Wind Chant

Wind Chant


The patient was twice bathed; sacredly.

Then his body was painted
with the sun on his breast
and the wind above
arrows on his arms
snakes on his legs
and on each shoulder a white cross.

A prayer plume they tied to his head
and they painted his face,
white on the forehead
red across the eyes
yellow across the chin.

They mixed herbs
and the Blue Jay came
and the Whirling Winds.

The singer stroked the patient's body
and pressed his body to his;

"Have you learned?" they asked him,
and he answered, "Yes."

They sang all night
and the patient learned
and was well.

Then he was told to be sure
and remember all that he had been taught;
for everything forgotten
went back to the gods.

Navajo Ceremonial Song