I already had the feel after I started the other round of Shadow Work, that it will end up with a lot of breaks in between but that it would be after the first one and for so long, was unexpected even for me. Long story short, I had a mental downphase and knew that Shadow Work wouldn't be the right thing to stabilize me. Hence, I needed to rely on other methods and especially therapy and medicine and rest. Now I feel ready to socialize again and to slowly challenge myself. Still, I will keep the Shadow Work at bay until I am back in full power and will dive more into self-reflection for now.
This is why I thought it might be good for me to reflect on myself and my craft again. Also, because I know my bio doesn't look too appealing to read and here I can elaborate more on different aspects. I chose to use the promts/questions of the Hatchling Clan Curator Challenges (more specific, #HCCC1 of different recruitment seasons) because they seemed to interwine very well for me and my purpose.
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Mini Bio: Name/Nickname, Pronouns, Your Craft, Types Of Magick You Focus On, Etc.
I don't like to publice my real name, so I go for Jia Ansaria for a longer while already.
Jia (佳) is of Chinese origin and for one it represents my connection to the Chinese culture as a whole and for the other, it represents the neutrality as it's used as feminine and masculine name - representing my androgyny.
Ansaria is a changed variation of the true name of my main Spirit guide that is also used rarely as a name (mostly surname) here on Earth as well. This is a sacrifice to my Spirit Guide and my declaration to be a connection between the worlds.
As mentioned I see myself as androgynous and therefore I prefer to get referred to as they/them.
I also feel it to be more respectful as my Spirits are part of me and they deserve to get addressed to as well. ;)
My craft and my magick practice will get elaborated further down in detail. If I had to describe it briefly here, I would say it's a kind of Shamanic Spiritism. I see myself as a diplomat for the beings of the Other World(s) and to bring their blessings to this realm. Which happens in various ways.
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What makes you want to be a Clan Curator and as a Clan Curator how do you hope to help the community?
I don't want to be a Curator here, I only want to be part of this community to get new inspirations and sharing parts of myself. I know how it feels to think there is no one who understands you or that people like to tell one what to do. But I want to encourage people with my posts to be themselves and to feel comfortable with their seemingly strange sides.
And eventually actually befriend some familiar Souls if I wouldn't be this socially aversive... :v
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What is your favorite part of the Hatchling Clan?
I like the athmosphere here. The here are peaceful, friendly, down-to-earth and open. In other groups there is often a smell of arrogance or elitism in some way or people trying to rise themselves above others. Here it feels like all are equal - no matter how experienced or what kind of magick they practice, their age, their time on the app or what position one has within the Clan or the houses.
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What do you strive for most in your craft/what practices do you focus on?
The reasons why I do what I do come with altruistic and egoistic reasons.
The first is as I mentioned before that I want to bring some of the blessings of the Other Sphere into this world - to enchant or at least to ease the life of other beings existing here.
The egoistic part on it is that I want to reconnect with the knowledge I gathered over my lives and journeys for the sake of ing the places and beings I (will be about to have) met from my original spiritual birth place.
In order to achieve these, I focus in meditation, shamanic journeys, channelling (or mediality in general), introspection/Shadow Work and healing.
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What is one thing you wish to share with the of the Hatchling Clan?
No matter what other people tell you or how others would like you to be - the only truth lies within yourself.
Be your authentic selves because only if the veils are put away, the world will be able to see your true beauty of your Soul.
Let this beauty shine and the hostile voices will turn into moths burning in envy and awe for your light.
Don't step down to fight with hate. Stay in your love and over the hate, flying in the dimensions to create a better timeline for this world.
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What type of witch are you? If you don't like to use labels, how would you describe your practice?
Indeed, I am in a love/hate-relationship with labels.
I learnt Peruvian Shamanism by the Curandeira Kuyay and got initiated by Pacha Mama which is still the core of my craft. Before, I've been studying Western Ceremonial Magick and basic witchcraft. Lately I got introduced to Native American Shamanism but more on a psychologic level. And yet I feel Spiritism is the best word to describe my approach. Following some practices I use commonly or put on high regards (in no specific order):
• Shamanic travel / Astral projection
• Invocation
• Evocation
• (guided) Meditation
• Smudging
• Blessing
• Healing
• Spell-Breaking
• Enchantment
• Divination
• Animal communication
• Channelling
• Introspection / Shadow Work
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Are you a daily practitioner or how often do you practice?
In some way I am practicing daily as I live together with the Spirit World. Of course it's not that I live in the other planes disattached from this world (although it happened regulary...) or that I would call on different entities every day.
I travel in my dreams and I acknowledge the effect we have on the Spirits and vice versa.
I draw my strength to substain my body and mind both from the earthy depths of Pacha Mama and from the Higher Spheres of my home.
I know that I have particular 'quests' to fulfill on earth which are given to me by the Cosmic Order and every day me being alive, learning and keep ing humankind will get into .
So for me it's not about smudging or drumming daily but by sharpening the senses, feeling the connections and fulfilling ones personal destiny. And this awareness and dedication is what I try to cultivate as its best - also by the help of practices mentioned above but only as it feels necessary.
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How long have you been a practitioner?
I started my studies by reading all kind of books my mom had about the topic of magick and witchcraft (which wasn't quiet a small amount) when I were about 12/13 years old. From then on I visited medieval markets and spoke with the Pagan witches there. As I finally got better access to the internet, I searched forums of different topics regarding spirituality and also discovered a new New Age shop in my counter city. From there on it seemed more like I were drawn to Egyptian Witchcraft but during my apprenticeship I met my Curandeira and she settled the path for me to see where I really belong to.
Until then, I were 19 years of age by then, I didn't have much practical experience except for grounding and basic energy transfer. I also tried tarot readings but it wasn't as fun to me and I only used the pendulum by then.
Meanwhile I got used to both tarot and pendulum quiet well and have roughly 15+ years of being into the topics and almost 10 years of practicing it for real.
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In your words, what are the basics of your craft? What practices do you perform most often?
My basic mindset is an Animistic one which requires to pay respect to everything. Not only living beings and Spirits but also objects and processed materials. Only when being aware of this, I can interact with the worlds and communicate with pretty much everything I need to. Everything I do on a practical level are only ways to manifest my intentions in the communication.
Practically, I'd say I do most often Shamanic Journeys and a mix of Channelling and (Animal) Communication. These are needed for me to get the and eventually it will result in evocation or even an invocation - depending on the needs.
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Basic description of the craft selected.
I will describe the Shamanic Journeys and its specialities as I know them the best and they are something like the trademark of my craft:
Shamanic Journeys in general are done by shamans (or guided by shamans) to travel to the other worlds. In Peruvian Shamanism as I practice it, we travel the Higher and the Lower world to communicate with the Spirits there. In Germanic based Shamanism, they visit the Otherworld. Essentially, to travel behind the veil that seperates the world of commons from the worlds of Spirits.
(Side note: In Peruvian Shamanism, we also acknowledge the existence of Spirits in our 'middle'/physical world. I rarely travel to communicate with them although it would be possible by adjusting the own vibration. But I rather use medial skills to get in with them.)
To be able to do a Shamanic Journey, one has to get in an altered state of conciousness. As it's well known, in old days and at indigenous tribes until nowadays, herbal drugs were used to get into that specific state of mind. Nowadays we don't depend on drug consumption although each culture seems to have their teacher plants to be used for Journeying. Pretty much everything that brings one into a deep trance, can be used to prepare for a Shamanic Journey but no matter what way you use, it's usually accompanied by drumming. Like...
Dancing
NLP
Sleep Deprivation
ect. ...
Interestingly, I my Curandeira was telling me about a study that showed that deep states of trance induce similar biochemical processes in the body as the consumption of THC does albeit the usage of the drug causes one to have less long-term benefit of the body effects and also less control over what happens if one happens to travel in this mental state. Hence, why some people get bad trips by being an open gate for lower Spirits to show up. Once I will find the study online, I will post it below my post!
For myself, I use either only drumming or NLP in combination with it. I also use records of Shamanic Drummings on earphones if I need to stay silent. To use drumming to get into trance, it requires a certain beat over the duration of the whole Journey and it can be very hard to keep this up in the beginning.
Since Shamanic Journeys are not guided, you will need to set your intention beforehand and THEN get into trance.
The drumming starts more slow so one can get assisted to get deeper into trance and gets led to the world the shaman needs to visit. The arrivial and the meeting with Entities is faster and more intense but still steady. When it's time to return, the drumming gets slightly slower again to induce a return to this world.
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Any saftey measures and precautions necessary when working with this type of craft.
No matter what you do, always take care to not get interrupted during the Journey. Switch off phones, lock doors, tell familiy to let you alone. You know the drill...
Aside that, first thing to know is about how to cleanse oneself and the space and how to build up a protection. No matter what kind of world you travel to or with what Entity you want to , it can always happen that Spirits disguises as different ones. So make sure to make it harder for them and before working with a Spirit, you have to make sure it's the one you really want to talk with. I like to ask them three times: "Are you from God?" Malicious Entities won't be able to lie three times to be sent by God if they aren't and if only one time is answered with 'No', turn away and come back and ask again. Surely you can use a different question or a different method as long as it makes sure you to repell who you don't intend to meet.
One should also be experienced in meditation (to be able to stay focussed and not to let own thoughts interfer the perceptions) and know how to bring oneself back into the awake and normal state.
I mentioned already that drumming is commonly used for travelling and if you're solitary, it will pay off in the long term to learn drumming with steady beats of 90bpm (for preparation/back-leading) to 120bpm (Journey itself). If you only want to try it out, better look for a good beat in that ranges without much background distractions.
As it's often described as similar as Astral Projection, people should consider every precaution they would do for Astral Projection as well.
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Three examples of how to encorporate this craft into your practice:
1) Communication
For getting in with specific Entities or parts of yourself in different planes.
2) Preparation for rituals
I like to get in with Spirit before doing bigger and more heavier ritual work to serve as a vessel for their doings. A Shamanic Journey is a good way to make out these Entities and invite them into the body or to assist for this time.
3) Initiations
For one, to initiate sessions with a 'client' or person you want to work with. To get them into a trance state, so further works on their energetical bodies or connections will be easier or more effective.
For the other, to initiate new stages of oneself. There are certain initiations of the Shamanic traditions that only will happen within a certain world if the Spirits call you.
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Most common ways you use this craft in your practice
I use it most often to meet up with certain Spirits or aspects of myself. Like to meet my Spirit Guide, my Ancestors, what are commonly called my Higher Self and Shadow Self. And I do this most times to get guidance or suggestions for problems, to reflect about me and to strengthen bonds.
So basically for the sake of communication as I don't have to do heavy rituals that often that I need to get 'fully equipped' and initiations happen by themselves and not because of my will.
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Three questions to encourage to think about if this type of craft is right for them!
I honestly don't really know how to approach to this. I would rather ask questions to see if one is ready for it and not to make people curious. XD
As I mentioned above, there are some precautions to consider and also the own mental state. Never Travel if you are on low mental condition. I also had to stay away from making any Journeys for almost 4 months - even if I longed for it. But the more vulnerable you are mentally, the more likely it happens to attract lower vibrating Spirits. Same eventually applies if one would Travel with a feel of insecurity, self-doubt or sadness.
So I guess my questions would be:
Can you meet the precautions and are you in a good mental shape?
Are you interested in ing Spirits while you are in trance and let yourself guide by intuition?
Do you wish to get in regular with a certain Entity or species of Entities as a core practice within your craft?
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Include links to resources that cover your topic of choice.
I wrote everything down here from my own experience and what I got taught. So I can only give you one good video with Shaman Drumming and links to two of my teachers on this topic. (And give credits to my Spirits as well. ;))
Link on Youtube, by 'Project For Gaia'
A very good and steady shaman drum without any background sounds and good beats to return back in the end. There are also shorter versions on their channel (although the description might be in German).
Because of loyalty, I just have to add the link to my Curandeira who taught me in the Peruvian Shamanism. Her website is in German although she talks native Spanish. Tiempo de Confiar is one of her videos in Spanish on her Youtube channel. Majority is still in German, though.
Norbert Paul who was also for a short while a teacher of mine but his 'Zeitgenössische Natur-Spiritualität' ('modern natural spirituality') just didn't resonate as well with me as Kuyay's teachings. His whole website is also in German.
Picture from Pixabay
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