Urban Shamanism

Back to the Human Circle

Yesterday I attended a simple ritual called a Talking Circle, whose roots go back to the dimmest antiquity in our memory-cells. Participants are gathered around a circle and share their thoughts and feelings while the remaining members listen silently. The model is well known to all of us as it's used in meetings of all kinds, but in this case, we added the spiritual healing aspect by consuming rapé (tobacco in a fine powder mixed with other herbs) in the beginning and the end of the ritual, and smoking cannabis throughout. Both are extremely powerful medicines, and the cannabis in particular is quite subtle, so it reaches deep almost without us noticing.

We first prayed to the cannabis both to attune ourselves to it and to synchronize with each other. Then we chose an Animal of Power to accompany and represent us during the circle. I originally chose the Tiger, my Warrior Animal, whom I met for the first time a few years ago during a ceremony where I learned about my inherent capacity for combat and the alertness of the fighter. After the animals were established, we began to share about our Joy, our Fear and our Pain, the challenges that we've faced and the successes that we've accomplished. There were tears, wonderful acts of mutual recognition and a profound acceptance of the circumstances, necessities and feelings of each person involved, guided by the wonder of the Sacred Plants and supported on the energy of our chosen animal protectors.

Along with the return to Biodanza, this is exactly the kind of opening that I required at this point, pure expression and sincere connection with people who understand the intense inner explorations demanded by this path of self-discovery that we've chosen to traverse. It was also an opportunity to exalt the most profound energy of all, Love: we acknowledged it toward ourselves, among each other and also toward our families and friends, including the concept of God itself. It was a magnificent work that I felt totally capable of performing myself at some point with other groups. Thanks to my experience with Freedom, this conversation considerably increased my sense of Authority and Ability, my Strength and Trust. At some point toward the middle of the meeting, I changed from Tiger to Dog, to further deepen the association with Love.

The World calls upon me to fulfill my task much more openly and freely now, to speak about what I do, to share the insights that I've gathered, to expose my vision to others and exert the influence that I know I must wield in order to access the tribes and territories that I must enter in order to share my Service. I've heard nothing but praises and beautiful recommendations about this work that I do and it's time more people knew about it. I'm indescribably grateful with Life and the Universe for this potent time of expansion and I pledge with my entire Being to continue using my talents for the betterment of all Humanity.

Night Rune: Kenaz

I encounter many people, each one with their animal of power. I unmask false authorities who are cruel toward animals.

Daylight Rune: Othala

The Tribe extends toward the dawn of time, it is composed of all your Ancestors, all your incarnations. Your Tree sustains and blesses you, you share it with every human being, every person that you meet is your family, treat everyone with respect and compassion. Heal yourself and you heal the World, when the judgments go quiet Love makes its way in. The willing binding is not binding but Freedom, the willing pain is not suffering, awareness redeems all debts and for that, you must look into the depths. The Heart is the entrance to the underground, to the roots, where great power and wisdom await. Enter your patterns and change them, everything can be ennobled, every vice can be a virtue.