Medicine Walk
A medicine walk involves walking in nature to connect with spirit and get guidance, inspiration and healing. The term ‘medicine’ in this context refers to your power and abilities, what you can offer to others. In a medicine walk you explore your relationship with nature and obtain insights and gifts. It is therefore an archetypal quest, with a departure from the normal world, quest tests, and a return to the normal world with gifts for yourself and others.
The medicine walk practice may be a solo or group activity. A walk can be used at life transitions as a rite of passage. A medicine walk usually occurs over a whole day and is an introduction to the longer practice of the vision quest.
The following guidelines and safety precautions are relevant for a solo medicine walk:
Format. The medicine walk usually takes a whole day in a natural area, ideally from dawn to sunset. A walk should be 20Km maximum on a flat route (shorter if it is not) or a maximum distance that your health, abilities, and the local terrain allow.
Safety. Before you leave, let somebody know where you are going and when you expect to return. Arrange for the person to initiate a search if you do not return in a reasonable time. Make sure you contact this person when you do return.
Location. Choose a location where you can walk safely without getting lost or attacked by wild animals. Stick to a planned route and do not just wander randomly, other than minor side excursions if your attention is drawn to something. Avoid wooded areas, mountains, or areas with cliffs due to the risk of getting lost or falling. In general, try to avoid other people, although any interactions that do occur may be meaningful and relate to the intention.
Intention. You should take a specific question or task with you on a walk. Questions typically used include: What is my life purpose? What do I need to know? What is blocking me? What do I need to release? What do I need to become whole? What do I need to reclaim? What is my medicine? What can I offer others?
Preparation. Focus on your intention and get a good night’s sleep so you are well rested and alert. Pay attention to your dreams the night before the walk as they may be important. Drink water before the walk so you are hydrated.
What to take. A day pack containing water, sun protection, rain gear, extra clothing, a way of attracting attention e.g. a whistle (the International distress signal is 6 blasts repeated with an interval of one minute between each set of blasts), a mobile phone (for emergencies or to take photos), a small compass or map if you are not familiar with the area, basic first aid items, a journal and a pen.
Ceremony. A medicine walk is a ceremony. The start and end should be marked with simple rituals and offerings, to focus intention and express gratitude and respect.
The walk. The walk is contemplative, not strenuous. It is an inner and outer journey to discover your life purpose and gifts. Pay attention to guidance and symbols. Record observations. Bring back an object, or symbol, that represents an insight or teaching.
After the walk. Complete any journal writing and then relax. You might share your experiences if you are doing the medicine walk as a group activity.
Interpretation. Reflect on and integrate experiences and teachings. Identify themes and interpret and integrate symbols seen to reach an overall understanding. Things experienced on the walk may lead to insights about life issues. Try to identify the central lesson. Understanding may not occur until sometime after the medicine walk.
For a group walk there is a leader and, depending on the number of participants, there may also be one or more assistants.
As well as the guidelines and safety precautions provided for a solo medicine walk, the following guidelines apply for people leading a medicine walk that is undertaken by others:
Participants. Understand participant’s capabilities (the difficulty level should be at the level of the weakest). Make sure participants understand the walk purpose.
Leader. Be aware of your own skills and capabilities and how you will deal with problems that arise. You should be physically fit, have basic first aid training, and have experience of hiking or camping in wilderness. Know and check the weather forecast.
Support personnel. Have enough people available to support the number of people doing the medicine walk. This should be one person for every 2-3 participants. There must be a minimum of two in case one has to deal with a casualty or is taken ill.
Route. Use a circular or linear route that is easy to follow without getting lost or taking turns. Walk behind participants and have them indicate, e.g. with coloured chalk, locations they have passed on objects that are easily visible on the route. This allows you to narrow a search area if someone is lost.
Ground rules. Set clear boundaries for where participants can and cannot go and any hazards to be aware of. This could include poisonous plants that are indigenous to the area the medicine walk is taking place in. Have a pre-arranged meeting place at the end, and ask people to wait there until you and any assistants arrive.
Equipment. In addition to your own day pack as above you should also have spare water and a more comprehensive first aid kit (which you should know how to use).
At the end. Bring the group together and listen to their experiences. Get them to focus on insights not just what they saw or did. Ensure a smooth transition to ordinary life.
After a solo or group walk, ask questions to deepen your understanding such as: What was the story of the walk? What caught your attention? What messages were given? What tests or trials were there? What lessons did you receive? What tasks were you given? What lessons were there? What is your medicine? What gifts did you bring back?
The header image is by Silvia from Pixabay link