Indigenous - 400 Million Believers – includes pantheism, animism, shamanism, paganism. Original belief system found on all seven continents.
100,000 BC – Primal Indigenous originated in Africa and spread throughout the world.
Belief - Everything and everyone is sacred and interconnected through the web/tree/circle of life. Indigenous – Original/Aboriginal people, Pagan – to be from nature, Shaman – one who sees in the dark, Pan – the greek God of Nature, Pantheism – a belief based on nature. Animism – a belief based on spirit/soul or anima.
The basic tenant of Indigenous belief that we are not separate from Goddess/God, and that everything in the universe is alive with energy and interconnected. The stones, the trees, the animals, the stars, the moon and the sun etc… By honoring that connection they tried to bring harmony to the soul, the body and the world around them. Early shamans/sages were present within each tribe as women and men. They were the visionaries, the medicine men and women who helped their tribe through difficult times, who knew how to read the stars and guide them on their travels. They had the ability to see in the dark and sense the energy of the land, plants, animals etc. They were believed to be able to contact the ancestor spirits for guidance and assistance during hard times. They were able to communicate with the elements of nature and the universe.
It was these shaman/sages who developed stories of Gods and Goddesses and creation myths that still inform our modern cultures. A child who showed any special abilities such as prediction through dreams, sensitivity towards nature would be offered as a pupil to the shaman.
Symbol - all that is.
Sacred Text - your soul.
Place of Worship – the world around you and within you. Create sacred space anywhere by calling in the energy of Mother Earth, Father Sky, the Four Winds, Star sisters and brothers, Grandmother Moon, Grandfather Sun, ancestors and spirit guides.
