Medicine Songs - Tumblr Posts

#LegendOfTheFalls

This weekend I've decided to go backpacking in a century-old pine forest hunting grounds for a return to my roots with some Native Cousins-descent where a tragic story happened many moons ago. Actually it is a legend; a legend where an Algonquin tribe with an old wicked and all-powerful Sorcerer named Nipissingue coveted the lovely Hiawhitha who none in the tribe dare to oppose him.

Unfortunately for the Sorcerer, Hiawhitha decided to give her heart to Arondack, the sworn enemy of Nipissingue. Whereupon, the Sorcerer launched the Algonquins on a warpath and counted on the fate of the battle to get rid of Arondack. He judged well; Arondack was fatally wounded but managed to get back to his wigwam in the village. Hiawhitha, daughter of the chief, who was the tribe's healer sat down at his bedside and nursed him.

One day missing some medicinal plants, Hiawhitha made her way to the steep precipice at Dorwin where at the bottom, a thin rivulet of water trickled, grew some native flora sarsaparilla roots which was in need for Arondack wounds. But not far away in a hot pursuit of his prey, Nipissingue sees her and engaged flung himself on her thereby throwing her into the ravine. As Hiawhitha's body touched the thin rivulet of water, a loud thunderclap reverberated through the gorge and Hiawhitha's long white linen robe turned into a magnificent 60ft high waterfall.

Then precisely at that moment Nipissingue stupefied and was transformed into stone by the Great Manitou thus condemned him for the eternity to hear Hiawhitha's triumphant song of victory; which is the sound of the falls.

Today we can still see Sorcerer Nipissingue's head of rock near the falls.

#LegendOfTheFalls

You can read the legend here.

©BenAdrienProulx August 30th, 2023

#LegendOfTheFalls

You can read the legend here.

©BenAdrienProulx August 30th, 2023

#TheNorthernRaven

Never Look a Raven in the Eye More Than a Moment…

In many cultures, Ravens are birds shrouded in mystery and often associated with various superstitions. The saying "Never Look a Raven in the Eye More Than a Moment" taps into the folklore that Ravens are highly intelligent creatures, possibly possessing knowledge beyond our understanding. This phrase could be interpreted as a caution against trying to outwit a creature that is traditionally seen as a symbol of cunning. It's a reminder of the respect that these enigmatic birds command in the natural world and in the mythologies woven by human cultures throughout history. Whether this saying is taken literally or figuratively, it speaks to the enduring fascination humans have with Ravens and the qualities they represent.

@BenAdrienProulx October 9, 2024