![]() ![]() The archetypal trickster is as provocative as he is potent. The same can be said of recovery from alcohol and drug dependence. A request is made for deliverance, a search is made for the patient's lost mind, and in the presence of the divine, the patient is cleansed of shame. Repeated prayers and reparations are made to both gods and humans offended by the patient's behavior. It begins with a ceremonial purification and unraveling. The journey takes place in progressive steps. When asked to intervene on behalf of those afflicted, a "medicine man" from the northern Navajo reservation will lead his patient on a symbolic journey to the center of the world. And while those under the influence of Coyote are considered neither inherently evil nor morally lacking, like alcoholics and addicts, they suffer from a disease that infects the soul as well as the body (Luckert,1979). Coyote sickness is associated gambling, prostitution, and not unsurprisingly, alcoholism. "Coyote sickness" is known by a number of signs including: nervous malfunctions a shaking of the head, hands, or entire body a twisted mouth poor vision loss of memory fainting sore throat stomach trouble and occasionally loss of mind. he possesses an incredible fund of evil knowledge. He has a life principle that may be laid aside, so that any injury done to his body affects his life only temporarily. In Coyote many aspects of evil power are embodied- he is active, with unlimited ability to interfere with people's affairs. Or it comes from losing sight of the Holy Way, contact with ghosts, sorcery, or the intrusion of an evil force. It comes from contact with a storm, lightning, a corpse, or a substance outside the natural order of harmony and beauty. In the Navajo worldview, sickness arises out of activities that distort social relationships like the breaking of a taboo or self-indulgence. from the forthcoming book Coyote Speaks: Psychotherapy with Alcoholics and Addicts published by Jason Aronson, Inc.(August, 1998)ĭigitally adapted from a photograph by Fred Hirschmann ![]()
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