Medicine Woman

Medicine Woman #1

by Lynn V. Andrews, Daniel Reeves (Illustrator)

Lynn V. Andrews takes the reader with her as she goes on inward journeys with the help of the Sisterhood of the Shields, and relates the stories of others.

Join her as she is initiated into the Sisterhood and creates her own shield, which will show her the nature of her spiritual path ( Spirit Woman ). Follow her to the Yucatan, where the medicine wheel leads her, and she is faced with the terrifying reality of the butterfly tree ( Jaguar Woman ). Enter the Dreamtime with her, where she emerges in medieval England as Catherine, and encounters the Grandmother, who offers to show Andrews how to make her life one of goodness, power, adventure, and love ( The Woman of Wyrrd ).

Not all these stories describe the author's own spiritual experiences. Meet Sin Coraz?n, an initiate into the Sisterhood, whose husband abandons her. She nearly succumbs to her inner dark power and unleashes her rage on men and the Sisterhood ( Dark Sister ). Andrews also writes about the elder women of the their loves, their lives, their losses ( Tree of Dreams ).

Andrews shows us how to channel our own spiritual and intellectual energy and balance the need for love with the desire for power ( Love and Power ). She takes the reader on numerous spiritual journeys that inevitably uplift.

Genres: Spirituality, Fiction, Native American, Fantasy, Religion, Indigenous, New Age

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Lynn Andrews is the author of the Medicine Woman Series, which chronicles her three decades of study and work with shaman healers on four continents.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is pretentious in having a white woman believe that native indigenous culture would choose her to be the savior for their lands and preservation of their culture.

[Krystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was AWFUL!!!!
It doesn't deserve a whole star :(

There is so much wrong with this book AAHH!!!! This book is absolutely ridiculous I don’t know if I should laugh or cry. Maybe both. The author describes this book as her autobiography, going to Crowley Manitoba to steal a marriage basket she thought she saw at an art opening in Los Angeles, but the art gallery people claim they have never heard of or seen such a photo by the photographer McKinnley. This marriage basket photo is not on record of ever being at the gallery. The author then starts having weird dreams and is sent off to Manitoba to see Cree Medicine Women who tell her she has to steal the marriage basket blah blah blah.

First off, I am from Manitoba. There is NO such place here in our province named Crowley.

Here’s just a few of the eyebrow raising things I read in this book (laugh, cry, bang your head against the wall, I don’t know)

The story starts with the author and a friend going to the art gallery and the author seeing the photo of a marriage basket, calling the art gallery to purchase it, the gallery saying they have no history of that photo ever being in their gallery. Then the author is at a dinner party at her friends Beverly Hills mansion, now this is where the really weird stuff happens, and I started questioning things. At the dinner party with a bunch of rich high society Hollywood types; movie producer, plastic surgeon, an actress, a Native American Indian. How random, right.

So the weird stuff. The guy hosting the dinner party at his mansion becomes belligerent and rude to the Native American man. There is no explanation as to why other than the host had too much to drink, but why does he single him out? Lynn Andrews doesn’t say in the book. So the Native American man gets up and walks over to the host sticks his hand in his stomach and pulls out the hosts ego. Then he sits back down in his seat like nothing happened and tells Lynn they can finally talk. It is like they are in a dream, everything is perfect now that the host lost his ego. The next morning the host tells Lynn his stomach hurts. What do Lynn and the Native American man talk about? They talk about the marriage basket and he tells her she must go to Crowley Manitoba (ahem, there is no such place in MB) and speak to Agnes Whistling Elk.

She arrives in Manitoba, two silent native guys come out of nowhere as her tire blows on her car and they stand around her car watching her try to change her tire without speaking only laughing at her and not offering to help. After her tire is changed they ask her for a ride, she gives them a ride. WHY would you let two strange men in your car after they were laughing at you, personally I would have left them behind, not because they were jerks but because HELLO, two strange men in the middle of nowhere? NOPE!

Now she finds a cabin in the woods, takes off her clothes and gets into bed and goes to sleep, after finding an apple on the kitchen table and devouring it. I’m starting to wonder if I’m reading Goldie Locks and the three bears had a baby with Sleeping Beauty a retelling written by someone who just dropped a ton of acid. There’s more strange stuff she goes on about. The woman who lives in the cabin, Ruby shows up, is shaking Lynn and yelling at her to hurry up, and they go running off into the woods naked, then they come back to the cabin and slaughter a deer and eat the deer heart raw. And a bunch of other absurd stuff happens.

This book is a sick joke. At this point I decided to look up the author and found that her ex was interested in Native American culture and came up with the story for the book, after the two broke up he sued her but she paid him off so he’d go away, and he claims he is not allowed to talk about her or the book.

I was really disappointed in this book, it wasn’t at all what I was expecting it to be. I was expecting to read a true account of a spiritual journey of a woman who found herself or something meaningful. Maybe to Lynn Andrews it was, who am I to judge (although clearly I did). I believe in a lot of stuff, I read a lot on spirituality from all faiths, and I think it all to be beautiful. But I just can’t believe the claims in this book, it’s just a little to tutti fruitti, not to mention the inaccuracy of the Cree people, and the description of the province I live in was completely wrong. My point being, if you are going to write about someone’s religion and culture be respectful and do your research before you call it non-fiction.

Maybe Lynn Andrew’s boyfriend made up the story as he claimed, maybe he didn’t as she claims. Maybe this story happened in her reality, I don’t know. I just personally find it difficult to believe.

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

WHAT A HEAD TRIP! OMG, this book left me depressed and disturbed. The blend of Hollywood and Native America was an insult, and pretentious, and so was the main character. There wasn't a single character in the book that I connected with. Creepy bad guy named Red Dog, who fucks with your head and can steal your spirit. Ummm, so she plans to get the ancient 'marriage basket' back from him? I don't get it. What's interesting about that? She's not a medicine woman anyway, and neither is her teacher, Agnes. They practice ZERO medicine in this book. So what was the title again?....

[Deena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm really embarressed that I read this. I think it's really brave of me to admit it publicly.

[2tall4u · Rating 1 out of 5]

Best approached as fiction. There is no wisdom in this book. I characterize it as chick-lit (which is not a genre I like) masquerading as spiritual autobiography. I knew enough to avoid "Eat Pray Love," and I should have known enough to avoid this. What can I say? It was mildly interesting enough to serve as a needed diversion, I was curious as to exactly how bad it could get, it was relatively short, and it was recommended by a friend, but next time I'll know better than to take her advice on books.

Before finishing it, I found this article by the cochair of the Native American Task Force of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, who writes that Andrews has been criticized by Native American leaders for serious "errors regarding geography and custom, especially in her descriptions of ancient ceremonies... Andrews’s own religious experience is not the issue as much as her use of Native American references and symbols out of context." One leader quoted in the article asserted: "Andrews is making a joke out of our spirituality and Native culture."

http://www.religion-online.org/showar...

Overall, this book astonished me. I am astonished that it was ever published in the first place, let alone became a bestseller. It is, on so many levels, unconscionable.

[S. Harrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very interesting read, however fictional. I could have appreciated it more had it been presented as fiction, rather than autobiographical. Given that, I understand the reason that so many indigenous people were outraged by this book when it first came out. It makes me wonder how much her skewed depiction has shaped the modern cultural narrative of shamanism, at a collective and personal level.

[etherealfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Words are a sacred tool and must be honored as such. When used carefully, words have magical healing properties. When used to judge, to hate, or to separate, words are deadly. The words you will be using in this workbook are your basic tools for healing on this journey. Treat them with respect. Honor your words." ~ Lynn V. Andrews

Books completed:

--- Medicine Woman, 1981
--- Jaguar Woman and the Wisdom of the Butterfly Tree, 1985
--- Star Woman, 1986
--- Crystal Woman, 1987
--- Windhorse Woman, 1989
--- The Woman of Wyrrd, 1990
--- Shakkai, 1992
--- Woman at the Edge of Two Worlds, 1993

Loved the books - every one of them. Treat them as mythology or as absolute truth. It makes no difference, the larger truth is as real to me as the Cosmic Christ. And to me, that is real! Beautifully written, loved her relationships with her spiritual teachers. For me, these books were real medicine, true spiritual healing.

[Ivon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks of the journey that a woman had with a different culture, and how she found that she fit exactly for it. I enjoyed this book, and I was glued to it because it spoke of personal growth and the mysticism. I found it interesting that a white woman found her path with Native American traditions. It comes to show that we are all children of the creator, and we are part of a master plan.

[Eartha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt that I was journeying with Lynn as I read this book. There's is alot of speculation on whether this was a factual account, doesn't matter to me, as what I learned from Lynn's guide is priceless.

[Anita Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book many years ago. I gave it 4 stars only because it was one of my first forays into writings on a woman's view of indigenous spiritual practices. I have had mixed feelings about the Beverly Hills
lifestyle that Lynn seemed to live as it seemed incongruous with the message. But I have learned to suspend judgement and find wisdom where it appears. I do believe that there are nuggets of gold to be found in Lynn's books, and they helped me find my way to this path of study so I have a fond place in my heart for them.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Lynn Andrews is full of #*%!. I did finish the book though out of curiosity.

[jacqs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman from Beverly Hills gets teachings from a Native American shaman woman in Manitoba. In particular, she is trying to steal a "wedding basket" from a male sorcerer who stole it previously. The basket represents the balance of male and female energies. There is an ongoing assertion, which I question somewhat, that men can only get their power from women, because women and the womb are the void, the source of all creation.

The book starts out with banal details of normal life in Beverly Hills and then quickly becomes bizarre once she reaches Manitoba. I took it to be real since she says it was, but it certainly is a drastically different reality. The one detail that bothered me was when she got covered in deer blood, could not wash off, and then slept in her rental car without mentioning anything about getting the car seat bloody. But otherwise, it was one of those books that totally absorbed me and I neglected my other obligations.

[Weam Namou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the reviews I read find Lynn's experiences in Medicine Woman too absurd to be non-fiction. But for me, this book resonated the mysterious and rich lifestyle of my ancestors, the Mesopotamian and Babylonians. We are so disconnected from those who lived tens of thousands of years before us that it's difficult to imagine the unconventional way of life that Lynn writes and teaches about.

More about my experience with Lynn Andrew's teachings: http://culturalglimpse.com/2014/01/01...

[Emily Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my mom-I don't know where she found it- nightly as she took baths, after her eyesight was failing and she couldn't read to herself. It touched my Native roots deeply and made me more eager than ever to learn more about Native traditions. It touched my mother deeply, as well, inspiring her at a time when the conditions of her life were not very inspiring.

[Julia Kleyman · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a great and informative story in here somewhere, but the author does not deserve to be the carrier of such a story. The writing is poor, and the narrator is shallow and unintelligent. You will quite possibly get a lot more out of reading the story than she did out of living and writing it.

[Diana Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read, but do not believe that it is a "true" story as such. Gives food for thought, speculation and outrage at many levels while still being very entertaining.

Warning: there is a potential racist-sexist bias running through the story. Could seriously irritate some readers.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good story, but trying to pass it off as her autobiography? Complete and utter bullsh!t! If you're with the Cree, why aren't you using their language and culture??? Rubbish!

[Bauschan Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The extraordinary, internal struggle to find one’s true self

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

There’s no way this crap isn’t fictional. Pretentious, cultural appropriative bullshit.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sort of reminded me of a bad version of Jackie Collins. On a side note, I think the woman is horrifyingly hilarious and utterly fantastic. For some reason I thought Lynn Andrews would be a combination of Jackie Collins and someone like Paulo Coelho, whom I also love! But the writing here was a little simplistic and bitter. I didn't find very much spiritual insight here. I'm not one to judge another persons journey, but if I'm being honest I have to say that I had a hard time believing this story. There were times when I felt I was almost drawn in and just as that happened, Andrews found a way to make what could have been an interesting segment very dry. After reading this I wonder if she really believes in anything she's writing. This may have worked when it was first written in the 70s but for today's audience it's not relevant and barely interesting. I'm still not sure 100% sure why the marriage basket had so much spiritual significance. Perhaps I've missed the point all together here. I'll end by saying that I'm pretty disappointed with this novel, as it was recommended by more than one person. Maybe the next one will be better...

[Mme. Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you heard the phrase, "Be the master of your destiny, because you have the necessity to manifest yourself"? Learn how these words, are implimented in this novel, by reading the detailed endeavors of a woman who goes on a pursuit to uncover the Ancient Arts of a Native American culture. I enjoyed reading her novel because I felt connected to the character. Which allowed me to reflect on my own experiences as a woman. Lynn V. Andrews recreates her search for self discovery and identity in the ancient heyoka arts. She describes how an Indian shaman woman (Lynn) sets out to recover an Indian marriage basket from the male named, Red Dog. Which she later describes the owner of the ancient basket represents power in the ongoing struggle between male and female. Learning later, she discovers that the importance of the basket is so great, that Lynn's life is at stake should she fail in her quest. In the process of describing her odyssey, she weaves a remarkable story resplendent in symbolism and age-old wisdom.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I rate books on Goodreads is 1-4; I give books a 5 that were personally meaningful to me. Someone gave me this book when I was young and my head was full of Western Civilization. Like Castañeda, Andrews freed me from the fixed perspective of my own not-so-healthy cultural tradition. I know Andrews is now the poster girl for cultural appropriation, but the windows of wisdom this book opened in me have led me to read more indigenous writers and return to my own spiritual roots with greater respect. I respect her craft as a world-building writer. I am sorry for any pain it caused others. It was a great healing for me.

[Molly Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many views on this book make me think that it has definitely triggered something in every reader as they have a view. Personally I have read and re read this and other books by Lynn and I love it. It may not be academically and geo politically accurate and woke : I don’t think it was meant to be. It was written at a point in time which would have reflected the author’s personal journal. (Albeit fiction) Some books are written to speak to some people at a point in time. It spoke to me. It led to further reading and I am still unfolding 20 years later. I have passed the text to many friends since and it has a similar effect. There is no guarantee that it is for everyone.

[Atma · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the start till the half of the whole story i dont really like the main female character/Lyn/ -- i did continue reading ..waiting for some kind of her metamorphosis ... -- i rate 3 stars for all those precious info, but i still dont like that character ;) -- i have some books of her on the go.. she may change my mind in the future :)

[Helen]

I learned that anything is possible if you want it bad enough. It was very hard to put it down.

[Alana Cash · Rating 1 out of 5]

At the beginning of the book, the author is name-dropping, and pointing out all the accoutrements of her life - Gucci bags, expensive restaurants (closed now), expensive salons - which gave an impression of insecurity. It was interesting that while she was still at home in Beverly Hills, she said that she rubbed her foot against a deerskin rug in her bedroom. Later on in the book she refers to her teachers as "ugly" and when she is forced to help dress a deer, she feels sick. But she never makes the correlation about her own rug. How in order to have that deerskin rug, an animal had to die. And it's sad that she never seems to find the beauty in the faces of her teachers.

As for the story itself, I know there are many people interested in fantasy and superheroes and fights in the netherworld and they might be interested in this book.

It did not ring true as an autobiography, however, and perhaps that may be that the writing lacked description and a sense of reality. The author claims to be drinking tea pretty often. Is that Lipton's? And was that on a battery operated stove in that house without electricity. I mean, if have to fire up the stove any time you want tea, that's a pretty relevant detail. And one night she is told to spend the night by a river and she actually builds a fire herself. No matches, cigarette lighter. How exactly did she light a fire?

There's a lot of dreaming and out of body experiences in this book - and they seem to have something to do with substances swallowed or smoked. You don't have to be with a Native American shaman to get high and hallucinate.

At any rate, it wasn't a book that I gave me any knowledge about Native American "medicine."

[Patty Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read. It did have some gripping moments. If it is fiction, it is great, and if it is accurate history, than it is still great. It is hard to say what all is in the realm of medicine of Indigenous origin. I believe that the author may have had to change names and situations but keep the general area and events as close to real as possible. I have tried to learn more about my culture, and even though some feel that this is an invented story, I believe that some of it is accurate or close to being accurate. The people of the Cree nation sometimes tend to be like Agnes and Ruby, playful and deceiving and conniving.
This book may be fiction, but whoever takes whatever they want from any book, is totally up to the reader. It is well written and can be easily be read by teens to adults. You believe what you want.Lynn V. Andrews

[Suze Geuke]

de herinneringsboom heeft ons verteld: eerst was er de zon, vervolgens - de aarde en ten derde - de planeten. de boom keek op en was maar alleen. 'ik wil een heleboel kinderen hebben', zei de boom. vanaf dat moment kwamen de tweevoeters ten tonele.

dametje bezoekt dit mystieke land waar dromen een tipje van de sluier oplichten en elk stukje wolfsbont, kalebas en veertje bezield is. ze leert van wijze sjamanka over onze oorsprong, jagen en heilige grond. waaronder ook het volgende:

rook is heilig voor de indianen, zielen hebben de vorm van rook: wanneer de dood langskomt neemt hij de tabaksrook mee, en niet de zielen.

ik weet nou niet of dit nadrukkelijk authentieke indianencultuur overbrengt, toch echt een boeiende reis naar bezieling.

https://open.spotify.com/track/3tWjAW...

n.a.v. dit verhaal vraag ik me af wat mijn wilde dromen van de laatste tijd me willen vertellen. ik zal m'n oren eens spitsen.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When this book was written, episiotomy during birth was still routine & under investigation, the Berlin Wall intact & in use, stone henge had a free festival & you could still smoke aboard an aeroplane. What Lynn writes about is a discovery & history of shamanic, native practices through the lense of what was known (very little) by lay people discovering their own spiritual path. It is now over forty years old.

Personally, I love this book & I’m only just starting the series. It’s written with love, care & authority. It isn’t perfect, it is of its day & it’s very in-depth & experienced considering the slipperiness & complexity of subject matter. Not to mention how these practices have been cross pollinated as well as, shrouded in mystery over the years. As a student of the wheel for over three years, I can hand on heart say, this is a beautiful read.

[Erin Moxam · Rating 3 out of 5]

So here's an interesting one. This book was given to me as a 'something I might like' and I did in fact like it, but I also have some concerns about it. This is the story of Lynn, who at the beginning of the book is a rich LA person, movie star friends, blah blah blah. She of course does not end up this way, but goes on a pretty cool spiritual journey. The story is good and interesting enough, but as I try to articulate my concerns, I guess they are mostly to do with me and maybe not the story itself. I would be curious how indigenous people view this book, and also that it is presented as nonfiction and not fiction. Struggled a bit on those two points, but an interesting read.