Johnny Moses Medicine Story

Hello Friends,

Those of us in the northern hemisphere are in the midst of the coming spring. Here in the Pacific Northwest, trees are flowering, plants are thriving, and tender leaves are unfurled. 

There are both windy, rainy and calm days, as well as cool and hot days. We never know what to expect, as winter's dormancy opens to a whole new cycle of life. 

Pretty much all of us feel similarly now, that we don't know what to expect. What next? 

Now, more than ever, it is the time to root into our inner knowing and within ancient medicine teachings. We are honored to share with you the Spring Star story from the renowned Tulalip Native American master storyteller, Johnny Moses:

"The grandmothers always told us that they were the ones who would go out and gather the medicinal plants, the flowers, the roots for medicines. Their job was to pass on the songs that are used for these medicines, and also for ceremonies. 

The grandfathers' jobs were to be the ones to help with the medicines, in preparing them. Or, sometimes the grandfathers would be the ones that would go out and gather the medicines, and the grandmothers would sing to the medicines with spring star songs.

The teaching of the scarf that we wear on our laps is a good symbol of that. 

There was a story that has to do with spring stars falling upon the grandmothers' laps. 

As she was out in the woods (a grandmother) was crying. She was very sad, and she felt that she was very lonely, that she had lost herself. And a star could hear her - and this was in springtime - and (the star) sent a beautiful cloth upon her. This cloth fell upon her lap. He (the star) also sent the songs and the designs that went with it.

And, when she looked at the cloth that was on her lap, it was all these flowers of many kinds that were up in the mountains - a lot of wildflowers, and she had songs for all of them. And, she used these songs in doctoring ceremonies, to pray for people.

And, so, they say that's where this scarf comes from, when we wear this scarf over our laps. It's in memory of the spring star teachings - but they would never bring out that it was from the spring star in just any gathering, because when you bring it out you have to bring out a story from the spring star."  

May the stars hear your prayers and may the songs of the stars, and the stories from the spring star, guide you. 

See Johnny Moses' upcoming book, watch his free video and purchase Johnny's teaching videos here.

From my heart to yours,

Llyn Cedar Roberts, MA and the OMEC Board of Directors

*Johnny Moses is a Tulalip Native American raised in the remote Nuu-chah-nulth village of Ohiat on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada. He was raised in the traditional ways by his grandparents and sent by his elders to share their teachings with all people. Johnny is a master storyteller, oral historian, traditional healer and respected spiritual leader. His traditional name is Whis.stem.men.knee (Walking Medicine Robe). Johnny Moses carries the Si.Si.Wiss (sacred breath, sacred life) medicine teachings and healing ceremonies of his Northwest Coast people.