Shamans and Their Battle from Within

[Jezabel]

Though there are many different varieties of the shaman archetype, one of their commonalities is that they are constantly walking between (or at least aware of) the worlds. Over time, this can significantly weaken the shaman, causing them to have the need to intake energy, particularly after intense visions and spiritual encounters and ceremonies, and rituals where a lot of energy is required. This especially holds true for those “born into the ways” as their connection to the other worlds is an inborn rather than a learned trait; this also represents a tougher struggle for them as they must learn to control this from childhood. (Hence the relation of shamans and vampires that Cryptic and Freaya covered in their article). In many shamanic cultures, such as in the case of the many Native American medicine men and women, it is during these times and the first few days thereafter that the shamans and their connectivity to the other worlds, in particularly the spirit world, become heightened. The proceeding time after a strong vision or spiritual encounter, the medicine person will inform the tribal elders and/or their family and then go to a short period of seclusion, generally lasting no longer than a couple days to focus on meditation on the meaning of the vision or encounter and gaining back their energy. (In the Lakota Yuwipi ceremonies, some of the medicine person’s power is lost permanently). During this time, a trusted individual(s) stand watch over the medicine person’s dwelling to ensure he or she is undisturbed (as it is in common in nearly all Lakota ceremonies) from other beings-physical as well as spiritual because if one of unstable or negative energy were to come in contact with the medicine person, the medicine person could become confused, sick, or even delusional, thus the medicine person goes through a temporary phase of psychosis, the connection is then damaged because their mind has temporarily lost it’s stability. The lapse in energy is replaced obviously from taking it from others, practices such as soul retrieval, or naturally allowing it to replenish over time. This process, depending on how much energy was lost and how one goes about replacing it will vary the time of recovery. It is cases like these where some researchers have confused shamans and their practices as psychotic, which is far from the case. The medicine man after meditation would talk of their vision or spiritual encounter’s meaning before the tribe council or chief. If one was to cause a disturbance during this, those guarding the medicine person and the one who caused the disturbance (if they existed on the physical realm) were punished, depending on the severity and importance of vision or encounter and how this affected the medicine person, this sometimes even meant death.

This also why shielding and grounding for the shamans of today is very important now more so than perhaps ever. Many times, the shaman only has him or herself to guard them. If this cannot be achieved whether from weakness or inexperience, the shaman should go into a temporary seclusion (Perhaps this is where part of the “lone wolf” stereotype of shamans comes from…?) or stay in the company of trusted, grounded individuals. (Think of like Mradu protecting a Ramkht or Kitra). While shamans are known for being spiritual warriors, priests, healers, and energy manipulators, they are not without weaknesses that they usually suffer to benefit their family or tribe.

Sources used and for further reading:

Native Americans: An Illustrated History by Alvin M. Josephy Jr.
The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk’s Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux by Joseph Epes Brown
Black Elk Speaks by John Neidheart
http://groups.msn.com/SeventhGeneration ... moies.msnw
http://www.themystica.com/mystica/artic ... al%20.html
http://www.chasclifton.com/books/chap2.html
http://www.shamanscave.com/articles/perception
http://www.jungcircle.com/shaman.html