by James Wfe Mooney

Created on: January 03, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

To satisfy the many inquiries about what is a Medicine Man and how did I become an American Native Medicine person? I authored this and 12 other stories.

A Good Day's Work

One early spring morning, before the crimson sun had risen, the spirit eagle showed a man named Flaming Eagle during his dream journey that he needed to climb a snow-capped mountain. The Spirit Eagle revealed to him two humans, also known as two-legged, who wanted help. As he abruptly sat up in bed, his wife, Bright Hawk, asked, "What is it?" He responded by saying, "I have some work to do." He then shared the Spirit Eagle's message.

After listening to the dream, Bright Hawk arose with her husband and took the wool marriage blanket off of their bed. The blanket was a warm brown color with vivid hues of the sunrise and sunset, as well as green running throughout the pattern that signified healing and power. Bright Hawk placed the medicine blanket around Flaming Eagle and quietly said, "This will give you comfort and protection on your journey." From a shelf above Flaming Eagle's side of the bed, he took a pipe bag decorated with red, yellow, black, and white porcupine quills arranged in a symbol that represented the earth and its four directions; east, south, west, and north. The bag contained a portion of his medicines, sacred prayer pipe (Casuse), tobacco, and fire-making material. As he began to leave, Bright Hawk "anxiously" reached out with her hands and held her husband's eyes with her emerald green crystallized gaze, for a few "eternal" moments that filled his soul with a protected aura of unity. Then, with an emotional and loving embrace, she gently whispered, "A Good Day's Work, my Medicine Man."
Flaming Eagle gazed at Father Sky in the early morning light. The eastern sky, for new beginnings, was a deep red color and tinted the silvery fluorescent snow-capped mountains that stood majestically in front of his home. The air was brisk. With a determined calmness and the sleekness of Black Panther, he began his "work."
By midmorning, he had barely reached the top of the foothills of the mountain. The briskness of the early morning had been replaced with a chilly breeze. He placed the blanket bundle of Medicines on the ground next to a sparkling emerald spring. He then faced the east and sat on one of the blanket's corners. He draped the rest of the blanket over his head and around his shoulders. He prepared himself and the Casuse for a Seeking Ceremony.
As he prayed, the earth elements

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