Rosicrucian Beacon Magazine - 2012-09 - AMORC

punished, but only four times. You will be givenonly four trials in your life, and when you facethe fifth, your life will end. Live well therefore,live in the ways of our people and I will hold youlightly, as between two fingers. But if you disobeyme I will drop you, and you will never return.Goodbye, I am ever at your side.”Then, taking a step back, the Kachina raised his lefthand in salutation and faded from sight as a soft eaglefeather rose from the floor, floated through the door andvanished.Jon led an active and rugged life, and never forgothis Guardian Spirit’s admonition. In the many times ofdanger and stress he had to endure, he felt the presenceat his side of his Kachina guarding and protecting him sohe could face and overcome the trials he was destined toundergo. For the rest of his life he remained at the pueblo,though also learned eventually the modern ways, and thelanguage of city people. But he lived a life of frugality inservice to his own people. He was initiated into the secretsof his ancestors, learned the ancient rituals and became amodern ‘Medicine Man’.Holy Man: Medicine ManThis is one instance of how a Native American becamea modern Medicine Man. It wasn’t always done in thisway. Frequently however, there was a vision or psychicexperience around the age of 12 or 13, and the boy thenknew his destiny. The Medicine Man’s contact with hisThe sacred medicine bundle was the holiest of items among the NativeAmericans. Each bundle contained a varied collection of objects andrepresentations of spiritual significance, from animal skins and effigiesto ceremonial pipes. Stewardship of these bundles was usually vested in amember of a tribal clan or society, although the power of the bundle wasbelieved to be beneficial to the entire tribe. The bundles were opened onspecific occasions, and according to precise ritual. (Source: http://www.barefootsworld.net/sacred_bundle.html)Howard Terpning’s Blessing from the Medicine Man. In his psychic,psychological and psychiatric work the Medicine Man excelled. Hewould heal the whole man or woman. (Source: http://itooamhere.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/appreciating-native-american-art.html)fellow tribesmen was close and frequent. He was knownand watched from infancy. His advice, visions andpremonitions had to be successful most of the time or hewould lose the respect of the tribe. He therefore had tobe good at what he did.You may recall how in the New Testament Jesus wasridiculed in his home town. His neighbours dared himto demonstrate his powers, and that was not the bestenvironment for good and noble works. The instancesof rejection of genius by friends, relatives, home townsand native countries are numerous. Yet, in the instanceof the Medicine Man, serving under the most trying ofconditions, we find tribal acceptance.Just who were the Native American Medicine Menand what services did they perform? The title is deceptive,for it seems that the word “medicine” was associatedwith any mysterious force. As the tribal holy man wasthe one called upon to deal with the mysterious and theunexplained, he was in many ways the one person aboveall who could deliver true healing to his tribe. Hence hewas a true ‘Medicine Man’.Life’s mysteries however, extend beyond medication.We must therefore consider the title in its broadest possiblesense. He was the tribe’s minister, philosopher, singer,ritualist, artist, physician, prophet, seer, psychologist,historian, and much more. Primarily however, he was aholy man who cared more for his people and their historyand traditions than any others alive.In the field of physical therapeutics, the MedicineMen made extensive and notable contributions. Sweatbaths, sun bathing, spinal manipulation and counterirritation (zone and reflex therapy) were reportedlyused by them. They also set broken bones, performedbloodletting, pulled teeth and bandaged wounds. Theyprescribed diets as well as fasts. Their herbal, animal andmineral remedies have been a constant source from whichThe Rosicrucian Beacon -- September 201227