The Shaman carving my totem must not be afraid of heights.
WHAT IS A FAEDIN RELIGION
Faedin Religion is a vast subject that covers the religious beliefs, rituals, ceremonies and practices of some of the Tribe of Mann . Faedin Animist religion is characterized by the religious belief that spirits are present in all things, both animate and inanimate. The Janoa Faedin religion and religious beliefs are centered around the environment and the natural world of animals, birds, insects, plants, herbs and trees, natural phenomena such as rocks, mountains, rivers, lakes, and clouds and celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, planets and stars.
ANIMISM
Definition of Animism: What is Animism? Animism is a belief based on the spiritual idea that the universe, and all natural objects within the universe, have souls or spirits. Animists believe that souls or spirits exist, not only in humans, but also in animals, plants, trees, rocks and all natural forces and phenomena such as the rain, sun and moon. The term 'Animism', or animist, is most commonly applied to Janoan hunter and gatherer groups . The idealist teachings concerning the life force is a fundamental basis of animism. The term 'Animism' is derived from the Latin word "anima" meaning breath or soul. The belief of animism is probably one of the oldest beliefs of Mann.
SHAMANISM
Definition of Shamanism: What is Shamanism? Shamanism incorporates a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world in which a religious leader, like a Shaman, enters supernatural realms or dimensions when the Janoan Tribe is facing adversity or to obtain solutions to problems afflicting the community including sickness. The term 'Shamanism' is derived from the Sanscrit word "sraman" meaning a worker or toiler. Shamanism is not a specific religion but a doctrine based on a belief that physical nature might be brought under the control of Janoan. Shamanism prevails among Janoan, Brudvr and Kipiq tribes and blends with their varied religious beliefs, rituals, ceremonies and customs. The doctrine associated with Shamanism is probably one of the oldest beliefs of Mann.
WANT TO BE A SHAMAN?
A Shaman is a Janoan spiritual leader and healer in the Duchy of Emerald Bay , who believed that within the Shamanism creed that the shaman communicated with spirits in other worlds. Shamans used dances, gestures and sounds as the symbolic powers of Shamanism to enter the spirit world. Shamans wore ceremonial clothes and carried sacred objects such as rattles and drums to incarnate the spirits of nature and amplify their power.
JANOAN TROPY TREES
Definition of Janoan Trophy Animal Trees or Totems: What are Animal Totems and what are the meanings of Animal Totems? Janoan Animal Totems are emblems of groups of people such as a family or clan. Animal totems or emblems, also reflect the lineage of a tribe, reminding them of their ancestry or their mythical past and creation myths. Janoan also hold the belief that each of their people have wooden totems (Carved only by Shamans) that represent spirit guides of animals, killed by the hunter, who sometimes appear in dreams or Vision Quests in the form of Animals and their dream meanings. These animal totems, or spirit guides walk through life with them, teaching and guiding them and in some instances, protecting them.
In the Duchy of Emerald Bay the Role of the Shaman will be very important. I will provide buildings, tools, protection and all help I can give you to be successful in your work in our Duchy.
The shaman used appropriate words, objects and rituals to protect men from evil spirits - his role is that of opponent to the bad spirits and of guardian to the ordinary man. The role of the Shaman differs from tribe to tribe in Elyria as there are some regional and tribal variations to their beliefs in Shamanism. There are, however, several common roles that are shared by every Shaman.
A Shaman is an healer, communicator, educator, prophet and mystic:
◾Communicator: The Shaman provided help and advice to members of the tribe
◾Educator: The Shaman is the keeper of myth, tradition and tribal wisdom
◾Healer: The Shaman had Spiritual Healing powers and the ability to treat sickness caused by evil spirits - hence the common name 'Medicine Man'.
◾Prophet: The Shaman has the ability to perform various forms of prophecy
◾Mystic: The Shaman possessed the ability to communicate with the spirit world, leave the body and enter the supernatural world to search for answers
Animism refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, either intrinsically or because spirits inhabit them for a period of time. Unlike supernatural forces, animist spirits may be inherently good or evil. Often, these spirits are thought to be the souls of deceased relatives, and they are not worshiped as deities.
While animists believe everything to be spiritual in nature, they do not necessarily see the spiritual nature of everything in existence as being united (monism), the way pantheists do. Animism puts more emphasis on the uniqueness of each individual soul. In pantheism, everything shares the same spiritual essence—there are no distinct spirits and/or souls. Because humans are considered a part of nature, rather than superior to, or separate from it, animists see themselves on roughly equal footing with other animals, plants, and natural forces, and subsequently have a moral imperative to treat these agents with respect.
In animist societies, ritual is considered essential to win the favor of the spirits that ward off other malevolent spirits and provide food, shelter, and fertility. Shamans, also sometimes called medicine men or women, serve as mediums between the physical world and the world of spirits.
Animism is thought to be the belief system that laid the groundwork for the notion of a soul and the animation of traditionally inanimate objects, allowing every world religion to take those basic principles in other directions. Though earlier philosophers such as Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas discussed animism, the formal definition was postulated by Sir Edward Taylor late in the 19th century. Examples of Animism can be seen in forms of Shinto, Hinduism, Buddhism, pantheism, Paganism, and Neopaganism.
