{"collection":"bos","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bos/bos208.htm","path":"bos/bos208.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bos/bos208.htm","text":"Internet Book of Shadows, (Various Authors), [1999]\n \n \n \n Shamanic Binding \n By: Gaffer Maccluiunn\n \n There are many \"heaven\"s, as I see it...\n \n One of these, which I go to for information, is the Realm of Spirit\n Animals. I do the usual preparations for a journey, then halfway up (I\n use a ricketywooden ladder: my teacher suggested a ladder when I was\n very young, and I haven't rebuil it yet...It's had many years of\n almost constant use, and I think that it's time to repair this mental\n tool...), and though the ladder continues (both up, down, several\n other ways...) I swing through a little hole and come up underneath an\n enormous tree. The place is filled with animals (of course) and I can\n find out from them, generally, whatever I need to know. There's\n usually something I do in return; I was taught (and believe, since it\n works for me) that there are essentially five (5) KNOWN ways to relate\n to a spirit. The first rule, as I believe it, is that no matter what,\n in any dealing between entity and entity, the relationship MUST be\n made clear for there to be useful communication. It doesn't matter as\n much WHAT the relatioship is (although I have preferences), so long as\n it is clear. The five ways I am aware of are:\n \n 1. Binding by Gift.\n 2. Binding by Love.\n 3. Binding by Trade.\n 4. Binding by Spirit.\n 5. Binding by Weapon.\n \n Since the last one is, in MY way of thinking, least desireable, we'll\n start there: Binding by weapon, for me, is only used when a spirit or\n entity comes to me with something nasty planned, and only if there is\n no other way. It is kind of like putting the genie in the bottle (the\n old Arabian Nights Genies were very tricky, and would just as soon\n devour someone who lets them free as grant them wishes...): first,\n you must have superior force, and superior will. And Plenty of\n Reasons...\n \n Binding by Spirit is MUCH more preferable: This is the link you have\n with your spirit animals: A link from like to like, regardless of\n form. It usually HAPPENS to you, rather than you CAUSING it to\n happen.\n \n Binding by Trade is offering something in return for what you wish to\n receive. Not as wonderful an experience as Binding by Spirit, but\n still worthwhile. It is necessary to find some entity willing to\n trade, however, and for this the Realm of Animals is where I use it\n most. After a while, you can get into a routine, whereupon in becomes\n Binding By Gift:\n \n \n \n 938\n \n \n \n Binding by Gift is when the shaman leaves a gift or gives a gift, in\n expectation of needing a favor later. This can be considered the case\n when a spirit comes to you for help, but generally I classify that as\n Trade, since it is the same as trade, just the other way around.\n Binding by Gift, you do the thing first: If I need information that I\n think the Squirrels, for instance, in the Animal Realm can offer, I'll\n leave out a selection of nuts underneath the pine tree in the fron\n yard, for I know that there are squirrels which frequent it. Then,\n later, I'll go up to the Animals and ask for what I need. This\n originally started as Binding by Trade, where they'd tell me the\n information I needed to know, and then say, \"In Trade, you can leave\n nuts for the Little Brothers.\" Now, I do it aforehand, knowing. This\n is a much more comfortable relationship than Trade, as Trade is\n generally a one-or-two-time thing, while Gift is something much more\n meaningful and long-lasting.\n \n Binding by Love is actually entering into a friendship (or deeper)\n with a spirit. Most of the shamans to whom I speak agree with me that\n the relationship they have with their Spirit Helpers/Guides is a love\n or lover relationship. Some explain that they are soul-mated to their\n guides. This makes sense to me, and is the last form of relationship\n of which I am aware in this context. \n \n Hope this was interesting. Let me know.\n \n Tapadh Leibh.\n Gaffer. \n \n \n 939","title":"Internet Book of Shadows: Shamanic Binding (Gaffer Macclu...","type":"page"}