WORDS
Psychic. Occult. Possessed. Sacrifice. Voodoo.
What associations, visions and emotions do these words evoke
in you?
How about: Angels. God. Heaven. Altruism. Sacrifice.
Different sets of words both with sacrifice. Associations you already hold in your mind play a big part of your
perceptions. Words have power because of what the reader brings. Since I
consider metaphysical subjects quite often, I thought I’d give you some food
for thought.
I have been intrigued by native medicine and healing practices for a long time. I have researched and
ordered rain forest herbs for specific ailments, carefully tried to get all the
vitamins and herbs (notice plural-you should see my kitchen cabinet) that I need for my body, and have gone to healers (non-doctors) at certain times
in my life when traditional medicine failed me. I was also part of a healing group
that worked with the etheric body (subject for a later post). Part of my
journey has been like a research project on myself. Always open to alternate
methods of healing, I still hold a scientific reticence that it could be a con,
or just the suggestion of the mind--words again, and the associations we hold. Nevertheless, I have seen
some amazing things and try to remain open minded.
Many years ago, my husband and I went to Mexico and were
told of this elderly professor that collected yarn painting by
the Huichol Indians and that she might have some of her collection she would be
willing to part with, but she needed to talk to us first (check us out?). After
talking to us for quite a while, she brought out some of her yarn paintings.
You may have heard of these yarn paintings and for
those who have not, let me give you a short explanation.
The Huichol Indians
(like national treasures) are revered in Mexico
So, this lady sold us two of her yarn paintings and a statue made of beads pressed into bee's wax. At that time in
the seventies they were inexpensive (now you often see them in museums) and we were thrilled because I really loved the whole idea of these
people; descendants of the Aztecs who the Spanish could not conquer, who had
kept their culture intact and had become recognized as a national treasure
because of their integrity and beauty of spirit.
It wasn’t until several months later while staring at one of the
yarn paintings hanging on the wall, in a moment of complete relaxation--sort of
meditation where no words were running through my mind, that this head popped
out like a psychedelic blip. In the swirl of red and orange designs was the
head of a mara’kame in the negative space that I hadn’t
seen before and didn’t know was there. A mara’kame (mar-uh-ka-may) is a Mexican healer or shaman.
(For more on mara’kame, shamans and use of peyote: http://bit.ly/zz78Rk Personal reminiscences of Mexico
When I got past the surprise and excitement of the moment, I
gleaned deep insight into what the Huichol artist had seen and experienced and
was able to bring out in his art. I understood the wonder of his peyote
experience, the power of the mara’kame
as shaman, the power of color and art in healing and teaching by getting beyond words. I
felt it all at once in that moment of stark clarity when I wasn’t holding any
resistance or mental blocks.
3 comments:
Wow, what a post. I wish I could comment with something worth while, but today is a strange day. I did know about yarn paintings, and I've been fascinated with Native American culture, though I haven't researched it as much as I perhaps should. Your words are beautiful, though. It is amazing what we can feel when we let go of those stubborn mental blocks, isn't it?
Medicine healers, whether they are called curanderas or mara'kame's is something that I have encountered during my younger life. In Mexican and Mexican American neighborhoods here in the U.S, the healer was the curandera that the family called when someone was ill instead of going to the doctor. This wasn't for serious illnesses but for fevers, stomach aches, muscle pains, and such. The curandera used herbs, teas, ointments, and oils.
When my mom was able to afford medical insurance we still used herbs and teas for less serious ills as well as the use of a sobador (like a masseuse) for muscle strains.
I love Huichol arts and crafts and you're fortunate to have bought some back in the '70's since the prices are exorbitant now.
In my husbands experience, curanderas often have psychic abilities as well as healing abilities. I was so inspired by these native healers that I feature curanderas in my novel to come out at the end of the year. It's nice to hear from someone with direct experience. Thanks for your comments.
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