The shaman cultures of the world exist since ancient times for the purpose

• to help people with advice and action,
• the passage of the seasons with rituals,
• to be the contact person in spiritual matters,
• to preserve the memory of days gone by
• Dispense justice.

Each culture has developed their own rituals, dances, songs and methods, and so there is not the "shamanism" but limited in place and time the shamanhood with their distinctive features.

In this article I will go into a special feature of the southern areas of Siberia and explain the stages of initiation of shamans in Buryatia and adjacent areas. Some things will seem very strange, even incredible things will appear.

I invite you to immerse yourself in a strange world of thoughts!

The stages of initiation among the Burjatian shamans:

In order to become a shaman, an inherited root must be present. To be sure, it needs a sign of the body, the divine sign. For example, an extra bone or a strange behavior. You can not become a shaman from a free will. The spirits only come to the elite, they give no one's will. During life, the shaman reaches initiations depending on his abilities. In Siberia there are nine stages of initiation. Depending on the rank, the shaman has the drum, an iron crown or a cloak, and can perform more and more complex rituals. The highest ninth place was already a rarity in the 19th century. In order to convince viewers of the spiritual powers, the shaman of the ninth rank could ascend into the air and float above the crowns of the trees. The first shaman, according to ancient legends, flew into the clouds with horses and could perform miracles that today's offspring can not repeat.

The first stage:

Shamanism as science.
Usually the assistant of a well-known shaman.
Simple rituals, can amuse simple spirits so they do not interfere.

The second stage:

Work with spirits of fire and spirits of ancestors.
Rituals with milk and tea, and fat.

The third stage:

Work with Spirits of Heaven.
Blood ritual with white ram.

The fourth stage:

Rightful shaman.
In front of the public oath at the sacred place.
Right to sacrifice to all spirits known to him.
Right to sacrifice all rams.

The fifth stage:

Has a drum and is able to go into a trance.
Shaman tance travel to heal the soul of the patient.
Right to sacrifice Aries and Goat of all colors in the three worlds.

The sixth stage:

Get shaman's tools with horse's hooves.
Sacrifices of horses and bulls.
Able to travel out of itself without drum and aid, only with a small concentration.

The seventh stage:

Get an iron crown with deer antler, shaman's garb.
Right to all the necessary ceremonies.
Dedicated to beginning shamans.
Has up to three drums.
Only in the seventh stage may determine the steps of other shamans.

The eighth stage:

Has everything.
All necessary attributes and drums of different sizes.
Famous Shamans have tens of drums.
Deep knowledge of shamanism as a science and right to perform complex ceremonies.
May cause rain and wind.

The ninth stage:

The maximum dignity of initiation.
Can perform different miracles, including levitation, traveling out of itself over the tops of the trees.
Telepathic free communication with all spirits and travels between all worlds.

See you next time!

Thank you for your attention!

original content by @schamangerbert 05/2017 translation from german: Schamanenwissen - Einweihung
Photos made in the national museum of Tuva by @schamangerbert

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SchamanGerbert

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