A SIOUX MYTH, THAT OF THE WHITE BUFFALO WOMAN DESCRIBES THE SEVEN STAGES THAT WOMEN FOLLOW ON THEIR PATH TOWARDS SELF-REALIZATION. THE ORIGIN OF THE LAKOTA MYTH IS KNOWN AS “THE WAY OF BEAUTY” AND IT IS A SACRED RITUAL THAT LASTS A LIFETIME.
1. THE WAY OF THE DAUGHTER
This period includes from birth until the appearance of the first period. She is still a child, physically and mentally dependent, mentally receptive, absorbing every type of teaching, example or stimulus that is presented to her. If all these external influences are appropriate, structured and emotionally balanced, the girl will develop the balance, respect, dignity and self-confidence that she will later need as resources to lead a life in harmony with everything that exists.
2. THE WAY OF THE WOMAN
It covers the years in which a woman develops self-confidence, learning to control her life independent of adults. You learn through personal experience, develop your own emotional and mental responses, and choose your relationships. Start exploring their sexuality and to build their spirituality. These are the years in which you begin to know yourself and, little by little, become a responsible and mature person (in our current society this period goes from adolescence to 28-32 years old).
3. THE WAY OF THE MOTHER
From a spiritual point of view, the birth of a child is the most important event in a woman’s life; since then she becomes part of the feminine spiritual community. Upon crossing the border between life and death with childbirth, she is received into the community of midwives, where the true teaching begins. In the path of the mother, the spiritual life of the woman takes its roots and flourishes: we must not forget that in many ancient cultures, giving birth symbolized an initiation for women.
4 AND 5 THE PATH OF THE PICKER AND THE RITUALIST
Both paths are as old as the human race. Picking up is a discipline that requires respect before anything else; develops special powers of observation and discernment in the knowledge of the seasons, climate, astronomy and healing. Armed only with knowledge, intuition and prayers, women collect large quantities of plants and mineral substances for cooking, magic, hygiene and cosmetics. The collector has to know perfectly where and when to find what she needs, the most appropriate way to preserve, store, prepare the substances and use them in conditions that are effective and harmless. A native Medicine Woman never applies the same remedy to the same physical symptom in different patients, as she treats the whole being. For her, “doing medicine” is knowing the patient, their family, their spiritual, mental, physical, environmental and social condition, and how to combine all of this in the healing process. A Medicine Woman who does not achieve balance, responsibility and awareness can spell disaster for the entire community, because the power of a woman is great, and the more she develops discipline and devotion, the more her power will increase.
6. THE WAY OF THE TEACHER
By learning, experiencing, feeding and working, women reach the age at which they become transmitters of spiritual and social wisdom. It is by sharing with others the techniques, theories and experiences that she has lived that she becomes a teacher. It enters menopause as deep and mature as the fruit, like the flora. How an elder focuses her skill and wisdom depends on the nature of the spiritual work into which she has been led. Much of his teaching is transmitted through example; She is a role model for younger women along the way, and her presence and essence revitalize and enrich the lives of her entire community.
7. THE WAY OF THE WISE
Upon reaching old age, the shaman enters the period of mastery, having developed true wisdom. The sense of balance that characterizes the universe is now a deep part of her, as is her sense of humor.
