Spiritual

Are You Refusing to Admit that Something’s Dead in Your Life?

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Humphreys, gift of their daughter Helen

The dirt path led me to the Women of the Woods.

I was in Chile on a health retreat that included shamanic sessions. All I knew about the women was that one used a bayonet instead of a knife. I didn’t know why weapons were needed in a shamanic treatment, but was about to find out.

The Women of the Woods, Helaine and Antonella, one dark, one fair, were both in their late 20s, charming and friendly.

I sat down and chatted about what was on my mind. After the ritual cleansing by Palo Santo, an invocation to the spirits of the six directions, the shamans cut the invisible energy cords that bound me with bayonet and knife. Or so I was told. Then, with much rattling and more Palo Santo, Antonella went on a shamanic journey.

She saw a jaguar carrying her dead cub in her jaws.

The Jaguar, Otorongo, is the totem animal of the west, the place of sunsets, death and rebirth. “Is there anything dead in your life that you’re refusing to let go of?” she asked. I shook my head. I couldn’t think of anything.

It was a total waste of time.

Later that night I burst out laughing at my stubbornness. I had lied to her and to myself without knowing it. My business was…