Native-American shamanism.
Part One-an overview and tale.
The biggest Native reservation is that of the Navajo, who call themselves “Dineh” (The People). The tribe owns the north-eastern corner of the state of Arizona, and part of New Mexico and Utah. The reservation is beautiful; it is also quite haunted. Shamanism is big. Medicine men practice herbalism, religious treatment and some shamanism. Some medicine men cast spells and some work only to free others of spells. It is not clear who does good and who does evil. Then there are those who are shamans only. I do not remember rightly whether there are women shamans, but I am pretty sure there are a few that have been identified as “witches".
Shamans are big on shape-shifting. They are called “skin walkers” because they allegedly pull on the skins of coyotes and other large animals and become them. They also practice other strange acts, like running alongside of speeding vehicles. White people who are in the know, have a very healthy respect for shamans, and have also reported strange, otherworldly experiences, similar to those the natives report. They have also suffered from spells. The “medicine” is powerful. The Navajo do not like handling the dead, that is why ancient ruins have remained undisturbed for centuries.
Other tribes allegedly, have among them, those who practice witchcraft, but the Navajo tales are the most common. (Disclaimer: I did not experience these stories directly. I cannot vouch their veracity. Most of these tales I will recount where second hand...a couple third hand).
Two people from Kayenta:
I lived in this college town in the mid - late 1980's, where Natives had a free scholarship. A Navajo couple moved in next door to me and we became friends. His wife was at the college; I think she was pre-med. Her husband worked in town. Anyway he told me that when his wife was awarded the scholarship, some others in the town were upset that she would study at the “White man school”; others were simply jealous. One day, a strange woman offered her some coffee the day they were about to leave. It was odd, as she was not a friend. After drinking the coffee, she went back to college where she became very ill... almost causing her to drop out.
When she arrived back home, it was decided that they should go back to Kayenta, and contact a medicine man.
The medicine man asked her to take down her top and then he plunged his index finger deep into her skin - just above the nipple, on her left breast. She yelped in slight pain, and he withdrew a piece of turquoise stone, with a drop of blood. The medicine man said, “there, daughter”, handing over the piece of turquoise stone. Apparently the stone formed after the alleged spell. “You will be fine now”. He then explained that the woman who offered the coffee was a witch, who had cast a spell and also added something to the coffee. Spells are often applied by putting something in food, or touching the victim with some power object.
The lady was fine by the end of the afternoon. He showed me the tiny turquoise stone, which they kept as a souvenir of the spell. I was lucky Natives rarely like discussing the witchcraft among them... afraid to do so. He talked freely... almost casually of that event.
Wherever that couple is now, I wish them well!
Witch Trials
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By JHC, copyright 2010 @ World Mysteries And True Ghost Tales.