The iatromantis was a significant player in ancient Greek medicine and mysticism. But their origins as to their techniques have been a mystery for a long time. However, thanks to the works of Peter Kingsley, we have a story to tell.

What is an Iatromanis?
An iatromantis is, literally, a “physician-seer,” or to use a modern expression, “medicine man.” An iatromantis is a shamanic figure, although in my writings I am loathe to use that word because it has the trappings of certain images, such as romanticizing Native Americans and other indigenous populations. I prefer to use the terms which belong to that specific culture.

For the ancient Greek tribes, an iatromantis was a necessary component of their lives, especially in the lands of Magna Graecia (“Greater Greece”). Magna Graecia encompasses the lands of Southern Italy as opposed to Athens. Magna Graecia had more temples than at Athens. Also, there was a very strong influence of “shamanism” which created the Mystery Schools of the iatromantis. It was quite a different culture, and I’ll go into those details in another blog post.

Origins
The meditative and ecstatic techniques that defined an iatromantis have roots going back into Central Asia. It is conjectured that an iatromantis was a foreigner, perhaps Scythian, Thracian, or from Central Asia itself. They came from the land of Hyperborea, or the “land beyond the North Wind.” It was said to be the place where the God Apollo went to every winter from Delphi (the place where his oracle lived in the temple there). In the winter Dionysos watched over the Delphic Oracle. In fact, legend tells us that three priests of the God Apollo dwelt and ruled over Hyperborea, now believed to be the in the Baltic areas. Amber, being Apollo’s sacred resin, is found in that area. Priests of Apollo from Magna Graecia traveled to that region often, including the British Isles.

Asklepios
Asklepios is the demigod Son of Apollo. He was taught by the wise centaur Chiron in the land of Thessaly in the healing arts. He is the Hero patron of physicians, the iatromantis, and medicine. This is significant because it demonstrates that the ancient Greeks saw medicine and mysticism go hand-in-hand. While some eschewed the mystic arts such as Galen and Hippocrates, others became a guild called the Asklepiades: doctors who were priests of Apollo.

Asklepios was so skilled that he even brought people back from the dead, a technique which angered Hades. He complained to his brother Zeus that he would have no one in his kingdom should Asklepios continue his work. So, Zeus killed him with a lightning blot and set his essence in the stars as the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer. I don’t interpret the story that way. I choose to view it as Zeus granting Asklepios immortality and the apotheosis of a God. Many stories are told which can paint the Gods in a bad light, but with another perception, the stories – without literalism – can grant a strong myth about the central character.

Apollo Oulios 
Apollo was well-rounded in his abilities. He was a God of the Pythian Oracle, medicine, poetry, healing, and archery. Many envision him as a bright Sun God or Light Bearer who rides in a golden chariot. While this imagery is traditional, there is also another facet: an Underworld Apollo, the one of caverns, sleep, and the iatomantis. This Underworld Apollo was a healer using incubation. Incubation is a technique in which – in the stillness of silence – a priest of Apollo would receive divine information. This was the same method used by his son Asklepios. Later, many priests would have their last name “Ouliades,” (of Apollo). Some of the priests were lineaged and the information was passed down via family lines.

Asklepeions were built for these workings: dream temples. In the temples there would be purification rites along with chanting and a place for the ill to sleep. The purpose was to receive a dream-vision from Apollo or Asklepios, who would prescribe the cure. Upon waking, the patient would tell the priest what they had dreamed. By interpretation and oracling, the priest would then give them the cure. Many testimonies exist of these treatments working.

Conclusion
As an iatromantis, it goes well together with my abilities as an oracle. I am interested in medicine, and having a medical background helps. As I go forward with my interest in alternative medicine, I constantly wonder at the revival of these techniques in our time. I know a priestess in my tradition who is skilled at this, and I would like to see more of Apollo’s power and effectiveness built into modern-day asklepeions. I believe that Underworld Apollo is calling to us. I believe that dream-visions are already upon us by souls who are being spoken to and are trying to find a way to learn and incorporate what they are learning into a formal priesthood. If you’re out there, you’re not alone.

Of course, many who are healers are also wounded by trauma and shattered hearts. It will take time, but the calling of a healer normally comes from those wounded. They can empathize with the pain, and so they are the ones who can sense and reach out to others. The healing techniques of Underworld Apollo and his son are making a comeback. You will be made well, and though you carry trauma, slowly but surely new pieces will find you.

Eirene kai Hugieia!
(Peace and Health!)
Oracle