Exercise Update: ‘Developing Your Archetypal Eye’.

If you have been trying out the exercises each month, I would, as always, be interested to hear of what you have discovered.

For me, during the sign of Capricorn (where the sun is placed in my chart) I experienced a strengthening of the Capricorn traits in myself. I re-assessed goals, updated plans and set deadlines. True, the New Year has this effect on most of us but given Capricorn’s correspondence with death and time, it also seems natural that this sign should stand on the threshold between the old and new years.

I also found myself feeling anxious and gloomy and experiencing train delays (at the precise time of the New Moon on 15th December) and a car breakdown (which happened barely half an hour before the moon entered Aquarius – anyone care to guess what the car problem was? The answer is in the post below).

As we moved into Aquarius I expanded my network of contacts via an event hosted by the radio station I do an astrological reading for. Networking, radio and the unconventional (e.g. astrology and tarot) are all Aquarian correspondences.

As we move into Pisces, try keeping a journal again this month, paying attention again to the change in element from air to water, more emotions and art at the expense of thought and science, for example; and the change in quality (fixed to mutable), dogmatic opinions giving away to compromises and a valuing of subjectivity, perhaps.

This month could show us the things to come over the next few decades due to the cosmic focus on Pisces that is now coming into play. Check out future posts for more on this (bookmark me!).

The Attributes of Aquarius

A replica of the telescope used to detect Uranus

Aquarius’s day ruler is Uranus and its night ruler is Saturn (van Wingerden, 2010) which provides a complex blend of principles. Uranus is associated with the unpredictable, the unexpected and the unconventional, while Saturn sticks to the tried and tested and sets boundaries. Saturn was one of the original seven planets, those that can be seen with the naked eye, while Uranus can only be seen by telescope and therefore was discovered only in 1781, by William Herschel, when technological and scientific knowledge had developed to a certain level (see left).

Therefore, Uranus’s first challenge to the conventional and traditional was aimed at astrology itself. The dominance of the seven ‘planet’ hierarchy had been shaken and the whole foundation of astrology needed to adapt to accommodate this newcomer. In truth, it merely represented a need to return to the empirical roots on which astrology has always been based. Astrologers had to watch, wait, record and report.

The story of Uranus neatly illustrates the role of Aquarius as the cosmic scientist, bringing the new, and often unexpected, into consciousness and then fitting it into the old systems and patterns.

Since the 1900s, most astrologers have agreed on the associations mentioned further down but as Tarnas explains in his must-read book, ‘Cosmos and Psyche’ (Tarnas, 2007), the appropriateness of the name Uranus has been debated. After various suggestions (for example Georgium Sidus and Herschel), Uranus was settled upon since he was Saturn’s father, just as Saturn was Jupiter’s father – it was logical. But astrological Uranus is anything but logical, as beautifully demonstrated by its planetary counterpart which spins on its side, unlike any other planet in our solar system (below right). I, like Tarnas, believe that Prometheus is the true archetypal figure that corresponds with the eighth ‘planet’.

Aquarius is a fixed sign. This fits well with the Saturnian aspect of Aquarius and equates to firm opinions and strong convictions. In fact, those with a strong Aquarian focus in their charts need to constantly strike a balance between the novel and the tried and tested to avoid becoming either stuck in their ways or erratic in their beliefs. Empiricism is again the answer, although the purity of thought that this entails is easily confused for the illusory objectivity that so blights many otherwise capable ’scientists’.

The polar opposite of Aquarius is Leo and an unbalanced Aquarian nature denies the need for personal power, leading to aloofness and identity crisis.

Crazy Spin! Uranus, like Aquarius, defies tradition - rotating 'on its side'

Aquarius is related to the principles of detachment, unconventionality, progression, humanitarianism, rebellion, change and freedom. It is the sign of the scientist, the radiographer, the astrologer. The negative side of these qualities include perversion, eccentricity, fanaticism, excess disruptiveness, tactlessness and lack of integrity.

Physiologically Aquarius relates to the lower legs, circulation and (by reflex with Leo), the heart. Aquarius also relates to radio transmission, electricity, storms, orchids, fruit trees, pepper, apples, large seabirds, Sweden and Moscow.

Aquarius is associated with the colour turquoise, the stone aquamarine and the metal aluminium.

PS. The car problem was a faulty battery!

The sigil of Aquarius, suggestive of waves

Do you have any personal experiences with any of the themes above, or with Astrology in general that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

References/Sources used (please use my bookstore if you want to order the books):

Parker, D. and Parker, J. (2001) ‘Parker’s astrology: New edition’, DK, London
Mayo, J. (1964) ‘Astrology’, Teach Yourself Books, London
Tarnas, R. (2007) ‘Cosmos and psyche’, Plume, London
van Wingerden, B. (2010), ‘The cosmic law of seven’, The Astrological Journal, 52:1, pp 42-43.

Image attributions

All images are in the public domain.

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If so many features are shared across huge cultural and geographical divides it is natural to ask whether there exists a ‘pure’ shamanism, one that can be practised without the need to adopt alien customs or to move physically to particular countries or environments.

The answer, according to modern shamanic authorities in the ‘west’, is a clear yes. This third and final part of my series focuses on what is commonly known as ‘core shamanism’.

Harner and the development of core shamanism

The Ecuadorian Andes (artists impression)

The upland rainforest of the Peruvian Amazon

Prior to the 1970s, shamanic knowledge was entrenched in the traditions which still practised it, those which had been isolated from or survived the various political and religious movements that had acted to suppress them. Therefore, it was only by studying surviving shamanic cultures that an interested outsider could hope to gain enough knowledge to adapt shamanism to their own lives. Since so much of shamanic knowledge requires the kind of understanding only brought about through experience, and since initiation into such experiences was often controlled by culturally and geographically remote individuals (the expert shaman) it would require a particular type of person to liberate that knowledge. This person would not only need to immerse themselves in shamanic cultures, they would then need to find a way of communicating their newfound wisdom and experience in a way that would make it accessible to their own native culture. That person turned out to be anthropologist Michael Harner.

As detailed in his classic book, The way of the shaman (Harner, 1990), Harner’s first long-term anthropological fieldwork was with the Jivaro people of the Ecuadorian Andes but it was in the early 1960s, whilst staying with the Conibo people of the Peruvian Amazon, that Harner had his first shamanic experience, assisted by the ingestion of a drink prepared with the hallucinogenic ayahuasca vine. He then went on to study again with the Jivaro and shaman from North American tribes, supplementing and comparing his knowledge with the literature from other shamanic cultures all over the world.

Harner began to distill the essence of shamanism, sharing his techniques with his friends and students. The adaptation was so successful that he went on to form the Center for Shamanic Studies (now the Foundation for Shamanic Studies). Harner’s basic principles of shamanism were termed ‘core shamanism’. But what are those principles?

Three principles of core shamanism

Author and member of the Foundation, Tom Cowan (Cowan, 1996), listed three principles which form the basis of core shamanism. I have summarised these below:

1. Shamanic Perception
Shaman perceive reality in a way which contrasts remarkably with how many of us in the ‘modern world’ are brought up to perceive it. Rather than having one objective reality which stands above other subjective and illusory states of perception (e.g. dreaming, hallucinating, etc.) the shaman accepts and experiences different types of reality. For example, Harner spoke of the OSC (ordinary state of consciousness) and SSC (shamanic state of consciousness) while Castaneda contrasted ordinary and non-ordinary reality.

In the SSC or non-ordinary reality, shaman perceive and interact with plant and animal spirits, deceased ancestors and mythological figures, experiences which would probably be seen as bizarre and meaningless or purely symbolic by non-shamanic cultures.

2. Shamanic Journeying
Shamans not only perceive non-ordinary reality, they actively send their souls (or spirits) out into this realm (the ’shamanic journey’). There are various methods used to achieve this, including the ingestion of hallucinogenic substances, whirling and fasting. One of the most widespread techniques is the use of repetitive percussion, often a drum.

3. Shamanic Purpose
It is a fact inherent in many shamanic cultures that some practitioners use their skills to harm others. Core shamanism focuses on the benevolent use of shamanic techniques to access healing and information for oneself or others.

Final thoughts

In my article ‘Stepping between the worlds’, I gave four different methods for taking your first journey. I also advised that those interested in performing a shamanic journey should be prepared both academically and energetically.

If this is you, then hopefully this mini-series has assisted in the academic preparation. To be energetically prepared I strongly believe you need to be physically and psychologically ready. The early oceanic explorers would have been foolish to leave shore without a seaworthy boat and a trusty crew and we need to be equally sensible when exploring our inner landscapes. This is not to say that you need to be an athlete or that you need to be free of all psychological distress (after all, self-healing is a big part of shamanic work) but it would be unwise to journey if you are suffering from acute psychotic episodes or have concerns about the condition of your heart,for instance. You should consult your doctor if you have any doubts.

You should also give the concept of spiritual protection your full consideration. Shamanic traditions often incorporate ritual methods of protection (e.g. invocations, smudging with sage, etc.) and you may wish to incorporate these or use a ritual of your own (prayer, protective talismans, etc.). Whatever your preparation, experience has taught me to treat encounters in non-ordinary reality with the same common sense as you would when meeting people in ordinary reality.

I very strongly suggest you do not attempt any advanced shamanic work without building a strong relationship with your inner guides and power animals. Join an established shamanic group if you need support with this.

Do you have any personal experiences with or opinions on Shamanism that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

References (please use my bookstore if you want to order the books):
Cowan, T. (1996) ‘Shamanism as a spiritual practice for daily life’, Crossing Press, Toronto
Harner, M. (1990) ‘The way of the shaman’, Harper & Row, San Francisco

We have recently experienced the astrological sign of Capricorn (the Sun moved into Aquarius about 4am UTC on 20th Jan). This post features the attributes associated with Capricorn together with the other three signs the sun has traveled through since my last astrological entry; Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Exercise Update: ‘Developing Your Archetypal Eye’.

If you have been trying out the exercises each month, I would, as always, be interested to hear of what you have discovered. Due to the length of time since the last entry, this month I will provide just a short summary of some of the relevant correspondences I noticed in my life.

Mesa Verde. Image attribution below.

While researching for part 2 of my shamanism series I came across a Navajo corn maiden deity and her links with Mesa Verde (left), famous for it’s corn. Virgo is often related to such ‘earth-mother’ figures, the Virgin Mary being a prime example.

After moving into a shared house there were lots of conversations about making sure we all compromised to achieve harmony (my guess is if we moved during Aries we would be talking more about ensuring our own needs were met).

Needles and poison are potent Scorpio themes as is paranoia. My girlfriend received her swine flu vaccine and, as she was having it done, I came across some unsettling conspiracy theories about a plot to reduce the population through compulsory injection. Scorpio’s ruler Pluto has the habit of taking inner psychological issues and projecting them on to the outside world and I decided not to delve too deeply.

I had my first encounter with a Chinese Lantern. Having been previously unaware of their existence, the flaming orange light that flew over me on two occasions got my ‘UFO sighting’ hopes up for all of a nanosecond. At least my astrological archetypal eye was indulged, though, since this sighting corresponds well with Sagittarius and his fiery arrows!

As we move into Aquarius, try keeping a journal again this month, paying attention again to the change in element from earth to air, more ideas and talk at the expense of material progress, for example; and the change in quality (cardinal to fixed), more dogmatic opinions and less enterprise, perhaps.

It is also worth noting that Aquarius is one of the most unpredictable, unconventional and bizarre signs so, as the saying goes, expect the unexpected.

The Attributes of Libra

Justitia carries the Libran scales and Arian sword (Attribution below article)

Libra’s day ruler is Venus and unlike Taurus, where Venus is described as the sign’s ‘night ruler’ (van Wingerden, 2010), Librans experience her in a more ethereal abstract sense, corresponding with the sign’s ‘air’ element. Instead of Taurean earthy and sensual love, we have love of harmony and love of justice. Whether looking at the colours and styles on the catwalk or the small print of a legal document, Librans just seem to know what’s right and fair. Libra is the opposite sign to Aries and where the latter is associated with the ‘law of the jungle’ and the right to self-realisation, the former is aware of the necessity of compromise and the human laws based on equal rights.

Libra is a cardinal sign. This means that Librans like to enforce change. Combined with the element of air we see that this change is in the way people think and is therefore especially suited to the fields of diplomacy and politics. The need to maintain equilibrium sometimes outweighs the necessity to pass sentence which gives rise to the stereotype of Librans as being weak and overly accommodating. This is a little unfair perhaps, since Librans are nevertheless more than capable of achieving success. The sigil is the scales but do not make the mistake of assuming this sign is the epitome of balance. Life is not that simple, and real balance (on the Libra-Aries axis) comes from a position that realises when we need to act and when we need to hold back. In fact, the symbol of Justitia, the Roman goddess with the scales and sword, is a more fitting symbol for real balance.

The rose is a Libran flower. Image attribution below.

Libra is related to the principles of relatedness, harmony, co-operation, deliberation, evaluation, charm and equality. It is the sign of the artist, the poet, the diplomat. The negative side of these qualities include indecision, inconsistency, untidiness, frivolity, sycophancy and lack of confidence.

Physiologically Libra relates to the kidneys, lumbar region and (by reflex with Aries), the head and eyes. Libra also relates to roses, ash trees, most spices, cereals, lizards, Austria and Copenhagen.

Libra is associated with the colours pale blue, green and pink, the stones sapphire and Jade and the metal copper.

Sigil for Libra. Image attribution below.

Pluto, Roman god of the underworld and co-ruler of Scorpio. Image attribution below

Scorpio’s ‘day ruler’ is Pluto and Mars is the sign’s ‘night ruler’ (van Wingerden, 2010). Unsurprisingly then, this sign is the most intense of the twelve with Pluto’s impulse to eliminate that which no longer serves a purpose combined with the aggression and ruthlessness of Mars. Scorpio is a sign of great depth and those with a strong Scorpio element in their chart will often be drawn to delve into the innermost nature of whatever they turn their attention to, ignoring the superficial and illusory and dealing with what is true and real. Scorpio characters are renowned for being silent but deadly, delving secretly in the shadows to find the resources they need before acting quickly, with power and force.

Scorpio is a water sign, but unlike the flowing waters of Cancer and Pisces, Scorpio’s realm is in still water, whether pools, ponds, wells or stagnant swamps. Perhaps the latter correspondence somewhat explains the unfair branding that Scorpio receives as ‘the worst sign’ since water which is cut off from its source becomes poisonous to life. This is symbolic of the Scorpio trait to become fixated on painful emotional experiences instead of using their Plutonic gift to effect a cathartic healing. These toxic feelings can then start to poison the personality leading to acts born of spite and resentment. However, the transformative potential of this sign should not be underestimated and, utilised correctly, Scorpio energy can power revolutionary advances.

Scorpio is a fixed sign. This means that intensity and power comes at the expense of movement. As this quality is focused on the water element it equates with strong, honest feelings that are slow to change. Scorpio loves with fervent passion but once slighted, this sign is slow to forgive. The sigil resembles the scorpion with tail raised to sting but it is also clearly related to Virgo and is said to represent the male phallus, although more occult explanations exist. Scorpio is a fascinating sign since it is connected to themes of both death and sex and while its polar opposite, Taurus, builds, saves and conserves, Scorpio tears apart, sacrifices and releases.

Surgery is an occupation associated with Scorpio. Image in public domain.

Scorpio is related to the principles of penetration, intensity, repression, intuition, steadfastness, inner depth and passion. It is the sign of the researcher, surgeon and soldier. The negative side of Scorpio includes resentment, jealousy, extreme destructiveness, suspiciousness, vindictiveness and cruelty.

Physiologically Scorpio relates to the genitals, bladder, urethra, rectum and (by reflex with Taurus), the throat and nasal bones. Scorpio also relates to geraniums, thorny trees, aloes, insects, strong foods, Morocco and Washington DC (the subject of numerous conspiracy theories).

Scorpio is associated with the colours dark red and maroon, the stone opal and the metals steel and iron.

The sigil for Scorpio. Image in public domain.

The Attributes of Sagittarius

Sagittarius is ruled by massive Jupiter. Image in public domain.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, planet of expansion and growth. However, the traditional ‘Greater Benefic’ has a major downside; the lure of excess. Correspondingly, Sagittarius is both favoured and challenged with a sense of unrestricted movement, unfettered growth. In its most positive manifestation we notice the expanded vision of the philosopher, the cultured wisdom of the long-distance traveler and the benevolent generosity of the philanthropist. A free-ranging Sagittarius,like a galloping horse in a field, fills us with a sense of joy and youth. Sagittarius is also very passionate and goal-orientated, symbolised with the archer and his bow and arrow (also the sign’s glyph). The less welcome Sagittarian traits manifest themselves when Jupiter’s influence becomes unbalanced and abundance becomes excess. Then we witness irresponsible borrowing (and lending), unwise investments, gambling addiction, drug abuse, joyriding and infidelity. Excess eating can lead to obesity, especially if exercise is denied, and consumerism can be taken to extremes. Even the personality itself can become inflated leading to arrogance, dictatorial behaviour and the tendency to exaggerate.

Sagittarius is a fire sign and therefore activity, enthusiasm and dynamism is present in abundance. It is also a mutable sign, constantly moving, adapting and assimilating. As a consequence, Sagittarius responds negatively to being obstructed or manipulated and frustration and restlessness is a common outcome. The sigil, as already mentioned, is the arrow, symbolic of the archer. However, Sagittarius is depicted as a centaur with the torso and head of a man and the lower body of an animal. This signifies that the Sagittarian wisdom is grounded in instinct. Gemini, sign of the intellect, lies opposite Sagittarius and ideally we should all strive to integrate the logical and linguistic strengths of Gemini with the instinctual, experiential knowing of the Sage. I personally also see Sagittarius as the shaman’s sign, with its desire to transcend boundaries and animal connections. Sage is also used as a purifying herb by many shaman.

The horse corresponds with Sagittarian energy. Image in public domain.

Sagittarius is related to the principles of freedom, expansion, extension, exploration, optimism, sincerity and wisdom. It is the sign of the philosopher, teacher and sportsperson. The negative side of Sagittarius includes extremism, extravagance, tactlessness, boastfulness, lack of consideration and carelessness.

Physiologically Sagittarius relates to the hips, thighs, sciatic nerves and (by reflex with Gemini), the lungs and bronchial region. Sagittarius also relates to dandelions, oak trees, sage, horses, onions, Spain and Sydney.

Sagittarius is associated with the colours dark blue and purple (though I associate Turquoise with this sign as well), the stone topaz and the metal tin.

The sigil for Sagittarius. Image attribution below.

The Attributes of Capricorn

Death is one of Capricorn's less popular associations...Image attribution below

With Pluto and the moon’s north node in this most austere of signs, Capricorn’s attributes and challenges are being felt particularly strongly at the moment and this is likely to continue for a number of years to come. If Jupiter is the planet of expansion and growth then Capricorn’s ruler, Saturn, is its complete opposite. Traditionally, this most formidable of planets is known as the ‘Greater Malefic’. This label is clear to appreciate when we understand that restriction, hardship, limitation and death are among this planet’s associations. Capricorn’s material associations appear paradoxical at first glance since on the one hand it is a sign of plentiful resources while on the other hand it embodies notions of prudence and even deprivation. The reasons for this become clear when we realise that Saturn represents the conditional parent who expects good behaviour before providing a reward. If we behave badly (for example by spending lots of money we don’t have or overusing the resources available to us) we will suffer famine. If we show restraint and prudence, this dispenser of Karma will provide us with feast. Whether we associate Capricorn with the cornucopia and Saturnalia or with hardship and loss might largely depend on how we respect the wisdom of this most serious of signs.

Capricorn is an earth sign and therefore a focus on practical matters and material status is present. In fact, it seems to me that the recent astrological activity in Capricorn has coincided with a focus on material wealth and history, from the discovery of Anglo-Saxon gold in Staffordshire to documentaries on national treasures and ancient kingdoms in Zimbabwe that once flowed with gold. Capricorn is also a cardinal sign, concerned with initiating material growth and climbing the career mountain. The symbols of the goat and the mountain represent the austerity and scarcity associated with this most independent of signs but the sigil is very unusual, supposedly depicting a goats head and fish’s tail, the Chaldean character known as Capricornus. Cancer, sign of maternal dependence, lies opposite Capricorn and reminds us that no matter how high we climb on our own, we need the support and nourishment of others to give our existence strength and meaning. The ultimate lesson of Capricorn/Cancer is that neither sheltering beneath the mountain nor scaling its heights is enough to fulfill us. For true integration we need to become the mountain itself.

...and the cornucopea is one of Capricorn's more palatable correspondences. Image attribution below.

Capricorn is related to the principles of restriction, contraction, retention, conservatism, realism, passivity and enterprise. It is the sign of the manager, head teacher and civil servant. The negative side of Capricorn includes fearfulness, miserliness, repression, lack of confidence, pessimism and coldness.

Physiologically Capricorn relates to the knees, skin, teeth,bones and (by reflex with Cancer), the digestive system. Capricorn also relates to time, karma, ivy, hemp, meat, India and Brussels.

Capricorn is associated with the colours dark grey, dark brown and black, the stones turquoise and amethyst and the metal silver (though I also think gold is a candidate along with Leo).

The sigil for Capricorn. Image attribution below.

References/Sources used (please use my bookstore if you want to order the books):

Parker, D. and Parker, J. (2001) ‘Parker’s astrology: New edition’, DK, London
Mayo, J. (1964) ‘Astrology’, Teach Yourself Books, London
van Wingerden, B. (2010), ‘The cosmic law of seven’, The Astrological Journal, 52:1, pp 42-43.

Image attributions

Mesa Verde image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. It was originally posted to Wikipedia by AFBorchert

Justitia image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. It was originally posted to Flickr by belgianchocolate

Rose image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. It was created by Atoma

Libra, Sagittarius and Capricorn sigil images are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License. It was created by SeLarin (link not active at time of post)

Pluto image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License. It was created by Rufus

Death image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported licence. It was created by Jbuzbi (link not active at time of post)

Cornucopea image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License. It was created by Jina Lee

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Coming next: Shamanism: Part 3

The voodoo doll - reality or myth?
(Image provided under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 licence by Chabacano. Url = http://flickr.com/photos/35541100@N00/2486381001)

Tradition 1:Vodou (Haiti)

The first tradition is strictly a monotheist religion, but one which has strong shamanic roots. It is a Haitian tradition where superstition, ethnocentrism and sheer misunderstanding (not to mention media spin) has transformed it into something of a taboo. The African word vodou means ‘deep mystery’, ‘invisible force’ or ’spirit’ and the religion is a merging of west African folk traditions which emerged in Haiti, following the movement of slaves to the Caribbean.

Although Vodou has a number of different spellings, ‘voodoo’ is not one of them. This is a more recent tradition specifically practised in New Orleans.

With origins in shamanism, Vodou clearly involves connection with spiritual forces and these are understood as being of three primary types; the loa, the most powerful of the spirits, gede, spirits of the ancestors and djabs, nature spirits. Connection is made with these spirits, sometimes involving complete possession, and the shaman can receive power (known as ashe) from the djabs and spiritual gifts from the loa. During healing, a shamanic ‘priest’ performs operations such as removing spiritual intrusions, restoring ashe or journeying to retrieve lost soul parts. Practitioners of modern forms of shamanism should recognise the themes here.

As well as Vodou priests, there are also practitioners, known as ‘bokors’, who sell their services for beneficent or destructive purposes.

Further correspondences between Vodou and other forms of shamanism can be seen in the division of reality into upper, middle and lower worlds. Gine is the realm of the loa (who are sometimes described as aspects of ‘Bondye’ (God) and sometimes distinct, depending on the source). The lower world is called the ‘abysmal waters’ and is the temporary home of departed souls and the middle world is aptly termed the ‘marketplace’ due to the competitive nature of life both in the ‘ordinary’ and ‘non-ordinary’ divisions of this realm.

There is clearly far more to be said on Vodou (and related traditions such as Candomble and Santeria) but I wanted to round off by addressing some of the darker associations of the tradition; voodoo dolls, human sacrifice and zombies.

For a start, voodoo dolls and their equivalents (e.g. poppets and nkisi) are widespread in both shamanic and non-shamanic cultures. From North America to Peru and Malaysia to Britain figurines of wood, wax or other substances are used to focus intention and create a sympathetic connection with the recipient for benevolent or harmful purposes. Ironically, Vodou regards the use of such tools as weak and evidence of low levels of ashe so practitioners generally shun them.

Second, my research has found the attribution of human sacrifice to Vodou originates from one source, the purportedly racist Sir Spenser St. John in the 1800s. No concrete evidence has ever been obtained to back this up. Animal sacrifice on the other hand is practised but it is the exception rather than the rule. Most of the loa prefer the sacrifice of other items; corn, eggs, rum and cigars seem popular with some of them. Chicken are sometimes sacrificed during healing, the disease being passed into the animal, but before we pass judgement it is worth looking at the sacrifices made by rats, mice and even monkeys in the name of medical research in ‘developed’ societies. By the way, if anyone wants me to blog on that let me know. As a student of biological psychology I have been privy to some of the more eye-opening details and believe me they show our culture to be a million miles away from any notion of respect for our relations.

Finally, zombies. You might think this would be the easiest element to dismiss as fiction but this is not the case. Zombies (or zombis) do exist. Not the rotting corpse variety, naturally, but certain toxins from jungle herbs are known to be used, particularly by mercenary bokors, to cause the suppression of the nervous system, leading to temporary paralysis in their victims. They are then buried alive for a few days before being dug up and miraculously revived by their poisoner. The psychological and soul damage caused by such a traumatic process, combined with the accepted belief in the necromantic power of the bokor places the zombie under the sorcerer’s control. Even spiritual attack (the wonderfully named ‘expedition mort’ in Vodou) alone can allegedly cause soul loss, resulting in zombification. Of course, soul loss is not restricted to Haiti and maybe the stereotypical zombie character in more modern societies is more than just a metaphor.

A Buryat shaman

Tradition 2: Buryat (Mongolia)

Moving from the heat of the Caribbean and Africa to the frozen lands that span northern Europe and Asia we find the descendants of the ‘wolf people’ of Siberia, the Buryat Mongolians. The ‘gol’ is the centre of the Buryat cosmos and is where all journeys begin, but Buryats also divide their reality into an upper, middle and lower world. The upper world is populated by the powerful tenger, zayaans and khan, the lower world houses the dead between incarnations and is very watery in nature and the middle world has both a physical and spiritual dimension. Does this sound familiar?

In Buryat belief, shaman can divine the future, shapeshift, control the weather, provide healing and act as psychopomps (guides to the lost spirits of the departed). In terms of sickness, spirit intrusion, soul loss and spirit possession are cited as the causes of many ailments.

A Navajo man in ceremonial dress

Tradition 3: Navajo (South West USA)

The real name of the Navajo people (an appellation given to them by the Spaniards to distinguish them from other Apache tribes) are the Dine’ and they are one of the two largest surviving groups of the original people of north America (depending on the source consulted). Dine’ cosmology is complex and laden with symbolism but in it we can discern the same cosmic division into upper, middle and lower worlds. The upper worlds translate as the ‘place of melting into one’ and the ‘world of the spirits of living things’ while the everyday world is said to be the fifth (or twelfth) and uppermost of four (or eleven) lower worlds through which humanity have already evolved (I use this world loosely as I have read nothing to suggest that the humans of the fifth world are somehow superior to the others). The dead inhabit the lower worlds and can influence the living and sometimes injure them.

The notion of spiritual energy is also present and the Dine’ call such power ‘medicine’, whether the power is used for beneficent or malevolent purposes (the latter gives rise to the term ‘bad medicine’). On that note, the Navajo version of the expedition mort or psychic attack is known as ’shooting of evil’ and spirit intrusion is described as lightning lodged in a person’s interior. However, during my research I did not come across any reference to the phenomenon of ’soul loss’. If anyone has any information on that I would be grateful.

The Dine’ also have their equivalents of the Haitian Bokor; the ‘ánt’įįhnii’, ’adagąsh’ and ’azhįtee’, three different types of sorcerer with various modi operandi, including shapeshifting, an art practiced by the much-feared skin-walkers.

The history and mythology of the Dine’ is both fascinating and extensive and I recommend looking at the sources mentioned below for much more information. I have only scraped the surface of it here to highlight some of the similarities to other shamanic traditions.

Look out for Part 3, where I will be looking at the history and principles of ‘core shamanism’

Coming next: The Astrological Signs: Libra to Capricorn

Do you have any personal experiences with or opinions on Shamanism that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

References (please use my bookstore if you want to order the books):
Arizona Board of Regents, ‘The Navaho’, Books of the southwest [online],link, accessed 21st Dec 2009
Heaven, R. (2003) ‘Vodou shaman: The Haitian way of healing and power’, Destiny Books, Vermont
Mystic Canyon Studies (2002-2004), ‘The Dine’ (Navajo)’ [online], link, accessed 20th Dec 2009
Sarangerel (2001) ‘Chosen by the spirits: Following your shamanic calling’, Destiny Books, Vermont

Earthpulse UK backs historic UN climate summit

This image was created by Hans G Doller and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License

Today I wanted to release this special edition to coincide with the beginning of the UN climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I feel it is important for me to nail my colours to the mast and to emphasize that Earthpulse UK backs the 4,000 plus scientists and world leaders of the majority of the 192 countries attending in accepting the evidence for man-made global warming and the potentially catastrophic consequences of a failure to act on that evidence.

“Sometimes black is black and white is white”

I know from recent conversations with other members of the alternative spiritual community that there is skepticism about the real motivations behind the global warming scenario and that this has been compounded recently by the evidence of ‘figure-fiddling’ within some UK research centres.

It is in the nature of counter-culture philosophies and movements to question authority and there is a legitimate need to examine information for evidence of covert manipulation. For example, whilst global warming calls for a welcome reduction in fossil fuel burning it also raises legitimate concerns about nuclear energy (see my article on the nuclear energy debate . There will be plenty of companies with a vested interest in promoting the benefits and downplaying the hazards of such technology. The UN summit should not end up being a ‘carte blanche’ for every low carbon industry.

However, sometimes black really is black and white is white. Our world has undergone many cultural shifts in understanding which have had a beneficial effect on society and the planet, from anti-slavery and racial equality movements to those promoting peace and environmental responsibility. There is time for another one now.

A greater step than Armstrong?

Earthpulse UK believes that this next fortnight is a crucial point in the history of our planet, a pivotal movement not only for human beings but for the entire web which supports our existence. Not only is it now quite possible that we will allow our own children to grow old on a planet that can no longer sustain them but this time, failure to act has implications which reach beyond our own lives and communities. If worst case scenarios are true, if we ‘go down’ we could take over 50% of our animal relatives with us. Can we risk such a karmic debt?

If, as I believe and hope will be the case, our governments come to a preliminary consensus which enables real progress in Bonn next year, we will have taken as giant a step for humankind as Neil Armstrong did 40 years ago, a step which first paved the way for the revelation of the beauty of our living planet to her inhabitants.

“A time to trust…a time to act”

There is a time to debate, to worry, to be paranoid, to object, to refuse, to challenge and to hesitate. There is also a time to trust, to act, to believe and to have faith. Earthpulse UK believes that time is now. Please join us in supporting carbon emission cuts in Copenhagen.

Peace and blessings to our Earth and all her children
Neil Hocking (Earthpulse UK)

Coming soon: Shamanism: Part 2

Impressive v Enchanted

Atomic explosion over Hiroshima - impressive?

Also, I don’t agree that there is a ’scientific view of existence’ as such. There is agreed scientific methodology (which itself has variations) but this approach could be, and is, attached to any number of belief systems since science is about proving and disproving hypotheses, not commenting on metaphysics, epistemology or ontology.

This, of course, is the arena of the philosopher but then there are so many philosophers and philosophies to choose from that what is to determine which we take seriously and which we dismiss? I would like to tentatively suggest that ‘faith’ or ‘belief’ is that determining factor. I feel that many in ‘modern’ society seem to duck the work of examining their beliefs. DG does not specify what he (I am assuming Dougler is a male name) believes although I would make an educated guess that DG is atheist at this moment in time. If DG would be prepared to continue this debate I would like him/her to address the following:

How do you know that your realization is correct while the realizations of those who have a religious faith are ‘foolish’? Which scientific studies/philosophical debates have you drawn on to come to this decision?

In the arena of spirituality, what has science proved or disproved? What have philosophers proved? What evidence can you use to convince a reader that these approaches on their own have ‘worked’ better than alternative approaches that don’t feel the need to ‘reason out … emotions and reactions’.

I would like to round off by examining DG’s views on religion, shamanism and divination.

Religion

It is very tempting to try and evaluate a religion based on the personal experiences we have with adherents to that religion together with information gathered or absorbed from the wider public.

DG has clearly experienced frustrations whilst exploring different faiths and a lot of this seems to have come from a reaction to the credulity and lack of critical application encountered in others. However, I think DG is making the common mistake of stereotyping all religions and their followers based on such encounters. I think it is more important to turn a critical eye on the substance of the faith itself before dismissing everything it has to offer. For example, what do the various traditions have to say about evil, about the purpose of life, about the creation of the universe, about the existence and use of subtle energies? How does that compare with the accepted ’scientific’ knowledge handed down through our universities and schools? If DG looks closely I think he will find this knowledge riddled with inconsistencies and assumptions.

Personally I don’t believe there needs to be a dichotomy between logic and other tools of truth appreciation (intuition, emotions, bodily reactions, etc). As a teenager I once decided, logically, that religion was an illusion and the truth was to be found in text books. Then, one day I was waiting for a bus, head buried in a physics book and a man came up to me, out of the blue, to tell me that the universe was full of vibrations. Days later a lady from the nearby traveller’s site told me exactly the same thing. In both cases the feeling of enchantment was tangible, as if the universe had responded to my questions by sending me messengers disguised as people. Were they inspired to talk to me? Allowing for the possibility that the universe may want to communicate with us in a variety of ways is not the same as neglecting logic.

As I prepare to receive a BSc in Psychology, I have learnt to appreciate both the merits and limitations of logic. I really hope that DG continues to question everything because ’science’ (sic) may have its areas of enigmatic beauty but it also has darker regions of revealed ugliness. DG says that religion is never a good thing, even if the intentions are of the purest qualities. What about the millions of people who find comfort and meaning through their faith or the countless little acts of good will carried out in the name of religion? I can understand why many might look at world conflict and other problems, some of which do have a significant religious element, and decide that religion is to blame, but if we strip away spirituality altogether what else do we have to guide us? Material gain? Social power? One of my favourite sayings is that we should judge a religion by its saints not its sinners (perhaps a reader could source this for me) ;-P

The enigmatic beauty of science? Image provided by Muhammad Mahdi Karim under GNU Free License v 2.1,http://www.micro2macro.net

DG says that religion “…preys on emotions…normally using chanting and dancing to work people up into a frenzy…They feel a common energy and refer to it as God or God’s will…” There are of course elements of dance, celebration and heightened emotions at many religious gatherings, some less restrained than others, but are these not all part of being fully rounded, liberated human beings. There are equally other occasions where solemn reflection is observed (the Christian Easter, the Hindu festival of Nyepi, observed in Bali) or restrictions on lifestyle imposed (Lent, the Islamic period of Ramadan).

Shamanism

If I was given a pound (or a dollar for US readers!) for every time I read a version of the following sentence I could be sunning it in Hawaii right now.

‘Concepts such as shamanism are potentially harmful to society as they tend to be counter-productive to the advancement of our species.’

With respect, in my opinion statements of this kind are a relic of cultural imperialism with an obsession with ‘civilisation’ of primitive cultures by the more advanced (i.e usually wealthy and powerful) nations. It evokes the notion of a straight, unerring pathway from ignorance to wisdom but where does this path lead? Does DG know? Does he even think about it? It seems that the advance of our species has come at huge cost; a population that is outstripping the resources on which it depends, polluting the space in which it lives, decimating the other species that it lives alongside. Fortunately, development in academic fields such as ecology has led to scientists, followed by the media, government and ourselves to an uncomfortable species-wide self-consciousness about our irresponsibility and lack of respect for the life around us. This sense of interconnectedness and mutual honour are not only ‘concepts’ of shamanism, they are fundamental to the cosmology of shamanic cultures throughout time and space. I would ask DG to read the following, famous Cree proverb and to tell me if he still thinks that shamanism is necessarily harmful and counter-productive.

“Only when the last tree has withered, the last fish has been caught, and the last river has been poisoned, will you realize you cannot eat money.” (Wikiquote, 2009).

Divination

Finally, I would like to concede that DG has a very relevant point about divination, although one that is debated within religious and spiritual traditions as well as outside them. Divination can cause problems, sometimes due to the beliefs and style of the reader and sometimes due to the attitude of the person receiving the reading. Belief in a fatalistic, deterministic Universe can blind some people to the opportunities and choices they have in the present which is why, in my opinion, a good diviner will concentrate on the present and reiterate that the future is still unshaped and in the hands of the client.

One final point I would like to make concerning divination, and cartomancy in particular, is regarding the notion of a ‘random event’. Randomness or ‘chance variation’ is often presented as some kind of ‘law of chance’. It is worth pointing out that such a law doesn’t really exist, even in the ’cause and effect’ world of science. When a scientist or statistician talks about a random event they are really telling us that the observed effect was subject to numerous subtle causes, too complex to intepret. This still leaves room for spiritual or ‘divine’ influence although I personally favour Jung’s notion of an ‘acausal connecting principle’. This hypothesizes that there exists a relationship between seemingly disparate things (e.g. a fall of cards and life events) that bring them into alignment (or ’synchronicity’). This belief fits well as a rational starting point for the explanation of astrological relationships, improbable coincidences and the appearance of omens. It is enshrined in the famous Hermetic axiom ‘as above, so below’ but a shaman would probably have a different term for it – the web of life. And as Chief Seattle’s famous saying reminds us:

‘Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect’
(Unahi Mindanao Inc, 2008)

References:

Unahi Mindanao Inc, 2008, ‘Native American quotes about nature’, http://www.unahi.org/quotes/native-american-quotes.htm,last accessed 5 Oct 2009
Wikiquote, 2009, ‘Native American proverbs’, http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Native_American_proverbs#Cree, last accessed 5 Oct 2009

Coming next: Shamanism: Part 2

Do you have any personal experiences with or opinions on Shamanism that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

Exercise Update: ‘Developing Your Archetypal Eye’.

If you have been trying out the exercise, I would, as always, be interested to hear of what you discovered during the last month under the sign of Leo. I already posted the Leonine themes I picked up on but here they are again.

Try keeping a journal again this month, paying attention again to the change in element (fire to earth) which will equate to movement to obstruction, unpredictability to stability, formless energy to the beginning of form, and the change in quality (fixed to mutable), evidenced by a movement from conservatism to experimentation and passive acceptance to argumentativeness.

The Attributes of Virgo

Is the Virgin Mary a Virgoan icon? Image by Raimond Spekking/Wikipedia

Virgo is ruled by Mercury and the desire to communicate is strong but, unlike Gemini, this aspect of Mercury is focussed downwards and inwards, into the element of earth. Virgo is the opposite sign to Pisces and where the latter is associated with idealisation and spiritual awareness, the former is focussed on the physical body and the mundane world, sometimes to the exclusion of spiritual matters completely. The Mercurial mind can become bogged down in detail and lose sight of the bigger picture if Virgo is strong in the chart. Not seeing the wood for the trees is the ideal metaphor.

Virgo is a mutable sign. This means that changeability and flexibility is a hallmark of this sign (as you might expect with Mercury). The sigil represents the female genitalia although some authors have related it to the letters M and V and hence the virgin Mary. I have also come across writers who relate the symbol to a sheaf of wheat.

Athens is associsted with the sign of Virgo. Image by Harrieta171 under Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0 licence. URL = http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilisateur:Harrieta171

Virgo is related to the principles of analysis, critical ability, efficiency, perfectionism, discrimination, logic and restraint. It is the sign of the teacher, the psychologist, the community health nurse. The negative side of these qualities include pedantry, hypocrisy, excess worrying, emotional suppression, nagging and hypochondria.

Physiologically Virgo relates to the abdomen, intestines, spleen, central nervous system and (by reflex with Pisces), the feet. I also think some of the vague psychosomatic ailments suffered by Pisceans can find form in Virgo also. Virgo also relates to root vegetables, domestic animals, health spas, technologists, complementary medicine, Turkey and Athens. The recent fires on the outskirts of Athens seem to correspond with the astrological movement from Leo (fire) to Virgo.

Virgo is associated with the colours navy blue, green and dark brown, the stone sardonyx and the metals mercury and nickel.

The sigil for Virgo. Image by SeLarin under Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0 licence: URL = http://commons.wikimedia.org
/w/index.php?title=User:SeLarin&action
=edit&redlink=1

Do you have any personal experiences with Virgoan themes or Astrology in general that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

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Coming next: Shamanism: Part 1a – Response to Dougler Gallant

Thawing of the Cold War: Obama and Medvedev Agree Nuclear Cuts.

The Kremlin 2009: Did the Cold War end here? (Image provided by NVO under Creative Commons ShareAlike license 3.0. url: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:NVO)

On 6 July 2009, following meetings at the Kremlin, Presidents Barak Obama and Dmitry Medvedev agreed to reduce their respective countries nuclear stockpiles. The agreement was accompanied by promising statements from the two leaders regarding leaving behind past suspicions and moving towards a twenty-first century relationship.

This meeting occurred under the influence of the full moon (exact on 7 July, 9am Universal Time). Astrologically, the Cancer/Capricorn axis is highlighted at this time which becomes interesting when you look at some of the themes involved.

One of the ways in which Cancer and Capricorn oppose one another is across the dimension of dependance. Capricorn represents the principle of independence and unilateral action, climbing the mountain unaided in the most extreme condtions to find wisdom. Cancer, on the other hand, represents dependence on others, including the most extreme dependence possible, that of the child on the love and support of its mother.

In terms of the USA/Russian Federation relationship, this can be seen in the interplay between the desire for dominance and self-sufficiency and the necessity for co-operation. The full moon is often a time of great stress but often it is also the time when the opposites find the compromise that leads to positive development.

I will go into this in more depth in my forthcoming e-book: ‘Astrology and the theory of the six pendulums’, due for release in 2010.

With its strong shell, the crab is a the symbol most associated with Cancer, representing the Cancerian urge to protect oneself and ones family. Clearly the meeting focussed predominately on issues of defence, including the reduction of a nuclear deterrant, a proposed anti-missile shield and the use of Russian airspace in the ongoing ‘war on terror’.

The ‘Cold War’ is particularly associated with Capricorn and its ruler, Saturn, with associations of coldness and hardness. The metaphorical ‘thawing’ symbolises the relaxing of rigid Capricorn qualities under the softening influence of maternal Cancer. Of course, the meeting was not all warmth and love, the ‘frostiness’ of Saturn being very much evident at times.

From freaky films to fairground fun: Meeting the dark goddess.

The triple goddess - but where is the dark goddess?

The following new moon occurred on 22nd July, in the same period as the sun shifted from Cancer to Leo. In some pagan belief systems, the new moon is associated with the dark goddess, she who helps us make the transition from life to that which lies beyond ,at the transition of death (the full moon is associated with the mother who brings new life through the transition of birth).
As such, the dark goddess is a source of fear to many and my experiences on the 21st and 22nd July demonstrated both this notion of fear of death and the transition from Cancer (realm of the moon) to Leo (realm of the sun).

I used to love horror films but eventually came to realise my ‘reactive’ disposition wasn’t ideally suited to them and nowadays I tend to avoid them. On the other hand, my mother, who is a horror connoisseur, can’t watch enough of them. Whilst on holiday, I struck up the courage to watch a couple with her, including ‘The Grudge 2′. Although I’ve never seen the first film, I knew it would be one that would have an impact on me. I had watched the Japanese version of ‘Ring’ and that film stayed with me for a long time.

For those who don’t know the story, the setting is a creepy Japanese house where a double murder (a woman and her son) had been committed. The house is haunted by the pair and anyone who looks the eerie lady’s spectre in the eye is cursed. They are then relentlessly pursued and eventually killed by the dead lady. The curse is passed on to others who have contacted the doomed.

What does this have to do with Astrology? Well, after watching the film (which lived up to my expectations) I had a realisation that the ghost, Kayako, whilst certainly not a goddess, does relate to the dark goddess in many ways. Not only is she terrible and invisible to those who have not encountered her, but only those doomed to die are able to behold her and she certainly takes them over the threshold of death.

I analysed my own reactions to the film for the source of its unsettling impact and came up with the following. Clearly the characters in the film are living in a terrifying nightmare. Not only are they being hunted, their predator has no respect for the boundaries of the Newtonian physical world. Kayako can appear at any time, anywhere, there is no escaping her. My irrational fears stem from this same lack of boundaries. Whereas some can put a ring-pass-not (no pun intended) between film and life, I constantly question this distinction. In fact, this kind of Japanese horror genre seems to work largely on the technique of dissolving such barriers, bringing the evil spirit closer to the viewer with each scene. After all, if Samara (The Ring) can crawl from the TV into Noah’s room and Kayako can emerge from a photographic film, why should they not traverse one more boundary into my room, especially when the lights are off and I’m alone in my bed. What if my fear could create such powerful hallucinations that I myself die of fright. What if I die of fright anyway, could these characters exist on the other side? (I have the creeps now!).

Fortunately, for most of us, such wild scenarios tend to be banished with the sun and this brings me to my next point. Illusion and fantasy are under the dominion of the moon and when we are experiencing the dark goddess at home in her own sign of Cancer this can be very potent.

However, this July, Cancer merged into Leo in the new moon period. Leo is concerned with the light side of life, ruled by the sun, but with the fearful dark goddess still present I realised that fear can be controlled when we are completely aware of what it is we are afraid of. The next day, my mother dared me to go on the most extreme rides at a local theme park, again something I avoid these days. Unable to refuse a challenge I reluctantly accepted. The illusory scenarios crowded in (what if they fail to secure the bars, what if there is an equipment malfunction, etc.) only to be banished, replaced by exhiliaration and joy when the ride commenced.

I could go on but there’s more to write about the signs themselves and I’m sure you appreciate the astrological pattern I am trying to illustrate, one strand of a tapestry of meanings which are the archetypes, the signs.

Transition to Leo brought more fear - but of a rational kind. (Image provided by Will Ellis under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 licence. url http://www.flickr.com/people/49554480@N00)

Exercise Update: ‘Developing Your Archetypal Eye’.

If you have been trying out the exercise, I would, as always, be interested to hear of what you discovered these last two months.

In contrast with Gemini in late May and early June, the latter part of June and early July brought me more Cancerian correspondences than I could begin to record, but here is a brief list:

Try keeping a journal again this month, paying attention again to the change in element (fire to earth) which will equate to movement to obstruction, unpredictability to stability, formless energy to the beginning of form, and the change in quality (fixed to mutable), evidenced by a movement from conservatism to experimentation and passive acceptance to argumentativeness.

The Attributes of Cancer

Cancer is ruled by the Moon which governs the feminine side of life including receptivity, sensitivity and cyclical rhythms. These rhythms form the basis of memory and reflection and hence the ability to learn from experience.

Cancer is a cardinal sign. This means that despite appearances, those with Cancer strong in their chart are initiators, albeit usually in an indirect way, making use of their emotional power. The sigil represents both crab claws and the breasts, symbolising the nourishing, protective and defensive qualities of this sign.

Cancer is related to the principles of emotionality, psychic ability, intuition, shrewdness, self-repression, imagination and creativity. It is the sign of the nurse, the mother, the cook. The negative side of these qualities include self-pity, timidity, instability, lack of self-care, resentfulness and clinging to the past.

Physiologically Cancer relates to the female reproductive system, the breasts, stomach, alimentary canal and (by reflex with Capricorn), the skin and knees. Cancer also relates to the sea, fresh springs, dogs, estate agents, crayfish, lobsters and crabs.

Cancer is associated with the colours silver and grey, the stone pearl and the metal silver.

Sigil of Cancer (Image provided by SeLarin under Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0 url: http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:SeLarin&action=edit&redlink=1)

Moving on to Leo, the Leonine correspondences I particularly noted were:

The Attributes of Leo

Could there be a more fitting correspondence with Leo? (Image provided by Zan Wheelock under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 licence url: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28814129@N04

Leo is ruled by the Sun which governs the masculine side of life including organisation, self-confidence and leadership.

Leo is a fixed sign, which means its qualities (and vices) are strong but not particularly mobile. This means that unlike the mobile energy of both Aries and Sagittarius, Leonine energy burns steadily, its symbol manifested in the sun we work and play under. Leo’s domain is the waking consciousness, the daytime and the summer and its power is such that it commands attention. Those with strong Leo in their chart rarely pass by unnoticed. In fact, the lure of the sun is so powerful that it colours public understanding of astrology itself with the unbalanced notion of the ’sun sign’, again I will go into this in more depth in my forthcoming e-book: ‘Astrology and the theory of the six pendulums’. The sigil resembles a lion (sometimes drawn as a lion’s mane instead) but is said by some to represent the process of creation, the little circle proceeding from the big one.

Leo is related to the principles of creativity, self-assurance, courage, power, steadfastness, self-expression and impressiveness. It is the sign of the actor, the father, the director. Leo is naturally a very giving sign and those with this sign prominent are often generous and warm-hearted. The negative side of Leonine qualities include egotism, despotism, inflexibility, bossiness, intolerance and a tendency to melodrama.

Physiologically Leo relates to the heart, dorsal spinal region, back and (by reflex with Aquarius), the circulation and ankles. Leo also relates to sport, recreation, dancing, big game, honey, management and the city of Rome.

The sigil of Leo

Do you have any personal experiences with Cancerian or Leonine themes or Astrology in general that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

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Coming next: The Astrological Signs: Virgo

Yupik shaman exorcising spirits

Of course, just because shamanism is at the root of modern culture it doesn’t follow that it is accepted as a valid belief system. Many in the business of promoting monotheistic religious systems have sought to deny those roots, dismissing shamanism as primitive and disorganised, to be superceded by their more sophisticated and comprehensive religions. Many, of course, now deny spiritual reality completely while others, perhaps reacting to this cold, disenchanted view of existence, and its implications for the future of our planet, have turned back to the old ways, in hope or desperation.

The diversity of human culture means that to provide a comprehensive definition that encompasses all forms of shamanic cosmology and practice would be impossible, even in a thousand blog posts, but a look through the literature and online resources has enabled me to distill the components of shamanism that, even if not universal, seem widespread enough to be regarded as a ‘good enough’ definition of what shamanism is and what shamans do.

Etymology

Looking for the origin of the word ’shaman’ is a mystery quest in itself, although it certainly derives from one of the languages of the indigenous people of Northern Russia, Mongolia or China. Whether the word originates from the Evenki (formerly known as Tungus) people, or the pre-Chinese Manchu is disputed and to debate it involves a detailed cultural and linguistic knowledge. However, a popular belief is that the word ’saman’ involves concepts of both knowledge and inner heat, often interpreted as a state of ecstasy. It is interesting to note that the Evenki were used to looking after reindeer in sub-zero temperatures and perhaps such a harsh climate would force them to turn inwards. I would encourage anybody with a good etymological knowledge to post their ideas on the origin of the word.

Sami shaman with drum

Talking with the Spirits

First and foremost, the shaman is an intermediary between the everyday world and the world of the spirits. Many shamanic cultures were animistic, regarding all created things as having a spirit, and therefore it was vital to the health and wellbeing of the community that they had a means to contact these invisible forces to ‘guide, guard, instruct and bless’ (Cowan,1996).

A shaman might be called upon for a number of reasons or might be singled out as being an expert in one particular aspect or even one specific spiritual realm. Some of the tasks performed by shaman include:

Guidance and counselling. As with other traditions, shamanism has waxed and waned in popularity and shaman have variously taken central positions within communities or been banished to the fringes. Either way, by virtue of their spiritual connections, shaman are often respected as having access to wisdom and knowledge not accessible to ordinary awareness. Often this counsel is tailored towards individuals and their mundane wants and desires but shaman also travel for guidance on everything from weather and game hunts to spiritual matters.

Altay shaman with gong

The Ways of the Shaman

It may be apparent that much of the above is not exclusive to what is normally termed ’shamanism’. For example, Spiritualist mediums receive spiritual messages via trance, use energy healing techniques and perform psychopomp work in ‘rescue circles’. However, shamanism is as much to do with the means to achieving contact as to the results. As mentioned earlier, shamanic practice is synonymous with the achievement of ecstasy, literally being ‘outside (ex) of the body (stasis)’.

Regardless of tradition, the shaman will strive to achieve some kind of altered state of consciousness. Sometimes this is seen as requiring a state of spiritual (and sexual) excitement, leading to trance (and possibly temporary spirit ‘possession’) whereas other, especially more modern, styles favour a less intense state of focused visualisation.

The ways in which shaman achieve ecstasy also vary widely, ranging from the ritual ingestion of psychotropic substances, to endurance feats, to rhythmic dancing, ‘whirling’, chanting and/or percussion. I will go into some of these in more detail in part two, where I will focus on some specific shamanic traditions.

Interrelatedness

Another theme that is central to shamanism, and certainly one of the reasons for its survival and adoption in modern western culture, is the belief that everything is connected to everything else. Most of the shamanic traditions I have come across teach variations on this theme with animals and plants regarded as our relations, rather than our ’subjects’, in a fragile web of interdependence. The recent focus on ecology is a partial return to this way of thinking, albeit often on a purely rational level. Likewise, our modern policies of sustainable agriculture have a precedent in the shamanic practice of travelling to the spirits of wild animals (or those who controlled them) in order to gain guidance on where it was permissable to hunt.

Look out for Part 2, where I will be focusing on some specific shamanic traditions

Coming next: The Astrological Signs: Cancer and Leo

Do you have any personal experiences with or opinions on Shamanism that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.

Reference:Cowan, T. (1996) ‘Shamanism as a spiritual practice for daily life’, Crossing Press, Toronto

]]> http://trustearthpulse.com/blog/shamanism-part-1-introduction/feed/ 8 http://trustearthpulse.com/blog/bringing-british-witchcraft-to-the-us-elizabeth-sturino/ http://trustearthpulse.com/blog/bringing-british-witchcraft-to-the-us-elizabeth-sturino/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:17:38 +0000 BaseAdmin http://trustearthpulse.com/blog/?p=303 Important Note: Regular visitors to my main site may notice that the ‘Air: Projects’ section is now not available. I am currently setting up my FREE members site and this will replace the ‘Projects’ content. If you want to access the missing Astrology content, this will be re-released through my blog at some point in the not-too-distant future. More news on my members site will appear here next week. Thank you

It was probably through Andrew Fleming’s 1996 film, ‘The Craft’, that I first became intrigued by Wicca, the influential neopagan tradition which claims its roots lie in a pre-Christian European witch-cult. Proving the existence of such a cult has attracted much research but little evidence. If it did ever exist, there are two ways in which the teachings could have been preserved for modern times, either through the direct passing down of tradition or through inheritance.

According to the Pagan Federation, Wicca (or the Craft) has numerous traditions. It writes, “Traditionalists claim their methods pre-date the modern revival and have been passed down from generation to generation. Hereditaries claim their traditions have been passed on by particular families through relations of blood and marriage.”

Hereditaries (sometimes known as Family Traditionalists or FamTrad) may or may not accept the Wiccan label.

If you live in the US and are interested in looking into traditional witchcraft you may want to check out the website of Elizabeth Sturino. The following information is taken straight from Elizabeth’s website .

Biography of Elizabeth Sturino

Elizabeth is an Intuitive, a Medium, a Mediator, and a Visionary. She was the first, and to date, the only Named Mother of a Traditional British Witchcraft Family in the Americas. She is now an Elder. She is an honorary participant of numerous Wiccan covens through out the United States. Elizabeth has been welcomed and trained in many differing traditions and ceremonies with the Native American communities in both the United States and South America.

Elizabeth has been evaluated in closed university studies for her psychic abilities in the areas of remote viewing and prediction. She was evaluated well above the margin for profound abilities.

After many years of training and educating many privately, as well as making her services available to Hospice, Elizabeth is finally making her abilities available to the larger world. She is making available her gifts to give workshops on herbal knowledge, pathworking, psychic development, Chakra balancing, meditation, quantum physics and metaphysics, and theology. Elizabeth is also, at this time, giving private readings, lessons, and spiritual counseling.

You may extend an invitation to Elizabeth to travel to your location, event, or gathering and bring knowledge, support, and energy to engage the highest understanding and peace.

Elizabeth is a licensed Reverend and, as such, is available for ceremonial needs such as weddings and birth blessings. She will also perform clearings, cleansings, exorcisms, blessings, and protection.

Though she is currently in the process of writing her own book, Elizabeth has been published both nationally and internationally for her different articles and essays.

Coming Next: Shamanism: Part One

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