#shamanic

[zerounwantedvibrations]

[letmeinimafairy]

Found this stone in a river this summer, and now carved a thing about the Other one. About these other us we see and feel in our dreams as our company, about a twin from the other side, about all the concepts of the multi-part souls. Me and me.

Tried on a necklace, but it's not the final version, I'll carve different stone beads.

Available

[a-path-by-the-moon]

[songsofbloodandwater]

Decolonizing means we're going to have to learn to leave some words behind.

Decolonization isn't a metaphor. It isn't some untouchable ideal. It's an active, constant process of undoing and unlearning, while re-learning and re-making ourselves.

The world has moved on, indigenous peoples are exhausted of saying this, but some people are still stuck in 1900's racist terminology. Eliade, author that, in my opinion, we have to thank for popularizing the term "shamanism", claimed that the rituals of shamans are first and foremost ancient techniques in "primitive" cultures.... which ties back to the racist idea that some peoples and traditions are less developed, "savages, primitives", less evolved than the white people who engaged in "advanced, civilized" european religions.

"The Tungus (also known as Evenki) word saman or xaman, from which the term “shaman” is derived, is among the most frequently used indigenous terms in the history of religions and anthropology. Other examples, historical or contemporary, are fetish from the Portuguese Congo, mana from Melanesia, tabu (taboo) from Polynesia, totem (dotem) from the Ojibwa in North America, and potlatch from the North West coast of North America. These and other concepts were uncritically employed as comparative notions in anthropology until they fell into disrepute with the abandonment of reductionist evolutionary theory during the 1920s. Since that time, scholars have called attention to the semantic problems of taking words out of their original linguistic, religious, and cultural contexts in order to give them a universal meaning."

"In the history of religions and anthropology the term “shaman” has become a common denominator for religious specialists in indigenous traditions outside the Western cultural sphere, particularly in so-called “primitive” cultures. The predominant view among specialists on shamanism has been that the shaman can only exist in simple communities, i.e., in nomadic cultures based on hunting, fishing, and gathering. As we shall see, anthropologists have developed a predilection for the dichotomy “shaman” versus “priest” when describing religious specialists operating in non-Western cultures. In this model, “shaman” designates a “primitive” religious specialist living in allegedly “simple” tribal communities whereas the “priest” is a religious specialist in hierarchically organized (e.g., self-styled “civilized”) urban societies."

— both quotes are from Pharo, Lars. (2011). A Methodology for a Deconstruction and Reconstruction of the Concepts “Shaman” and “Shamanism”. Numen. 58. 6-70. DOI: 10.1163/156852711X540087.

Because I don't have the time nor energy to write a detailed post myself, I'm going to invite the community to these light readings below, and to look into their further reading, as to educate themselves on why certain terms belong in the past and should stay there.

6 Reasons To Rethink The Use Of The Word "shaman"

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people use the word shaman out of context. I see it as a huge problem within the pagan, witchcraft, and

7 More Reasons To Stop Using The Word Shaman

Following the post “6 Reasons to Stop Using the Word Shaman,” I decided to clarify some of the more controversial points of contention and a

If you want an alternative culturally neutral term, these days we're using the terms "ritualist", "ceremonialist", "ritual specialist" or similar. I also would like to invite people to learn their own culturally-specific terminology, really put some intentionality behind researching your own culture and language and learn the right words for what you're doing, without appropriating and misusing terms from indigenous cultures.

[astra-ravana]

Shamanism: Beliefs And Practice

Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice that involves a practitioner, known as a shaman, interacting with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal is to direct spiritual energies for healing, divination, or other purposes.

Commonly Held Shamanic Beliefs

• Animism (the belief that all things, both animate and inanimate, possess a spirit or soul).

• Everything is interconnected.

• There is an alternate reality happening concurrently, often called the spirit world.

• Shamans can enter the spirit world freely, with intention.

• Spiritual journeys are an often necessary part of life.

• The spirit world can be a very real, very dangerous place.

• We are not alone, we have spirit helpers, familiars, ancestors, power animals, our guides.

• Energy has a unique footprint and vital force.

• It is possible to do work while in the spiritual realm that will have a direct effect on "ordinary reality"

The Practice of Shamanism

Shamanism is a diverse and ancient practice with a long history across various cultures worldwide. While it shares common themes, the specific practices and beliefs can vary significantly between different regions and traditions. Here's a breakdown of some key similarities and differences:

Core Practices:

• Spirit Communication: Shamans in all traditions believe in the existence of spirits and the ability to communicate with them. This communication can involve various methods, including trance states, drumming, chanting, and the use of sacred objects.

• Healing: Shamans often play a vital role as healers, using their connection to the spirit world to diagnose and treat illnesses. This can involve removing negative energy, retrieving lost soul parts, or negotiating with spirits causing harm.

• Divination: Many shamans possess the ability to predict the future, interpret dreams, and provide guidance through divination techniques like reading bones, stones, or other natural objects.

• Soul Retrieval: This practice involves journeying to the spirit world to retrieve parts of a person's soul that may have been lost due to trauma or other experiences.

Regional Variations:

• Siberian Shamanism: This tradition is characterized by its use of drums, costumes, and trance states to journey to the upper and lower worlds. Siberian shamans often work with animal spirits as guides and helpers.

• Central Asian Shamanism: Central Asian shamans, such as those found in Mongolia and Tibet, often incorporate elements of Buddhism and other religious traditions. They may use techniques like visualization and meditation to connect with the spirit world.

• Indigenous American Shamanism: Shamanic practices among Indigenous American cultures are incredibly diverse, but they often involve the use of sacred plants, sweat lodges, and drumming. Some traditions emphasize the importance of dreams and visions as a means of spiritual communication.

• Neo-Shamanism: This contemporary movement draws inspiration from traditional shamanic practices but adapts them to modern Western culture. Neo-shamans may use techniques like drumming, meditation, and plant medicine to induce altered states of consciousness and connect with the spirit world.

Key Differences:

• Spirit Guides: The types of spirits shamans work with can vary widely. Some may focus on ancestral spirits, while others may work with nature spirits, animal spirits, or deities.

• Rituals and Ceremonies: Different cultures have unique rituals and ceremonies associated with shamanic practice. These can range from simple personal rituals to elaborate community events.

• Training and Initiation: The process of becoming a shaman can vary significantly. Some traditions involve formal apprenticeships, while others rely on personal experiences and spiritual quests.

It's important to note that shamanism is a living tradition that continues to evolve. As cultures change and adapt, so too do shamanic practices. While there are many differences between various forms of shamanism, the core principles of connecting with the spirit world, healing, and divination remain central to this ancient and powerful tradition.

[kerohopart]

Fighting artblock drawing my shaman oc, Kero, in a more realistic way

[entheognosis]