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The Spirit Guides have spoken.

Shamanism is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with a spirit world and channel these transcendental energies into this world[1].

Description

Shamanism is a term used to group the spiritual knowledge and religious practices of the various Indigenous tribes. In the specific instance of Salem, the Algonquian peoples of North America. These practices are predominantly linked to the mysteries of the Earth, and are based on the principle that everything that exists is a manifestation of the divine. As explained by a shaman to Captain John Alden, everything that exists in nature — such as the trees, the rivers, the animals and the human beings — are connected to each other like the limbs of a human body. Although the shamanic practices are largely holistic and aim to cure the body and soul of those in need through the implement of herbs and prayers, it is also a religious experience that allows Indigenous people to connect with the spirits of nature, ancestors and entities that the shaman called "Spirit Guides." The witch Tituba has also suggested the existence of a chief spirit, known as the "Great Spirit." Through an affinity and contact with such entities, the shamans like the village chief and his daughter, Sooleawa are able to perform feats of magic.

For example, they are able to deviate and obscure the "Witch Eye", deceiving witches with false visions. They are also able to bestow paranormal powers upon chosen champions, through ceremonies in which they bind their soul to the Spirit Guides. Another example of how shamanic magic is applied in the physical plane is the creation of so-called "Tools of Power", able to counter Witchcraft and even to mortally wound witches. Among these there is also a medicine bag which guarantees invisibility to its owner, thus making skilled shamans a considerable threat to even expert witches. (Blood Kiss)

Shaman

A Shaman is an intermediary between the human realm and the spirit world. They act on behalf of the community conducting ceremonial rituals, healing the people, and helping to guide others on the Shamanic path. A Shaman’s life belongs to the community and it is their responsibility to ensure the well-being of their family and village. Shamans believe in using ancient ceremonies and rituals to attune themselves with the natural rhythms of the universe in their efforts to obtain guidance and knowledge from their Gods. Many Shamans believe that the Great Spirit is an all-powerful and benevolent deity that exists in all things.

History

Season One

Mortally wounded during a battle during the seven years of war away from home, John Alden was healed by an unidentified shaman through rituals and traditional medicines of the Native American culture of the unknown tribes [2] (Ashes Ashes).

Season Two

When Alden was dying once again, wounded by militiamen, he was rescued by members of the tribe and brought back to the village where he was again healed. Native American shamans have also proven to be able to counter the powers of witches, when Sooleawa built a particular dreamcatcher able to deflect the "Witch Eye."

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John Alden undergoing the ritual

John Alden was also provided by mystical powers through a complex and dangerous shamanic ritual. Naked, covered in blood and pigments, he received mystical powers from the Great Spirit through the intercession of the shaman. In his body, precisely under the skin of the neck, a living insect was inserted in a similar way how witch Familiars are used, while tribal tattoos were etched on his back and chest, all while the smoke of the sacred incense thickened the air. Presumably, to seal the ritual John Alden had a sexual intercourse with the shaman's daughter Sooleawa; naked, her body painted all in red and with eyes that seemed real due to hallucinogenic drugs taken during the ceremony. (Cry Havoc)

The true nature of this ritual is not entirely clear, but it was revealed that once accomplished his task, Alden would have died and while he was talking to Cotton Mather, Alden referred to himself as someone not quite alive. (The Wine Dark Sea)

Gallery

Trivia

  • The Great Spirit is not a specific deity and is not actually reflective of the real religious traditions of most Indigenous cultures. "Great Spirit" is actually more of a generic term that was historically coined by outsiders to group these traditions. Many different Native groups believed in different deities, with some being monotheistic and others being polytheistic. Shamanism was typically heavily intertwined with most if not all of the different ethnic groups' religions in a variety of ways.
  • Shamans do not consider themselves witches, nor have any connection to the Devil.
  • Shamans have a less-than-friendly relationship with the witches and seem to disapprove of their lifestyle. Whether or not this animosity is directed towards all witches in general, or if it is only directed towards the Salem witches, remains unknown.
  • Widely associated to Indigenous people of North America, the word shaman is a loan word from Russian šamán and Tungusic samān, meaning "to know," and shamanism is an umbrella term for animistic and ethnic religions of Indigenous people from any continent.

References

  1. Shamanism on Wikipedia.org
  2. Probably Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe or the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, as the territory of Massachusetts Bay was mainly inhabited by such tribes.

See Also

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