International LightWorkerS
LightWorker™ Activation of the Shaman
Channeled & manual by Lisa “Ladywolf” Center Layout by Jens Søeborg
* I do not know the origin of the picture used on the cover page. If anyone does know please contact me so I can ask permission to use it. I chose to use this picture even without that knowledge because of the power that lies within it. I hope you find it just as powerful as I did.
LW Activation of the Shaman The LightWorker™ Acitivation of the Medicine Wheel is the second in a series of LightWorker™ Earth Medicine Empowerments, mainly channelled and written by Lisa “Ladywolf” Center, also containing LW Activation of the Medicine Wheel. Other series where you find attunements from Lisa Center are: LightWorker™ Animal Empowerments LightWorker™ Bear Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Cougar Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Coyote Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Deer Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Fox Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Hawk Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Racoon Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Turkey Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Turtle Medicine Empowerment (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Wolf Empowerment (Lisa Center & Jens Söeborg) And a single one in this series … LightWorker™ Mythological Lairs LightWorker™ Centaurs Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Chimeras Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Dragon Attunement - Dragon Attunement SE (Roger T. Hill) LightWorker™ Dragons Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Dwarfs and Gnoms Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Fairies Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Firebirds Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Gryphons Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Mermaids Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Ouroboros Healing (Lisa “Ladywolf” Center) LightWorker™ Pegasus Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Phoenix Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Salamanders Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Satyrs Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Sphinx Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Sylphs Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Undines Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Unicorns Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski) LightWorker™ Wodwoses Lair (Andrea “Chisara” Baginski)
Many definitions of "Shaman" exist: •
•
• •
•
•
• •
"Indigenous healer who deliberately alters his consciousness in order to obtain knowledge and power from the world of the spirits in order to help and cure the members of his tribe" (S. Krippner, 1990) Among the Ojibway, speaking of the Midewiwin, a Secret Ojibwa Medicine Society: "It is the person, man or woman, who experiences, absorbs, and communicates a special form of support, of healing power" (A. Grimm, 1987) "He who knows the archaic techniques of ecstasy" (M. Eliade, 1972) "A person to whom special powers are attributed for communicating with the spirits and influence them dissociating his soul from his body. The spirits help him do his chores which include discovering the cause of sickness, hunger and any disgrace, and prescribing an appropriate cure. They are found among the Siberians and other Asiatic people; his activity also evolves among many other religions and with other names." (The Cambridge Encyclopedia, 1990) "A person prepared to confront the greatest fears and shadows of the physical world." And depending on the results: "A healer who has experienced the world of darkness and who has fearlessly confronted his own shadow as much as the diabolic of others, and who can successfully work with the powers of darkness and light." (J. Sams, 1988) "A guide, a healer, a source of social connection, a maintainer of the group’s myths and concept of the world." (R. N. Walsh, 1990). It also serves for referring to someone who is "hyperactive, excited or in movement", or who is "capable of warming himself and practicing austerities." (R. N. Walsh, 1990) "Archetypal technician of the sacred. His profession evolves in the space that united mythical imagination and ordinary consciousness." (S. Larsen, 1976) "Person of any sex who has a special contact with the spirits (understood as forces not easily put into evidence) and capable of using their ability in order to act upon those affected by the same spirits." (M. Harner, 1989)
Shaman….what images come to mind? Can you smell the burning fire? Can you see the path to the otherworld? Does it bring frightening or soothing images to mind or is there a subtle combination of the two? Shaman knowledge and practice is not indigenous or geographically specific. There are many who use “Shamanic touch” and ritual in their healing work. Spiritual practice is not dogmatic. There are no hard and fast rigid rules to follow. It changes as we advance as a people. Even with our advancement we find that the circle turns and we find merit to practices and beliefs that existed long ago. In our modern day world the Shaman may have a new face but the energy remains the same exultation with the power of the earth and beyond. The honor and the respect for the universe and acceptance of all life lie at the heart of Shamanism. The Shaman honors his environment by using it for what it was intended to be used for. Knowing that illness can be linked to a specific place he realizes the herbs and minerals needed for healing that specific ailment will be found there in the wild. He is also aware of entities, cords and life experiences that can damage our etheric field and physical bodies and seeks to find a “cure”. The ability to transform oneself to an ecstatic or trance state is necessary to fulfill this role. The word Shaman comes from the people of Evenk in Siberia. This was the name given to their spiritual leaders and healers. When Russia took control of outlying areas they referred to Evenk as Tungus. Under Communist rule Shamanic practice was prohibited and many were killed or placed in prison. Many people in Siberia continued to practice as the area is so large and remote they were undetected by the government. Shaman was the name the people of Evenk used to call their spiritual leaders. The Tungus word Shaman was accepted by anthropologists. They began to use this term to describe similar practices they were seeing amongst indigenous tribes and nations. Many earth based spiritual practices began to be known as Shamanic, when actually the true Shaman were originally Siberian mystics and Holy men. These people were chosen at birth. Their study involved 9 degrees representing the nine branches of the World Tree. Many years of study were spent with each degree and many did not complete all levels.
Becoming a Shaman is the work of a lifetime. Tengerism belief states a person is determined to be a shaman at birth. They do not come into this knowledge until young adulthood. Then they will be challenged. They have to meet the challenge and emerge a new person. Some of the main challenges they faced could be fatal illness, near death experiences or being struck by lightning. Anthropologist Michael Harner is the founder of the Foundation for Shamanic studies. Through his study of different cultures, tribes and shaman he developed a list of things he found to be prevalent with all Shaman. He called these the Principles of Core Shamanism... The principles are: 1) you are called to be a Healer rather than choosing this path on your own 2) Shaman have the ability to function in both worlds 3) They all have a shared concept of the Otherworld 4) They may access the spirit world through an altered state or consciousness 5) They all have sacred objects 6) They all feel they have a responsibility to the community in which they find themselves Information for the Foundation can be found @ www.shamanism.org Often people think of Shamanism as part of Native American religion. Actually the diversity of nations prevented any formalized religion but they were spiritual people whose principles and ideas are earth based. There are Native Americans who say that there is no shaman in their traditions. It is only called Shaman because of the anthropological guidelines like those of Michael Harner. Some native nations resent their Holy men/women being referred to as Shaman as it is a foreign name and word. There are many who state they can teach “Shamanism in a week for a nice price”. This is just not possible. You may learn a bit more about earth based connections and energy but a true Shaman spends his life training and learning. Those seeking monetary gain aside, there continue to be “living” Shamanic tradition and practice alive today. Here they are mentioned as being “Shamanic” following the anthropological guidelines. There are many groups of people that practiced this ancient magic.
In ages past, the Shaman was responsible for his village. He spoke with the animals and knew the places where the best hunting would be to sustain his people. He often dressed in their skins and antlers for increased connection. He also had special gifts that may include controlling the elements. Disease in many tribes is seen as spirit possession. The Shaman would travel to the under world to wrestle and release his people from the grasp of dark entities. The cure may involve soul extraction, soul retrieval, soul restoration, and working with power animals, plants and minerals. The wall paintings of Trois Freres (meaning Three Brothers) became world renowned. The picture on the right was accepted as an accurate Shaman portrayal. Though there are many questions about this figure it is believed that he is wearing animal skins and a mask. Early hunting and gathering tribes would have had to have a closer relationship with nature. Their existence depended on that knowledge. This knowledge promoted a closer relationship with the world in which they lived. Many believe the way we live our lives today in offices, working for material wealth with material goals as our main focus is why we are seeing a resurgence of Nature oriented beliefs of the past. Our souls are starving for simpler times when we were more in touch with not only our own spirit but the sprit of all that surrounds us. The Obeah is an Afro-Caribbean Shamanic group. Ancient knowledge passed through generational story telling is combined with the Shamanism of the tribal people from West Africa who spoke Ashanti. This practice has some roots in voodooism. Celtic and British Shamanism rely on retelling of legends and folklore and adding new perspectives that help practitioners in the world today. Some Shamanism involves clairvoyance. The Inuit of the Far North were seen as having strong psychic connections. There are also legends told of how they had the ability to stop or start storms when they wanted to. Shamans used many methods to induce trancelike states. Some of the methods involved the ingestion of hallucinogens. They also used drumming, chanting and dancing.
South African Shamans were known as Songomas. They provided counseling, herbal remedies, prophesy and divination to their people. They were the historians of the people and most often the songoma were women. There are twelve stages of learning and training beginning with illness which is said to be a manifestation of a possessing spirit. Very few students make it through all twelve states. Nepalese Shamanism is believed to have been brought to the people by Shiva. Here we are getting closer to a part of Tibetan spirituality that was around before Buddhism was established: Tibetan Bon. This practice is based on tantric and animistic religious thought. In Nepal the Shaman is known as Jhankari. Jhankari were known to use ginger for divination. The Oracle could provide the shaman with knowledge as to the patient’s intent and what may have caused the imbalance within. The Shaman enters a trance and connects with the Spirit world. There she will converse with animal spirits, plants and mineral spirit who offer their assistance and whatever knowledge may be needed for her to use in healing. Shakti is the spiritual energy that the Shaman taps into and there are times when the Jhankrini has to replenish her own Shakti. She does this through nature retreats and pilgrimages to sacred sites.
Shamanism is not religious specific. It can fit into any belief system. Shamans do not worship nature. They respect and honor nature with their behavior and gifts for her. They are not limited in belief or practice by reality. They work in two realities. These are discussed and identified by anthropologist Carlos Castanedas as ordinary reality and nonordinary reality. Anthropologists have also defined Shamanism with roots in a belief of magic. This has attracted many of the modern day Shamans found in Wiccan and Pagan practice. The study and practice of the medicine way is not for personal growth. Spirit journeys are taken to seek answers that will help the all of the people not just the practitioner. Connection and knowledge of the “Allies” or spirit helpers is well known and used in this work. In trance states a Shaman meets and sometimes transforms into the animals he may encounter. This is also known as shape shifting. Dressing in skins or feathers of an ally promotes psychic connection. Spirit allies can be animal, plant, mineral, color, light and vibration. They are teachers as well as protection for the Shaman.
Activation You will want to find quiet time to yourself to activate Shaman energy. This activation does not make you a Shaman but it can allow you to feel the Shakti of the Shaman and carry that with you into your own healing practice. You may want to surround yourself with power plants, animal totems in spirit, carvings or art, and any stones that you may use for spirit work. Make your connection with the earth (grounding) draw your protection around you, and call to the Ancient Shaman. State your intention to accept whatever lesson the Shaman may have for you. After some time in meditation you may thank the Ancestors and Guides for whatever teachings or gifts you have received.
