Voodoo. Many may think of it is some sinister dark taboo of mystical forces, based solely on black magic or the work of the devil. Some might say that it is just another version of Satan Worship. For many just the word Voodoo itself paints a picture of bloody sacrifice, nightmarish drum patterns, evil zombies, and dolls stuck full of pins. In actuality, Voodoo is a legitimate religion. Wade Davis, who wrote The Serpent and the Rainbow, would argue that Voodoo goes so far as to be a way of honoring ancestors, and gives guidance to raising children and educating them as well.…
Taoism emerged during the warring states period and has shaped Chinese life for more than two-thousand years. Taoism was adopted as the state religion of the Late…
In the early nineteenth century, African Americans were involved in the "Second Awakening". They met in camp meetings and sang without any hymnbook. Spontaneous songs were composed on the spot. They were called "spiritual songs and the term "sperichil" (spiritual) appeared for the first time in the book "Slave Songs of The United States".The negro spirituals "The Gospel Train" and "Swing low, sweet chariot" which directly refer to the Underground Railroad, an informal organization who helped many slaves to flee.The meaning of these songs was most often covert. Therefore, only Christian slaves understood them, and even when ordinary words were used, they reflected personal relationship between the slave singer and God.…
ENERGETIC, ARTICULATE, AND MUSICALLY impressive, Wynton Marsalis brings considerable weight to the contention that jazz is superior to other popular musical genres, and to a narrow, bebopcentered view of the jazz tradition. As forcefully opinionated as he usually is, though, Marsalis was brought up short a few times during this joint interview with keyboardist Herbie Hancock (b. 1940). For Marsalis, free jazz, electric instruments, and pop influences blur that tradition's boundaries and dilute its artistic force. For Hancock, these are all vital resources for the creative musician. But despite Hancock's interest in other genres, his credentials as a virtuosic bebopper are beyond reproach, making arguments about the musical limitations of pop musicians tricky. Years earlier, handing the young trumpeter one of his first big breaks, Hancock had invited Marsalis to tour with him,…
Sit comfortably in a sacred space in your home. Place your vision board in front of you and allow yourself to take a moment and reflect on your change of energy today. Focus on holding this energy in your heart. Close your eyes and slowly deepen your breath. Focus on the natural pace of your breathing and do not try to slow it down or speed it up. Just notice its natural rhythm. Find comfort in this space. Begin to visualize yourself in perfect health, as the person you represented on your vision board. Continue to hold this vision for several minutes. Be here and breathe. Take several more breaths, allowing this energy and warmth to build inside you. Then release and…
Have you ever shown your spirit in a week or do you like to express yourself in School. Why is spirit week important for students, because it’s also enjoyable, engaging, and spirit week displays creativity for students.…
We covered many covenants in this semester and after learning about each of these covenants we learned about the luminous mysteries. I think that there is a really good connection between the Covenant with David, and the luminous mystery of the Proclamation of the Kingdom. In the covenant with David God promised him a son, Solomon, and that his son would also be God’s son. God said that they would have a special relationship, his son would build him a temple, and God would establish his kingdom forever. He also promised that he would never turn away from him and if he should ever sin, God would discipline him but never turn away from him. This is shown in 2 Sam 7 12-17"When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your…
To truly understand the meaning of shamanism one must uncover the original definition. The word shaman comes from the language of the Evenk, a small Tungus-speaking group of hunters and reindeer herders from Siberia. It was first used only to designate a religious specialist from this region. By the beginning of the 20th century it was already being applied to a variety of North America and South American practices from the present and the past. Today people have gone as far as defining the word shaman as any human that acknowledges that he/she has had contact with spiritual entities. Well at least the term still refers to human beings.…
Ancient Chinese religious beliefs and practices go as far back as 7,000 years. Some examples of their beliefs is that if someone had died and was buried there would be no no fear of them returning as a ghost. The Chinese believed that if the someone had lived a good and pure lifestyle that they would go knew to be with the gods. Some of the gods include Lei Shen who was the god of thunder, Fuxi is the god of fire and the teacher for mortals, Sun Wukong was a monkey that was the god of trouble and mischief. The last god is Shangti, he was the god of law, order, justice, and life known as "The Lord on High" because he was believed to be above all of the other gods. Divination became a significant part of Chinese religious beliefs, and would be…
“Never regret yesterday. Life is in you today and you make your tomorrow.” Stated by Ron Hubbard, the founder of scientology. This might seem like a logical even inspirational quote, but as we look further into the foundation of this statement we see the truth and real meaning behind simple statements like this and to the world of scientology created by a man named Ron Hubbard.…
Witch doctors, psychics, mediums, spiritualists are but just a few of the many names associated with Shamans. Many of us have heard these names echoed since childhood, but do we really know who these people are? In the United States these people are viewed as outcast; there hasn’t been a need for them in a very long time. Science, and modern technology have exiled the Shaman into the fringe of society. They remain a mystery to most, but beckon the…
Spirit Week (Oct 5-9) kicked off this year with the classic "Pajama Day", the majority of the students dressed in their adorable onesies and pajama pants. Twin day followed after, and the Juniors lead in winning the Spirit cup. But, with Homecoming and Pep Rally Day coming up on the horizon; each class determined to have more spirit and participants than the others for Spirit Week. Freshman, Madison Contestable, told us her class has enough spirit to win the Spirit Cup: "For sure. I know I do, I've done every single day." As Lauren Wiseman, a Junior, said, "I'm wishing the Juniors had more spirit." Entering the third day of Spirit Week, each class put in their all for another classic: Wacky Tacky Day. Bright colors and funky outfits roamed the halls during the entire school day. But to fit the overall theme of Spirit Week along with the Homecoming Dance was…
The Donghu are mentioned by Sima Qian as already existing in Inner Mongolia north of the state of Yan in 699-632 BC. Mentions in the Lost Book of Zhou (Yizhoushu) and the Shanhaijing indicate the Donghu were also active during the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). The Mongolic-speaking Xianbei formed part of the Donghu confederation, but had earlier times of independence, as evidenced by a mention in the Guoyu ("晉語八" section) which states that during the reign of King Cheng of Zhou (reigned 1042–1021 BC) the Xianbei came to participate at a meeting of Zhou subject-lords at Qiyang (岐阳) (now Qishan County) but were only allowed to perform the fire ceremony under the supervision of Chu (楚), since they were not vassals by covenant (诸侯). The Xianbei chieftain was appointed joint guardian of the ritual torch along with Xiong Yi. These early Xianbei came from the nearby Zhukaigou culture (2200-1500BC) in the Ordos Desert where maternal DNA corresponds to Mongolic Daurs and Evenks (Tungusified Xianbei). The Zhukaigou Xianbei (part of the Ordos culture of Inner Mongolia and northern Shaanxi) had trade relations with the Shang dynasty (1600-1046BC). The Zhou clan lived near the Beidi (who included the Xianbei) for 14…
Spirit Week?! Huh .. sounds familiar!.. Maybe because we all have so much fun during the whole week?! Yes! We ALL have fun during Spirit Week. It's a week where students can participate in showing school pride, show off their creative side, and just have fun!!…
Taoism as a Chinese religion began in the year 142 C.E, with the revelation of the Tao to Zhang Daoling or Chang Tao-ling by the personified god of the Tao, Lao Zi.Taoism emerged from a rich Shamanic tradition which existed in China and it is one of the Shamans, known as Kong FuZi.It was the first to construct a system by which the underlying structure of the universe could be expressed. Early religious rooted in the ideas of the Taoist thinkers, to which were added local religious rituals and beliefs, both to provide examples of Taoist philosophy, and integrate Taoism into the existing world views of all levels of the Chinese people.…