[Vilturj] inspired by Magicka...as usual.
Dec. 29th, 2007 09:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
moonvoiceIn response...
As for finding your way around [in journeying], you usually go with a power animal.
I think this is one of the big differences between neoshamanism and core shamanism, vs. traditional shamanism. If I just went around with my 'power animal' (for which I think you mean totem or primary guide), it wouldn't be enough.
An animal spirit on its own doesn't often have the negotiation techniques necessary, particularly in the otherworlds. And some animals can't even move *between* worlds. For example while the jackal can go between the middle and underworlds, it cannot go to the upperworlds. Likewise, doves cannot travel down to the underworlds.
While there are differences in what animals can go where according to lore and variance in culture, the general consensus in almost all shamanic traditions worldwide is that 'just' a power animal isn't enough.
In fact, without contact with ancestors (or even attempting it) and spirit helpers, an animal on its own (i.e. one who is not a god or deity in disguise, but is essentially just an animal) is the sign of a flimsy shamanist, generally.
Certainly, having a 'power animal' is a great place to start visualising, and I think many people who think they're journeying with their power animal are actually visualising with their power animal (which is of course why they have such superior manipulative power over the visualisation environment).
But journeying with 'just' the animal will eventually get the shamanist into trouble. A responsible animal guide and totem knows that too, and they will tell you that it's not enough. I don't even travel with my totem as a 'guide', he would be virtually useless in some circumstances. That's why I have my spirit helpers, my ancestors, the gods, etc. One power animal? Not enough.
As for finding your way around [in journeying], you usually go with a power animal.
I think this is one of the big differences between neoshamanism and core shamanism, vs. traditional shamanism. If I just went around with my 'power animal' (for which I think you mean totem or primary guide), it wouldn't be enough.
An animal spirit on its own doesn't often have the negotiation techniques necessary, particularly in the otherworlds. And some animals can't even move *between* worlds. For example while the jackal can go between the middle and underworlds, it cannot go to the upperworlds. Likewise, doves cannot travel down to the underworlds.
While there are differences in what animals can go where according to lore and variance in culture, the general consensus in almost all shamanic traditions worldwide is that 'just' a power animal isn't enough.
In fact, without contact with ancestors (or even attempting it) and spirit helpers, an animal on its own (i.e. one who is not a god or deity in disguise, but is essentially just an animal) is the sign of a flimsy shamanist, generally.
Certainly, having a 'power animal' is a great place to start visualising, and I think many people who think they're journeying with their power animal are actually visualising with their power animal (which is of course why they have such superior manipulative power over the visualisation environment).
But journeying with 'just' the animal will eventually get the shamanist into trouble. A responsible animal guide and totem knows that too, and they will tell you that it's not enough. I don't even travel with my totem as a 'guide', he would be virtually useless in some circumstances. That's why I have my spirit helpers, my ancestors, the gods, etc. One power animal? Not enough.
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Date: 2007-12-29 04:06 am (UTC)I suppose the fact that the various spirits/etc. are still there is why I don't feel any more "alone" when journeying. I guess I'm so used to guided meditations, where everything "important" is visible, that I never really thought that I had anyone with me. I guess I assumed that if I went into the spirit world I'd automatically see the spirits.
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Date: 2007-12-29 06:38 am (UTC)*nods* yup, and where everything that is said in visualisation has some *personal impact* (it really doesn't in the otherworlds. A whole conversation could be going on that has nothing to do with people, let alone the individual that's hearing it).
I suppose the levels of intensity come from what you need out of it. In being called to teach, you have been introduced to a new level of intensity. I imagine if you are ever called to do soul retrieval or extraction, the intensity will increase a great deal (that's usually another turning point, from what I've heard from others anyway - it syncs in with my views/experiences).
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Date: 2007-12-29 10:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-12-30 01:28 am (UTC)*nods* Yeah, when I consciously committed to the path of Shamanism, I already had two years of hardcore coven (Alexandrian Wicca) experience behind my belt, had worked with animal guides for about five years etc.
But all of that was nothing on how serious (but also how liberating in many other ways) it was about to get. I had a very clear sign though. I had been thinking about moving into shamanism and my heritage a bit more (but from a more Australian focus) while during coven. And it was during that time I found out about my neck tumour. And 6 months later that I died on the operating table while they stopped the blood flow to my brain and my body thought 'oh okay, we're shutting down now? Sure!'
After that it was just fixed in my head what I had to be doing. I made the decision to leave coven, and started on my path. I met Ehrembi that year. That was 7 years ago now.
I still have a lot of 'holes to plug in' as you say.
It does take time. :)