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The spirit of their particular animal totem or power animal symbolized many things to the clan or group. It was honored by them in many ways such as ceremonial offerings and carvings of its likeness. The animal totem was sacred to them, therefore, it was taboo to injure or harm that animal in any way. An individual person, rather than a group or clan, forms close relationships with the spirit of one or more Power Animals who instruct, protect, and guide the individual. As the unique bond between the person and the power animal continues to grow the person often takes on the spiritual attributes associated with that power animal to the point where the power animal almost becomes an alter ego. Shamans that shapeshift will often assume the shape of their primary power animal. Each power animal has distinctive traits which it embodies, for instance, the butterfly is identified with transformation, the bear with introspection, and the mountain lion with leadership. Power animals may appear as a person performs routine daily activities or in a dream when they sleep. Each time that they enter a person's life with a sacred communication, it is a blessing from Spirit. We are all Shamans unawares. Shamans undergo training so that they can leave their physical bodies at will and journey, out of body, into the dimension of the Dreaming where spirit guides and fairy helpers reside. Sometimes Shamans develop their abilities to the point where they can fluidly and easily accomplish trance journeys in the waking state into other dimensions or have visions, waking dreams, that originate there. The Dreaming is the foundational blueprint and energetics template that interpenetrates and surrounds the dimensions. Each dimension is separate and distinct in its own rite/right with each dimension sequentially (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th etc.) vibrating at a slightly more refined or highly modulated frequency level, enabling them to all to simultaneously co-exist in the same time/space continuum of the eternal now.
For example, the midrange
frequency levels of the fourth dimension are the realm or place where your more
etheric body, part of your overall circle of soul essence, journeys to every
night when you dream.
Shamanic beliefs also include that of Animism. In Animism everything, everywhere is alive with Spirit and Beingness, which infuse and animate all of Creation. Plants, animals, humans, and spirits are all interconnected by energetic threads of light. The whole planet, the Earth Mother, to the Shaman is alive with Spirit. The wind, the clouds, the stones, the seas, the ocean, the birds, are all alive with Spirit. All beings, including human beings, have Spirit and are worthy of respect and consideration. In the Elder Days, the shamanic ancestors talked and mediated with the spirits they shared sacred space with as a way of life, not as a mythos that only special seers could interpret accurately. The Earth Mother provided shelter, food, and healing herbs for everyone. Since the Earth Mother is the seat of spirituality for us in this universe, the Shaman knows that it is important to develop a harmonic relationship with her, to respect and appreciate nature, the land, and the gifts continually bestowed up us from the loving heart of the Earth Mother. A Shaman often interacts with Nature Spirits during interdimensional journeying and altered states of consciousness. The elemental spirits of earth, wind, fire, air, water, streams, forests, plants, trees, mountains, stones, the land, sky, and sea which are sentient in their own right and how their own divine purpose and path which often overlaps and intersects with the path of Shamanism. Recognizing the sacred presence of the nature spirits, the Shamans gather their wisdom and blessings for others. The teachings they receive from the Spirit Worlds are often individually tailored to match the measurements of understanding of the recipients of the knowledge or healing.
Shamanic power is obtained
by journeying and by communicating and communing with this collective of
spirits. To enhance the pursuit of knowledge and power, Shamans may use magickal
tools, altars, rhythmic rituals, and give offerings to the spirits. Animism,
when it is combined with spirit trance journeying, forms a core essence of
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