Hawke had the day off. He looked forward to the time off to collect himself before he could continue on the journey to solve the murder of Abby. The need to have his spirit centered was strong.
He pulled into the dusty driveway of Joe Whitehorse. Hawke glanced down at the medicine bundle sitting on the seat. It contained his own personal medicines. Since the bundle has, a consciousness of its own, it must be fed and handled properly. He picked it up as he opened his door.
Joe Whitehorse stood on his porch, gazing across the land. All things sacred surrounded his in the traditional greeting. “My friend, are you ready for the inipi ceremony.”
Extending his hand, Hawke replied, “Yes. More than ready for the sweat lodge ritual.”
Joe turned and headed toward a hill beside his house where the sweat lodge waited . Hawke followed the wise elder, who had taught him many things over the years.
Hawke closed his eyes as the medicine man smudged him and his bundle with a burning piece of sage. The wise elder of the Lakota sung a sacred chant. Once it was completed, the elder would permit him to enter into the sweat lodge.
As the smoke circled and purified Hawke, his thoughts went to the power of the sweat lodge. Its purpose was to cleanse the spirit and bring the participant closer to the Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka. This custom known as one of the most powerful ceremonies performed by a medicine man.
Hawke sat by the fire and started to unfold his medicine bundle, as he began to chant. This sacred ceremony would help him to stay focused on what accomplishments he must achieve to find the killer.
As the embers crackled, the elder started to speak in a special language. Hawke could not understand what was transpiring in front of him, yet he felt a sacred calm envelope him. The medicine man communicated with his helping spirits.
Joe Whitehorse he sat on the ground beside Hawke. Peace circled around them, offering an array of hope. He remained quiet and let the spirit of the eagle embrace him. The eagle teaches to look higher than you are and pulls you to touch Grandfather Sun with your heart.
Tension and uncertainty left his body through his pores. Strength, resolve, and hope rushed into his spirit, each healing what the outside world had damaged. What he felt now, his ancestors had felt for thousands of years in their own sweat lodges. He honored them, respected them, and yearned to be like them. Thoughts of the connectedness of the universe, Mother Earth, the elements, animals, and all aspects of nature from a tiny seed to the soil to the rocks to the giant oak flowed through his mind—sometimes jumbled, sometimes crystal clear. He was a man, a part of the whole of the universe. Being a caregiver to all things he realized the need for his presence. He had a purpose. Time had passed, yet Hawke was unsure how long he had been in the lodge.
Finally, Joe Whitehorse stood, and he followed. As they stepped out of the sweat lodge, darkness fell . Hawke felt reborn.
“We have been in good spirit for most of the day.”
Joe turned to face Hawke. “I had a vision. In my vision, the lynx appeared. Lynx is the keeper of secrets. Where the problem lies is getting the lynx to instruct you so you can find the secrets of others who do not speak the truth. Now, with that said, I feel the lynx is one of your medicines. The things that have caused stress in your life will appear in mental pictures.”
Joe clasped his hand on Hawke’s shoulder. “Individuals who have hidden things from you will come forth in the mental pictures. You will see their fears, their lies, everything about them. Now, knowing this, you must give respect to all things and you must exchange what you have learned from today. The offering of something can do this. Also, know when to listen and when to keep your mouth shut. Do you understand?”
Hawke nodded. “I understand and I will do my best to fulfill such a wonderful medicine. I will take your words and the power of the lynx and use them in solving the things which have stressed my heart.”
“Good, my son.”
Hawke turned and headed to his vehicle, his strides long, purposeful, his heart pure, now the ceremony was over. When he reached his vehicle, he removed a beautiful blanket and turned to Joe Whitehorse.
“My wise friend, I offer to you this special gift.”
Hawke offered him the blanket, and Joe placed the blanket on the table just outside the sweat lodge and unrolled it. Inside the blanket lay a medicine stick Hawke had made by hand.
Joe held the medicine stick in his aged, gnarled hands and slowly turned. Etched on the wood were the symbols of the hawk and eagle. The eagle symbolizes the spirit and the hawk the messenger. Also the medicine wheel with the four sacred colors painted on it.
“Thank you, my friend. You have a lot of talent. The medicine stick will be displayed proudly in my home. Everybody who enters will take note of it.”
“Thank you, Joe Whitehorse for being there for me, for guiding my heart, for retelling the stories you hold tight in your heart, which you know and were willing to share, and for permission to honor your granddaughter. You are a wise wichasha wakan, medicine man. Toksha ake wacinyuanktin ktelo, I shall see you again, tunkasila, Grandfather.”
Hawke turned and headed to his vehicle.
He turned the ignition and backed out of the driveway, feeling a peace he had never felt before. Today, he had been given another medicine, one that would help him the rest of his life. Joe Whitehorse was very powerful. His guidance would help him become the next medicine man for the village. He would honor his people to the fullest.
His thoughts went back to Abby. The pain he saw in her mother’s eyes. The hate of life itself, without her beloved daughter, stamped all over her face. He wondered how she managed to go on. He prayed life would deal him a way to cope with losses. Sometimes, life could stand still then suddenly you were thrown a ball heavy with troubles and to deal with.
As he headed down the long stretch of road, glancing across at the sacred land of the Lakota, he realized he had been blessed. He would be Lakota, forever.