Medicine Dream

…of rediscovering ancient medicine in his search for help for his people in a time of need:
The droning drumbeat begins. In dreaming, he is transported into darkness. Much like the darkness of a mother's womb. The drum, a beating heart connecting him to his mother, the same mother we all share. He slips deeper into the dream…  A young man, he stands in the midst of his tribe; he smells the smoke from the large fire around which the elders sit. Over the beating drum, laughter and voices fill his hearing from where the children scamper and adults tell stories of their journeys.
He is about to embark on his own journey, an epic journey to find his path in the world, and help for his people, who are in desperate need of balance and healing.

Now, he stands before the stump of an ancient, fallen willow. On hands and knees, he crawls into a cavernous hole in the trunk. A pathway descends down into the earth, darker than any night sky he has ever seen. Deeper and deeper he creeps into the blackness. The heartbeat of the drum follows him.

Suddenly, he drops into a clearing and a whole new world emerges.  Lush forest surrounds the place were he stands, deep rich soil beneath his feet, dense foggy sky above him.  He inhales deeply the heavy scent of pine. His heart loudly matches the rhythm of the drum. He begins to search around him for a plant; a potential ally in his quest for healing for his people, and as he turns, he sees an elder woman in a clearing not far from where he stands. She is ancient, with dignified features and flowing robes. She calls out for him to come and sit at her fire. Eagerly, he approaches, and begins to introduce himself, but she cuts him off. She knows who he is, and why he has come. She has been expecting him.

She tells him that the help he seeks is already here and has always been available to those who listen deeply. The plants are all around us and have the medicine we need if only we will engage them in a spirit of good relationship and gratitude. We only need to ask them for their help. Each plant has something unique to offer; what we need most.

This message resonates within him as a struck chord deep in his soul. He is overcome with tears of joy. Memories flood through him as he remembers the lost relationship between plants and humans. He feels the plants, his friends and allies, all round him, holding him. The elder woman places her hand upon his heart, and a bolt of energy surges through him. She tells him to repeat after her, words of testament of his intention and initiation to bring him into sacred relationship with the plants. He no longer knows what is the beating drum and what is his own heartbeat, as he speaks the words she gives him. With the last word, a cool, cleansing rain begins. She removes her hands from his heart. The pact is complete. The drumbeat shifts to the call-home.

He expresses his deep gratitude for what she has taught him and done for him.

As he crawls back up through the dark tunnel in the great willow that brought him here, the drumming stops. He opens his eyes. His people stand all round him, in celebration, cheering his return. For now he has the wisdom and guidance to help all of them.  He will lead them from out of the darkness and into the light of balance and harmony.

The story I have told you is a true story. The man seeking medicine for his people is me. This medicine, Plant Spirit Medicine, comes from the realm of the dreamworld and is here and available to all of us.