| There are so many bird medicines. They are complex | | | | Such as a blood clot, tumor, or a foreign object. I use |
| and tricky to describe. I have hesitated to write about | | | | the term "foreign object" rather than what Indian |
| them. Then the idea came that it would be better to | | | | people know as "Bad Medicine". Bad Medicine is when |
| start by sharing a few and then adding other stories | | | | a person "shoots" something into another's body or |
| later. The one's I know are from personal experience | | | | sends a spirit or other type of entity to make the |
| and training. | | | | target victim ill, to make them die, or to cripple them. |
| Water Birds | | | | Unfortunately, this is quite common. |
| These are the birds that dive to the bottom of lakes | | | | Flicker feathers are also known as "Love Medicine" |
| and rivers and deposit on the shore the medicines we | | | | which supposedly brings a lover into someone's life or |
| need for healing. Water birds are one of the important | | | | finds a "soul mate". This type of medicine is considered |
| and significant medicines of the Native American | | | | lower level of usage of a powerful medicine. I often |
| Church or Peyote Way. | | | | call this type of use, "manipulative magic". Because of |
| Song birds | | | | my lineage and training I am forbidden to use this sort |
| These are the birds that give us songs and enhance | | | | of medicine. I can never change, alter or influence a |
| our voices with power to heal and strengthen the | | | | person's life without their permission and the permission |
| people. Some of these birds are the Blue bird, the | | | | of the "Tunkasilas" ancient spirits. Manipulative magic |
| Eagle and Finches. | | | | doesn't ask, it invades and is very harmful. |
| The eagle has many uses in traditional Native | | | | Raven - Raven is a "trickster". Raven appears in a |
| American life. When it comes to singing they bring | | | | variety of forms making us think they are another type |
| songs to the singers. That is why northern singers | | | | of bird. Their voice can make us think they are human. |
| such as the Lakota sing at a very high pitch. They are | | | | They often appear to be another color instead of |
| imitating the sound of the eagle. | | | | black. The "trickster" keeps us alert and aware. Honing |
| Warrior Birds | | | | our skills of observation and broadening our personal |
| These birds are generally birds of prey such as eagle, | | | | perspectives. If we communicate with Raven it is best |
| owl, and hawk. Eagle takes our prayers and thoughts | | | | to remember that they are true "tricksters". |
| up to the higher realms where the "helper" spirits live | | | | Sometimes the answers they give are straightforward |
| and also is great protection. Hawks deal more with the | | | | and other times the messages are the opposite of |
| earthly realms in areas such as food and shelter. Owls | | | | what it should be. The listener must be very in tune |
| are not just messengers, they have healing ability in | | | | with which type of message the Raven is giving. |
| their talons, and they guard us. | | | | Raven will show us the brighter side of life with |
| There are individual types of birds that give us | | | | sparkling and shiny objects in its beak or when it dives |
| medicine. Their medicines usually come through the | | | | repeatedly at a shiny object on the ground. When |
| usage of their feathers, rather than their songs or | | | | raven does this, it is such an uplifting experience and |
| behaviors. | | | | so necessary for our well being in this illusionary world. |
| Flicker - Flicker feathers from the tail, because of their | | | | To read more see my article and personal story of |
| sharp point at the tip, are used in doctoring to open the | | | | the Raven Heart Woman. |
| area on the body that needs something removed. | | | | |