I had a fascinating dream last night, so felt inspired to put it on here!
Someone was doing something dangerous - going to a land where they were a target (it might have been me or an aspect of me, not sure). They were out in the open and massive boulders were being rolled down to hit them. I thought it was very dangerous to go there then I saw a circle of black panthers and this made me feel very happy instead - somehow it was alright with them there! Later on I was in a monastery/cave and I saw 3 candles going out - this seemed to mean that someone had died and I felt upset again.
Well, I can google that and there seems to be a connection according to 'shamanism' websites but who knows? I'm a bit wary of set meaning for things.....
What does Shamanism have to say about black panthers, do you know?
Shamanism has nothing to say about black panthers - or any other animal.
When you find lists of "power animal meanings" in books at best this is from one culture, at worst it is made up. Publishers know that it sells books.
Well, I can google that and there seems to be a connection according to 'shamanism' websites but who knows? I'm a bit wary of set meaning for things.....
I thought you had some sort of natural affinity with Shamanism, mouse - so why the use of quotes around the word?
Why are you a bit wary of a set meaning for things?
I thought you had some sort of natural affinity with Shamanism, mouse - so why the use of quotes around the word?
Why are you a bit wary of a set meaning for things?
I am interested in the subject of shamanism, and I feel drawn to it. Whether I have a natural affinity with it, well that is another thing altogether. I would have to be practising shamanism to decide that I think, which I haven't yet. Quotes because I felt uneasy about the word being in that particular way, i.e. what does shamanism say about....it is not a body of thought and I'm not an expert on it despite my reading (in fact maybe even because of my reading
Why am I a bit wary of a set meaning for things? I'm a bit wary of set meanings in that context, not necessarily set meaning per se....
Shamanism has nothing to say about black panthers - or any other animal.
When you find lists of "power animal meanings" in books at best this is from one culture, at worst it is made up. Publishers know that it sells books.
If Shamanism according to yourself Crowan has nothing to say about black panthers or any other animal, could you remind me what (essentially) Shamanism is to you...?
You seem to be a bit sniffy about "power animal meanings" being at best from one culture - which seems a lot like you berating another cultures belief in order to bolster your own - something that you've chastised a few people for doing on the forums when it comes to religion:
This isn't fact, it is opinion. I appreciate that this is the Christianity forum and therefore the posts are likely to come from that direction, but you surely don’t have to defend your beliefs by insulting those of others?
....and you're saying that at worst with regards to power animals:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Crowan
When you find lists of "power animal meanings" in books at best this is from one culture, at worst it is made up. Publishers know that it sells books.
How can you you be so sure that they're made up?
You seem to say "publishers know what sells books" in a disparaging way - is your book self-published, and are people buying it in the quantities that you hoped?
PS: Mods - I know this looks to be veering of topic, but where does one draw the line between dreaming and waking states... I may well dream about this thread tonight... .
Shamanism has nothing to say about black panthers - or any other animal.
When you find lists of "power animal meanings" in books at best this is from one culture, at worst it is made up. Publishers know that it sells books.
Yes, that is what I was getting at when I said I'm wary of set meanings.....Who exactly has decided that seeing a black panther in your dreams means xyz.....
Yes, that is what I was getting at when I said I'm wary of set meanings.....Who exactly has decided that seeing a black panther in your dreams means xyz.....
So I suppose that just leaves your with your own interpretation....
Yes, I think it does. I feel that you should always trust your own interpretation of what an image or a symbol means in a dream. An interesting dreams related book or website is still worth a read though because they can point the way for you and then you can test it against your own intuition. But books that state seeing 'a' = 'b' full stop I wouldn't bother with, I prefer a more abstract/philosophical sort of approach.
Yes, I think it does. I feel that you should always trust your own interpretation of what an image or a symbol means in a dream. An interesting dreams related book or website is still worth a read though because they can point the way for you and then you can test it against your own intuition. But books that state seeing 'a' = 'b' full stop I wouldn't bother with, I prefer a more abstract/philosophical sort of approach.
So, at this point do you have a deeper understanding of your dream:
What was the dangerous task being performed? Who were (you?) being targeted by? What did the circle of black panthers signify and why did that make you happy? In the monastery/cave who were represented by the 3 candles?
So, at this point do you have a deeper understanding of your dream:
What was the dangerous task being performed? Who were (you?) being targeted by? What did the circle of black panthers signify and why did that make you happy? In the monastery/cave who were represented by the 3 candles?
So many questions! Well it's a deep one, I'll have to carry it round with me for a while to figure it out. So far by feel ......it represents an inner journey of some sort, the panthers represent powerful helpers/allies, they also feel quite supernatural for want of a better word! It could also be a forecast of things to come.
If Shamanism according to yourself Crowan has nothing to say about black panthers or any other animal, could you remind me what (essentially) Shamanism is to you...?
Shamanism is the travelling to the spirit worlds at will, in order to negotiate with spirits on behalf of the human community (and to negotiate with humans on behalf of spirits). This is not simply what it means to me – it is what shamans do worldwide.
To me, it is also a belief system and a way of life.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildStrawberry
You seem to be a bit sniffy about "power animal meanings" being at best from one culture - which seems a lot like you berating another cultures belief in order to bolster your own
No. If you are part of (for example) Tuvan culture then a particular animal (for example) a fox would be considered (in this case) bad luck. This is in no way a criticism of Tuvan culture but, unless we are Tuvan, it can have little meaning to us. An owl can be a symbol of bad luck in one culture and good luck in another. How can this help us, here in this culture? And why would we want to rip off native beliefs?
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildStrawberry
How can you be so sure that they're made up?
I know a few shamanic writers who have done just that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildStrawberry
You seem to say "publishers know what sells books" in a disparaging way - is your book self-published, and are people buying it in the quantities that you hoped?
My book is published by The Random House Group. Of course publishers know what sells books. It is their job. My editor tried very hard to persuade me to include a list of “power animals and their meanings.” She said that it would improve sales, since such lists ensured that more books would be sold. I chose not to because I believe such lists mean nothing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WildStrawberry
So I suppose that just leaves your with your own interpretation....
I’m not an expert on dreams, but in shamanism – yes - your interpretation and the interpretation of your spirits. The best person to ask about the meaning of an animal encountered in a shamanic journey is the animal itself.
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