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Astroshamanism
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Astroshamanism
Astroshamanism is based on the awareness of the existence of an
ecstatic and united dimension that lies beyond the illusions of the ordinary
perception of reality. The certitude that human beings, through the progressive
release of their separated and grieving identities, can have unlimited access
to such a dimension, constitutes the experiential essence of this work
The term astroshamanism identifies a spiritual system of healing
aimed at enlarging human perception through the integration of the basic
principles of shamanism with experiential astrology, the ancient Mystery,
Pagan, Gnostic and early Christian traditions and recent spiritual paths, such
as A Course in Miracles. Its present form is the result of research
developed by Franco Santoro since 1976, thanks to the contribution of shamans
and medicine people of various cultures. The original reference of
astroshamanism is based upon an initiatory lineage strategically defined as
ProvOrdo Etnai and currently integrated in the work of the Sacred
Cone Circle. The basic intent of this tradition is to foster the release
of the perception based on separation and the reawakening of our original
nature of unity and unconditional love. The principal trait of this and other
similar shamanic traditions is that its teachings are not communicated by one
human being to another. Although masters or shamans provide precious
inspiration and tools to access basic information, the actual mysteries are
revealed only by direct experience.
Astroshamanism employs different tools that facilitate the exploration of
non-ordinary dimensions and help create a bridge with conventional reality to
provide healing, transformation, true perception and clarity of intent. In this
context astrology is used as a Sacred Circle to access information on
the geography of shamanic states of consciousness and to allow their safe
exploration, knowing where to find guides, spirits, allies, power, grievances,
blocks, etc. Here the horoscope is not interpreted or analysed, but it reveals
itself through emotions, movements, dances, sounds, rituals, images and
situations aimed at extending the awareness of reality and supporting strong
transformational processes.
In archaic times astrology did not deal with personalities. It was meant as
a study of energy patterns and was expressed collectively. In those mythical
times the stars were not only above in the Sky. Their archetypal energies were
accessible here on Earth, and its inhabitants could freely sense them in their
bodies, minds and hearts. It was a direct relationship, devoid of any symbolism
or rationalisation. Astroshamanism represents the willingness to retrieve this
wisdom in our present environment. Astrology is the oldest form of symbolic
language, whereas shamanism is the most ancient and widespread method of
healing. The distinctive feature of shamans is represented by their familiarity
with states of consciousness that allow the exploration of the spiritual
dimension of reality, to help their community, themselves and their planet. To
face these journeys, shamans connect with guides, spirits, power animals,
angels, and other beings. The relationship with these entities and the
dimensions to which they belong is the chief distinctive feature of shamanic
cultures and constitutes the basic work of astroshamanism.
Astroshamanism does not involve judgements or interpretation through the
ordinary functions of the mind, neither does it require the belief in a
specific religious doctrine. What matters in this work is laying aside
prejudices and fixed ideas so as to open up to an authentic exploration of the
mysteries that exist within and without myself. Astroshamanism means to access
the hidden energy of the zodiacal signs and planets: to feel it in the body,
the emotions, the mind and spirit. It is not about studying or analysing the
theoretical significance of astrological archetypes. It requires that I am
available to actually become those archetypes: to experience their power and to
move through an intensive process of transformation. This attitude causes a
deep inner revolution which it is important to face with gentleness and respect
for my rhythms and each part of my being.
To enter a shamanic state of consciousness, means to achieve an ecstatic
awareness and perception that extends beyond the physical senses and
functioning of the ordinary mind. What I perceive in everyday life is merely
the result of what I have decided to see in accordance both to the consensus
reality, agreed by my social environment, and my specific role in that context.
I have conditioned myself to see the world through the development of defined
programmes and, when I shift my awareness beyond the ordinary mind that keeps
repeating those programmes, then I perceive the world in a different way. One
of the basic assumptions of astroshamanism is that I am not a physical being: I
am an energy field or I am part of the whole or rather, and from a more genuine
shamanic perspective, the entire notion of I, seen as separate from
you and them, does not make any sense. In bygone ages human
beings lost connection with this awareness and have confined themselves almost
exclusively to the identification with the physical body and the idea of being
a fragmented unit (no matter whether I call it ego,
personality, self or soul). A way in which it is
possible to perceive myself, others and the world in their original united
forms again is through shamanic experiences. Trance and shamanic states of
consciousness are part of the genetic structure of mankind. Each one of us has
an inner biological need for ecstatic experiences. The problem is that such
experiences, as is emphasised by the terms used to define them (altered or
non-ordinary states of consciousness, hallucinations, trance, etc.), are often
regarded as abnormal or dangerous. In the majority of contemporary human
cultures they do not find space in the official educational or scientific
context and tend to be socially unacceptable. As a consequence they often end
up being expressed through harmful manifestations such as alcoholism, drug
addictions, perversion, sex addiction, criminality, etc. Shamanic states of
consciousness represent the major taboo for the ordinary perception of the
world as they cause its deceptive structure to vanish and expose to the secrets
of our origin, that is where we come from and how and why we got to be
here.
A large portion of humanity seems to live in a state of ecstasy
deprivation. The ecstatic experience is a fundamental need. The contact
with the source of this need is disturbed or blocked by something that occurred
in a distant past and that extends far beyond official historical
documentation. According to various researches, ecstatic experiences and the
relationship with non-ordinary dimensions constituted a daily routine for the
people who once inhabited our planet. These were nomad hunter-gatherers that
later gradually abandoned their customs and moved to horticulture or the
breeding of animals. As a result human beings retreated into limited
territories and began to lose the connection with the rest of nature and
existence which they once knew so well. In their spiritual practices, however,
they continued to keep the link with the experiences of the previous cultures.
Through the metamorphosis activated by trance states they could again enter
into ecstatic states of consciousness and activate their relationship with
other realms. Shamanism developed as the attempt to preserve the access to
those connections. For this purpose various methods and tools were transmitted
until, with the expansion of belief systems based on separation, shamanic
states of consciousness became incompatible with the consensus reality that
prevailed on most parts of our planet.
In recent societies perceptions beyond the physical body have been generally
ignored or disregarded. The forms I see with my physical eyes, identified with
names and specific shapes, have been extracted from their original unity and
transformed into fragmented pieces. They are seen as definite configurations
and separated from each other by areas termed as nothing or
void. The acknowledgement of these separated units and the denial of
the forms found in the empty spaces represents the basic assumption on which
the current perception of most human beings is founded. I see and identify the
physical spaces to which I have decided to attribute a meaning, yet I do not
see anything in the areas that exist between those spaces because I have
decided that they do not have any meaning. Most mankind seems to live in a
symbolic reality where only what is conventionally accepted is acknowledged as
real, whereas everything else disappears from sight and dwells in a dimension
surrounded by fear and mystery. In my perception, we have become estranged from
something we were once aware of, establishing a mythology of separation where
unity and ecstasy are the most rooted taboos. As we believe we are individuals
severed from other people and the environment, we tend to invest much energy to
exploit our fellows and the Earth, acting as the separated cells of a tumour.
This causes enormous damage to our planet and ourselves. As we have split with
the Earth, we have also disconnected with the dimension of the Sky. Through a
blind adherence to religious and social conditionings, we have denied a direct
access to Spirit, resigning ourselves to the power of religious teachings or
hierarchical structures to operate as mediators between us and God.
In astroshamanism the astrological wheel is employed according to its original
nature of Sacred Circle. The chief trait of the Sacred Circle is that through
its use it is possible to establish a direct connection with Spirit, the
Divine, God or whatever name is used to call That, instead of an intermediary
relationship with a spiritual human authority. Through shamanic work each one
can obtain visions and spiritual experiences without any mediation. Here it is
not a question of opposing political and religious authorities. This is what we
have been doing so far and it has only created even more grievances and
separation. To achieve ecstatic experiences and visions I need to give up my
victimism. It is the attachment to this condition that prevents me from taking
responsibility and pushes me to frantically search for a well-being which will
never come. According to astroshamanism the true revolution consists of taking
the courage to face the inner world as it is from this that all that seems to
be outside emanates.
There are many ways of working with the Sacred Circle. They are the result of
the labour of wise men and women who, throughout the ages, have contributed to
bringing spiritual awareness and healing on this planet. Each method has its
own tools and connects with a specific culture or lineage. Astroshamanism is
based on the system of the 12 Sectors. The advantage of this model is that
besides being very old and widespread, it represents the easiest symbolic
structure for the majority of human beings. Almost everybody has some
familiarity with the 12 zodiacal signs, considers a year of 12 months or
regularly looks at a watch with a circle of 12 numbers. In astroshamanism the
12 Sectors represent the various ways and energies which lead to the Centre. In
such a Centre, awareness is whole: there is no separation and there is only the
experience of unity. The 12 Sectors are emanations of the Centre. Their aim is
to make the Centre understandable for minds conditioned by the illusion of
separation. Here the Sacred Circle is the container of all possible situations
and experiences. The most comprehensive spectrum of existence is described in
this system. This means that, no matter where I am, my exact location can be
spotted in the Sacred Circle and from there I can find my way to the Centre.
In astroshamanism we employ tools which can easily be related and integrated in
our contemporary reality. Here the acceptance of traditions of other times and
cultures, does not imply the evasion from my responsibilities in the current
world. Sometimes it can be useful to find inspiration elsewhere and leave the
habitual environment in order to discover my true Intent. Once this Intent has
been retrieved and reinforced, then I can decide to make it manifest and accept
the need to heal or transform my own original environment. In some way it is
easy to play the shaman in nature or feel full of power by emulating
the ritual practices of native shamanic cultures. What is difficult is to keep
this attitude in ordinary social life and urban environments, and these are the
places that need it most. Historically, shamans have always been part of the
society where they lived, taking care of its problems, whenever they were
allowed to operate. For centuries shamanic cultures have been persecuted in the
western world until they were almost entirely exterminated. They have managed
to survive in secrecy or through complex esoteric camouflage. Nowadays there
seems to be more freedom and this ancient knowledge can re-emerge and be used
in our own cultural context and not relegated somewhere else. The world needs
shamans able to function on the roads, among the electronic equipment and
engines, in the squares and markets of our contemporary society.
Trance or shamanic states of consciousness have to do with the present and with
getting out of the most dangerous trance: that of my conditioning and
daily conventions. The fact is that on the Earth we are always in some kind of
trance and the actual work consists of learning to balance such states and
being aware that it is not possible to go into a trance without coming out of
the one I am already in. When there is unbalance I live in a state of
hallucination where I perceive pain, anger and all kinds of grievances. When
there is balance I have the choice to consciously open to the trance states
that bring love, ecstasy, peace and blessings to me and others.
Opening up to shamanic states of conscience means to truly say yes to
life and to be fully responsible. It means to accept becoming a conscious part
of the universe, choosing to trust a divine purpose, identifying with the
maximum expressions of our being and moving further to project this potential
on all that surrounds me. It is a process that requires my sole individual
consensus. After all, it is a choice between a state of total responsibility
regarding my perception of the world and a condition of passive victim to
events determined by others. The process of taking responsibility develops
gradually, through a progressive healing work that by attempts and experiences
releases blocks and grievances. It is a painful process for the ego’s
impossibility to identify culprits outside prevents it from finding a refuge to
preserve its hallucinations. At the same time, this process is an act of love
aimed at carefully determining the access to one’s inexhaustible tools of
power. These tools have been kept hidden in the unexplored territories of the
shamanic world. The only way to access them consists of moving beyond the
trance of ordinary reality. This can occur spontaneously and without complex
procedures. The precariousness and the illusion of conventional reality is such
that anyone can access the perception of what exists beyond. In this regard it
is a question of considering and developing a series of experiences to which no
importance is usually given: for example, dreams, visions, fantasies,
intuitions, shadows, spaces of void between one object and the other, etc. A
more operative method consists in employing shamanic techniques. In this regard
various possibilities have been transmitted according to traditions. Sometimes
they are ferocious methods, of complex or difficult management, such as the
employment of poisoning substances or hallucinogenic plants, intensive
temperature conditions (sweat lodge, sauna, etc.), fasting, sensory
deprivation, painful practices of initiation, etc. In other contexts non
traumatic and playful tools are used, such as chant, dance, drumming or other
auditory aids, massage, body postures, the connection with spirit guides and
allies, or other simple ritual practices. While the first methods expose us to
the risk of dangerous repercussions on the physical or mental plane and
generally require a complex preparation hardly accessible to contemporary man,
the latter, besides being very efficient, are safe and within easy reach of
whoever honestly wishes to have a shamanic experience.
Once a shamanic state of conscience is achieved, the decisive element that
determines the ecstatic experience is always represented by the will to receive
it. The exercise of this will requires practice and patience as it often
clashes with a wall of obstacles (doubts, fears, uncertainties, distrust, etc.)
created by the ego’s defence system. Despite the strong oppositions and
conditioning of the consensus reality, shamanic states of consciousness are
regularly experienced by all human beings. What is missed is solely the
willingness to acknowledge them or consider them significant. For those who are
available to open to this path, the answers arrive sooner or later. An ecstatic
world defines itself in all its particulars and give a sense of unmentionable
love and beauty. When this happens, the classical question that most people ask
themselves is: “Did I make it all up by myself?”. The answer to
this question is the secret key of shamanic work.
A major part of the work with astroshamanism has to do with the undoing of the
illusion of separation through honestly acknowledging and releasing grievances
and pent-up emotions. In this context the image of a cone is often used. The
cone describes a spiral circular movement that, starting from an
emanation point, creatively develops ad infinitum. This represents the
progressive demanifestation process of the universe, the ascensional movement
of matter toward the reality of spirit, the abandonment of the separation
created by the ego and the journey back to unity. This process does not occur
by escaping or transcending the physical dimension, but through using it as a
teaching device to fulfil my true Intent in this plane. Rather than ignoring
grievances and hidden emotions, trying to dispel them by focusing only on the
“positive” or using the will to push them into the unconscious, I
can instead learn to open up to their true nature. Then I can feel and accept
them for what they are, rather than confining myself in a conventional illusion
of well-being. Astroshamanism is about taking full responsibility about my
presence in the material plane, giving up my denials and patiently undoing
separation. True forgiveness and release occur when I have fully seen and
understood what I am letting go of. Those who honestly accept the exploration
of their shadows, withdrawing their projections on others and integrating them
into the wholeness to which they belong, are doing a major service on this
planet.
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© Franco Santoro, Cluny Hill College, Forres IV36 2RD, Scotland, 2000
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