Part 21: The Shaman's Fire
The shaman has a central connection to fire. The young shaman must prepare to seek out the ability to gain mastery over fire. Mastery of fire is something primordial, as Ra, the sun god, is the ultimate form of fire, bringing life to his creation with his flame. All inventors and craftsmen know that fire is required to weld together and assemble their marvels. Fire is what created this universe, and each shaman seeks to gain control over it. The shaman places importance over both the spiritual and the physical form of fire. Fire is what brings life, and fire animates the dead. Such a fact makes the shaman crave the ability to control the flame, a seemingly impossible deed. The shaman tries to control the flame in both external and internal form. The shaman keeps a flame in their heart, and the shaman's body seeks to endure external fire, as was tradition with such people who walked on hot coals and the like. The shaman will practice every day, using their mind to manipulate the fire. Shaman use fire to heal and transform, to sift through visions, and more. Fire is everything needed by the shaman to see in the invisible world. The shaman's internal flame is used to bring the dead to life and to regulate the world in which they attempt to navigate. Shaman need their lamp to have a bright flame to see in the dark underworld. The shaman's emotion reflects how bright their lantern is. Shaman have powerful emotions, one said to be so strong that they can even manipulate the weather, be it storm or rainfall. Without seeing the light, The shaman can never have their internal fire lit, bringing an absence of good emotion. Many shaman live in a dark place, one where the dead are their friends. The shaman lives with spirits and undead, and they need to see the good in humans to light the lantern to rescue souls, be them living or dead. The flame exists in all of us, despite our national location or creed. The God is fire, as is evident in many religions. The universal symbol of fire (or the flame) is known by all, as it is the sun that gives all creatures life. Without the sun, we would die, and this is the basis of why the sun God was the central deity of most ancient animistic religions. What does the shaman relate their internal fire, or “warmth” with? It is the topic of every inexperienced shaman. Many will never know how great mastery over fire really is. Fire is the uncontrolable inferno that consumes all. Fire consumes both misdeed and evil alike. Fire lights the way for the lost traveler. Fire is needed for guiding the lost back to the world of the living. Fire heals, as it is used in many shamanic rituals. Fire can burn and cause evil spirits to flee. For me, I have dreamed of being able to master the control of fire, but for even me, it seems like a continuous ladder, with no promise of ever reaching the goal. I will continue my climb as I seek to find the fire that is the sun at the top of the ladder that ascends through the heavens themselves. There is no way to ever expect to become a gifted shaman without linking fire to your soul. Shamans, be them ones who dabble in the bones and shades of Duat or not, need to control the flame. Fire was what gave us light, and is as essential as the darkness that hides us and brings us peace at night. When I was younger, I read tales of all these famous shamans, yogis, and mystics that all sought to control the body and the flame within. It didn't seem impossible back then, but now? Perhaps my quest for fire has become one searching out the dark and bringing light to the creatures that dwell within. Fire burns when we get too close to it, and our instinct is to pull away from what has harmed us. To the one that has tempered their soul in fire, do they stick their hand in, or pull away from it, as if they respect what that flame represents? I respect the flame, and although I cannot walk where others do, I love Ra and everything he represents. He is the God who has given me the strength to continue to write and create my written works. Every part of me seeks to gain his approval, and although I have fallen into service with other gods, I know that he is still the one who calls me “Dear friend.” Most would feel unworthy of such title, but I have done everything that I can to let him know I love him, and, as the Phoenix is his oversoul, he raises me up each time I get knocked down. In this work, I am attempting to create a book on shamanism that isn't so boring and drab like all the other ones. I am a shaman chosen by the wolf deity, and although my identity has shifted over the time, as now I am known as the entity “Bryan, The Black Wolf,” I still have not fallen from the path that has been laid out for me to walk on. I do not walk alone, as Nico and Jen join me every step of the way. I had to have something besides darkness in me for them to enter my services. One does not have to be a being of the light to possess it. I can hold onto my little flame even though darkness surrounds me everywhere. It's almost as if the darkness has a flame all of its own, a sun that appears in the dark sky. Maybe the moon has became my sun, transforming me into a magickal beast? Seek the flame, then link it to your heart. Never reject the light it gives, even if you never see it ever. The sun is there, and it will always be there, until the sun can burn no more. We always know one thing to be true, as that is the sun will rise and as always, it will set. You have the eternal promise that is the fire of the sun, and I wish you all to uncover the fire that is your soul and heart.
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Part 20: The Lost Legacy Of The Sorcerers
Many shaman are identified as sorcerers. Whether this is an evil term or one of renown, we do not know, but it is to be said that during the middle ages, sorcerers were the most feared people in the land. Legends speak of ancient sorcerers that could enter and exit communities with no repercussion after taking what they see fit from the place. Whatever we know about the sorcerer, we can establish a few facts. Sorcerers use magick, just as shaman do. Sorcerers are believed to be the children of dragons and are known for their innate elemental magicks. Shaman, on the other hand, use godly magicks that often invoke spirits. So why is there any confusion? We'll have to examine the ancient shamans and those who lived a long time ago to make any sense of this seemingly unfair comparison. First, we must mention Isis, the first sorceress, and the bringer of all life. Isis was as in touch with the dead as she was with life, creating the continuity symbol (infinity) as she presided alongside Osiris, the god of death. When Osiris passed to the underworld, she used her magick to revive Osiris long enough to conceive the fledgling messiah, Horus. This was her using the power of her sorcery to establish a living connection with the dead. This is how sorcery might interact with the dead, using magick to revive and give substance to the dead. The identity of the black shaman, or the one who uses presumably bad magick to extort the living, has really faded away over the years. The phrase sorcerer, for the longest while, denoted an evil shaman, one who is not true. What we have discovered through myth is that sorcery has existed in Egypt since ancient times and it was used appropriately to bring honor to the gods and protection to its people. Yet, one thing is concerning, and that was the use of curses amongst the common class in ancient Egypt. Many would use the reputed evil eye curse, and many ancient Egyptians were afraid of its power. Whether or not the Egyptians could use hexes, many people knew of sorcery in Egypt, and many believe still that it was used alongside necromancy and shamanism. Yes, it is true that a shaman is an archaic magician, but that does not mean that he or she is evil and participates in magick of the such. As far as the hearts of an evil shaman, is it not true that father Ra would not allow a sorcerer to exist without good reason? Is it not possible to think a grand God would have ones practice sorcery to defend and punish people who do both right and wrong? If there was no sorcery, who would punish those who are unjust? Justice and order must be sustained, and it is simple to think that both healing and destructive magick are practiced even in this day and age. Although I may think that a real shaman would not identify themselves as a sorcerer in these modern times without bad reason, I would also venture to say that at one time, sorcery had a better name. Sorcery is usually performed by those who wish to obtain some item or accomplish some goal. With that being in mind, we can say sorcery is the art of ambition. Should a shaman ever surrender to ambition? No, but quite honestly, it happens all the time. Shaman tend to either soften or harden over the years of their practice. It is easy to imagine us as characters who are swayed by the forces of good and evil. When we are loved by humans, our practices are away from sorcery and our identity as a black shaman. As humans despise us and seek to make us feel like outcasts, true and pure shamanism is at a greater length away from us. The human mind is truly as strong as it is weak: why our emotions effect our path is up to speculation. My emotions should not control my actions, as I should always let love light my way. A person can do anything as long as they use the strongest force in the world, as Isis knew only too well, the force being love. I am so grateful for having her as a mystic guide. With her, I can truly do many things, each of them just, vibrant, and full of life. Sorcery is usually a bad indication of a shaman's true nature. However, many have used sorcery and shamanism together to protect and bless. Please, do not think this is common, as sorcery offers very harsh chains and restraints. We are often bound by our actions and what we learn. A shaman who stays in the ancient form of ritualism and ceremony will be at the heights of their morals. One, like me, who uses revival magick and evocation will be somewhere between good and neutral. One who uses black magick and dark sorcery will definitely be at the control of evil and all of its sin. Sin is what makes a man or a woman die inside. There is no uglier shade of black than sin itself. What is sin but the legacy left behind by a demonic heritage? Sorcery was a product of one who wanted to be not amongst the gods but above them. As sorcery turned on its master, a dragon was born, the great beast himself. With it he etched out on his scales the secrets of sorcery. The people who made a covenant with him and took his scales had but one price to pay. Should they fail to please their master, the great serpent, they must surrender both their magick and their life. Of all those who practice it today, less than five percent could resist its temptations, and thus paid the cost. We are not the shards of our leftover master, but instead those who envision the dragon as God. Is Ra a fiery Phoenix, a great beast of the sun? Of course, Ra is the dragon, as that is where Isis, the mother, obtained her powers. Let the legacy carry on. Can you master sorcery and use it to please both the dragon and humanity? Part 19: Shaman And There Migration To The Industry
Shamans assume dramatical roles in both fiction and reality. We are ones defined by something that is quite like a counter-culture, and we often have to appear like a mythical figure. With dramatical roles, acted out by shaman, we can get across the message of shaman and the spirits alike. We appear in many places on the radio and television. Simply put, we are everywhere. Why do shamans often act or sing? We use our gift to sing and act on a regular basis and our dramatical productions are tied into our rituals. Although our rituals are very real, we have adapted our natural talents all amongst media. I write, for example, using a blend of automatic writing and my own personal experience. The spirits help out their shaman for whatever they may pursue. One person I really liked was Robin Williams. I had heard much about his struggle with mental illness, but I do not know. His acting came across as an almost shamanic-like gift. As for other singers, actors, artists, and writers, I would suggest that many of them are inspired by spirits. Major stories in horror are often influenced by folklore and myth. We, as an artistic whole, could all be considered shaman. It's safe to believe that all artisans are inspired by spirits. As for the dramatical roles we take part of in ritual and dance, we use exaggerated movements, singing, and phrases for a more desired act. In the art of play and drama, exaggerated actions are often favored, believing the actor or actress may gain more emphasis with the overemphasized movement. Shaman are stuck in an act of imitation that seamlessly spans the generations. Everything a shaman does simply matters more than what others do. This is not a division of class but instead a division of role. Shaman may keep their practices secret from many in modern day society. As for me, I entered a state of fulfillment. I felt that many imposter shaman were spreading false word and teaching about my art so I took the mask off. I am a natural writer, and although I am not the best, I do have an effective writing style that lets me convey the message I am delivering to a great degree. By writing all of this down I am hoping to remove the false notions behind shamanism. Our art is not known for being given to many. Some also try to remove the medium aspect of it all in order to eliminate the animism element to our ancient art. The psychopomp behavior is something few can understand but many do understand acting. Think of psychopomp behavior to be like acting. Many can act, but few can successfully profit from being a psychopomp behavior alone. The two acts combined make both a strong actor as well as a strong psychopomp, and, idealy, a shapeshifter. These behaviors are not something given to a group of people but instead the chosen ones. If you have stuck around this long in reading this book, I applaud you. This means you are dedicated to your wish and dream. Cleary you are one of the select as well. What do we do to integrate into the dramatical world and the industry ourselves? Becoming a shaman may be difficult but being an artisan is a tough field. Perhaps you should embrace what talent you have and pray to the gods for the strength you need to become financially strong enough to continue your practices peacefully with some of the creature comforts of life. Although we are the spiritual undead, it is difficult to live in the world of the living without some sort of coin to fall back on. Remember, you have a gift, and that gift can be used to make your life easier and more fulfilling. A shaman puts others before themselves all the time, so consider my words. Shamans are perfect to be an artisan, so why not turn your craft into something people can enjoy and be inspired by? To think, a shaman and all of their natural gifts. The shaman knows both this world and the invisible world, so for his or her invisible spiritual friends to make an appearance in the guise of drama is not absurd. We are those who study drama and fiction as if it is real, wondering if those spirits in the show are somehow more real than we think. When fiction blurs the lines of reality, (like what most shaman experience,) their lives tend to become both one and the same. They can go back and forth from serious and casual roles in quite an easy manner. For us to become a comedian, an actor, a playwright, an artist, a writer, or several things more is quite easy, for all we have to do is let our imaginations soar. Do not reject the idea of a job in the industry. You can easily live both a life of reality and fantasy that way. It takes a special breed to be a part of the limelight but it is not impossible. Remember, a shaman needs only what is necessary to live, so why not use your awesome advantage to shoot for the stars? If Isis gained Ra’s power, why can't you? Drama is always the easiest in the intended form. I think that joining an acting troupe or attempting standup comedy would be a wise thing for all shamans to try. Additionally, for all you sirens out there, why not try and submit a demo tape to someone? Who knows how far you will go? If we are the products of a compassionate being then definitely they have a place for us amongst the mainstream and even more. We cannot go on struggling for resources to support our divine vocations. We must live comfortably if we are to serve the gods with all of our capability. Part 18: Why Shamans Exist
A shaman exists because they are needed. A shaman is an intermediate, or a medium, that is needed in this world. A shaman is much like an angel, but at the same time they know that they are between worlds. One must seek to please both sides, and once a shaman gains their power, they must play the dangerous game of surviving in both worlds. The land of Duat was made to protect both intermediate (or transient) beings and the dead. A shaman will feel the pains of life, and will cling to their friends in the afterlife. The shaman exists not for themselves but soley for the gods. Most people do not believe in neither the shaman or the gods, but they exist and have great power over mortal man. The shaman is a needed force, simply put, and they will suffer instead of others. A shaman wants only to express their love for people and spirits alike, but when the shaman sees how cold and harsh reality is, they often want to run away or lash out. A shaman must never run from their fate. The shaman lives a thorough existence. No one can tell a shaman that they are useless. Most shaman work in secret and do such things as making the weather change and rescuing people from spiritual menace. Their existence is important, as the gods cannot be heard by all that they wish to be. Who does the shaman give the credit to? Most would claim the gods gave their power to help the human race, but sometimes shaman claim no one at all. The shaman that does not speak of heavenly aide may indeed be a trickster or a scoundrel, so be warned. Many types of shaman frequent this globe, but I know for a fact that I am one of the unique few who have became adept at his craft at a young age. I'm continually improving and I know for a fact I am needed, as my existence will be a long and sometimes bloody path. I exist because of my own will, and I exist to honor my gods. The gods I serve come in many forms, and I know that all of the gods bless me. I toil for their glory. The presence of Artemis, a mysterious and perhaps pre-primordial force, accompanies me everywhere. Her ties to Egypt are unknown, but several suggest Bastet may have a connection to her, the goddess of family, music, cats, love, and more. She is often misidentified with Ailuros. This is a common assumption to many students and authorities alike. Artemis has never been fully connected to an Egyptian identity, which suggests that Greece may be less of the plagiarists that many have suggested. Artemis knows my love for her, as do the gods of Egypt. She commands me, as do many other gods. Their traits have slowly became my own over the years, and I welcome any moment that I can sit there and soak in the divine nature of the ones who have watched over the years since ancient times. They have a special connection to shaman, and they choose and reject them alone. Whatever I can do to prepare you for potential vocation is merely a gift being given to you from the gods through me. None of my gifts are my own but rather theirs. They have selected me to be a scribe, a defender, and disciple. I will never know all of the gods’ power, but I will always know their love. How long have shamans existed? As we know, shamans were in ancient Egypt, most notably being called necromancers and spirit callers. Were shamans around before ancient Egypt? Probably, but we don't know for sure with the lack of readily available translated documents about ancient civilizations. Many suggest that prehistoric man even had some form of shamans. I believe fully that shamans have been a part of history, always, as spirits in the guise of gods had created this universe. The spirits needed intermediate souls to deliver their decree to humans, and shamans have a constant role in such matters. I know that the existence of a shaman is a sometimes traumatic one. Shamans are the most special people in the world because of their large burden. A shaman can be seen as the always willing servant to the gods. Lord Osiris uses them as gravekeepers, guardians, protectors of tombs, and more. Shamans always have a duty to do, all the time, even when they are sleeping. A shaman exists in a different dream world than most, and it is often hard for shamans to differ their existence in dreams. Shamans want only one more thing than the world to be safe, and that is to revive their fallen friends. One day, we will all see the world as peaceful, full of love and happiness, but until that day, shaman will live on, obedient to their godly masters, praying for the sick and dead, shedding tears for those who exist no more. We live, and we are seen as strong. Our truth is that we are not strong, and that our spiritual guardians are the ones with such fortitude. I will conclude with one point that will make you think. Shamans have been a part of this world for a very long time. We are constantly in a state of death and rebirth. Humans live and die. Humans can be rewarded by the justice they fight for and do. Therefore, are the humans the strong ones, as shamans are seen as casual observers at times? Is there a great connection with humans and shamans, as we exist as shaman merely to be guides, pointing the way to heaven? I'm sure that my conclusion is correct, so there must be a continual balance between shaman and humans. We are both needed, and therefore we exist together, entwined, in both life and death. Part 17: The Hunger Of The Wolf Shaman, A Firsthand Account
The shaman is often related to special animals that are tied into most shamans across the world. The least favored of all shaman receives the wolf spirit, as it is a ravenous beast who constantly makes the shaman hunger, and consequently hunt and feed. A shaman with a wolf spirit inside of them will be presented as ultra ambitious. Although a bit of ambition is good for a man or a woman, too much can make them delirious. The only way to suffice the wolf inside these shamans is to find a balance which consists of only feeding the wolf at all times. What the shaman takes and eats should become secondary to the wolf spirit, as the wolf spirit is a dominating soul. The shaman cannot attempt to control such an animal spirit. One, though, that surrenders to the wolf will learn wisdom. The wolf spirit is a patient teacher if the shaman has the heart to learn. That being said, the wolf spirit is the strongest of all shaman animal spirits if the shaman can even remotely appease their appetite. The wolf, as an animal, appears in almost every continent, in various iterations. The wolf preys on the weak, stalking the sheep that stray from their flock. The wolf uses guile and instinct to take down their prey, and lets the shaman eat only enough to suffice their much smaller appetite. A shaman that creates harmony with the wolf spirit will become like the beast, their hunger growing to insatiable levels. The wolf spirit changes people, with both its intelligence and its ferocity. One must take great heed to keep the wolf inside happy, or else the shaman will have a great inner struggle. A shaman with the inherent wolf spirit is engaged with a constant balancing act that few can ever keep up for long. The wolf spirit taught me in my younger years as I readied for invocation. As a candidate for shamanism I learned the hard way, and what I aspired for ended up being nothing more than training for the long life of a shaman. I lived little, and pondered much. As my power surfaced, the wolf took control of me, and thrusted me into a spiral down into the underworld. After all these years, I can only say that I have pleased the wolf spirit in ceaseless periods. Whatever strength this creature has given me is simply on loan, and the payments I make to this beast are only enough to continue along my path. The gift I have been given may be to the lowly, but what I have found through my synergy with the beast has brought forth a legendary power. All shamans practice psychopomp behavior, and the imitation of things a shaman is known for is merely the cuts on the edge of the vault that keeps shapeshifting. Shapeshifting is a life-long study, and as the shaman harmonizes with certain forms, the shaman develops the ability to transform to greater degrees of the chosen creature. The druids of Europe were notorious for their prehistoric shamanism behaviors, rumored to be able to take on the form of wolves, bears, and elks, amongst others. These were people who tried to create a natural bond between their kind and the animals. The druids were mystics and ancient shamans, and their power was as revered as much as it was obscure, as they lived in segregated communities called groves, and those who didn't lived as hermits. Whatever they knew was not unlike us, the children of Isis. Isis is our mother, and we command the power of the sun. We light the signal so that others would be saved from sure darkness. Duat is not a friendly place for the living, and for us to rescue the souls of the living we must take on many forms, and sometimes that of a wolf or manbeast. For what the druids knew, we knew long ago. My shamanism has taught me many hard lessons, and all of those came from the beast that is my wolf spirit, its heart as black as its fur. We are primitive creatures at heart, and the wolf spirit knows exactly that. What our minds thrive on, the wolf doesn't, and instead teaches the shaman what it knows best: survival. The spirit wolf plays with the shaman, brandishing its teeth at them. The shaman wrestles like this with the wolf spirit every waking hour of the day. Through fire the shaman is baptized, and the wolf is the mark that is branded on their forehead. To even blemish this mark is a cardinal sin to the otherwise merciless beast. Often in myth, the least favored of characters become the most powerful, and in shamanism this is also true, should you be willing to pay the price. Climb the ladder and gain your prize, possessing the blood of a wolf. The most worthwhile gift that comes from the wolf is ironically patience, which most would believe the wolf does not have. The wolf spirit has changed my life, making me the intelligent teacher and a strong warrior. What I may hunt is knowledge and the passing on of the torch to the younger generation, but know this. To be selected for shamanism does not take a strong-willed lad or lass, but more one that is willing. Willpower can often make a shaman candidate stubborn, and the beast rejects all that show pride. Shamanism is for the few, and not the proud. I cannot teach you my art, but the keys you will need to hear the spirits can be gained through me. When the trees and rocks can see and talk to you, you'll know your time has come, and should a wolf come looking for you, be afraid, as they will take you on an adventure full of danger and adversaries. Part 16: The Shaman's Connection To Religion And Spiritual Practice
The shaman most definitely has a deep religious connection. They are not defined by mainstream religion at all, but instead are tied into the ancient beliefs of animism. Animism is the central religion that all true shaman study and believe in. Some, such as myself, may tie it into a central deity or many deities. The shaman knows that animism is real, as the shaman’s vocation involves the belief in spirits everywhere. As we always discuss, the shaman knows that all of the world is influenced by spirits and common man and woman have little control over their actions and surroundings. Animism dictates everything has a spirit inside of it, including inanimate objects like tables, doors, windows, rocks, streets, and more. The classic image of the visionary going on their quest into the wilderness is definitely inspired by animism. Animism is an all engrossing and ancient belief, and the shaman must grasp this as true before they ever progress in their duties. Shaman in ancient and more modern settings are spiritual leaders for their tribes and villages. In current time, many shaman have become direct servants to angels and gods. Shaman are not to be viewed as a religious leader, however, but instead a disciple and a servant of the gods. The Oracle At Delphie was perhaps an ancient shaman, reporting back what the gods wanted to tell humans. The Oracle even ingested drugs and breathed in fumes to enhance their trance, as widely is known with both the Oracle and shaman in modern and ancient times. The Oracle At Delphie serves much more than as a part of historical pondering, for she was an ancient shaman that paved the way for others like me. She is a woman known for wisdom and visions, as many shaman often experience. The wisdom we have is most definitely that of the gods. Let me recall a famous tale, the struggle of Horus and Isis against the evil Set. Isis conceived the fledgling messiah Horus with Osiris, who had been resurrected with Isis’ magick. Osiris then passed to the underworld, where he became the God of the dead, and the metaphor for the pharaoh in the next life. Isis and Horus fought against the evil king, Set, and eventually trapped him in the underworld. Set can never die, such as the greed and ambition of men cannot. When Horus took the throne, he became the symbol of the Pharaoh in this life. One who studies the ways of Duat must understand that birth and death are a constant cycle, and thus you should not seek to pass judgment so quickly on the condemned. Such is the duty of the afterworld judge holding the scales before Duat. Anubis stands before the spirit, and weighs their heart on the scales, balanced with the ostrich feather of the head dress of Ma’at, the Egyptian goddess of justice. After their heart is deemed just, the gods welcome the soul into Duat. The shamans take a certain place in this procedure, serving as guides for those who get lost on the way to the afterlife or those who are trapped unjustly in it. The shaman are the reapers, the harvesters of souls. They must do their duty successfully, and they are the gods intermediates to both humans and spirits. Quite simply, like the Oracle At Delphie, they are the mouthpieces of gods, acting as angels. The shaman is the most venerated of all amongst those with supernatural skills because of this. For those of you who have heard the call, I want you to know that they will never accept you. Humans will either let you in and be awed by your power or you will be shunned and labeled a freak or worse by the public. You must learn to guide in secret and find salvation amongst the spirits and the angels. You have been given an incredible gift, and I wish that you will someday grow up and seek my ultimate power. People will know your heart, as you were born to lead. Let not your own religious conviction nor your own human soul hold you back from the ones who need you the most, and that is those who are the living and dead humans. They want you to be a part of them, and I know that if you are here reading this that you already have potential. The spirits whisper in the halls, both afraid and interested in the living. They may never fully be heard by you, but trust me, they would love to protect you and guard your way. Oh, what an incredible thing that is my life and my guardians, as my angels have liberated my soul from certain surrender. With what I have become, I know that I will not be the same tomorrow. Religion and spiritual practice put aside, I am at the top of my game, my true potential unlocked. With the gods favor, I have found life meaning serving the queens such as Isis, Artemis, and Athena. They are all I wish to please and I will not throw away this amazing spiritual pilgrimage I am on called shamanism. Hallowed be my predecessors, my spiritual ancestors, be them Nero, Virgil, or Dante. My heart would do anything to please them. It’s not about who or what you bless, but more the personal religious duty of the polytheistic shaman. My own spirituality has evolved into doing the gods’ will constantly, and I have never known peace before now. No one can harm me nor knock me off my horse, simply because I have divine protection and favor. My soul is saved, and I want to take it to a whole new level, serving my mistresses I call my goddesses. There is no greater duty than being a shaman, and to be their knight is unreal. You will know the cure to everything should you seek shamanism, but be prepared to bear the burden of the world as Atlas did. Part 15: A Divine Experience
Although the shaman is not a divine entity, they work with divinities all the time. To a shaman, belief is in the eyes. The shaman who works hard at their vocation will see the divine gods at one point in their lives. A shaman is one of the few people who can see and talk to ghosts and spirits, as well as interact with them in all ways. Because of the nature of gods and divinities being spirits, a shaman can become the hands or vehicles for such gods. The gods are selective on who becomes their own, as only the most powerful of all shaman can become their champion. After one year of service to Artemis, she demanded my heart and soul. She is the one who commands me, and as most people believe she was Greek, Homer thought otherwise, claiming she was “Pre-Greek.” I believe she was the sister of Ra, but that is subject to your own opinion. As for others, I faithfully, as mentioned, serve sister Isis and father Osiris. This is what I call them, and there is no mistake that they are on my side. Divinities are the part of my life that lets me know my power is alive and real. Divine origins often factor into both shamanic birth and death. Many gods are single-handedly responsible for the choosing of shamans, as they can make anyone they want powerful. These gods never died out. Their followers left, and the ones who still worship them even to this day receive persecution. I am not pagan, nor wiccan. Organized religion does not fit into my lifestyle. There is no written books in my faith and the only thing I will draw strength off of is communion with the gods. I practice both polytheism and animism, and it dictates that there is no direct central god. Artemis has dominion over me, and I seek her first as she has given me a great heart that yearns for her ways. I did not originally choose Artemis as a god, nor even know her ways. The name became revealed to me over time, and for the greater part of a year I would yearn for her magickal ways. One day I communed with her, and I believed I was not fit to be her emissary. Over time, she demanded it so, and I had no choice but to serve her, though the reason I had no choice was because of the noble virtues that she holds sacred. I do not know her origins, but I suspect she is a missing god from Egypt that was sister to Ra and the mother of Nut. (Nut is the Egyptian goddess of the sky, and most notably the night's sky. She is represented in myth as a cow, her being the tender mother.) My communion with the gods is necessary as few shamans have achieved my level of spiritual strength. The training I have gone through is often absent in modern shamans. It was of a special type, where others are trained by humans I was trained by spirits and thus the gods as well. One who does not obey the gods, human or not, may lose their favor and protection. Artemis has given my life extreme meaning, and I cherish her gentle and caring ways. Her hunting behavior is only present when it comes to those who would think carnal thoughts towards unmarried girls. The concept of sex before marriage may be common in man, but it is forbidden to the gods. Such lust has ruined both men and women for way too long. One must remember the wrath that was set upon Orion for his transgressions. Divinity is something that is quite nurturing at times and otherwise demanding. What grace the gods give a shaman should not be forgotten or squandered. When the gods are ready for the shaman to accept their commands, a shaman must hear the call. The gods will prepare and bless their champions with all sorts of rewards after their tasks are done. The gods influence humans and spirits, so the reward may be countless that the chosen shaman receives. The shaman only needs to heed their call and their ways, as a shaman must be compatible with their deity. A shaman cannot be a follower of a god who does not represent themselves. The gods are not subject to mere fancy, and live in a realm that few, including shaman, understand. A shaman would be wise to study the gods and keep their eyes on them. When a god comes for their shaman, be them magician or mystic, the god will not wait. The shaman's dealings with the gods is something of both legend and reality. It is to say that most religious people have some sort of minor involvement with the gods, and the shaman just has it to a greater level because of their gift. As I continue to share my teachings and experiences with you, I want to tell you, there are few things more uplifting and amazing as the ones a shaman has face-to-face with the gods. It brings you to your knees and makes you realize everything you have been working towards has not been in vain. It is so beautiful, and the thing you realize is that how foolish people are for not believing. These polytheistic gods have been labeled as the witchcraft gods in modern times but they are much more than that, for they are the heart of everything. Praise be to Artemis, for making my ways larger than life. Hallowed be the sun, for showing me the intricacies of the light and letting me know there is more to life than just existing. May Isis and Osiris know my obedience, and that in the end it is all for their benefit. The divinities that move my life are my heart and soul, making each of my moments ones of great glory. Although the belief in these gods stopped long ago, I believe that there is a few kindred souls hanging on to them. I pray that you will take up shamanism and worship them one day. To restore the gods’ honor we must speak about them and say “I believe.” Only faith will revive the forgotten gods. Keep praying, and hold onto them, letting not your ego fell your way. Part 14: The Supernatural Powers Of The Shaman
The shaman has many supernatural powers, and gains more and more of them each day. When the shaman becomes stronger, they may even have perfected many of them or gain a much stronger set of powers due to a god's blessing. A shaman has left the world of the living after they became a fledgling shaman, as they have died and reincarnated into a member of the dead. What humans worry about is no longer what the shaman worrys about, as all want and desire takes the backseat for him or her. The shaman begins their prayer, and they use their trance and magickally transform into a crow, a deer, a wolf, or any sort of creature, and he or she takes flight to where the shaman escapes to, the underworld. With the power of the bat, they navigate the dusty halls of the dead, constantly in search of the needy and trapped. When a shaman uses his magickal, mystical, and quite uncanny powers, everything makes sense. The world and the other world, the unformed land, are joined, and he or she can move between and through them as they please. The shaman always begins their rituals with their call. Their call summons the residents of Duat, and they ask the shaman if they should serve him or her. A shaman has the ability to refuse or accept the spirits, but they must take the full consequences of their decision. The shaman communes with the new acquired spirit allies, getting a feel for them. The shaman inherits their skills, and has the ability to shift and “transform” into the spirit. The spirit leaves a lasting impression on the shaman, and the spirits’ concerns and dreams becomes the shaman's. Together, the shaman and his angels fight supernatural battles, against evil spirits and the such. The shaman becomes like a warrior, putting on his own supernatural garb or outfit. The garb will resemble what their beliefs and family heritage represent. For me, I wear all black and my amulet to represent my affiliation to the dark arts. My witchcraft is a part of my family, and it is resembled well in the traditional black clothing. When I put this on, all of my power is displayed. I am ready to engage spiritual forces with my mystical energy. I have the power to summon the aid of any of my spiritual allies and fight as one with them. As my ability rises, I can fly through the sky and dig deep into the earth. No villain is safe from me. I move the firmament, and stride across the spiritual realms, a brave warrior with no fear. I believe that I will not be harmed, with my invincible and stalwart guardian angel at my side. With her by my side, no opponent has defeated us. We do not need to fear what is death, as death has already gone through us both. Death did not taint us, and we are ready to protect the people of our great land. My battle spirit rises, and nothing threatens me any longer. I become a man consumed by my duty, and I am ready for anything. When I do the gods' work, failure is not an option. I wait for the moon to ascend into the starry sky, and gaze into it, knowing the extreme transformation that its rays cause. As I bask in it, I become like a moth, luminescent in the fields of midnight flowers. There, I become the black wolf, howling all night long, communicating with the heavens. The heavens look upon me, and they smile at the unfortunate beast I've became. Woe be to me, a ravenous and dark wolf, never satisfied! I stalk my prey, whatever it may be, the villains of the night, or the stray demons, taking them down and devouring their flesh. After I have had my fill, the gods pass quick judgment on my fallen foes, and I return to the hills, where I wander off, retreating from the land where I had once called home. As the world has breached my lunar sanctuary, and I must forget where I had once laid my head. As the sun rises, I return to my human form, ready to go back to town, where I can hide in my humble abode. The night before where I had been a beast is now in the past, as all things are. What I had lived through is nothing compared to what I will live through. With greater power comes greater challenges. Slaying all the demons is one thing, but stopping the inherent wickedness in man's heart is another. Will I ever lead my chosen brothers and sisters into the promised land, or will I be restricted to the lands where I once dwelled, a place of regrets and broken promises? There is nothing to worry about as long as I maintain my goddess’ blessing, and I would rather die than not have her favor. My guardians make sure that I know of their sacrifice and love for me, and that is great enough reward for me to keep fighting. I worry about the world of the living all the time, as their time is ultimately limited. We do not need to see the same way to live together, as my supernatural abilities require my own faith and not yours. I will still be stronger than most, and that is because of the content of my heart. It is the shaman's greatest tool, to have the purity of a steadfast and loving heart. We do not need to separate ourselves, as a hero awaits anyone who should call upon them. The dark but fantastic wonders of father Osiris’ land of Duat has their own sort of marvels and angels, all undead and magnificent. We serve as the keepers of Duat, and the protectors of the world of the living. Let us be Atlas, and the mighty king of the sky. We will protect you with our supernatural powers. I hope you enjoyed this section, as I attempted to explain to you our power and might through dramatic and imaginative narrative. Part 13: The Shaman's Roles
Most know of the shaman's roles in ancient and primitive tribal-like structure. Much time has passed since then, and the shaman has had to adapt much since those times. Some would even think the shaman is useless in modern day society, but this is by far not true. Now, more than ever, shaman's are needed throughout every part of the world. At one point, shaman were spiritual leaders that led their people to the skies and the heavens. Today, shamanism is mostly a peculiar topic of interest for people. I pray that it is more than that for you. Shaman have the creative power of a thousand suns, I like to say. The ideal method for shaman to be successful in the business world is to be an artisan, thus supporting their lifestyle and personal needs. Shamans should know the wolf's ultimate wisdom in the totem, which is that of a teacher. Additionally, a shaman can adapt into alternative medicine roles, promoting natural healing methods. A shaman can also very easily become a scientist, with their natural affinity for biology and animal science. A shaman still has roles in this world, many in fact. A shaman can even become actors, historians, curators, and maybe even write. Shamans are the best storytellers, and no one can deny that, right? Shamans have to adapt, because trust me, society has transformed our true and vivid art into something that seems like fiction. People become enraptured by the culture and do not realize the actual reality of our vocation and our duty to the gods and their world, which is that of the spirits and the dead, Duat. We must separate our lives, but we must know that the spirits would do anything to assist us. Spirits love shaman, as their friends, the shaman would gladly give their lives if it meant one soul would be free. Spirit control and unity can help your career in the physical world's eye, as humans cannot sense or identify your companions, be them spirit or ghost. A friendly ghost is an angel, no matter how you slice it. Shaman may have the worst fate in the world of the living, but they are kings and queens in Duat, as both father Osiris and mother Isis know. We do not take pleasure in meeting our own means. Whatever power we have is to be used for others. We are the servants of justice, the precious children of Ra. We know that what great mediumistic and shape changing powers have surly came from him. We must protect, and we must lead the good people of the earth to greener pastures. We must be leaders, if only in our own minds. A shaman cannot create conflicts when it comes to the links between the two worlds, knowing that spirits cannot be seen by someone who is also not a resident of Duat. We cannot just say to a person who is a non-believer that their family is alive and well in a different form of heaven. That just simply does not go well with those who did not want to originally contact a shaman or medium. The belief that the person's loved ones might still be around is often too much for them to bear. I do not know why the creator allowed us to have contact with the spirits but I do know this: anyone connected with a guardian angel would eventually disdain the world, so for there to be few shaman and many humans is what we call divine balance. If there were too many people connected with the spirit world, then few would want to work in the world of the living, which is the place where all of us are required to go to work and procure our means. Both worlds are needed, simply put, and I don't feel that a guardian angel is just given to everyone. The world killed my guardian angel in life, and she is free and liberated at my side. Her pain has slowly disappeared over the years, as she has found great purpose in guarding me. If a person does become a shaman, a protective guardian is needed for their many roles. Never forget the lives we have lived, as we are all working towards that perpetual goal of reaching the promise land, paradise. We must assume the roles of both the ancient world and the modern world. The world has changed, and we must use our constantly changing bodies and spirits to adapt to this busy world. Although we all may thrive to be alchemists and work in botany, we simply can't, as the world would require us to surrender our eventful spiritual lives. Work to a common means, and I encourage you all to add to all of our works, as the teachings and experiences from different shaman tend to be very unique. The various roles I have mentioned for modern application of shamanism is just a short list. Keep in mind the creative nature of the shaman is always their best option. Thrive for creative output, and gain inspiration from our amazing otherworldly friends. The ways we use our art is nothing that can be described. Shamanism is like dancing, something being constantly added onto, yet beautiful and alluring all the same. The hidden attraction to shamanism will always make those within the community drawn into it. Wear a mask when you can, and keep Duat safe. As the gods of Egypt reign there, they did not forget those who belong there, too. Question not the judgment of the gods or the humans. Humanity will either hate you or love you, but the spirits will always honor their tireless tillers of the ground. The spirits want you to be happy and well provided for, so use their help to channel your creativity into the amazing and cloaked roles of an artisan or any other profession that Ra wills it. Part 12: The Shaman's Lack Of Identity
A shaman, like any superhero, has two main identities. One, who he or she is during his or her rituals and ceremonies, and two, his or her mild-mannered outward identity, hiding his or her magicks. During rituals and ceremonies, however, there are several identities, if not infinite. Because of the spirits and undead that work through the shaman, as medium or shapeshifting, we have a somewhat formless shape for the shaman when they are enjoying their personal free time. They must adopt the qualities of someone who is selfless, as they will not be able to grasp who they truly are or were. A shaman casts nothing in their shadow, and that is perhaps why the shaman and his charges can learn the humility that comes with being a shaman. The number of masks that a shaman will put on in their years is incredible. The shaman must be static in nature or they will not be able to survive. A shaman is like the weather, changing from one moment to the next. The spirits influencing the shaman's body, little by little, change the shaman, both during the trance and afterwards. There is no way to stop the metaphysical changes to the shaman's body, so they must be conscious of the otherwise unconscious changes that come with spiritual possession. A shaman of Duat does not have the liberty of working only with a select number of spirits. Throughout the shaman's existence he will receive cries of help from numerous souls. When he or she connects with the souls, they make a brief but mutual bond. Those connections work into an infrastructure for the shaman's personal identity. Over time, the shaman will be no longer recognizable to all but the shaman's guardian angel. Oh, blessed be the shaman's helper, their patron deity, their guardian angel. To have one is to be sublime. To think, where I'd be without shamanism, I'd be lost and suffering eternal damnation. When I first began my shamanic journey, I was reluctant to give up my identity, but oh, I didn't even know who I was back then. When my guardian angel appeared to me the first time, I was amazed. I believed that she was an angel, and she is. She is my angel. God, I trusted her so much, and 13 years later, she is still by my side. She lets me know that all my works are never in vain. My identity melted as she became a part of me. Am I her, and my other shamanic allies? In a way, yes. Any person with mediumistic abilities will inevitably act like the spirits who influence him or her. Over time, these spiritual possessions become too intense and the two halves (the medium and the spirit,) fuse, and become a greater whole. It is said that no shaman ever gets to choose their fate. We have become something of a dying breed, and we revel in our vocation. Over time, we become more and more passionate about our spiritual friends. They become everything to us, a bond closer than any mortal family can possess. We are not the creators of shamanism, but we are artists. We are shaman who add to our rich and ancient tradition. We add our own personal touches to our art, and we become engulfed into the shamanic whole that we work so hard to keep alive. I couldn't tell you who I am. If I tried, I would tell you of my spirit allies and who I am to them. I am not myself, but a link to those who carry me through this life. When I think of myself, I see them. They are my greatest supporters in life and what keeps me happy and enthusiastic to do what anyone thrives to do, and that is live. Life is a trying ordeal that very few handle well, be them shaman or not. A shaman is a survivalist, and the best, I might add. We learn the teachings of spirits and absorb their intelligence, making us wise to those who have otherwise fallen. When I think of myself, I see them, simply put. It is one of shamanisms greatest quagmires. We do not need to associate with some foolish form of identity which most people execute as a crude and swollen form of pride. A shaman must be the most humble of all humble, or else they will never be able to meet the spirits’ demands. To be selfless, what is it really like? It's amazing. You feel like nothing can ever be taken away from you. Whatever mask you wear becomes you, and for whatever time you wear it. We are shapeshifters, slowly but surly becoming more confident to be shapeless and formless. We cannot be held by the concept of identity, as it is what separates the holy from the proud. Pride is a weakness, and the worst of all vices. When I first became a shaman, nothing else seemed to matter. All I wanted to know is more about this strange world full of spirits and ghosts that I had stumbled upon. Life for me has never been the same, and I will never forget what a wonderful second chance I have been given. I was a loser back then, some would venture to say I still am. Even still, I have two gifts, one, being life, and two, the inspiring ability of shamanism. It is what replaced every bit of my iniquity with something exciting. Are you looking to follow where I have already been? I am sure that you are, seeing as how you have read this far. I believe that you have the gift in you, because obviously you are seeking answers. There's no escape like the one you find in shamanism. To be a part of a whole entire invisible world is something both enlightening and peculiar. Let the identity die within yourself, and who knows? Maybe the gods will right your way, forever. |