Think Indigenous: Native American Spirituality for a Modern World

by Doug Good Feather

The West is where the Thunder Beings—the Wakíŋyaŋ—come from. They fill the atmosphere with rolling thunder, brighten the senses with lightning, and bring the healing medicine of the cleansing rains. The Thunder Beings come from the spirit world; they are the Creator’s warriors, and they come to teach us vigilance and to heal sickness in the world. The Thunder Beings are allies to the Star Seeds, those sacred humans that have picked up the ways of natural spirituality. Carrying these ways can be a heavy burden at times, and the Thunder Beings help to give us healing and strength to hold that space for Spirit to come through us as we continue to walk the Red Road in a good way. But, just like when we walk any road, we gather dirt and grime along the way, and we need to wipe it off. The Thunder Beings’ medicine can wipe us off spiritually and turn water into medicine. A shower, bath, or swim can wash away the stress and worry and cleanse those things that are sacred. They help keep us clean from drugs and alcohol and other forms of self-abuse.