The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook_ A Home Manual - James Green [179]
T’was a balmy summer afternoon. Chiron sat waiting in the cool shade of his summer cave on the northern slope of Mount Pelion.
The Centaur observed with deep affection the students who were entering the cave and sitting in a circle with him, his grand heart touched by their individual beauty and eager vitality.
Chiron was a renowned health seer, archer, musician, and visionary. It is said that he was the wisest and kindest of all Centaurs. He was learned and skilled in the use of herbs, potions, gentle words, and healing song. Over the years of his life, innumerable youths had been entrusted to his charge, amongst them some of the finest healers and warriors of Western story.
Chiron had summoned the students and their friends to speak with them about the function of medicine and about the art of health. Upon the students’ request, he had agreed to share with them his knowledge of medicine: its value and role in the human journey.
The wise Centaur knew well that words don’t teach, that it is only life experiences that teach, but he knew that words stimulate ideas in the minds of others, and therein he was aware of the great influence words possess. As always, he agreed to speak with those who asked him to. Chiron was happy to share any knowledge he had gained from his centuries of life experience on Earth, especially his knowledge of the uses of herbs and other medicinal substances for human beings in their quest for health, joy, and prosperity.
In a short while, all who were to participate in the discussion had arrived. The final person to join the circle was a woman called Artemis, who, upon entering the cave, walked over and hugged one of the students, her young nephew, Asclepius, and sat down beside him. She then looked with loving eyes at Chiron, her long-time friend, and nodded her head in warm greeting; the Centaur returned the salutation, with a gesture of delight and mutual appreciation.
Chiron then closed his eyes for a moment of thought. A tranquil silence filled the air. Thereupon he opened his eyes and looking to each of the individuals in the circle, he spoke,
“Thank you for the honor of this gathering, I am most pleased that you are here with me, and I trust that we will inspire and lift each other to realms of thought and vision that no gathering before has experienced in quite the same way. This meeting of spirits in this physical time and place is unique in all of creation, and I am delighted to be here with you.
“As health seers and self-healers we focus our attention on the nature of joy, health, and well-being; and frequently in our discussions with one another the question arises, ‘What is the nature of medicine?’ What is its action in the process of individuals experiencing their intrinsic health or re-establishing wellness from an experience of illness? If I may share my experience and insights, I’ll offer you a perspective to consider, and as we have brought ourselves to this communion for mutual upliftment and stimulation of thought, please be free to contribute what you will during the time we are here together.”
Chiron fell silent once again. Sensing permission and a concerted desire from the gathering for him to continue, he drew a deep breath, “Each of us is an absolutely free spirit, currently choosing to walk the physical spheres of creation, eagerly participating in this realm with a physical body, mind, and feelings. We are creators; this is our essence. Desire is the will of our spirit to create. With our mind we freely create thoughts, the vibrations of which are propelled into the universe, bolstered by the passion of our desire and attendant feelings. From this point of offering, we attract to us the experiences born of the content of our vision.
Transcribed from the herbal Akashic Records.
“Each individual is complete and independent in his and her ability to create. If, however, due to circumstances