The theurgist or song-priest arrived at noon on the 12th of October, 1885.
Almost immediately after his arrival we boldly entered the medicine lodge,
accompanied by our interpreter, Navajo John, and pleaded our cause. The
stipulation of the medicine man was that we should make no mistakes and
thereby offend the gods, and to avoid mistakes we must hear all of his
songs and see all of his medicines, and he at once ordered some youths to
prepare a place for our tent near the lodge. During the afternoon of the
12th those who were to take part in the ceremonial received orders and
instructions from the song-priest. One man went to collect twigs with
which to make twelve rings, each 6 inches in diameter. These rings
represented gaming rings, which are not only used by the Navajo, but are
thought highly of by the genii of the rocks. (See Fig. 117.) Another man
gathered willows with which to make the emblem of the concentration of the
four winds. The square was made by dressed willows crossed and left
projecting at the corners each one inch beyond the next. The corners were
tied together with white cotton cord, and each corner was ornamented with
the under tail feather of the eagle. These articles were laid in a niche
behind the theurgist, whose permanent seat was on the west side of the
lodge facing east. The night ceremony commenced shortly after dark. All
those who were to participate were immediate friends and relatives of the
invalid excepting the theurgist or song-priest, he being the only one who
received direct compensation for his professional services. The cost of
such a ceremony is no inconsiderable item. Not only the exorbitant fee of
the theurgist must be paid, but the entire assemblage must be fed during
the nine days' ceremonial at the expense of the invalid, assisted by his
near relatives.
[Illustration: Figure 117]
FIG. 117. Gaming ring.
A bright fire burned in the lodge, and shortly after dark the invalid
appeared and sat upon a blanket, which was placed in front of the
song-priest. Previously, however, three men had prepared themselves to
personate the gods--Hasjelti, Hostjoghon, and Hostjobokon--and one to
personate the goddess, Hostjoboard. They left the lodge, carrying their
masks in their hands, went a short distance away and put on their masks.
Then Hasjelti and Hostjoghon returned to the lodge, and Hasjelti, amid
hoots, "hu-hoo-hu-huh!" placed the square which he carried over the
invalid's head, and Hostjoghon shook two eagle wands, one in each hand, on
each side of the invalid's head and body, then over his head, meanwhile
hooting in his peculiar way, "hu-u-u-u-uh!" He then followed Hasjelti out
of the lodge. The men representing Hostjobokon and Hostjoboard came in
alternately. Hostjobokon took one of the rings which had been made during
the afternoon, and now lay upon the blanket to the right of the invalid,
and placed it against the soles of the feet of the invalid, who was
sitting with knees drawn up, and then against his knees, palms, breast,
each scapula, and top of his head; then over his mouth. While touching the
different parts of the body the ring was held with both hands, but when
placed to the mouth of the invalid it was taken in the left hand. The ring
was made of a reed, the ends of which were secured by a long string
wrapped over the ring like a slipnoose. When the ring was placed over the
mouth of the invalid the string was pulled and the ring dropped and rolled
out of the lodge, the long tail of white cotton yarn, with eagle plume
attached to the end, extending far behind. Hoslgoboard repeated this
ceremony with a second ring, and so did Hostjobokon and Hostjoboard
alternately, until the twelve rings were disposed of. Three of the rings
were afterward taken to the east, three to the south, three to the west,
and three to the north, and deposited at the base of piñon trees. The
rings were placed over the invalid's mouth to give him strength, cause him
to talk with one tongue, and to have a good mind and heart. The other
portions of the body were touched with them for physical benefit. When the
rings had all been rolled out of the lodge Hasjelti entered, followed by
Hostjoghon. He passed the square (the concentrated winds) four times over
the head of the invalid during his hoots. Hostjoghon then waved his turkey
wands about the head and body of the invalid, and the first day's ceremony
was at an end.