Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

MEDICINE MEN

In the American Indian and other tribal Traditions, 'medicine' stands for the attributes, good or bad, that are inherent in all objects and can be interpreted and used by the skilled practitioner. The object could be a stone or a feather, or an animal. The abilities of medicine men went far beyond this, however.

Early European explorers witnessed the 'shaking tent' phenomenon. The medicine man erects a small wigwam, sup-ported by stout poles, enters it naked and begins a series of incantations that evoke the earth spirits. During this process the wigwam shakes and shudders, apparently of its own accord, and sparks or lights are seen to come out from the top. The medicine man was supposed to depart from his body and commune with the spirits, thereby gaining important knowledge for the tribe.

Medicine men were known for their ability to walk on red-hot stones and cin-ders without injury, and even to put red-hot coals into their mouths. They claimed the ability to work both good and harm on other people at a great distance and practised many forms of Clairvoyance also known in Europe, including Scrying and gazing into the surface of a bowl of water.

see also: SHAMANISM

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc