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Everyone wants to know how I came to have a name like “Thea Summer Deer.” Both Thea, and Summer Deer, are given names. Summer Deer was given to me by a young medicine woman, the daughter of a Native American medicine man. “Summer” refers to the season I was born in, and “Deer” is one of my spirit helpers.

Deer is a medicine animal important to many cultures and tribes. To the Huichol, deer symbolizes intuition and the heart’s connection to the life force energy transmitted through the ceremonial deer hide drum. The deer is a special ally of the Huichol medicine person who brings Earth-Spirit balance. Deer Medicine People have long understood the right relationship to the Elements.

Deer also has value to the Maya and Yaqui as a medicine animal. I was fortunate to work with the Yaqui (Pascua) tribe when I lived in Tucson, AZ, as Executive Director of Resources for World Health. I enjoyed watching the Deer Dances every spring. They traditionally began on the eve of May 1st. The first day of May also happens to be Green Man Day and the Festival of Beltane, celebrated in Europe as planting day. My husband, Chuck, affectionately known as The GreenMan, was born on May 1st. It is why we call our acoustic singer-songwriter duo  Thea & The GreenMan.

The Cheyenne hold Deer Medicine People to be “spiritual doctors.” My grandmother in my adoptive family was born in Cheyenne, WY. My great-grandmother Minnie Culver, as a young girl, came West in a covered wagon and settled in Cheyenne with her family, where the Deer Nation is considered a giveaway nation for the two-leggeds. The Deer Clan is a clan of medicine people.

Frank Waters, the late Cheyenne writer, has greatly inspired me through his work. I was privileged to meet Frank before his passing and spent time in the Waters’ home in Taos, NM, with his wife, Barbara. Frank Waters, who has the designated title, Grandfather of Southwestern Literature, authored many books, which included Book of the Hopi, The Man Who Killed the Deer, and Mexico Mystique: The Coming Sixth World of Consciousness. My essay, “Frank Waters, The Man,” was published in the book, Rekindling the Inner Light.

Requesting a Consultation

In Native America, a gift is offered with humility when approaching a medicine person to ask for guidance or healing. If the medicine person accepts the offering, then it is understood that they have agreed to work with you.

The first step in healing is personal responsibility (ability to respond). It is up to you to carefully prepare to choose who you will ask for help. Pray and cleansing of body and mind facilitate asking for and receiving guidance and clarity. One must undertake the direction when it comes. To do otherwise would dishonor self and Great Spirit. It is one thing to ask for guidance, another to receive that guidance, and yet another to carry and put it into action.

In our world today we have forgotten how to ask for help. Let alone how to prepare ourselves to ask or how to receive it once given. Instead, we feel a sense of entitlement through the exchange of money. We give our power away when we look outside ourselves for someone else to give us the answers rather than following our inner navigation system. I believe we are healers in relationship with others who are their own healer. I hope you will find the information on these pages useful and empowering on your journey.

If you would like schedule a consultation, or request help, support or guidance please email me at: Consultation.