The four pillars of magical healing.

Tips on healing from a self proclaimed Gypsy witch doctor.

Advice to healers both new and old.

To use these skills combined, or any way you so desire.

These are the four pillars of healing that I use as my foundations. It does not represent all medicine or healing arts and therapies.

It does not represent a better or worse way. But only my way. Or the way I see it.

A simple way.

Typically within each pillar, I spend half of my time studying so called recognized science based disciplines (so I am not accused of being a quack). The other half is where the magic really happens. Yin and yang.

1. Mind medicine and mesmerism

2. Nutrition and herbal remedies

3. Sport medicine and acupuncture

4. Preventative medicine and risk reduction

1) It all starts with thought.

Whether that thought is to seek help or to make a change. Or to identify a problem in the first place. It can be a conscious or a subconscious challenge. Addiction or a doubt.

The mind is a powerful tool. But with power also comes crisis.

Depression, anxiety, restlessness, self image, dreams or dread and just plain old nocebo can knock you down dead. The mind is very powerful. The brain a hungry organ. It can both help or hinder.

How we experience suffering and how we make it a habit can influence our healing, or lead to more harm. If we suffer severely, stressed we soon tire. If we suffer for long we develop coping strategies that are often wrong. And those habits can be difficult to fend away. Unless that difficulty can be rephrased as a challenge and a challenge as a fun and empowering endeavor. And then they can be conquered practically forever.

Mindfulness and living in the moment, silencing of thought, can often soothe those in a mental state of contort.

But only when the problem, a pattern of behavior is identified can it be more tactfully treated.

And often the process of identifying can only happen with equal part reflection and meditation. And so we must be flexible to both methods, to be everything and nothing at the same time.

…Mind medicine is confusing isn't it.

The best advice is usually found in a well phrased question.

The best healer is usually the patient themselves. They know. They just don't know that they know.

The goal of the healer is to show the patient they themselves are powerful, that there is direction to be found. And that place they want to be wherever it is, can exist and a route can be found to get there. It is in essence not too different from learning navigation. First we find ourselves. Then we find the destination. And finally the landmarks that help us get there.

And that even the smallest steps on that journey are never wasted. Just as a marathon is run one step at a time.

To be the best healer you must be the coach, the counselor and the trickster at times too. And install equal parts expectation, hope, discipline and direction.

For everyone else there are mushrooms.

2) Internal medicines.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.

Nutrition plays a big part in health and healing. From macros to microbiome’s and the phytochemicals in plants and mans obsession with preservatives.

Vitamins and food preparation are important too, because all the theory in the world means nothing if they cannot and will not manifest it into reality.

One pot, ethnic cuisine, vegetables, carbs and meat. Customize each flavor to the lifestyle you seek.

Herbal remedies are chemistry, color offers hints. Flavors and aroma, or toxins such as you find on stinging nettle.

The natural world is a pharmacy hidden in plain sight. Some very powerful. Some subtle and slow. Some taste wonderful. Other astringent and less so.

Learn what is in your environment and how to grow what you can. Learn what you love and just learn whatever you can.

But internal medicine isn't only what goes into the gut. But what we touch (solid), ingest (liquid) and inhale (gas) too. Always consider those other mediums.

And use them against themselves. Soothe burns with cool water and lather on lotions. Stomach aches with hot soups. Colds with the fragrance of citrus fruit and cinnamon, or eucalyptus and manuka essential oils. For that is how they are often most effective.

3) External exercises

Movement, exercise and manipulation of the body and how it moves about.

Movement is a part of life. MRS C GREN told me so.

Stabilizing, coordinating and easing the aches and pains of living makes it less of a bane. And that alone keeps you sane.

Whether through exercises, progressive from beginner level to advanced. Acute or chronic ailments can be reduced. Or with the use of aids, splints, strapping and crutches. To support the body during a phase of healing before it's gradual rehabilitation when the swelling has ceased.

Or applied pressure to trigger points that follow the contours of the body and where fascia and connective tissue contort blocking the flow of essential life fluids. Lymph and blood. Nerves and sinew. Release these blockade and revitalize the terrain within.

Whether sharp or dull pressure is applied. Whether active or inactive movement involved.

Lymph fluid must flow, joints should move, hearts must beat. These criteria met to live life complete.

4) Prevention is better than a cure

What is the best way to heal a broken heart? Is it to avoid the beauty of love for fear of losing it?

What is the best way to avoid a broken leg? Is it to avoid being scared, like that time you looked down the steep hill whilst holding onto your skateboard?

What is the best way to avoid plague, but to keep clean and chase away the rats?

What is the best way to avoid disease, but to be knowledgeable and apply that knowledge in meaningful ways to eliminate or minimize hazards in the wider environment.

To think first, measure twice after and cut only later.

Some hazards are serious. Some repeat often and a lot. Those that do both are not to be forgot. But to be eliminated or minimized.

But remember, too much of any thing good can turn to bad. Don't give up living, only to stay alive sad.

Be tactful in your application of prevention.

But…