Shamanism
Shamanism is another magical path linked closely with the natural world and the elements. The Shaman works with the spirits of plants and animals to achieve out of body experiences which serve to develop links with the spirit world and to progress the journey of the individual soul. These journeys are sometimes referred to as a "crossing" in a similar vein to the witches who "cross the hedge" leaving their body behind as they travel beyond the physical world.
The skill of the Shaman is to use plants and other psychotropic substances in order to bring about the altered state of consciousness known as trance. It is in this trance state that the Shaman may experience visions and allow his/her spirit to leave the body to travel to other worlds. The wisdom gained from these interactions is often channelled into physical and spiritual healing and healing is at the centre of the path of most modern and traditional Shamans. Shamans believe that spirits affect the lives of the living and much of the healing that takes place is concerned with ridding an individual of evil spirits which are believed to be the cause of the illness.
Travel need not always be accompanied with mind altering substances, Shamans often use repetitive noise such as drumming to bring about a similar meditative state of mind. Ritual dance can also be employed for the same purpose.
It is important to recognise that the Shaman is not utilising substances to "get high" or to hallucinate. The foundation of Shamanism is rooted in the fact that the Shaman experiences valid out of body experiences. The journeys are not a state of mind produced by drugs, they are a genuine journey of the spirit/soul to dimensions not accessible to the unlearned non magical practitioner. The Shaman will gain tangible benefit from these travels and the journeys will yield benefits for their healing work.
Divination is closely linked with Shamanism and "throwing the bones" is a common Shamanistic practise to see into the future. Similarly to the way witches work with the Tarot, the "bones" (likely animal though human bones can be used) are utlilised not just for divining future events but to enhance clarification and illumination of the present as well. The Shaman is more of a guide than a fortune teller and his/her divination practises are about helping to guide the individual on their way, not predicting an absolute path ahead.
As with plants, the Shaman has close links with the animal world. A Shaman is alert to the gifts that can be learned from different members of the animal kingdom. Meeting with animal spirits can be a transient experience achieved through trance work or it can be a permanent relationship established between the individual and the guardian or power animal. Shamans will adopt animal spirits as guides and allies and these relationships will both increase their power and offer protections. There is a distinction to be made between the animal that chooses the Shaman and the animal the Shaman chooses.the language varies but generally the former is referred to as a spirit animal which may make itself known to the individual through trance or dream and the latter is known as a totem which will be called upon for specific skills and attributes. the spirit animal is likely to be the permanent relationship whereas a Shaman may utilise many different totems depending on the demands of his/her magic.
Shamanism is inherent in cultures all over the world and believed by many to be the oldest form of spirituality.
The skill of the Shaman is to use plants and other psychotropic substances in order to bring about the altered state of consciousness known as trance. It is in this trance state that the Shaman may experience visions and allow his/her spirit to leave the body to travel to other worlds. The wisdom gained from these interactions is often channelled into physical and spiritual healing and healing is at the centre of the path of most modern and traditional Shamans. Shamans believe that spirits affect the lives of the living and much of the healing that takes place is concerned with ridding an individual of evil spirits which are believed to be the cause of the illness.
Travel need not always be accompanied with mind altering substances, Shamans often use repetitive noise such as drumming to bring about a similar meditative state of mind. Ritual dance can also be employed for the same purpose.
It is important to recognise that the Shaman is not utilising substances to "get high" or to hallucinate. The foundation of Shamanism is rooted in the fact that the Shaman experiences valid out of body experiences. The journeys are not a state of mind produced by drugs, they are a genuine journey of the spirit/soul to dimensions not accessible to the unlearned non magical practitioner. The Shaman will gain tangible benefit from these travels and the journeys will yield benefits for their healing work.
Divination is closely linked with Shamanism and "throwing the bones" is a common Shamanistic practise to see into the future. Similarly to the way witches work with the Tarot, the "bones" (likely animal though human bones can be used) are utlilised not just for divining future events but to enhance clarification and illumination of the present as well. The Shaman is more of a guide than a fortune teller and his/her divination practises are about helping to guide the individual on their way, not predicting an absolute path ahead.
As with plants, the Shaman has close links with the animal world. A Shaman is alert to the gifts that can be learned from different members of the animal kingdom. Meeting with animal spirits can be a transient experience achieved through trance work or it can be a permanent relationship established between the individual and the guardian or power animal. Shamans will adopt animal spirits as guides and allies and these relationships will both increase their power and offer protections. There is a distinction to be made between the animal that chooses the Shaman and the animal the Shaman chooses.the language varies but generally the former is referred to as a spirit animal which may make itself known to the individual through trance or dream and the latter is known as a totem which will be called upon for specific skills and attributes. the spirit animal is likely to be the permanent relationship whereas a Shaman may utilise many different totems depending on the demands of his/her magic.
Shamanism is inherent in cultures all over the world and believed by many to be the oldest form of spirituality.
