If you followed my last post, you know that I had arranged to see an internationally acclaimed indigenous healer recommended by some European ex pats who have an interest in indigenous medicine.  Dona Queta has been a healer and midwife since the age of 17.  She is now 76.  I was going to have what is called a cleansing, a general balance and tune up of physical, emotional and spiritual energy.  Who couldn't use one of those?  Mostly, I thought that this would be an interesting and possibly beneficial experience.  I went with an open mind and not knowing what to expect.   

Marie from Terraventura went with me to Dona Queta's house to tell the cab driver the way and translate if necessary.  I was glad she was along before and after the treatment but Dna Queta and I were alone for the treatment and we communicated well enough. 

She told me that when the treatment started I was to visualize a blue light and scan my body with it.  I should breath deeply and pay particular attention to my left lung and my kidneys where she said I had emotional blockages. (I have no idea what information she based that on.)  I should also send a lot of love to my heart and liver. I was told not to be surprised if I ended up crying or having other emotional reactions.,  

I sat in a chair stripped down to my trousers with my feet resting on green, sweet smelling branches.  She sprayed me with a mist with a floral odor.  Then I started the visualization while Dona Queta urgently said prayers.  I couldn't understand them all but they were directed at Father Creater God who loves us and wants us to be happy and healthy.  She called upon mother earth and brothers and sister elements of nature to show mercy and love. And less often, Jesus and the Holy spirit.  Most of the prayers were spontaneous, but other were chanted.  She seemed to know when I had finished the body scan and wafted the smoke of some kind of herb over me. 

Now comes the weird part.  I felt a spray of cold liquid on my bare chest, then, systematically, all over my body except my face.  I was supposed to have my eyes closed but I peeked and saw that she was taking thte liquid in her mouth and spitting it on me!  Oh well, when in Rome.  I naturally trusted her.  She alternated this with pounding on my chest and back.  Then she rubbed me with green branches all over my body.  I did have extreme emotional reactions including sobbing and retching, not tied to any particular thoughts or events.  It just seemed that my body wanted to do it.

We finished and she gave me some herbs with instructions for using them. Then she called a cab and we chatted casually until the cab came.  

I try to have an open mind about alternative medicine, but I try to keep it open at both ends.  I do think non western societies, with many years of human experience, might know some things that modern western medicine doesn't.

It's been about 24 hours since my treatment.  I've never felt better.