LIBRARY OF ARTICLES
CHEROKEE MEDICINE WRITINGS
ON MEDICINE MEN AND A HEALING CEREMONY
by Susan Bates
I have met many people on this path who claim to be Medicine Men or Shamans. Often this elevation to Medicine Man has occurred within a few years of the person "realizing" that they, indeed, are Cherokee. I wonder how many of these people would be so quick to claim the title if they realized what doing so entails.
Before a person can even be considered a Medicine Man , (dida:hnvwi"sgi - a curer of them, he/she) he must spend years learning the Cherokee sacred formulas, the idi:gawé:sdi (to say it, one) which not only includes herbal remedies, but embodies a whole range of knowledge relating to such matters as love magic, protective charms, divining charms, and purification rites.
When approached for help, a Cherokee healer, if he thought he could do the job, might say, "I'll doctor you a little bit." He would never approach a person claiming that he could cure him or her because if he failed, the patient had the right and the duty to kill the Healer since he was ineffective.
Until 1625, Cherokee ceremonies, healing and otherwise, were done only in Cherokee. In that year, English words were allowed to be used. But we did not and do not, use other languages or borrow traditions from other cultures and incorporate them into our own ceremonies. In fact, claiming someone else's traditions as our own is blood fraud and the penalty for this is severe.
Having said all of this, I want to announce that the Intertribal Social Club Gourd Dancers of the White River Band of Northern Cherokees will host a traditional Native American Healing Ceremony which will be held on October 6, 2001, from 10 to 4, at the Ottawa Tribal Powwow Grounds east of Miami, Oklahoma. The "Wiping Away The Tears Gathering" is for healing, purification, wholeness, release from hurtful memories, guilt, emotional pain from abuse and neglect, freedom from past mistakes and experiences, freedom from prejudice and restoring lives. Veterans are especially urged to attend. There will be a free noon meal and give aways, including a Pendleton Blanket. You are cordially invited to attend, but please register first by calling any of  the 4 following numbers: (918) 542 - 3809; (316) 856 - 1979; (417) 223 - 7213; or (501) 848 - 3186. Be sure to bring your own
lawn chairs. Hope to see you there.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.
Hippocrates (460 BC - 377 BC)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Bates.
Visit Susan's website, Native American Journal, dedicated to helping people rediscover their heritage. She has helped thousands of people reconnect with their beloved ancestors and features insider tribal news. The Native American Journal is a truth-seeking, truth-telling website honoring everyone's path and preparing all for the Great Earth Changes. The Native American Journal supports Leonard Peltier, the Dineh, and Mother Earth.
E-Mail: susanbates@webtv.net
Website: http://members.tripod.com/-susanbates/nativeamericanjrnl-index.html
(We are all related)
WORDS FROM 'TWEEN
We are very grateful to know Susan as our friend, and now we have the opportunity to share her words of wisdom and messages from the ancestors, with you, Dear Reader. Please join us in welcoming Susan to 'tween, stop by her website or send her an email. |
