About Shamanism

[Awani]

In this section everything to do with Shamanism is to be discussed.



Shamanism, and this forum section, cover a wide array of topics such as:

• Sacred Plant Medicines: Ayahuasca, Iboga, Shrooms, DMT, Cannabis and more. Generally I prefer to use the word psychedelics over entheogens. More on this here.
• Herbal Medicines
• Indigenous Cultures & Practices
• Out-Of-Body Experiences
• Healing of the self and of others
• Altered States of Consciousness
• Reports on shamanic journeys
• Shamanic techniques: drumming, dancing, singing, sweating etc.

We are also aware that the term "shaman" might not be a suitable label to many of the "healers" of indigenous cultures where they view it as a "white mans word"... but for sake of simplicity it is used here.

[Quarrox]

Although not with a shamanic background or from a shamanic culture ("white man"), i am interested in the topic.

The "civilised" world often looks down on the indigenous people and pride themselves to be advanced, while the tribes are primitive. This could not be further from the truth imo.

Examples:

-The "first world" produces expensive and synthetic drugs and medicaments, basing often on plants. The tribes use these plants since 1000s of years in a holistic manner, as they not only recognize the materialistic/chemical aspects, but also the spiritual aspects of every plant and of the plant kingdom in general.

-The tribes aim for a cure of a illness, while the western pharma industry and its stooges, the doctors, aim for symptom control.

-The tribes do not maintain prisons. The crime rate is low, they punish deliquents differently.

-They apreciate and even worship nature, because they posess a deeper understanding of mother earth. The civilised world still thinks that money is edible.

-They honor and respect the elders.

-Many of the tribe members posess a profound understanding of spirituality and the existence of other worlds. The majority of the west is still trapped in materialistic thinking and behaving.

-Etc.

Of course, every coin has it's two sides and certainly their civilisations are not free of negative aspects. But there are some remarkable differences and aspects that are worth considering, when looking at shamanism ("clergy") and indigenous societies (people).

Side note and off topic: I once asked the shaman how they (especifically his tribe) see or interpret what we call God/divine force/all etc. His answer was very cryptic and i could not really interpret it. I did not understand and hesitated to ask again. I should ask again, and: listen.

[Awani]

The majority of the west is still trapped in materialistic thinking and behaving.

See this thread regarding what one tribe does to the material wealth when its owner dies.

[Awani]

Alchemy = Neo-Shamanism



Doubt it all you want (and I know some of you do)... and even though this cover is contemporary, it is still a perfect symbol for this outlook (that I might be alone in having).

Only the truly sane appear insane.

[Schmuldvich]

Alchemy = Neo-Shamanism

Doubt it all you want (and I know some of you do)... and even though this cover is contemporary, it is still a perfect symbol for this outlook (that I might be alone in having).

Have you had a chance to read through the whole book yet? Would you recommend it?

[Awani]

I have not read a word of it, simply posted it because the cover says in visual language what I strongly feel: that shamanism is the original alchemy, in the same way that alchemy is the original chemistry. Go to the source.

I do own the book.

[Schmuldvich]

I have not read a word of it, simply posted it because the cover says in visual language what I strongly feel: that shamanism is the original alchemy.

It is neat to hear you share you perspective, that the cover says in visual language that shamanism is the original alchemy. I do not feel the same or see the cover visually saying the same thing as you (different perspective obviously). Can you share how the cover visually makes you come to the conclusion that shamanism is the original Alchemy? I am interested to hear your thoughts!

[Visceral]

Shamanism is the original mother of all traditions. Alchemy is based on earlier practices, this is very clear in the historical record and obvious to anyone who dabbles in alchemy and entheogens/psychedelics.

All the Mystery schools and ancient Egyptian cults had as their final revelation a DEEP state of psychedelic ecstasy and communion with the Logos, this too is a matter of record. Plato has at least one very obvious and vivid trip recollection, I believe most of the ancient philosophers have a similar story they cover as glimpses of heaven, which no true psychonaut would possibly deny is the impression of the deep psychedelic state.

[Awani]

It is neat to hear you share you perspective, that the cover says in visual language that shamanism is the original alchemy. I do not feel the same or see the cover visually saying the same thing as you (different perspective obviously). Can you share how the cover visually makes you come to the conclusion that shamanism is the original Alchemy? I am interested to hear your thoughts!

I did not see your reply. But let me quote you from another thread as well, because my reply is connected with those words of yours as well.

Why is this such commonthought of this message board!? There is no Truth to this at all. There are not "many forms" of Alchemy...at all. Alchemy was, is, and will forever remain the same.

From my perspective, in terms of spiritual development, those that KNEW the most were pre-society cultures and current indigenous cultures. The majority of quotes, and the majority of alchemical texts, are from somewhere between 1000 up to 1700. And mainly European. Basically late Middle Ages up to the Renaissance. It is highly probable that alchemy in some way or form inspired the rise of the Renaissance and thus ushering in the modern era. Eventually. No smoke without fire.

However the earliest form of alchemy arose in the time of Hellenistic Egypt, some of the earliest alchemists were Gnostics (if not all). And a lot of them were "mythological". So whatever those "Dark Ages" alchemists did, they certainly re-interpreted their source material into physical ideas. It is true that those earliest alchemists did dabble with chemistry, but they were - as I mentioned - Gnostic. So in the same way that perhaps Carl Jung re-interpreted alchemy in the Modern Era, so did the alchemists in the Middle Ages... when it became a fad. Although worth to note there is an account of Paracelsus spending time with the "shamanic" tartars. Wink wink.

I would not place too much spiritual value on anything that comes from the foundation of modern society, because there is a tendency to place matter at the centre of attention. Indigenous cultures, and Gnosticism does NOT... and it is from these sources that alchemy came from.

Now anyone can decide that those earlier alchemists were morons, and that the REAL alchemy began in the Middle Ages. If so, then yes alchemy has nothing to do with anything but lead and gold.

To simply IGNORE the early alchemists Gnostic foundation, would be to ignore something that they themselves most likely viewed as highly important. I have studied Gnosticism for much longer than I have had any interest in alchemy... and the core essential idea - in my opinion - that Gnosticism is about, is the concept that within us all lies a Divine Light trapped by a false God that is incarnated as reality. Only through gnosis can this Light be liberated.

The ONE is very important in Gnosticism. Also called Monad. The Stone.

For me it is clear that Alchemy arose from a foundation that was without a doubt Gnosticism itself (even if they did not call it that, humans name things after they have happened).

Who was the main man in Gnosticism on this Earth? Jesus of course. In what way does Jesus figure in Gnosticism? As a Shaman of course.

I am certain there is a value for people to dabble with physical transmutations, but to disregard the pretty obvious connection with Gnosticism (which is a modern form of Shamanism, when you compare indigenous cosmology with Gnosticism, and when you compare indigenous cultures shamanic practices with Gnostic practices).

I am interested to hear your thoughts!

The cover of that book shows the famous Caduceus. What does the Caduceus look like as a symbol:



What is the most common animal that one encounters when drinking Ayahuasca? Snakes or Anacondas. What is the most common Spirit Animal in the cultures that use Peyote? The Hawk/Eagle. And on that cover you also see the famous Shipibo pattern that is basically the wallpaper of the Ayahuasca experience. So for me the cover is a wonderful symbol of Shamanism and Alchemy as one. But it is not scholarly accurate in the sense that there are a lot of accounts of other animals and aspects of Shamanism. It was just a perfect symbol for me, based on my experiences.

Shamanism is the original mother of all traditions. Alchemy is based on earlier practices, this is very clear in the historical record and obvious to anyone who dabbles in alchemy and entheogens/psychedelics.

Yes, one would think so.

[Schmuldvich]

All I see in the picture is upside down beakers, dicks, electrical plugs, symmetrical trophies, and someone slapping M.D. on the front of a cover of a book in order to make it appear reputable

...J/k

The majority of quotes, and the majority of alchemical texts, are from somewhere between 1000 up to 1700. And mainly European. Basically late Middle Ages up to the Renaissance.

The majority of quotes, yes, but the majority of Alchemy texts I believe were far, far greater and older than we have today before the burning of the Library of Alexandria and the hoarding of Alchemy literature by those in power.

It is highly probable that alchemy in some way or form inspired the rise of the Renaissance and thus ushering in the modern era. Eventually. No smoke without fire.

I cannot agree with this at all, with what little I do know of the Renaissance.

However the earliest form of alchemy arose in the time of Hellenistic Egypt

No!!! Alchemy has been truckin' along way before Hellenistic Egypt.

some of the earliest alchemists were Gnostics (if not all). And a lot of them were "mythological".

Yes!!! The Gnostic writings are full of Alchemical Truth! I love the thread we have going on about this, "Alchemy in Magical Grimoires".

It is neat to compare "mythology" with Alchemy...

Earth - Adam Hadamah, our Clay

Hyle


Saturn - our Putrefaction

Lead, Chronus (Ninurta)


Jupiter - our Ashes

Tin, Zeus (Marduk)


Moon- our Foliated Earth

Silver, Artemis (Sin)


Venus - our Vitriol

Copper, Aphrodite (Ishtar)


Mars - our Saffron

Iron, Ares (Nergal)


Sun - our Universal Medicine

Gold, Apollo (Shamash)

So whatever those "Dark Ages" alchemists did, they certainly re-interpreted their source material into physical ideas. It is true that those earliest alchemists did dabble with chemistry, but they were - as I mentioned - Gnostic. So in the same way that perhaps Carl Jung re-interpreted alchemy in the Modern Era, so did the alchemists in the Middle Ages... when it became a fad. Although worth to note there is an account of Paracelsus spending time with the "shamanic" tartars. Wink wink.

Plenty of pseudo-alchemists re-interpreted Alchemy in the Middle Ages (and today!), yes, but real Alchemists did not re-interpret anything; they comprehended the words of the Sages and then put into practice what they learned. Just like a couple of us are doing.

...the core essential idea - in my opinion - that Gnosticism is about, is the concept that within us all lies a Divine Light trapped by a false God that is incarnated as reality. Only through gnosis can this Light be liberated.

The ONE is very important in Gnosticism. Also called Monad. The Stone.

PREACH!!!

For me it is clear that Alchemy arose from a foundation that was without a doubt Gnosticism itself (even if they did not call it that, humans name things after they have happened).

Or vice versa...but really it doesn't matter. Like you put it earlier, humans naming things and putting things into words is not always possible and most of the time detracts from the Truth.

The cover of that book shows the famous Caduceus. What does the Caduceus look like as a symbol:

What is the most common animal that one encounters when drinking Ayahuasca? Snakes or Anacondas. What is the most common Spirit Animal in the cultures that use Peyote? The Hawk/Eagle. And on that cover you also see the famous Shipibo pattern that is basically the wallpaper of the Ayahuasca experience. So for me the cover is a wonderful symbol of Shamanism and Alchemy as one. But it is not scholarly accurate in the sense that there are a lot of accounts of other animals and aspects of Shamanism. It was just a perfect symbol for me, based on my experiences.

Amazing interpretation! Thank you for sharing.

I see very much the same thing as you and think it is worth noting that everything in the image is "connected".