It’s amazing how many people fear the idea
of ritual especially if it isn’t attached to common or popular beliefs. I’ve noticed most people are fine with ritual
if it’s within a Church setting or as part of an official ceremony (ie. in the
military, inauguration, jury trials or a scientific symposia etc..). Not too many people realize that something as
simple as a handshake; a smile to acknowledge another motorist; or a simple
“hello” on the phone also consists as a ritual.
People become wary of ritual when they feel
it is something more then symbolic. In
the late 1600 if individuals were found with ritualistic tools in their homes
it was enough evidence to accuse them of witchcraft. If ritual is used to manifest healing then
right away it’s about the wiles of a charlatan.
Those who imply that ritual can manifest love, money and good health are
often judged as manipulators; and in the same breath often persecuted for
manifesting conflicts, bankruptcy and sickness.
After the arrival of Christopher Columbus there was a huge purging of
Shamans and Sorcerers amongst California tribes. Holy people were massacred: Accused of
creating the illness and conflicts they were meant to heal or resolve. Fear can easily be triggered around the notion
of ritual especially when there’s a sense that someone or something can have
some control over someone else.
I often find it difficult to remain within
the lines of what is acceptable to Westerners.
For example it’s appropriate to buy gifts for Christmas; wear masks or
costumes for Halloween; or paint our faces and carry props for parades; but if
we gather together around a circle of stones; smudge one another with sacred
herbs and give offerings to Spirit and the ancestors we are often accused of endangering
ourselves, our family members and friends.
In the last 20 years of leading workshops and giving conferences I’ve
met countless individuals who gave up on Shamanism simply because it was “too
much of a change” for their loved ones. In many cases it was too much heartache. Nobody likes being judged and persecuted by a
spouse, a family member or a friend. We
seem to be repeating the same inconsistency we found 300 years ago as the priests
judged First Nation people as savages while they were taking children away from
their families; cutting their hair; and physically, emotionally as well as
psychologically abusing them.
Lately I’ve been asking myself the
question: “Why is it often ignorance; which leads the way and shapes our
history?”
2012 was predicted as a year of
consciousness by so many different ancient cultures all over our planet. I
always feel somewhat honoured to have been talked about by our ancestors. For
years now I’ve adopted attitudes and behaviours to merit this special space in
sacred texts and prophecies. Every day,
I try in my own way to do rituals; which connect me to these ancient keepers of
prophecy in hope to better understand their messages or their foresight. I don’t know about “you” but I can’t help but
look around and wonder whether or not our ancestors misread the stars
somehow.
As a traditionalist I received much of my
spiritual education through the help of Medicine People. On several occasions I was told by my
teachers how important it was for me to be committed to the ritualistic
process. I spent years learning about
balance; stillness; humility; commitment; surrender etc… It wasn’t just about being able to represent
symbolically what I was living inside or what I was intending to manifest in my
personal story. It was about perfecting
the art of ritual through breathing, dreaming, and envisioning.
In 2002 I was having trouble with my
kidneys and bladder. I was in and out of
the hospital a lot, and the doctors were suggesting major surgery. I had literally tried everything: Treatments,
meds and every alternative option out there.
Nothing was working and I was feeling quite a bit of fear around the
idea of a surgical intervention. I was
honestly convinced that if I went under the knife I would die. EC, my friend and teacher at the time
suggested a ritual to clarify the situation and help purify the physical organs
that were giving me trouble. Together we
planned every detail.
I was told the ritual should take 6 days
around the New Moon of October. I needed to find a wooden bowl and fill up with
water. Every evening I would take a moment alone around twilight and give an
offering to the Moon. I would add some
herbs to the bowl; say a prayer; and repeat my intentions three times. After the ritual was done, after 6 days I was
told to give the water to the Earth. I
chose to add one of my favourite trees to the ceremony. It accompanied me through this journey and
received the water in the end.
It seemed important to discuss the ritual;
give importance to every little detail; and be present to the synchronicities
as well as how I felt about it all. EC
guided me towards certain changes just by being attentive to what I shared and
how I shared it. I realized ritual was
more then just a creative expression of my inner reality; it was a tool; which
helped me communicate to nature and the stars.
By the New Moon of November I had already made several clear
decisions. Not only was I certain about
how to proceed; but impressed with how it had cleverly manifested in my
life.
There’s no doubt in my mind that many
shamanic practices are difficult to comprehend especially when people are
standing on the outside looking in. Carl
Jung himself often expressed how crucial it was to step into the experience if
one was to understand indigenous practices.
When reading some of the accounts of his shamanic journey I myself often
cringe imagining what some people must of thought at the time.
Ironically if I compare our modern society
to the humans of yesterday, I can fairly assume that we’ve never been more
open-minded. On the other hand, we’ve
also never been more superficial and more out of touch with such concepts as
Spirit, consciousness, and phenomenon (ie.magic or miracle). We may have expressed some freedom when it
comes to violence and sexuality; but we’ve never been more ashamed of it and
more confused about it. We spend more
time working and spending money then we do building relationships and committing
to profound experiences: Enjoying life. We lack basic skills despite our
unlimited access to unlimited knowledge and technology. Finally, when you sit down and look at our
“family human picture” – you can’t help but giggle at what our ancestors
predicted and how it seems to have turned out.
It’s never easy is it to humbly accept who
you are and truly acknowledge the world you are born in…
P.S. I love the picture at the top of this blog entry because it speaks of the old and the new. In the last two decades Montreal especially has found creative ways to keep the old Churches in the landscape despite the fact that they are no longer used for worshipping. Some have literally been transformed into shopping malls. It's clear that with time -- our great-grand-children will be taught to remember the history of relics in their environment with very little understanding of their once-upon-a-time purpose and use.
Things change around us every day. I don't find that it's a shame that things don't stay "the same;" but I do feel sad when we move on without giving it too much consideration or even appreciation. I plan to write another blog this month on the "gateways" of the Blue Moon ceremony --- I'd like to return to this particular entry and use it for examples so keep this one in your archive for future reference.
P.P.S. Please don't be shy to leave your comments on the board. I love receiving e-mails from you detailing stories and growth spurts relating to my blog; but I'd like to have them connected to the blogs themselves so we can always refer back to them later. THANK YOU.
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