GOOD MEDICINE AND DIVINE LAW

Native American medicine and sacred traditions never depend on written laws, but upon the personal qualities and sense of integrity demonstrated by the gifted.

Throughout time, gifted people have been called to share their wisdom and their commitment by serving others. In the course of history, many have used their natural abilities to support the growth of their clans and tribes. The Traditions that have been passed down to the following generations have flourished under the watchful eyes of faithful servants of the Earth Mother and the Creator.

Written laws about how the medicine was to be used have not existed. Oral messages about how the stories were to be told and how the Traditions were to be followed have supplied the guidelines. Every tribe has depended on the integrity of the gifted, insuring that the ministrations received were correct and healing. The abuse the natural abilities has occurred from time to time. The harm created is not punished by written laws. The resulting harsh live lessons, which bring the abuser’s misuse of Good Medicine back into balance, are the sole property of the Creator.

This kind of justice may seem strange to other races. This balancing of the incorrect use of integrity may not be swift, but it does happen. The way of justice provides any abuser of Sacred Trust with the lessons needed to correct behavior.

Jamie Sams in Earth Medicine

As you sow, so shall you reap. What goes around comes around. It seems to be an almost universal message. This becomes even more important when a person with special powers and responsibilities uses his or her status to abuse or misuse that position of trust. Spiritual leaders who use their power and influence to abuse parishioners. Politicians who use their position to divert public funds into their accounts. Fill in the blanks, I’m sure you know of many examples.

Note: In many Native American traditions the medicine can have a meaning far different from the way we use it. Medicine can mean the herbs and ceremonies used for physical healing. It can also mean wisdom; earth medicine is earth wisdom. Seeking to understand the tallest mountain and smallest grain of sand. The great oceans and the smallest drop of rain.