#shamanic beliefs

[yebreed]

Fox Worship In Rural China: From Village Patrons To Fox Kings

Foxes are ambivalent.) Late folklore depicts them as a kind of horny evil spirits. However, it’s a simplistic interpretation. Once upon a time, foxes were revered as patrons, had the status of local and family deities. The relatively low prevalence of foxes in northern China did not prevent the emergence of their sophisticated, semi-official cult. Before foxes acquired their own shrines, they…

[53rdcenturyhero]

MASH S5. ep .12. Exorcism

The priestess is a mudang shaman. Her attire and dance are real. My guess is that she wasn’t credited because she was not an actress. Southern California has many Koreans who follow the ancient ways and it’s not implausible that they asked permission for a real one. Her dance is probably a dodanggut which removes evil spirits and protects a community (and would be appropriate to bless the set where M*A*S*H was filmed in reality, not just the compound in the show).

Klinger might be interested in the fact that these shamans cross-dress because they embody both male and female deities. I would love to know what inspired Jay Folb to write this episode, which covers the folkloric link between what we think of as superstitions and traditional beliefs.

Bluejay Young blog reply on MASH4077TV.COM which is a greatly helpful add-on to the site post.

Credit this ep for my lifelong study of comparative religions. Each plot event and dialogue in it is a teaching and learning point with absolutely nothing wasted.

[ascendantevolution]

How Psychic Powers Work (a blog post, not a definitive guide 🙂)

When our collective agrees that psychic powers are inexplicable by natural laws, I have to interject and add, “inexplicable by natural laws for which we currently understand.” Psychic powers are a part of natural laws, too, and physics is getting closer and closer to explaining it.

I have been shy to share this truth about myself for decades and have hid in plain sight. One of the many reasons I have been reticent to say that I am psychic or a medium is because there have been multiple occasions in which individuals have challenged me upon hearing that I am psychic by jumping out with statements like, " Yeah, what am I thinking right now?” 

First of all, being posed with a challenge like this is offensive. It is basically calling someone (me) out, through a “prove it” scenario, as not being the thing they say they are. It is saying, “I want proof right now, and you have to jump through this hoop to prove it, or you are a liar.” Do people do this to creatives or athletes? “Oh, you’re a guitarist? Get out your guitar and play ‘Stairway to Heaven’ for me right now.” It’s ridiculous to think someone would do this, but it points to two things that one of my challengers is immediately revealing to me: They don’t believe in my set of abilities, and they think I am crazy.

I have had people claim that they want to believe, however, their resistance to the idea that amy of it is real (disbelief) is the very bar to their being able to experience things that would challenge their own beliefs.

Not only does their challenge feel like a game, one that I had better win or else, but it is a game that I cannot win. If in a challenging moment such as this I felt like I was dealing with someone who is open to expanding their reality and new understandings on a spiritual level, I would share the following.

When we talk about any “powers,” “gifts,” and all of the other things that boil down to otherworldly and/or psychic abilities, what we are really talking about is being aware of subtle energy.

The reason why psychic powers don't work the same way for all psychics is because we are picking up on all kinds of energies in a field of energy, which I often describe as the Sea of Life Energy. It takes intentional practice, years of intentional practice, to learn to hone any skill set, including the skill of reading energies that are not immediately obvious to our senses. 

Another reason that psychic powers do not work the same between psychics is that, just as with painters, each with their own style born of their own creative flow and mind, so too are psychics each unique in their very essence, essence given to us by the Creator, producing different styles and strengths when picking up on and reading energies. 

In reading energy, one of the major things that we must begin to master through disciplining our energy “feelers” encompasses the idea of “What are my own thoughts versus what are the thoughts of other people? What are my thoughts versus the messages coming in from my guides, angels, and so forth?” 

For many who are mediums, as well as empaths, coming to understand and hone this skill can be frustrating and hard because to be a conduit for everything that presents itself in the field is hard. Imagine a radio receiver that picks up all transmissions but cannot separate them out into channels. For anyone listening to the radio, that would be a cacophony of noise and chatter - hard on the ears and the nerves, and impossible to understand. They would probably turn it off. Well, psychics can try to turn “it” off (me having been one of them), but we can never completely turn it off. Yes, we can reduce what is coming in, but as long as we are around people and situations, energies are still merging with ours, impacting us. Energies still bleed through.

5. Being able to tell you what you're thinking right now would be an example of telepathy.

While I do have telepathic moments often, I do not control them. I pick up on energies and thoughts, and apparently I transmit them because people will say the exact thing I'm thinking sometimes. While I would like to control this, I don’t.

6. My guides have explained to me that we are given messages only for what we are needing to understand in the moment, timely information.

This is in part for our own protection, so that we don't have information that can harm us in some way, leading to sabotaging some aspect of our life because we know something is coming. I consider it a kindness that guides and angels are very kind in filtering. I am at peace with that now, but I did not always want it that way. With my growing experience in working with the spiritual realm, as well as with maturing, I see what a kindness it is. 

7. We come to Earth to learn from lessons and experiences. If we were given too much information, there are a few things that can happen. 

First, we can become overwhelmed with all that is coming in. As humans, we need time to process and integrate new learning. To have a store of information dumped on us would impede that ability to process and integrate deeply.Second, if we are given too much of certain kind of information, it could break us.  In fact, it might feel more like having a load of sand dropped on us, crushingly heavy and suffocating. An example for me would be in the slow revealing of a series of past lives wherein I acted and suffered in various ways. I needed the learning from each of them, so they were revealed over time. Had they all come in at the same time, I would have not been able to soak up all of the learnings from those life times into my awareness enough to have them be a benefit now . . . and the impact of the collection of suffering would have been devastating.

Finally, our systems of belief - about ourselves, life, our relationships, the spiritual - are tender, especially in their shifting. The fragility of beliefs leads to a careful and responsible sharing of what is needed to shift and grow our beliefs over time by our angels and guides. If we had ten years of information dropped on us at one time, downloads too big to handle, the result is shut down, or insanity. For instance, if I had been told I would be doing what I am today 10 years ago - a shamanic practitioner, reading tarot, energy healing - I would have laughed. I was nowhere ready for that information. Had I received it, my lack of belief and scoffing might well have created a permanent bar in my belief system that might have led to me blocking it from coming in at all.

Our guides and angels are indeed guiding us through our lives, talking to us, trying desperately to get our attention at times, and dispensing what we need exactly when we need it - not too little, not too much. It is something that I am grateful for, being one who has had one major shift that indeed annihilated me - my Dark Night of the Soul. There would have been a point of no return for me had there been much more added to the experience I was having at that time.

8. In working with others through tarot and/or energy healing, I am given only what I need to know about my client in the moment for the sake of working with my client. But that is only after receiving my client’s permission. It turns out that there is a code of ethics by which we are expected to abide when engaging in all spiritual work, just as it is in any other work. 

It begins with this: Everyone has free will, and an integral piece of not accruing karma is receiving permission to talk to their spirit team, to receive messaging pertaining to their life, and to do general healing on them. To do any of this without their express permission would be an invasion of their privacy and unethical. I feel strongly about this, and the older I get, the more so, and the more I disagree with people trying to influence others through whatever forms of mystical practices they may be using. 

I find it interesting that sometimes, even when a client gives permission for me to do healing work on them, in the end, whether or not they are healed is not up to me or even their conscious selves. I believe we have blueprints that we come into life with, and we have exit points (points at which we could die) that our Higher Selves and our spirit teams understand and will guide us too. If we are not meant to heal, no intended healing by that person or another is going to work. 

9. As a part of the code of ethics that I mentioned, I feel a great responsibility in what I share when doing any reading for anyone. Many messages are coming in, and I must decide what to bring forth and how to say it. I am well aware that words carry power. They can be seeds or thorns that benefit or poison someone’s perception of their life and all resulting actions. It is a huge responsibility. I take it seriously.

Note: Tarot readings do not tell the future. The only thing a tarot reader, or any other diviner, can do is to read energies as they are in the moment of the reading. The minute my client walks out the door and begins living their lives, that moment of suspended energy evaporates. So what good is it? The power a good reading holds is that it can steer talking and acting in life in more positive directions as we act with free will to manifest our lives.

10. When it comes to energy work, so as not to accrue more karma, the only things I will do without permission are 1) sending bursts of love, blessings, thanks, forgiveness, apology, and 2) channeling what I call “lightning bolt healings” that happen rarely with certain individuals. 

Lightning bolt healings are healings that I am guided to perform with very direct messaging from the angels. I become the conduit of intention to guide their healing light through an individual, always from a distance. Angel light, being like electricity, moves like a lightning bolt. This energy is intelligent and knows exactly where to go, so my role in the work is intention that draws it into the physical plane. Observing one of these healings is nothing short of magical.

11. Finally, in my shamanic training, my teacher stated something that resonated deeply with me because it is what my own guides have told me: “If someone is not a believer, nothing is going to happen for them.” Being non-believing is ultimately a matter of free will. 

When someone is non-believing they are essentially closing the door, locking it, dead bolting it, barring it, preventing anything from happening for them. Again, it boils down to energy. Their belief is their sole barrier. Earlier, I mentioned that psychic flow can’t be completely cut off - for one who has experienced psychic phenomena. While they may decide they want nothing to do with it, they do believe in it - they know it is real.

Even so, every individual born into this world has a spirit team that is trying to guide them to their spiritual nature and abilities. So people who are not believers will still occasionally have strange happenings occur, synchronicities, and the repetition of numbers, words, even songs come into their lives as a means of trying to begin to shift their beliefs. Until they're ready, most will claim that they are random occurrences. I have found that, in most cases of skeptics, people are afraid of giving up control because, in handing one’s self over to a spiritual reality, we have to surrender to it, and that means letting go and finally understanding that we do not hold the reins as much as we think we do. We never did.

In order to access psychic abilities, you have to believe in the abilities. After all, if one believes that they cannot play an instrument, how likely are they to try it? Just as playing an instrument is a skill developed, so are psychic abilities. But, there is a spiritual element to it. When I tap into energies, I no doubt connect with Spirit, angels, and my guides. Again, if one does not believe, then they will not be able to access connections such as these, which are a natural part of the experience.

I have also been reticent to reveal that I have any abilities throughout my life because our culture has been trained to believe that people with abilities are crazy, even though their very own Savior (speaking of Christian culture here) had abilities. It is ironic to think that people who believed in Jesus’ abilities would punish others with abilities. Anyway, it has traditionally been dangerous to set oneself apart in such a unique way. How many people have been disempowered by being taught that they do not have abilities when they do? 

Until the broad acceptance of psychic “powers” comes about, my kind will continue to find persecution, as has been the case throughout time. We like to think we are past Salem witch trial mentality, and yet there are those who would call me a Satanist for having “powers” and being a shaman when it is these very aspects of myself that create a direct connection with the Divine. While it may be true that I will not be burned on a stake, I have had a deep fear of being persecuted because I have eyes and ears and have watched people talk about and judge those who have abilities of many kinds. It is a thing. 

However, I also have been able to trace my deep fear of persecution to past life times wherein I was a target and victim, suffering horrifically. I am thankful to be able to say that I have been able to do much healing of those past life traumas, greatly reducing my own fear now. So, while I still feel the need to be cautious in this life because of practical concerns, not of being tortured to death, but of suffering slings and arrows and possible consequences that impact my quality of life, I am choosing to show up, to be seen, and to be me, which includes owning my abilities (natural skills) that will benefit others, which I have accepted as a part of my purpose. In doing so, it is my hope that others will begin to own theirs as well. As masses awaken and own their realities, may the tides of persecution shift to tides of open acceptance.

Ⓒ S���Tara Merit, 2024.

[meirimerens]

you know i must have been bone-tired when this part of the herb brides lore didn't come to my mind when i discussed how the Kin fundamentally differs from the cultures it is inspired by um There Is The Human Sacrifice part. like it's an important part of pathologic 2 that you are doing human, or anthropomorphic (if you want to see the Herb Brides as closer to spirits, which comes with its own set of problematics regarding how to approach their oppression) sacrifice. it's an important part of pathologic 2 that you kill a woman, as part of the journey and in direct resonance with you ritualistically killing cattle earlier, and she offers herself to you with cultural and religious significance.

human sacrifices have been done across the globe for millennia, but i cannot, for the life of me, find any source at all that mentions the Buryats (since that was the discussion point) partaking in human sacrifices by the turn of the 19th-early 20th century (or even anything past the 16th). every single source mentioning offerings and sacrifices i've read mentions animals, things such as milk and vodka, and often both at once. would love to read anything about these rituals if papers exist, but i'm personally drawing a blank.

the Kin has Obvious and very Visible influences but it also differs from specific (in this discussion's case, the Buryats) or wider (here, turkic/mongolic as a whole) cultures from the area by so many pieces, big and small, that i wouldn't have enough appendages on my whole body to count them all. and sister. i have plenty of appendages.

[yellowmanula]

Tengri, central to ancient Turkic and Mongolic beliefs, was revered as the sky deity embodying the vastness of the heavens. Unlike many gods in organized religions, Tengri was not depicted through idols or worshipped in temples. Instead, Tengriism was deeply rooted in nature, with the open sky serving as his dwelling. Followers of Tengri believed in his omnipresence and omniscience, invoking him as a witness during oaths or as a guide before major events like battles. Leaders and warriors would pray to Tengri on mountain summits or in seclusion, calling upon his strength and protection.

Tengri’s favor or displeasure was thought to be reflected through natural phenomena. Sudden weather changes, storms, or other natural signs were interpreted as his responses to human actions, underscoring the belief that Tengri maintained a watchful gaze over the world. This connection to the natural world and the cosmos formed the core of Tengriism, shaping the spiritual lives and cultural values of early Central Asian societies.

[child-of-frigg]

Modern Magic: Maintenance of Nemetons and Natural Altars.

The careful maintenance of areas used for interacting with nature and the energies of the natural world, is equally important as to what offerings are made to the Gods and Goddesses of the forest and the earth. Maintaining these areas such as Nemetons, Moon Gardens, and Wind Gardens, is vital to not only the physical health of the area and the inhabitants, including you, but to also help the flow of natural energies and vibrations.

Firstly debris is moved to maintain a clean ritual area, free from ticks and other dangerous insects(wildlife). The debris is not to be removed from the area, but to be separated into piles and left to mulch, this mulch will be used in later seasons to decorate the grove. Pathways are to be cleared of debris as well, and if desired natural oils such as mint may be used to further deter pests.

The altar, and altar area, are to be kept tidy and decoration kept minimal as this area's energy will change with each ritual. The Nemeton itself, or the center of your personal grove, is to be decorated with ornaments created from natural materials, preferably from items found within the grove or crafted from local materials. This decor should welcome and honour the spirits of the grove, as well as any spirits or deities one wishes to invoke commonly; tree dresses and effigies are encouraged additions to decor as they convey respect.

Certain ritual items, specifically those of the grove, are to be kept within the grove close to the Nemeton to maintain energetic balance. These items may include natural incense, beeswax candles, small idols or stones, and twine or cord for binding/unbinding ceremonies.

Authors note: Incense sticks, cones, salt, and paraffin wax candles can be harmful to the environment and the ecosystem of the grove and are not to be stored within the area.

[yoga-onion]

Legends and myths about trees

Celtic beliefs in trees (9)

B for Beth (Birch) - December 24th - January 20th

“Lady of the Forest - First month of the Celtic tree calendar”

Colour: white, Star: Venus, Gem: crystal, Gender: female, Element: air & water, Symbols: initiation, purity + cleanliness, love + friendship, birth + rite of passage

The fast-growing birch, as a nurturing tree, provides a shield for slower-growing trees, so oaks and pines follow the birch in putting down roots in the earth. The leaves are small and cast a wispy shadow on the ground, allowing other plants to grow in the shade they create, which in turn attracts a wide variety of insects, birds and other creatures to the forest. It is ironic that the weaker trees, sheltered by the birch and increasing in number, overtake the nurturing trees and grow, driving the birch to death. The birch has connotations of openings to new horizons and overcoming difficulties. It was believed that the birch, which provides strength and protection in times of adversity, would nurture new life and its forests would repel evil.

The barked logs were burnt ceaselessly as yule logs to be lit in the fireplace on Christmas Eve during the rituals of the time.

In Celtic shamanism, this birch is considered a cosmic tree, and the druids would climb the trunk of the white birch to different heavens and visualised in their minds to interact with the spirit world.

At the base of the birch is the hallucinogenic and highly toxic Amanita muscaria, commonly known as the fly agaric. Celtic shamans believed in the fly agaric mushrooms, in Indian mythology in soma drinks, or the ancient Etruscans believed it to bring immortality and was a holy mushroom. They used to trip to the underworld with its help.

Birch birch has a variety of medicinal properties, especially for rheumatism and arthritis. It cleanses the body and is effective against skin diseases, and the ancient Celts saw the white bark of birch as a sign of its cleansing powers.

木にまつわる伝説・神話

ケルト人の樹木の信仰 (9)

B は Beth  (ｼﾗｶﾊﾞ) - 12月24日～1月20日

『森の淑女〜ケルトの木の暦の第1月』

色: 白、星: 金星、宝石: 水晶、性: 女性、要素: 空気 & 水、シンボル: 発端、純粋さ＋清潔、愛＋友情、誕生＋通過儀礼

生長の早いシラ��バは、養いの木として、生長の遅い木の楯となってくれるので、オークやマツはシラカバの後を追うように大地に根を下ろす。葉は小さく、大地にうっすら影を落とすので、そうしてできた日陰のもとで他の植物がすくすく成長し、結果として、多種多様の昆虫や鳥や、さまざまな生き物を森へ誘うことになる。シラカバに庇護されてどんどん数を増やした弱い木が、養いの木を追い越して生長し、シラカバを死に追いやってしまうのは皮肉としか言いようがない。シラカバには新しい地平を切り開く、難局を乗り切ると��う含みがある。逆境にあって力を与え、楯ともなって身を守ってくれるシラカバは新たな生命を育み、その森は邪悪なものを撃退すると信じられていた。

樹皮を剥がした丸太は、クリスマス・イヴに暖炉にくべるユール・ログとして当時のころの儀式が続くあいだ、絶えることなく燃やされた。

ケルトのシャーマニズムでは、このシラカバが宇宙樹とされていて、ドルイドは、白いシラカバの幹を登り、違う天界へ行き、霊界と交流することを心に描いた。

シラカバの根元には幻覚作用があり猛毒のベニシダダケ (ｱﾏﾆﾀ･ﾑｽｶﾘｱ)が生えている。ケルトのシャーマンたちはベニシダダケを、インド神話ではソーマ酒を、あるいは古代エトルリア人は不死をもたらすと考え、聖なるキノコと信じていた。彼らはその助けを借りて冥界へとトリップしていた。

シラカバにはさまざまな薬効があり、特にリューマチや関節炎に効果を発揮する。身体を清め、皮膚病にも有効で、古代ケルト人は、シラカバの白い樹皮を浄化する為力の表れと見ていた。

[nando161mando]

"¡pew pew!

This week on 'Yeah Nah Pasaran!' on @3cr, @sexenheimer & I talk to @rothschildmd about space 🔫 & ¿The Rothschilds?

4.30pm, Thurs SEP 14 /// 855AM, 3CR digital, streaming, Community Radio+ app, podcats 🐈‍⬛"

via @slackbastard

@antifainternational @kropotkindersurprise @anarchistmemecollectivereturns @anarchistmemecollective @radicalgraff

[somewhere-rich]

I have seen the worst and the best in humanity. Nothing surprises me anymore.

[shamanflavio]

The Shaman meets a Demon

It seems like this is a life that has obstruction, resistance, struggle, and competition everywhere. Some religious organizations have denounced “the flesh.” Others have gone after the human emotions or, worse, what it is to just be human. This self-criticism extends to academic and scientific institutions. Among them, some of the most popular beliefs are that humans are irresponsible,…

[blurred-cat]

i feel as if i am definitely unique but absolutely not special i spoke to some folks that believed they were chosen or born chosen or divine or rainbow warriors or etc etc etc but when i am just destined to be dirt once again how could i possibly see myself as some kind of chosen one?

[yebreed]

Interacting With Souls and Ghosts in Shamanism: Shaman as Psychopomp

The duties of a shaman involve existence in the borderline states. They also imply crossing the boundaries of the worlds and interacting with the inhabitants of various layers of the universe: shaman both welcomes a new soul that has come into the human world, and accompanies the deceased to the Kingdom of the Dead.

[all-turkic]

What Symbols are there in Turkic Mythology?

[child-of-frigg]

Burning Incense?

Consider using a brass bowl filled with salt in place of a traditional wooden incense holder, this salt in turn can be used in warding spells.

Burning natural incense? Sand or soil used in place of salt can be used in gardening spells, and wood incense is a great source of mineral rich carbon which is perfect for garden soil.

[bertena]

Exploring Spirit Guides: Beliefs and Types Across Cultures

Throughout history, many cultures and spiritual traditions have believed in the presence of spirit guides—benevolent entities that assist and guide us on our life journeys. These guides are thought to offer protection, wisdom, and support, helping individuals make important decisions, navigate challenges, and grow spiritually. Though the concept of spirit guides is universal, the types, roles,…