BWC is often asked questions on becoming a Shaman. Shamanism requires deep devotion and therefore is Beyond advanced, and you will need to Train with a shaman to practice this unique form of spirituality. In traditional societies shamanic training varies in length, but generally takes years.
In pantheistic religions, the divine is not separate from the world of nature. Magical or miraculous events are part of the broad spectrum of things that exist in the natural world. Access to that part of the natural world requires special skill or training, such as in shamanism. The shaman learns how to alter consciousness so as to perform miraculous tasks like those performed by saints and holy persons in other spiritual traditions.Shamanism is based on the premise that the visible world is pervaded by invisible forces or spirits which affect the lives of the living. Although the causes of disease lie in the spiritual realm, inspired by malicious spirits, both spiritual and physical methods are used to heal. Commonly, a shaman “enters the body” of the patient to confront the spiritual infirmity and heals by banishing the infectious spirit.
Many shamans have expert knowledge of medicinal plants native to their area, and an herbal treatment is often prescribed. In many places shamans learn directly from the plants, harnessing their effects and healing properties, after obtaining permission from the indwelling or patron spirits.
- Spirits exist and they play important roles both in individual lives and in human society.
- The shaman can communicate with the spirit world.
- Spirits can be benevolent or malevolent.
- The shaman can treat sickness caused by malevolent spirits.
- The shaman can employ trances inducing techniques to incite visionary ecstasy and go on vision quests
- The shaman’s spirit can leave the body to enter the supernatural world to search for answers
- The shaman evokes animal images as spirit guides, omens, and message-bearers
- The shaman can perform other varied forms of divination, scry, throw bones or runes, and sometimes foretell of future events
The shaman has the power to see spirits and souls and to communicate with them—to know the language of other creatures. He is able to take magical mystical flights to the heavens where he can serve as intermediary between the gods and his people; he can descend to the underworld to the land of the dead. The flights are done by SHAPE-SHIFTING, by riding mythical horses or the spirits of sacrificed horses, by traveling in spirit boats, and the like.
The shaman’s primary function is to heal and to restore the individual’s connectedness to the universe. Shamans make no distinction among body, mind, and spirit; they are all part of the whole. Another important function is control of the ELEMENTS, especially the ability to make rain, for the life of the community may depend upon it. Shamans also prophecy.
In shamanism cursing rituals/spiritual battles, familiars are sent to do magical battle, but if the familiar dies, so does the shaman.