What is a Shaman?

The word shaman comes from the Turkic - Mongolian language and is a term for a religious figure who performs several functions similar to the healer in other cultures. The shaman's function as the healer is to provide medical care and various other functions in times of crisis, via supernatural means. The concept of the supernatural is generally identified with religion, however people of a European culture might have regarded it as magic, a concept which has it's roots in the magi of Persia.

The role of a shaman is to communicate with entities (something which has a distinct, separate, existence, that need not be material) on the spiritual plane and to secure their aid for the needs of the community. Shaman were never gender-specific, a male or female could fill the role, depending on the cultural tradition.


Northumbrian Runes on Cedar



Shamans are analogous to other cultures healers, such as those who have come to be known by the English as the Native American "medicine man". The primary function of the medicine men, is to secure the help of the spirit world, for the benefit of the community. Shamans have existed in most of the world. The ancient shamans of Europe are more likely known as druids, who were magic-users most comfortable in natural settings. The Baal Shem is a Jewish rabbi miracle worker. It was the name given in the middle ages of a person who could bring about cures and healing, as well as having mystical powers with which they could interpret events and personalities.

Among the Norse, and Germanic people, the practice of seid (shamanism) was regarded as unmanly and were relegated to females, who depending on the community were called volva, vala, or seidhkon. In Anglo Saxon England they were called wicce. The word witch is a modern form of wicce. Even wizards have (which by most are considered fantasy) have vague historical roots in Shamanism. Witch doctors were an sordid European attempt to explain what was not lost in other cultures of shamanism.

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Asatru Heathen Altar with Frey, Odin, and Thor
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In the western world many of the roles of shamans have been replaced by (or rather evolved into those of) priests, scholars, and doctors. Some shamans encourage the belief that they possess supernatural qualities that transcend human nature. Shamans are usually credited with the ability to speak to spirits and perform feats of magic such as astral projection, and healing. Shamans are usually found in tribal cultures with nature religions and beliefs in ancestor spirits. The shaman's position is frequently hereditary and his ancestral spirits may act as his chief guides for spiritual aid. However, the most powerful shamans are those who have a natural aptitude for the calling. These individuals easily enter into the separate reality of the spirits, and do so without the need of drugs or other artificial support. Tradition also holds that the spirits choose the shaman, not people, as in those initiated via a serious illness or a near-death experience.

Shamans are also noted masters of the elements, working with nature with a keen aptitude for working with the aspect that is needed or most useful at the moment. The elements include fire, air, water, and earth but even beyond the into the complete nature realm of weather, growth, cycles, birth, death, and so on. Shamanism is probably the oldest existing form of a specific spiritual path. Much of the tradition is passed down from elder shamans, innately understand because of natural aptitude for the art, and to some extent communally shared knowledge with other area shamans as with the Aborigines of Australia.

The Greek legend of Prometheus a Titan that stole fire from the Gods and gave it to man is deep in the elements of shamanism. And likewise many of the rituals of Greek mysticism and some of its religion are based in shaman root. Later elements of the Roman religions that had a tendency to lack ingenuity by absorbing philosophy, religion, and science also absorbed the Greek elements of shaman mysticism into is belief system.



Element of Fire Altar




Tibetan Buddhism is strongly associated to the shaman aptitude. Incorporating the teaching of Buddha while retain their age-old base in the principles of the shaman. Many of the rituals and methods of working with the spirit world are evidence of the shaman roots in this culture.

Sadly with the spread of Christianity, shamanism is lost in most of the mainstream cultures. Christian fervent need to eradicate all belief systems and the whole destruction of any culture or belief system outside the BOX, has left mankind with a sense of loss of its foundations and beginnings. Sadly we have lost our connection with nature, the elements, and other planes of existence due to this.

Small side note, the nasty habit of Christianity genocidal destruction of all cultures that do not follows its maniacal method of thinking predates the era of Christianity and was actually a habit of Rome. Rome learned long ago the key to world domination was a method of absorbing the culture it conquered, while Greek method was to respect the conquered culture, Rome was to take it and call it their own. And we should understand why the center of Christianity for 1600 years has been Rome herself, just another method of absorbing another belief system, and then calling it their own.

Methods of a shaman coming into the age of their duties can be varied. The shaman may rise to his/her calling via a traumatic event, illness, or observed miracle. The process of a vision quest may fulfill the rise to the duty of shaman. Or a complicated ritual designed to weed out the weak or non-dedicated persons from the process. Shamans in most situations are risen to the duty by an event or process.

Shamans are well renowned for the naturally elements of their near environment. This can include a vast knowledge of plants and animal life in the area. Understand of the spiritual influences present at the time in question. And on in-depth knowledge of the magical qualities of all the elements rock, mineral, plant, etc in their environment.

Shamans are well renowned for their vision quests. These are methods of allowing the physical person to enter into states of altered reality, that allows one to see beyond this realm. Methods the shaman will use to enter these states are; fasting, singing, dancing, (elements of Pentecostal Christianity also utilize these elements for their own mystic experiences and altered states of reality), sweat lodges, drumming, and vision quests. In some instances shamans will utilize natural psychedelics to encourage altered states of reality such as; tobacco, psychedelic mushrooms, and peyote. I do not encourage the use of such materials, nor do I discourage a person to responsibly make choices that are pertinent to their own well-being.

There seems to be a lot concern with the element of new age shamanism. While indigenous shamans from outlying pockets of society fear that their methods, understanding, and abilities will be drowned out by the new wave of people calling themselves shamans, it may be noteworthy to mention that earth is calling people back to their roots of communion with the Great Mother. People are trying to re-establish connection with that which was lost or violently eradicated by ignorant and unwholesome belief systems. If you decide to follow the path of the shaman, so be it, just do not take the path lightly, or make absurd claims beyond your true abilities in some sordid cry for attention. DO NOT take the path of the shaman lightly, as with many studies of the paths of the mystical, ceremonial magick, witchcraft, druidism, etc, it is one that takes lifetimes to master, not days.


Athena's Owl Wisdom

How to make a 9" X 9" magickal dream pillow



Based on lessons I have learned from predecessors of the craft and research of magickal element, the following is a recipe and ritual for making a magickal dream pillow.



Dream pillows are an under used magickal tool today. The dream pillow will enhance doorways to realms and dimension via dream and divination. Do not limit the dream pillow to only sleep time; it can be utilized during divination times also like rune reading, tarot, crystal ball gazing, automatic writing, etc.



Materials Needed:

9 Moon elements to be gathered during a waxing to full moon. Gathering during a full moon is the highest levels of magickal infused energy. All herbs should be gathered with an athame designated for that use. Always ask the plant for permission before taking leaves and then in return leave an offering for the plant like; soil, crystals, or even a dash of fertilizer. Yak or cow bone athames are traditionally utilized for gathering herbs:



9 is a sacred number of the moon. The moon rules over the real of dream and divination:



9 Willow leaves.

9 Mugwort .

9 small Toadstool stems.

9 Egg shells.

9 Clam, Oyster, OR Mussel shells

9 Cat hairs which can be cut with a scissors no need to pull.

9 Goose or Duck feathers.

9 fish scales.

9 polished amethyst stone.


Remember to keep the amounts of the above items small in size yet have 9 pieces in number.



Of the plant materials dry each in the sun, turning every 24 hours to assure thorough drying. Crush the clam, oyster, or mussel shells and the egg shells to remove any sharp edges. Crushing these into a dust is permissible. The easiest way I have found on to crush materials like this is with a hammer or sledge hammer lightly tapping while on concrete.



Making the pillow should also be conducting as close to a full moon as possible.



A 10" X 20" piece of Silk in a very dark blue or black. Another 4" X 4" piece of silk clothe of dark blue or black to serve as the inner satchel. A 10" X 20" piece cotton batting and a 4" X 4" small piece of cotton batting.



Roll the edges of the of both pieces of silk cloth and prepare to sew three sides closed to create a smooth edge.



On the small piece of cotton batting, place moon elements on, fold the cotton over and sew shut. Then place the cotton inside the small silk sleeve and sew shut. Then place the small silk pillow on the large cotton batting and fold over and sew shut. Then place inside the large silk sleeve and sew the final piece into your dream pillow.



On the night of the full moon, complete the following ritual:



Cast a ritual circle. Burn a sage smudge, cedar, or frankincense for cleansing. Invoke the Goddess with the following phrase out loud:


"Mother Goddess, I call upon you,

mother of all, fertile and blessed is your creation,

giver of dreams, bringer of insight.

Please add your power to this dream pillow.

Bless the pillow in your sacred name.

And never let its power wane.

I consecrate this pillow to Thee.

As I will, so mote it be."



Then every full moon, charge the pillow in the light of the moon, to recharge its energies. Even placing the pillow next to a window that has a view of the full moon.


By DragonOak



Celtic
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