Native American Medicine Bags

All Medicine Bags are hand painted with permanent ink on soft tan colored leather. Glass beads have been added as extra strength stoppers on the neck cord. The neck cord is extra long. This medicine bag has been made to last and will protect it's contents. It is appropriate for both men or women. The bag measures approximately 1.75 inches wide by 2.5 inches long.

The artist Paula Bidwell is an Indigenous Healer and while making these medicine bags uses prayer and song to infuse them with healing. The prayer is for well-being, protection and good health of the recipient. When an order comes in she looks over the premade bags until one stands out. If one doesn’t stand out, she makes a new one especially for the buyer. And there is always a slight variance in design.

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MEDICINE BAGS

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"Butterfly"

Native American Symbols - Sacred Butterfly Symbolism

A few days after my first “Hanble Ceya” (ceremonial fast known as Vision Quest) I woke just before sunrise feeling something on my toes. I looked toward my feet and saw a very small being with wings fluttering around them.  This creature appeared very real and I bolted upright in bed. This fast movement made it disappear from my sight. I thought I had gone crazy or maybe I was delusional...why was I seeing a fairy person?  

The next morning I called a friend who was a traditional woman trained in healing and ceremonies. I told her what happened and she said this was very good.  She further explained that the fairy people are called Kimimila Wakan in Lakota meaning Sacred Butterflies. They are known to be helpers for dancers and that I would probably become a dancer.

It was several years later when I had the “dancers dream”. In the dream all of my beadwork and regalia had symbols of butterflies. As is tradition, I told no one of my dream, but within a few days one of my elder relatives came to the house and gave me a pair of moccasins. She said she had a dream that I was dancing. These moccasins had symbols of the butterfly all around the edges! Throughout the years I danced in many powwows and experienced occasions where the the fairy people or sacred butterflies helped me to dance my best.

It is believed when we observe the butterfly it enhances and heals our connection with humanity. We are reminded by the butterfly’s beauty and delicacy that life can be fragile and to be mindful of what is precious and important in life. To treat everyone with beautiful thoughts and and to treasure all whom we know.

The butterfly is capable of changing its entire genetic code during the process of transformation. This fact gives us great hope when times are difficult or we have physical ailments; we can remember the Butterfly and be encouraged that even tremendous change is possible. As with the butterfly, we are not what we were when we first came into this body and tomorrow we will not be the same as we are today.

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NATIVE AMERICAN RAVEN MEDICINE BAG

Native American Symbols - Raven Symbolism: Raven is a “trickster”. Raven appears in a variety of forms making us think they are another type of bird. Their voice can make us think they are human. They often appear to be another color instead of black.  The “trickster” keeps us alert and aware. Honing our skills of observation and broadening our personal perspectives. If we communicate with Raven it is best to remember that they are true “tricksters”.  Sometimes the answers they give are straightforward and other times the messages are the opposite of what it should be.  The listener must be very in tune with which type of message the Raven is giving. Raven will show us the brighter side of life with sparkling and shiny objects in its beak or when it dives repeatedly at a shiny object on the ground. When raven does this, it is such an uplifting experience and so necessary for our well being in this illusionary world.

Inspiration: The following is my personal story of an experience with Raven.

A few winters ago, I became very sad. There seemed to be no hope in my life. Then one cold winter night, I dreamed a Raven came to my window and invited me for a ride. I climbed on his back and we took off into the night sky. Flying up and up and up. Then…Raven turned his head and with his piercing eyes looked deep into my soul.  Our minds and spirits seemed to merge into one. I was no longer a human person. I was as much Raven as Raven himself.  I felt a sense of joy and a curiosity. The world was magical. As Raven and I continued to fly, I delighted in all the beauty of our world. When I saw my bedroom window, I knew the journey had ended. Yet, I still felt happiness, curiosity, hope and joy. All the things I had lost through the shadowy depression. To this day I remember vividly how it felt to be Raven.

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NATIVE AMERICAN TURTLE MEDICINE BAG

Native American Symbols - Turtle  Symbolism: North America is referred to as Turtle Island, because our stories say that when the earth was covered with water, Turtle dove to the bottom of the oceans bringing up earth on its back so that the people could have a safe and dry home.

Turtle is able to live anywhere because it carries its home on its back. It does not become attached to places, for it is free to search for new opportunities wherever they may be found. When they sense danger, or are in uncomfortable and insecure settings, they withdraw into their shell, and are protected.

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NATIVE AMERICAN HUMMINGBIRD MEDICINE BAG

Native American Symbols - Hummingbird Symbolism: Hummingbirds serve humanity as reminders that we can all achieve freedom, beauty and strength no matter what our size or condition.  They are the symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible.  They are tremendous protectors and teach us to many things about keeping ourselves safe. They show us to become an impossible target by moving in unexpected ways. They zig zag, whether flying backwards or forwards, up or down, right or left, and they can even fly upside down. All of this making them an impossible target for any prey. Humming birds are ferocious fighters when defending their food supplies. They will even fight hawks and ravens. Size makes no difference to them.  Although, when food is scarce, the hummingbird will seldom fight. It seems that sharing and compassion are qualities they possess.

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NATIVE AMERICAN BEAR PAW MEDICINE BAG

Native American symbols: The Bear Paw is a Native American symbol of healing medicines. Any root, plant, tree or bark that the bear uses to heal him or herself can be used by humans. In the old days we would follow the sick bear to see which medicines it would eat to heal itself.  Since most of these medicine had to dug up from the ground, the bear paw has become a symbol of healing. In mystical traditions if a person was meant to receive “bear medicine” they would have a dream where the bear claws their body and leaves it’s mark permanently. Although, normally there is no physical mark left behind, it is believed that the soul of the person is marked for eternity.

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BEAR WALKING MEDICINE BAG

Native American symbols: The Bear Paw is a Native American symbol of healing medicines. Any root, plant, tree or bark that the bear uses to heal him or herself can be used by humans. In the old days we would follow the sick bear to see which medicines it would eat to heal itself.  Since most of these medicine had to dug up from the ground, the bear paw has become a symbol of healing. In mystical traditions if a person was meant to receive “bear medicine” they would have a dream where the bear claws their body and leaves it’s mark permanently. Although, normally there is no physical mark left behind, it is believed that the soul of the person is marked for eternity.

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NATIVE AMERICAN DRAGONFLY MEDICINE BAG

Hummingbirds serve humanity as reminders that we can all achieve freedom, beauty and strength no matter what our size or condition.  They are the symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible.  They are tremendous protectors and teach us to many things about keeping ourselves safe. They show us to become an impossible target by moving in unexpected ways. They zig zag, whether flying backwards or forwards, up or down, right or left, and they can even fly upside down. All of this making them an impossible target for any prey. Humming birds are ferocious fighters when defending their food supplies. They will even fight hawks and ravens. Size makes no difference to them.  Although, when food is scarce, the hummingbird will seldom fight. It seems that sharing and compassion are qualities they possess.

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NATIVE AMERICAN OWL FLYING MEDICINE BAG

The sacred owl is a very powerful bird. It’s abilities are far reaching and very diverse. Many Native Americans tribes are wary of the owl, but for me the owl was always a helper and friend. Guiding and protecting me through events that could have been tragic.

Recently, the owl has been very active in my life and I wanted to wear a symbol or image of it. As I searched for earrings and necklaces, all I found were cute or comic images trivializing the power and sacredness of the owl, so I create my own. I hope you can feel the power of the owl in the image I created.

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NATIVE AMERICAN WOLF MEDICINE WHEEL MEDICINE BAG

Wolf Symbolism: Wolves are fiercely loyal to their mates. The Wolf also provides stability and support for the family and a is a strong protection for the family. Another important aspect of Wolf is it will appear to us and guide us in our dreams and in life if one finds him or herself lost, a Wolf many times appears to show the way. There are also numerous stories of Wolves taking in a human child or adult if they are injured and healing the injury while providing shelter, food and water. These stories abound in all cultures.

Medicine Wheel: The Medicine Wheel has been used since ancient times. Our first traces of it are stones placed in a circle with four lines in the center. I have never found anyone who can really say how these were used. But they exist in many places on the North American continent. As I was taught, the Medicine Wheel that we see today worn in the hair or placed on sacred objects, was originally given to the men. Later the woman, especially at Powwow, began to  use the Medicine Wheel. In general most people say the Medicine Wheel represents the four winds and/or the four races within the Sacred Hoop. I was told by Arvol Looking Horse, the Keeper of the Sacred Buffalo Calf Pipe, that the Sacred Hoop of life had become broken and it was up to us to begin to mend it. He also said the mending includes all four races.

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