There are many links on the net regarding the concept of  Medicine, usually within the Native American culture, and most simply don’t get it.  Some authors will attempt to define the term as a form of healing in the same way as a white man’s pill might heal an illness.  Medicine for the Native American is a way of life: attempting to live in some sort of balance with the rest of creation.  The path to this balance is shown by the attributes of animals and insects.    The balance might mean healing of an illness but it is much more general than just one person with one specific problem.  Medicine would be used to direct where to travel to find game.  In the Shamanic tradition around the globe, balance is the expected norm, but balance can also be a form of stagnation because nothing changes for good or bad, it is simply frozen (Nordic Rune Isa).  Medicine, when encountered can be either a momentary gift (Gebo) or it might be a signal that what was expected cannot occur until a course correction is made.  What to change or not change is shown by the spirit world through the appearance of an animal or at times an insect.  The attributes of that animal or insect must be studied to understand what needs to be done. 

Unfortunately, new age “woo woos” decided that if something was out of balance it meant the “reverse” of the attribute of the animal or insect (they just can’t let go of the Tarot jargon).  What they fail to understand is that the Universe is much more subtle than a deck of Tarot cards.  Out of balance could in fact be due to an over indulgence in an attribute of a specific animal or insect which is preventing growth.  Whenever medicine is presented by the Universe, all aspects need to be considered.  Shamans understood this very well and at times would literally attempt to reverse everything about them including how they dressed, or even walked.  Among the Druids it was believed that growth was not possible unless tension was induced into the system. 

So how then do you decide what needs to be done?  Here is where the ancient wisdom parts company with the immediate gratification needs of the modern world.  What needs to be done is understood by direct questioning of the Spirit World. Sometimes that is accomplished via a drumming or possibly use of a sweat lodge.  But that alone has to be in conjunction with appropriate timing (cycles).  There are times when Isa is exactly what is needed.  When the time is right then you act; and the “right time” is always shown by the way of a sign.  Across ancient cultures a medicine wheel or mandala  might be used in an attempt to better understand the signs.

The ancient wisdom we call “Medicine” was as much a method for creating a tribal reality as it was a tool for course correction.  It was certainly not limited to the simplistic messages of new age gurus.  You might encounter a Spider on your path today, but that does not necessarily mean you are being warned about webs of illusions you have created and are on the brink of being entangled by them.  The spider walks very deliberately, with precision and an agility that allows it to leap away from danger: and that may be the message the Universe is attempting to give to you.  To understand the medicine you must know the facts about your particular situation.  Have you been thinking of attempting a new venture such as a job change?  Spider medicine might mean that you should walk into this with the deliberate actions of a spider, but also be prepared to bounce away if necessary.

These are all fun concepts and after all, the Universe and everything in it is an infinite system of inscrutable entertainment.  Enjoy it all, including the antics of the “woo woos”.

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain (author unknown).

Nevyn

aka: Woodland Star