BOOK OF GLEANINGS.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE WAY OF YOSIRA.
(1) Yosira taught that within each man resides a little man who is the Lord of the Body, and this is the life of men. While man sleeps the little man wanders abroad to journey as it will, at death departing from him forever. The Lord of the Body cannot be seen by mortal eyes, but it is not hidden from all seeing eyes of the Twice Born. When departing at death it comes out from the mortal mouth, waiting awhile until it grows celestial wings. Then it flies away to the Western Kingdom where the wings are shed.
(2) In the place whither it journeys the Lord of the Body needs no earth-made abode, therefore burning the earthly habitations of a Departed One is futile. However, if the habitation remains and it is not purified, it becomes the gathering place for shades arising from the Place of Darkness, for the habitation need not be destroyed, it must be purified by incense and water and refilled with protective hokew.
(3) If a man come upon another asleep, the sleeper must be awakened quietly and with gentleness, so the Lord of the Body may re-enter peacefully. For if the sleeper be awakened before it has re-entered, or if it jump back in fright, then the man will become sick. Therefore, when awakening a sleeper it is well to call gently to the being without.
(4) When the mortal body becomes sickened without the heat of the lukim being present, or if the man or woman be seized and tormented by the Dark Spirits of madness, this may be caused by the day sleeping of the Lord of the Body. Thus, if the Lord of the Body be awakened from its day sleeping, or restored from its restlessness, then the man or woman may be cured. These things Yosira permitted to be done after the fashion of charmers.
(5) Yosira taught the curing of many kinds of ills within the mortal body and the use of draughts containing the life of herbs and growing things. He used fire to stop life leaving the mortal body. The manner of effecting these things is written in the Book of Medications.
(6) When Yosira came with his sons into the land of Tamuera, the people there dwelt in darkness and they were ignorant of all knowledge. They were divided among themselves into many kindreds, and strife was frequent. They had no kings and only the old men ruled. There were many charmers who ruled the people by delusions and also those called the Keepers of Customs and the Teller of Tales.
(7) One people dwelt among great trees and thick forests in the midst of swamplands. Their habitations were made of reeds and stood upon high platforms. These people were called the Children of Panheta, for he was their god in the days following those during which men were first created in the midst of the waters.
(8) Another people dwelt beyond reach of the waters and away from the trees, and they were nameless. They dug holes for their habitations or sought abodes in caves within the hillsides. This people had no gods but worshipped the Dark Spirits and the Kamawam of the forest which seized men at night. When the men who had been seized returned to their kindred, they were without words, being dumb. They died in the midst of madness, tearing at their bodies. But there was no Kamawam in the forest, this madness being the work of charmers
wishing to instil fear into the hearts of men.
(9) This is the manner in which it was brought about: When the charmers seized men at night they took them to a secret place where their tongues were pierced well back with thin thorns. Thus the tongue swelled up, so they whose tongues were so pierced lost the power of speech. The charmers also pierced the victims about the waist with slivers of wood, so none could discover where they were inserted. They drove other splinters into them at the bridge between the private parts and the rear channel, and none could discover them there and know the victim was pierced with thorns and splinters.
(10) Yosira cursed all the charmers who practised this evil with a great curse, so they were driven to madness by a demon which ate away their bellies. Since then the Kamawam has been known no more in the land.
(11) Yosira taught men to beat metal out of stones and to burn stones, so that they gave up their heart. He taught men to work with clay and he taught them the weaving of cloth and the making of beer.
(12) When Yosira came into the land, the people knew nought about the cutting of water channels and the sowing of corn, but Yosira taught them these things. It was he who brought fertility to the land; it was he who died in the midst of the waters to give them life, and his life is in them still. Therefore, it was through the Spirit of the Great One who died in the days of old that the soil became fruitful. Beyond the reach of the living waters which rise and fall like the chest of a breathing man, the land is dead. It remains barren like a woman who has not known a man. It was known even to the men of old that if the land was not refreshed with the living waters but with other waters, then its increase would diminish from year to year until it became waste. The increase within the soil comes not from water alone but from the life within the water. Life comes forth from life, and that which has not life cannot beget life.
(13) Therefore, the good land is that which is married to the threefold god, and land not so married remains barren. The married land is covered with the rising waters, but the land not married is ignored by them. These things were written concerning The Children of Panheta: Yosira spoke with Panheta as man speaks to
man, therefore the laws of the Inta were not changed, remaining to bind alike those of them who dwelt on the soil or dwelt on the sand. If any man went among the Inta their laws became his laws and if any woman left the people to dwell among the Inta she became even as they and might not return.
(14) Even as the Sun spirit journeys on a road set between the stars, so does the spirit of man journey with the movement of the waters. Therefore, when a man dies his body shall be buried lengthwise with the great river. Even as the land upon which things grow belongs to the kindred whose blood is within it, so shall no man own to himself alone anything growing up from it, whether it be grass or herb or tree. But each man and woman may take of every herb and fruit as much as can be gathered in the hands and eaten before sunsetting. Of all things which are a seed and can be eaten, each one may gather for themselves as much as can be stored within a jar or suspended from the food pole. All things which are a seed and can be eaten but which are not stored in a jar or suspended from a food pole, shall be stored in the pit of the kindred. Nothing shall be placed
within the pit unless it has been heated by fire and cooled.
(15) Even as the Spirit of Life resides in the things which men eat, so does it reside in the living things from whence they came. Therefore, any tree or bush bearing the food of men shall not be cut or broken. The blood of beasts cries from the soil even as does the blood of men; therefore, if shed it must be appeased. Slay no beast unless it be needed for food, and bury the head and whatever comes out of its belly. Every other part which is taken shall be eaten or burned, except for the bones and the skin which are to be used. Fire serves man, but it can also become his master. Consider its nature. Does it spring out of the wood unbidden or of its own volition, or does it require the agency of man? Does it reside in the wood or is there a fire spirit? Only the fools among men start something which they cannot control. Never let a fire grow into a thing of much smoke, keep it bright, using no more wood than is needful for the purpose. Let it not stray from its proper place, which is the place where it serves without menace. When they become of an age to do so every man and woman should take themselves a mate. Those who fail to do so are not held in the highest esteem.
(16) By the things whereby a man commits a wrong, so shall he be punished. Likewise, he shall be dealt with according to the nature of the wrong. The customs from times past are not unhelpful guides. When Yosira came to the place where the Inta dwelt they made him welcome in this manner, "When we saw you our hearts were gladdened. The life was renewed in us and though content as we were you brought refreshment and joy". Yosira called these people his unweaned children.
COMMENTARY.
Yosira taught there is a spirit or Divine spark which resides in each one of us coming into us (most likely) at conception. It’s sometimes called Lord of the Body. This is where the Life comes from. Communion with Father/dark spirits, intuition and conscience are what it is made up of. The spirit wanders to journey freely while he/she sleeps. Departs forever at the death. It can’t be seen by mortal eyes but not to the all seeing eyes of the Twice Born. At death it comes out of the mortal mouth waiting until it grows celestial wings. Upon receiving it flies to the Western Kingdom where they are shed. Doesn’t sound much like hell which is just in the mind. Its not a name I’ve come across before but suffice to say it is in the spirit realm we are talking about here and it appears everyone goes there. Although it seems to represent something geographical I wouldn’t think this is the case.
Where it journeys the spirit needs no earth-made dwelling so burning the Departed One’s home is a waste of time. However, if the place remains it must be purified or it will become a Place of Darkness where shades gather. Purified with incense and water and refilled with hokew is needed.
A sleeper must be awakened by another quietly with gentleness. This is so the spirit re-enters peacefully and not frightened into jumping back in. If the person is frightened will become sick. So call gently to him.
When sickened but without the lukim or seized and tormented by Dark Spirits it may be the spirit is dat sleeping. Thus, if it is awakened or restored from restlessness the man or woman can be cured. Yosira permitted this to be done in the fashion of charmers.
Teaching the curing of ills within the mortal body through draughts containing herbs and growing things was what Yosira taught. He used fire to stop Life leaving the body. These are written in the Book of Medications.
Yosira and his sons came into Tamuera where darkness dwelt. The people were ignorant of all knowledge, divided among many kindred. Strife was frequent. Old men not kings ruled them. Charmers also ruled by delusions. Keepers of Customs and Teller of Tales had their say too.
One people dwelt by trees in thick forests in the midst of swamplands. Houses were made of reeds on high platforms. Children of Panheta was their name. He was their god following when men were first created by the waters.
Another people were beyond reach of the waters and away from trees. They had no name. Digging holes or finding abodes in caves within the hillsides was their home. They had no gods but worshipped the Dark Spirits and Kamawam of the forest. This seized men at nighttime. When these who had been seized returned to their kindred no words came out for they were dumb. These died in madness tearing at their bodies. This deity, however, didn’t exist for charmers worked to instil fear in the hearts of men.
This is how it happened. Charmers seized them at night piercing their tongues with thin thorns. The tongue swelled up losing the power of speech. Also pierced around waist with slivers of wood so none could find where inserted. Splinters were also inserted between private parts and rear channel. None could discover where victims had been pierced.
Yosira cursed the charmers who practiced this driving them mad with a demon who ate their bellies. The Kamawam since haven’t been known in the land.
He taught to beat metal out of stones and to burn so as to give up their heart. Also taught how to weave cloth and make beer.
He taught how to cut water channels which before they didn’t know. Also, sowing of corn. He brought fertility to the land. It was he who died in the midst of waters to give them Life. It remains with them still. Through Spirit of Great One who died in old days that the soil became fruitful. However, beyond the living waters where rise and fall is like chest of a breathing man the land is dead. Remains barren like a woman who hasn’t known a man. Even this was known if living waters didn’t refresh the land each year then its increase would be other waters and diminish each year until it became waste. Increase in land isn’t from water only but also from the Life within it. Life from Life but that which isn’t Life cannot beget it.
The good land is married to the threefold god. That which isn’t is barren. Married land has rising waters but that which isn’t is ignored by them. Concerning the Children of Panheta these things were written. Yosira spoke with him man to man. Therefore, the laws of Inta weren’t changed. They remained to bind those who dwell on the soil and those on the sand. If a man went among them their laws became his. Likewise, if a woman left the people to dwell among them she became as they and might not return.
There’s much to learn about our spirit. As the sun spirit journeys as it wants between the stars so our spirit journeys by movement of waters. Therefore, his body should be lengthwise when buried to the great river. Even as the land belongs to the kindred whose blood is within so things that grow in it don’t belong to any one man - anything growing on it whether grass, herb or tree. But each may take of every fruit or herb as much as can be gathered in the hands and eaten before sunset. All things which are a seed can be eaten. Gather them and put as much as can be put in a jar or suspended from a food pole. That which isn’t put in these should be put in the pit of the kindred. However, don’t put in the pit if it hasn’t been heated by fire and cooled.
Even as the things we eat does the Spirit of Life reside. Also, in the living things from whence they came does it reside. As this is, no bush or tree bearing for Man shall be cut or broken. The blood of beasts cries from the soil as does that of men. It should be appeased. Slay not unless needed for food. Bury the head and what comes out of the belly. All else should be eaten or burned. Bones and skin, however, are to be used. Fire serves man. Be careful it doesn’t become your master by not considering its nature. Does it spring out unbidden or at the agency of man? Is there a fire spirit or is it part of wood? Only fools start what they can’t control. Never let it grow into much smoke. Instead, let it remain bright. Use only as much wood as is needed. Keep it where it should be and doesn’t become a menace. When everyone is of an age they should find a mate. If they don’t won’t be held in the highest esteem.
Whereby we do wrong we are to be punished. Likewise according to its nature. From the customs of the past we find helpful guides. When he (Yosira) came to the Inta they welcomed him thus: “Thanks for coming. Our hearts are gladdened. Life was renewed in us. Content as we were refreshment and joy came with you.” So he called them his unweaned children.