Shamans and Taoist priests use their power to favorably impact the fate of individuals. According to classical theory, each person is born under certain astrological signs representing a specific configuration of stars. Accordingly, every individual possesses his own “frequency,” which is associated with his inherent Chi energy as determined by the star configuration at the time of birth. These celestial alignments serve as channels of the cosmic energy beamed to each person; changing this “beam pattern” affects one’s fate. Thus, the Shaman’s objective is to realign an individual’s personal Chi with that of the Cosmos, as dictated by astronomical configurations. This technique corrects ill fate that results from “misalignment” caused by internal mental confusion or external metaphysical forces.
Corrective “realignment” is accomplished using the prayers, rituals, ceremonies and talismans bestowed by the ancient masters of Tunguska several millennia ago. For convenience in their calculations, the Shamans developed a system classifying these frequencies into groups of animals, trees and stones. Augmenting this manipulation, is the sphere of Chi that a powerful Shaman or Taoist master radiates around himself, favorably affecting the fate of those within the holy man’s temple or clan by similarly realigning beams of cosmic energy.
Additionally, there are rhythms and cycles to the Universe that affect all of nature... including man. If an individual’s frequency is out of sync with the cycle of the universe, then the individual will suffer poor fate. In essence, the doomed individual is swimming against a hugely powerful current in the ocean of life. It was the role of the Shaman to use special amulets and procedures to synchronize the individual’s frequency with that of the Cosmos. Such action, if successful, helps the individual work in concert with the flow of events instead of against them. The individual’s Path is corrected.
Invisible to most humans is a world of universal Chi, one that includes nonphysical creatures existing within their own dimension: “spirits.” While Taoists refrain from labels of “good” or “evil,” some of these spirits are harmful, with the ability to invade the body take and literally suck the Chi, or life, out of the victim. The weak, confused individual is more likely to be attacked by these malevolent spirits, and those infected suffer illness, disease, financial hardships and interpersonal problems.
These spirits are “vampires” of Chi. Some have existed forever; and others originate from the focused thoughts of ill intentioned persons... in other words, they are born from a curse. Many societies, unlike modern America, are highly attuned to this phenomenon, and take the threat so seriously that they won’t hesitate to kill someone who cursed them.
Amongst their many duties, Shamans and Taoist priests were called upon to deal with these evil spirits. By understanding an individual’s cycle of Chi as it relates to Universal rhythms, they are able to identify weak periods and warn those who are vulnerable. The Shaman or Taoist priest can then use his own internal Chi to help the vulnerable person, as well as use rituals and talismans focus the power of the Cosmos to ward off the invading spirits.
Classical Taoist theory identifies three realms in describing the operation of universal forces exerted upon mankind: the heavens, man in the middle, and the earth is below. Man, situated between the two, is a conductor of Chi between heaven and earth. All Taoist sciences, from chi quong to meditation, are built upon this principle, which forms the basis for Shamanistic and Taoist religious practices. Operating within this paradigm, Taoist astrology is used as a systemization of the heavenly forces above man, and minerals and animals to represent the effects of the earthly forces below man. These fundamental tools used by Taoist and Shaman priests codify the two realms that bracket man and affect his fate.
In the first century BC, the famous Taoist scientist and alchemist, Du Fan-Shoo, formalized the cosmological theory that has since been the basis for the majority of Taoist astrological procedures. Despite the limitations of his era, Fan-Shoo’s methodology was so complete and accurate that he was able to use the stars to triangulate the locations of Shamballan gates. He identified 28 major and 32 minor stars in the sky. These astronomical bodies are correlated to the 60-year Chinese calendar with its 60 guardians, each of whom control a cycle of Chi in the universe. An individual’s birth date corresponds to a particular star, which in turn identifies which cycle will govern his fate. The 60 stars are mapped to five constellations, including Virgo, Leo and the Great Bear. They are particularly important because they are always above the horizon in the Tunguska region, ensuring their year-around availability for use in Taoist procedures.
While Taoist astrology describes how the forces of the heavens manifest their action upon mankind, the earthly dimension of universal energy exerts equally powerful effects. And the combination of these forces either increases or decreases an individual’s animal power. Animal power reflects the corporeal aspect of our existence that, if weakened, makes one vulnerable to physical hardship and disease. Taoist Shamans perform astrological calculations and then adjust them to factor in the effects of earth’s natural cycles through the use of specific minerals (e.g. quartz and malachite), herbs, and other techniques. The Shaman uses these procedures to invite the appropriate missing animal power back into the weakened individual, thus restoring balance. The master also uses the power of certain animals to serve as liaisons between the guardian spirits and the affected individual.
