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Original Post:
by: earthlight on Jul 05, 2012

Shamanism
Since not many on here know about shamanism, I thought I would do a post on it.
Now shamanism has come from many areas all with small differences in their practices; some things such as age at which trials of a shaman are undergone and what the trials are.

To begin with, I will point out what a shaman is.
Shaman means wise man or medicine man depending on the language. Shamans were protectors of their villages as well as healers guiders and spiritual enlighteners. Shamans talked to spirits from Mother Nature to help and aid them when they needed assistance. One thing a shaman had to be was humble. They may be considered the leaders of a tribe, however they were the servants of the tribe. Shamans had to have knowledge of herbs as well they were healers both spiritually and physically. They also gave blessings to hunters and newborns. Shamanisms were most commonly known in the native American society.

Shamans believe in the otherworld, which is a place split into 3 realms, lower realm (not hell) where spirit guides and power animals dwell, Middle realm which belongs to human spirits where past life memories can be gathered, and Higher realms which is a place of angels, higher selves and celestial beings.

Shamans were the connectors between the spirits of the earth and the tribe they protected. When a person got very sick shamans went into trances to heal the afflicted person. Shamans believe that many illnesses were from the spirits and were curses and a shaman was meant to find the spirit responsible and reason with it. Another issue shamans had to deal with was soul loss. If you are overwhelmed physically by an accident, assault rape etc or emotional, divorce, death, feelings of worthlessness (depression) can lead to soul loss. Soul loss can cause energy loss and general feelings of emptiness or a shadow of their former selves. A shaman is then tasked with finding the missing parts of the persons soul in the otherworld and retrieving them helping to make the person whole it means that a person is able to overcome an emotional or physical harm.

Shamans have to pass trials before becoming a shaman. They vary from culture to culture but some are: finding a power animal, fasting, tracing for visions, healing and cloud splitting.
1 What a power animal is (I will attach a link).
2 Where your power animals are.
3 How to find your power animal.

1
A power animal is a shaman's source of strength both spiritual and physical. They are life long friends who will never leave you.
Here is a site that explains a lot.

http://www.shamanlinks.net/Power_Animals.htm

Also Here is their meanings
http://www.lilytherese.com/POWER1.HTM

If unsure feel free to mail me.

2 Power animals dwell in what is called the lower realm (no not hell).

It works like this:
Lower realm is where power animals and spirits live.
Middle realm is where us humans live.
Higher realm is where gods and higher beings live.

3
This is a basic Power animal meditation.

Close your eyes. Then imagine an area such as a wood. Then walk around this a bit until you find a hole. Usually in a tree or a hole.

Then you should go down the hole and you should get to a clearing (and this isn't a Alice in Wonderland scene). You should then walk around for a bit and see various animals. When an animal appears to you 3 times, ask it to be your spirit guide.

After you have done this and the animal has accepted, open the palm of your hand and the spirit animal should shrink to fit in the palm of your hand. Then hold your hand to your heart and feel the energy move around you.

Then go back up the hole you came through and back to where you have started.

This meditation can take a while to do ; please be patient and if it doesn't work first time keep trying. :)
(Used by Dr Steven D Farmer)

Some examples of when you're walking around is seeing trees, plants and other things. Be mindful of what you see. The first test is finding the hole.

Also, the animals may give you guidance to where your power animal is. e.g the spirit guide could go to your guide is waiting for you somewhere near and may or may not give a location or clue.
Power animals can be gained through meditation as above or can be found by a shaman. Many hunters had their power animals found for them by a shaman since they became more effective hunters and this increased the tribes chances to survive.

If there are any questions you wish to ask me please mail me.