
Teaser: Everyone should learn about the "gourd of ashes" prophecy.
"Hopi, the younger brother, was instructed [by the Great Spirit] to cover all land and mark it well with footprints and sacred markings to claim this land for the Creator and peace on earth. We established our ceremonials and sacred shrines to hold this world in balance in accordance with our first promise to the Creator. This is how our migration story goes, until we meet the Creator at Old Oribe (place that solidifies) over 1000 years ago. It was at that meeting when he gave to us these prophecies to give to you now at this closing of the Fourth World of destruction and the beginning of the Fifth World of peace. He gave us many prophecies to pass on to you and all have come to pass. This is how we know the timing is now to reveal the last warnings and instructions to mankind. ... Hotevilla was established by the last remaining spiritual elders to maintain peace and balance on this continent from the tip of South America up to Alaska. Many of our friends say Hotevilla is a sacred shrine, a national and world treasure and must be preserved. We need your help. Yet in well over 200 years the original Americans have not seen a free day. We are suffering the final insult."
It's signed, but not dated: "Chief Dan Evehema, Spiritual leader, Eldest Elder Greeswood / Roadrunner Clan Society Father / Snake Priest / Kachina Father. From Hotevilla, Arizona, Hopi Sovereign Nation."
Read the whole missive here:
http://www.jnanadana.org/hopi/dan'...
Read the above in conjunction with the newsletters, published 1975-1986, entitled "Techqua Ikachi" (The land, My life), written and published as a kind of samizdat underground press by the Hopi Traditionalist elders themselves (now also available online at the above website). As to the Mails book, although the style is very rambling, and some of his interpretations depart from what Evehema himself writes in the above "missive to the world," it is nonetheless a good source for the telling of the story of how and why the clandestine newsletters were eventually published, even under threats from the Tribal Council, and includes information about the Hopi Prophecies that will doubtless be new to many readers. One of my favorites among the prophecies told herein:
"There are two water serpents, one at each pole with a warrior sitting on his head and tail. These command nature to warn us by her activities that time is getting short and we must correct ourselves. If we refuse to heed these warnings, the warriors will let go of the serpents, they will rise up, and all will perish."
chp.7 Prophecies Present and Future, p.206, under the rubric "Prophecies Yet to Be Fulfilled"
But again, compare Evehema's words above, according to which "all prophecies have [already] come to pass." There is the contradiction between Mails who writes in this book that some prophecies have yet to be fulfilled whereas Evehema himself says everything is done now, and the story can be told. The reader, like this one, may find themselves in need of an elder to help with the above serpents, and all other obscure parts of the prophecies. There's testimony from Thomas Banyacya, Sr., Hopi Elder, interpreter for the Kikmongwis (Hopi spiritual leaders) that may also be of use; he took his message all the way to Salzburg, Austria, in 1992. Read his words online: https://ratical.org/radiation/WorldUr...
Teaser: Everyone should learn about the "gourd of ashes" prophecy.
March 30, 2025
This book should have been a third of the size. While there are a few (and I mean very few) parts of the book that actually talk about anything important or interesting relating to the Hopi history, culture, and religion for the most part this book is just repetative preachy propaganda. It really felt like the author was trying to induct me into a cult (he frequently used all capitals when referencing the INSTRUCTIONS and the WARNINGS that he would be sharing and we need to follow) that wasn't helped by the fact that the final page asks you to send them money (granted I am 30 years late to reading this so it is probably moot point now). The author also self-promotes his his Hotevilla book constantly and mentions he talks about certain things in that book. Okay, fine, but I am not reading that book. Mention it once as a book to reference for further information and then leave it alone. Then he constantly brings something up just to say he will talk about it in a later chapter, mostly the final chapter 11. He even does this in chapter 11! He has parts that focus on world politics and doesn't even relate to the Hopi at all. Then, a lot of time is spent on villainizing the Tribal Council (by all means, I get this book is focused on the traditional ways, but the way it was done felt like a smear campaign) and his major dislike of the director for the Office of Cultural Preservation. At one point, he talks about the criticism that another one of his books (not about the Hopi) received by a professor. What does that have to do with anything relating to the Hopi and this book? Though, after reading this book, I am sure the professor had valid points regarding the other book.
February 20, 2023
Written in 1997. Has a lot of emotionally heavy energy around the government treatment of sovereign native nations, especially focused on the Hopi. At the same time, plenty of interesting information on the influence of Western culture and it's not so positive beliefs & motivations.
Reading this in 2023, I think about the final circle on the Hopi tablet & wonder if we're finally there. My own life has recently shifted through an organic realization that Western culture is empty. My experience has brought me closer to nature & I've had similar realizations through my work with the land & the plants that were revealed by Massau. So, I take this as confirmation that those of us making the effort to disconnect our dependency on modern convenience, removing ourselves from the debt slave system, and start growing our own food & prep may be in a better position as things continue to deteriorate. But I also believe we have the ability to consciously transcend a lot of the heavier things in the world by focusing on what we want to experience and create.
Reading this in 2023, I think about the final circle on the Hopi tablet & wonder if we're finally there. My own life has recently shifted through an organic realization that Western culture is empty. My experience has brought me closer to nature & I've had similar realizations through my work with the land & the plants that were revealed by Massau. So, I take this as confirmation that those of us making the effort to disconnect our dependency on modern convenience, removing ourselves from the debt slave system, and start growing our own food & prep may be in a better position as things continue to deteriorate. But I also believe we have the ability to consciously transcend a lot of the heavier things in the world by focusing on what we want to experience and create.
March 4, 2021
Like this review is going to be, this book was underwhelming, tangential, over-written and in desperate need of an editor. I don’t want to put the effort into an explanation, but feel a good rant is in order. I wish I would have skimmed parts of it in retrospect. To be honest I understood Victor Frankl’s Logo-therapy better than this fellah’s “spiritual ark”. And while I consider myself a True White Brother, I might could be a liiiiiiiiittle south of truly righteous at the moment to be of much assistance. That is if I could even decipher these convoluted ramblings. But I will try to align myself with some of what I understood. For instance not hoarding anything and living a simple Mother Earth focused life as far outside the Matrix as possible.
September 28, 2021
The book was good in that it did exactly what it said it would do; speak of the Hopi prophecies and then some. The author, a Lutheran minister, had exclusive permission from a Hopi elder to publish the book. This made it trustworthy that it was coming not only to share and reveal but also tells the story of a persecuted people. The book goes into the history of the Hopi tribe and was very thorough. I was disappointed that the Hopi folklore of the Ant people were not discussed. Yet everything else from end time prophecies to past prophecies were discussed and explained. I gave it a five stars because it was thorough. And it was done well. It can be long at times but it was a very influential read. And that is why I bought it.
January 27, 2021
Got bored while reading...
The writing style and lack of organization didn't sit well with me.
The prophecies start after 50 percent into the book which could have been written in 20 pages as a pamphlet. Also, the book has irrelevant fillers such as a bit about the Hopi history and being custodians of sacred teachings by their god that other people like Frank Waters have written extensively before.
The writing style and lack of organization didn't sit well with me.
The prophecies start after 50 percent into the book which could have been written in 20 pages as a pamphlet. Also, the book has irrelevant fillers such as a bit about the Hopi history and being custodians of sacred teachings by their god that other people like Frank Waters have written extensively before.
September 14, 2021
Excellent, A Must Read.
For anyone who has interest in the Hopi culture this book will enlighten and surprise with its dedication to Traditionlist Hopi outlook on the world and life in general.
For anyone who has interest in the Hopi culture this book will enlighten and surprise with its dedication to Traditionlist Hopi outlook on the world and life in general.
June 29, 2020
A lot of great information but a difficult writing style.
January 20, 2022
I got about 10% of ths way through this book and could not go any further
February 8, 2022
Interesting. Repetitive. Emphatic.
July 25, 2008
I am really into Hopi culture from what I have gathered. He seemed to have a intimate connection with one particular elder, which whom I liked from the descriptions. He was a bit too eccentric I think about certain things and repeated himself way too much! The book could of been much shorter and got across everything just fine. Some was a bit too dogmatic too. I liked being able to learn some history of the land and the current climate. On how much the prophecies tell, from what he said, it was a bit too vague for me. The wassua (sp?) character is very interesting to me and the creation type story all with it. I would like to read the other book he did with the direct stories from the elders that they printed in a newspaper they did, called something with the name of the city/town hotelvilla?. This I think is just some follow up to it, so he's repeating a lot of things and filling it up with a lot of unnecessary dogmatic scare things. I mean, people should care about the environment and spiritual growth, but when things come at you like that, I get the suspicion it is out of fear, and that is the opposite of love.
February 10, 2009
The Hopi prophesies tell us that those that follow the broken path with be swept aside when the fifth world turns. Malis does a great job of explaining how the myth and the warning can be applied to our daily lives. Regardless of if you believe in/fear the coming of 2012, this book is a great analysis of the loss of traditionalist native american culture.
October 10, 2015
The author, a non-Hopi, asserts that he was taught the myths, traditions, and religion of the last Hopi elders as there was no one else to receive this information {take with a grain of salt]. This work presents his version of the Hopi culture. What also helps create skepticism is the solicitation for funds at the end of the book.
December 15, 2010
This book is an amazing account of an ancient culture of peace. The Hopi traditions, values, and social structure is a beautiful example of how far away "Western culture" is from the more established ancient Western cultures that continue to fight for their visibility even today.
June 21, 2007
all you need to know...
The definite how-to guide for living a just, abundant and worthwhile life beyond the currently ending Hopi 4th World cycle.
The definite how-to guide for living a just, abundant and worthwhile life beyond the currently ending Hopi 4th World cycle.
May 21, 2008
Writer's style is somewhat difficult to read - a really long winded introduction - but so far, quite interesting.
September 2, 2008
A truly amazing book about the last days of the Hopi elders.
Sad and inspirational at the same time. We owe to the Earth to live the simplest lives possible, anything more is suicide.
Sad and inspirational at the same time. We owe to the Earth to live the simplest lives possible, anything more is suicide.
September 10, 2016
Fascinating and forward thinking of the Hopi traditions and forecasts. So many predictions coming true already. Very worthwhile!
April 4, 2016
An excellent explanation of History and about the State of the People of the world today and of the world to come.
October 26, 2023
I could only read a few pages at a sitting to be able to absorb the intense information. I can see some of the predictions are already coming true. This was well written.
June 26, 2023
Everybody should read this one.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews