Karena, The Mountain, and The Man (Karena Series)

By Amber “V” Moonstone

8/18/09

Karena wrapped herself in a shawl,
the air was crisp and chilly as she walked

upward along the path to her sacred place.
An Eagle held vigil above her head.

With the ease of a deer and the wisdom of the hawk,
she found herself standing on the tallest mountain peak.
The view was magnificent, awe- inspiring.
She grounded herself, so she would not  fly away like the eagle.

Lighting a fire, she began her chanting,
Calling out to the Universe to hear her words
of peace and love, and undying dedication to the Great Spirit.

“Universe, I send you words from my heart and soul,
I need answers to my questioning mind.

I feel deeply saddened by the white man,
he has harmed our people beyond reckoning,
what do you want me to do?  What can I do?

I fear that it may be too late to save everyone.

Is it selfish of me to want my family to live on?
I am a chosen Medicine Woman, I have made an oath
to the “Great Spirit” to always bring my healing gifts
to my people.  How can I forsake them?  I need your  help.

My life has been blessed with a loving husband,
beautiful children, and amazing healing ability.

This is a time of deeply internal thought.
I know in my heart what I am destined to do,

My mind is telling me another solution.
I am in conflict with my own self.
How can this be so?

Oh Universe, hear me and send me a sign”

As she rose with her arms outstretched toward the Universe,
She was startled by a sound behind her.
She turned around to find a man standing there.
A White Man of high honor.

“Who are you to disturb such important counsel?
What are you doing here on my sacred ground?

The man spoke softly, “I am so sorry, I was over there to think about my life, and smelled smoke and came to see what it was.

I mean no harm, I shall leave you alone to your work.
“I must know who you are” Karena interrupted.

“John Rolfe, maam, I live in the Jamestown settlement.
“I am Karena, Powhatan’s Eagle Medicine Woman”

John outstretched his hand and Karena touched it,
He smiled and she felt safe for the moment.

“What is your counsel with the Great Spirit?” Karena abruptly asked.

“I have lost my child and my wife, I seek forgiveness
and healing from the Great Spirit.”

“What have you done to your family?”

John began to tell Karena his story,

My wife and I were on a ship toward Bermuda,
We landed safely after a storm hit.

On February 11^th,my wife gave birth to our baby girl.

We named her, Bermudas, but shortly after her birth she died.
My wife never recovered and when we came back

To our Virginia Colony, she became ill and also died.

I have been so sad and sick over their deaths.  I came

to find some answers and to jump off this mountain
to be re-united with my family.”

“Sir John, the Great Spirit would not like you to

jump off this mountain.  That would be very cowardly.

Now come here, sit next to my fire, I shall give your

Soul some healing energy.  You will begin to feel

much better in a while.  Now close your eyes,

Envision your family, see how your wife smiles
she wants you to live your life,
to not feel pain any longer and to know that

Your baby daughter Bermudas is safely within

her mother’s arms.  They are happy among

The spirit world, they feel no pain.

See them, Sir John, feel their happiness,

Release your guilt out to the Universe,

Fill your heart with love and peace,

For the Great Spirit, You are safe now,

Open your eyes, feel the warmth of the fire

soothing your painful heart.”

John woke from the trance that Karena put him under,
He looked into her eyes, the eyes that will haunt him forever.

“Karena, I want you to know, that I am not like the others,

They are greedy and I want to live in harmony with your people”.

Karena smiled at him and said, “Sir John, you better mean that,

For if you don’t you will be very sorry. Now go, leave me

To the reason why I came to this mountain peak.”

With that, John stood, touched Karena’s cheek and walked away.

Karena was in complete puzzlement.  She wanted to believe in him,

But she knew not to trust the white man again.

In her heart she hoped he was telling her the truth.

In her mind she knew better than to believe such words.

“Great Spirit, there are many white men that are fools, thieves, and

Murderers, I know what I must do now.  Thank you for bringing

John Rolfe to me.  He is the sign I was waiting for.

I shall return to my people and tell Wounded Dove my decision.

Karena gathered up all her belongings,

And headed back to her village.

The eagle was soaring very close to her,
and she knew that she has made the right choice.

“Eagle Spirit, protect me and my people,

Show me the way toward peace and freedom,

Provide me with the wisdom to do the right thing,

Always know I honor your wisdom and protection.”

The sun was setting, leaving a brilliant red sky
behind her, she was filled with emotions that transcend understanding.

The energy from the Universe was clearly

filling her soul with strength and wisdom.

The full moon shone with such radiant light that evening,

That it lit a pathway toward her village.

Karena was guided by the light of the moon.

She was at peace once more and knew where she belonged.

November, 1610

Karena, Eagle Medicine Woman