The craft of healing
By: Boni RoelfI have been facing down a barrage of accusations against traditional and spiritual healers. Some people have allowed themselves to be misinformed about these crafts. Now some are calling for its banishment.
Because of a couple of misdiagnosis and perhaps a little human sacrifice?
Oh, ye of little faith.
I will admit: Alternative, complementary and holistic healing has become too fluffy and neo-pagans hate this. Practitioners of these ancient crafts no longer follow the tried and tested rules and codes of ethics. Some people basically just try to get the garb and facial make-up right.
Some bones, stones and pieces of mysterious cloth; but I have seen coins and wire at times. Does that say serious healer- guy? Of course not.
The golden rule is, as always: “An it harm none, do what thou will”. This being dark ages lingo for; “Go ahead, make my day.”
This rule is however too simplistic for modern alternative healing. I completely fail to take into consideration the amount of mistakes you can still make with the best of intentions. I am here offering some guidelines for
aspiring healers, and perhaps their clients. First do no harm. Yes! Doctors use this one as well. Does
that mean herbalists can’t? Your first obligation is to heal. Do not stop in the middle of the session and start discussing payment. I know doctors do that, but they are real doctors. They heal bones, not throw them.
Getting paid in sex is another no-no. In fact, getting paid in kind is by nature, suspect.
Do not betray confidence. Do not brag in a drunken state about successes you might have achieved in your field. If the dead, dried, lizard you made Mrs Munyama eat manifested itself in the form of swollen feet for her neighbour, so be it. Nor can you discuss the failure you are having in releasing a tokoloshe in so-n-so’s house.
A career in witchcraft rarely ever results in book deals and speaking engagements, like with psychologists and therapists. It is a life of self sacrifice.
You must be self critical and acknowledge the limits of your expertise. Don’t just offer to conduct an exorcism. Or irresponsibly promise to bring back lost lovers. If you cannot, you cannot. For example, do not throw bones as a way of summoning an ambulance. Be willing to admit that you too use a cell phone. And stop spitting on third degree burns. Spit can’t heal anything.
Co-operate with other health care experts. Have you got a good psychiatrist on speed dial? Could plastic surgery work better in bringing back lost lovers? Is that nose really OK? Are gynaecologists really that inept at treating sexual problems?
Contacts, contacts, contacts. I will not emphasise, though I empathise.
Familiarise yourself with the customs and beliefs of your clientèle. Do not offer Christian sermons to a Baha’i’ or give traditional rites to someone who expected something ALLAH-ish. Dead insects and animals are frowned upon by some, so use those sparingly as well.
Get specialised training in areas like herbalism, clairvoyance and sexual healing etc. It is more a lack of understanding and proper qualifications that continually create friction between traditional healers and their societies. And a proper price guideline. You will not believe what some charge. Then they refuse to support the child. So much for healing.