Information
Database Group:
Magick
Path in Psi:
Magick
Content Type:
Article
Posted On:
0000-00-00
Edited On:
0000-00-00
Native American Legend of Crystals
by Fire_Opal
In ancient times, people lived in harmony with Nature. They spoke the same language as the
animals and plants. They hunted for food only to satisfy their hunger and
needs, always offering a prayer of thanks for what they had taken from
Nature.
As time went on, humans lost this innocence and harmony. They took more
than they needed. They forgot their prayers of gratitude. They killed animals,
and each other, for sport or pleasure.
The Bear Tribe, chief among the animals, called a meeting of all the animals.
They decided that something had to be done. The Bears suggested that they
shoot back when the humans shot at them, but the bow and arrow required
too great a sacrifice, for one bear would have to give up his life so that
his sinew could be used for the bowstring. The bear's claws were too long
for shooting a bow anyway, and would become entangled on the string.
The Deer Tribe offered another method of dealing with the problem. One
of their members said, "We will bring disease into the world. Each of us
will be responsible for a different illness. When humans live out of balance
with Nature, when they forget to give thanks for their food, they will
get sick." And in fact the Deer did invoke rheumatism and arthritis; each
animal then decided to invoke a different disease.
The Plant Tribe was more sympathetic and felt that this was too harsh a
punishment, so they volunteered their help. They said that for every disease
a human gets, one ot them would be present to cure it. That way, if people
used their intelligence, they would be able to cure their ailments and
regain their balance.
All of Nature agreed to this strategy. One plant in particular spoke out.
This was Tobacco, the chief of the plants. He said, "I will be the sacred
herb. I will not cure any specific disease, but will help people return
to the sacred way of life, provided I am smoked or offered with prayers
and ceremony. But if I am misused, if I am merely smoked for pleasure,
I will cause cancer, the worst disease of all."
The close friends of the Plant Tribe, the Rock Tribe and the Mineral Tribe,
agreed to help. Each mineral would have a spiritual power, and a subtle
vibration that could be sued to regain perfect health. The Ruby, worn as
an amulet, would heal the heart; the Emerald would heal the liver and eyes,
and so on. The chief of the mineral tribe, Quartz Crystal, was clear, like
the light of Creation itself. Quartz put his arms around his brother Tobacco
and said, "I will be the sacred mineral. I will heal the mind. I will help
human beings see the origin of disease. I will help to bring wisdom and
clarity to dreams. And I will record their spiritual history, including
our meeting today, so that in the further, if humans gaze into me, they
may see their origin and the way of harmony." And so it is today. This is a Cherokee legend, but it has been told in almost every tribe in
the Americas. It tells of an ancient time of peace, a mythical homeland
known to every culture on Earth. The Native Americans call it the "old
way" or the "original way."