Being a Shaman

What would it be like to be a Shaman, a healer and leader? One has to “know thyself” well. One has to understand what powers are available and how to use them.

It is my belief that at one time, this was my responsibility. Maybe it still is? As I learned about the healing herbs, I know that this is not a new thing for me to learn. I have just gotten reacquainted with one of my talents.

My tribe still brings things to me to heal. Yesterday one of them was being attacked by something not nice. Herbs aren’t the only way to heal. Sometimes we have to listen to the inside of ourselves to find out which way would be the best way to handle a particular situation. Sometimes the Shaman must use his power to protect the tribe from enemies, seen or unseen. We use what has the most power for the situation. We suggest what would be the best protection in any case.

Doing ceremonies seem to come natural to me along with moving the energy of the sky to Mother Earth or the other way around. Moving energy from one place to another is part of the job, as is blocking energy that would be harmful.

When Aunt Ruth died, my sister’s and I were out of the area. It didn’t seem all that strange to do a candlelight service for her by her grave stone for the cousins. This is part of the Shaman’s job for this tribe.

Saying Good-bye to a wonderful lady was something that I felt good about. Talking about the memories that all of us have, was a wonderful way to say good-bye. Perhaps that is why I have my funeral all planned and it isn’t going to take place in a building with all the "holy" rules of the day.

When we went to a medicine wheel in Sedonia, I asked if I could do a blessing there with the eucalyptus leaves that I had collected along the Colorado River. It felt right to give thanks and praise to the four corners of the Earth and also to Father Sky and Mother earth.

Why do I feel so close to this dimension of my world? How about the time that I watched Dances With Wolves for the first time, I couldn’t stop crying. It was so real to me. I cried as I hauled a blanket outside along with some yarn and some feathers that I had been given. I sat on my blanket and wove the feathers into braids of yarn. Finally I got it just about the way I wanted it and went into the garage to find a pole. I made a circle of some vine that I attached to the pole, then attached the feathered cords to it and stood this up in the front yard garden. (The P garden, anchored by a pear tree and a peach tree.) I asked how to explain it to others and was told that it was a blessing for our property. I watched as the feathers twirled on the ends of their braids. I was told to put more blue on it so I hot glued some blue rocks and shells that I had. Then I could feel that it was done.

Sometimes the information is just there and sometimes one has to allow it to come. Shamans deal with all kinds of things and what ever works is the right thing.

About 10 years ago Donna wasn’t feeling well one day so I told her that she could come to my house or stay home. She decided that she wanted to be at my house. I had her lie on the davenport in the den and told her to sleep. I lighted about 20 candles all over the room. She woke up and told me that she thought she had died with all the candles glowing. I asked how she felt and she told me that she felt better. Why did the candles work? I have no idea but I felt that candles were needed.

One time I put rocks all over her to pull out the negativity and ground her. She was open to anything even if she didn’t understand it and just thought I was nuts. (not an unusual thought from most people)

How I think isn’t in line with how most people think. If you have read a lot of my stories, you already know that my life doesn’t travel in a “normal” direction. What kind of magical powers do we have? We have a lot of powers if we aren’t afraid to use them. One of my mentors told me that the beings in bodies are more powerful than the beings without bodies. I have used that information several times. We have been empowered with intuitive brains that are ready to tell us what we need to know. Our “librarian” has so much information that can be accessed for any occasion. So why don’t most people know about this, because they are so afraid of looking different.

When one walks in many worlds, they seem to be different from those around them but in truth they aren’t, because there is only one world. We all live here even the unseen live here. May I always use my power for the greatest good!