I recently went through my online storage areas of graphics and website management posts and came across the above graphic, designed for me many years ago, when I ran a Goddess oriented learning website on MSN communties and groups back in the ancient days of the internet.
The graphic was designed over twenty years ago, before my shamanic journey had kicked in and made itself known. The designer was a member of the spiritual learning site and had picked up many things about me that she designed for my logo. Although I do not have a drop of Native American blood in my veins, I do walk a red path as taught to me by a Cherokee medicine woman many years ago. All the different traditions and spiritual paths I have learned over the years has fit into the journey and helped me understand who I am and what my purpose is. The image above is one of a shaman - long before the shaman within me grew into position and today when I came across this, it brought a smile to my face because Layanna understood and now so do I. *smiles*
Last week, I made the choice to head back to the club to inquire about renting the place for a Samhain bash. I was confronted with the situation of having to deal with a known shit stirrer and gossip monger, in order to get to the individual I needed to speak with. When I do business, in spite of whether I trust or like an individual or don't like them and don't trust them...I am always professional and polite. I guess since I was polite, this individual seems to think, (by the word that got around less than 12 hours later) that because I was nice, I made amends. I didn't have anything to make amends for nor did the words "I'm Sorry" ever come out of my mouth during the time I had to deal with the creature who stirs the cauldron of stench. I did nothing but remove the individual from my life because I have no need for drama, backstabbing and reputation ruining with maliciousness. After the board election and blatant public attack, I have no use for such a person in my life. Friends don't stab friends in the back for no apparent reason other than disagreeing with outlandish ideas and illegal business ethics. Yet somehow in their delusional mind, because I was professional and polite, word going around from her mouth is that I made amends. That one I don't think I will ever understand but who knows, perhaps the Universe will reveal the answer of how this individual came to such a ridiculous conclusion.
The Labor day holiday I spent with good friends...good energy, food and wine. I brought over the bottle of red wine that another friend gifted me with for my birthday this past Spring. I was saving it for a special occasion and gathering with friends for a holiday BBQ in Antelope Valley was perfect. Two of those friends are Celtic and Scottish pagans and I adore their energy and our intense conversations. I discovered that the female friend also has some Cherokee in her blood line on her father's side (half Italian and half Cherokee from father) and when she discovered during a conversation we had when she asked what my spiritual background is and what do I 'label' myself as a shaman...and we went into the history since I was 16. She wants me to teach her some of what I know and remember and still practice today in regards to the Cherokee. I did tell her that we would first have to trace her Cherokee lineage through the Dawes Rolls and figure out which band she is from. The different bands (Keetoowah and the Eastern band and the Cherokee Nation) have slightly different dialect and rituals/practices so before I could teach her, I would have to know her Cherokee lineage which we will have to find the time to research.
It is interesting because we also got into a brief discussion about 'coin'. Being paid for service. While some believe it is okay to charge for your gifts and assistance, I can see what they were saying. I, however, work a different way. Because what I do is part of my purpose for being here, I am not out to get rich for money is the root of all the evil in the world today. Instead of charging, I prefer to 'barter' for services rendered and did make mention that I would be interested in acupuncture sessions in return for teaching the student how to bring forth her Native heritage as she has been drawn back to with her awakening. The Cherokee do not believe in charging money for services and sacred ceremonies but much has been commercialized. It was unacceptable to accept 'coin' and it is still something that I struggle with however, with today's economy it is understandable why it has become commercialized. Sadly there are many not authorized, who perform sweat lodges (Sedona Az was known and a few were hospitalized because of neglect and ignorance of a group of caucasian con artists) and other sacred rituals and ceremonies at other people's expense. The reason it is unacceptable to accept coin is because healers are not predators who prey on the ill who are in a bad spot and because a gift cannot have a price put on it.
Some tribes would require the patient to obtain certain items for a ritual or healing while other tribal patients gave healers blankets, deerskins and furs, weapons, or horses in exchange for their help. These gifts that were given to the healer/medicine person were symbols of the value the patients held for the healing. Today, like others have said, a weapon or horse won't put food on the table so it is not surprising that others charge an astronomical amount for 'workshops' under the guise of Cherokee Medicine. We will not turn away the gifts but we do not charge coin because healing cannot have a price put on it as it is a gift to the healers as well and would go against the Universal force of the Great Spirit. Handmade products to be sold to the public can have a price tag as its intent is to be put forth to the world but healing and use of gifts is priceless, much like life itself is priceless.
Worry not, I am not a poor woman by any means, for all my bills are paid and I have all the necessities as well as working my own schedule as I work for myself. I have luxuries and fine wear but that is because I have worked hard to achieve such things of pleasure and enjoyment. Yet I work differently than those driven by the mighty dollar. I sleep well and am healthy. I live right and have a clear conscious and soul. I have no regrets in life nor do I ever say I am sorry for I am careful about what I do and say. My intentions are good and evolved with unconditional love. Those that have proven untrustworthy or dangerous/malicious/harmful are kept at a distance, including blood family. I do not do toxic dynamics.
My days are long and I am careful about who I help, even if they ask for assistance. The Cherokee are taught to choose one's battles wisely. Many people want help but do not want to do the work on themselves or their own situation, which is a result/consequence of their own free will and personal decisions, as well as either reactions or responses. They want someone else to do the work for them, to do some magic and make it all perfect again or to change their situation or make them feel good. That is not our job nor are we permitted to step in and help such individuals. We have a price to pay for the things we do and healing isn't some magic that happens by waving a wand. It comes from within us...healing takes our energy and does make us ill sometimes in different ways if we do not expend what dis-ease we take from others.
Shaman walk between the worlds of light and dark. We are faced with demons and such and have done battle with evil. Sometimes others bring on their own demons they want rid of yet continue to do the same deeds that drew them in the first place, so in all reality, we must be careful with what we do because we do have a price we must pay for helping others, that most of humanity does not consider because it is a self-serving species.
So I walk the path I do, live the adventures I do and enjoy life to the fullest as I walk each moment. Not everything is always perfect nor is everything always good. Yet we make the most of a moment and experience and that is what life is about. *smiles*
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