Shamanism Essay

The word “shaman” is Siberian, meaning one who moves freely among the spirits on subtle planes of perception or soul travel. These men and women are singled out by the Divine to deal with spiritual things by receiving special ecstatic powers. The shamans can also be referred to as medicine men and women, or witch doctors. (Ellwood, 31) Shamanism is found in land of evergreen forests, endless birch, dark subzero winters, wide skies, and broad rivers. The shaman serves as matters of the spirit, such as a counselor to the community, a guide of the souls of the dead, and a healer and intercessor. The shaman also knows the dynamics and geography of the invisible spirit world. (Ellwood, 31)
The shaman initiation I found is an actual death initiation by Avalon Sakti. Sakti drove to the forest for his death initiation and the first thing he did was prepare for the first part of this ritual. He unpacked his ritual supplies, which included a compass and he created sacred space. Then, he
started the banishing ritual. After that, Sakti felt it was time for the first phase of initiation, taking henbane. He was told that it would take him to his death and beyond. He started having visions a little while later, but couldn’t make sense of them. Then, he took out his thermal flask and drank some mandrake which made visions come to him again. He was able to make sense of these. He could see himself being buried alive and stabbed to death. Sakti then felt relaxed and heavy, but the theme quickly changed. He had become aware of the damage being done to him by other people. He was remembering the terror and tyrant from his childhood. His feelings and visions finally passed, but not for long because he received a vision of the goddess. Things got calm for a while after that, but more visions came of black magicians and zombies. After those visions passed, he had the feeling of being buried alive again, but then he fell asleep. He woke up the next morning which meant he had completed the initiation. (Sakti)
The initiation allows the shaman to acquire special powers with the help of an ally.
They use these special powers to predict the future, call up answers, induce spells, and more. Shamans have spirits as servants who are ready to obey their commands. (POWER) The shaman is an important member of the tribe because of all the things he or she can do with their special powers they receive. The shaman is able to do things that others can’t. They are the keeper of integrity of ceremonies, the spiritual leader, a guidance counselor, and a healer.
Shamanism shares some similarities with Christianity, Buddhism, and atheism. Shamanism and Christianity share the belief that there is both good and evil and they both practice depossession and exorcism. Shamanism and Buddhism both believe that all life is paramount and interconnected. The neither depend solely on the existence of god(s) and are forms of eco-spirituality. Shamanism and atheism both don’t require belief in any particular deity.
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