Changes

90:2.3 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft Witchcraft] [[embraced]] the [[magic]] performed by earlier, irregular, and unrecognized spirits; shamancraft had to do with [[miracles]] performed by regular spirits and recognized gods of the [[tribe]]. In later times the witch became associated with the [[devil]], and thus was the [[stage]] set for the many comparatively recent exhibitions of [[religious]] [[intolerance]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft Witchcraft] was a [[religion]] with many [[primitive]] [[tribes]].

90:2.3 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft Witchcraft] [[embraced]] the [[magic]] performed by earlier, irregular, and unrecognized spirits; shamancraft had to do with [[miracles]] performed by regular spirits and recognized gods of the [[tribe]]. In later times the witch became associated with the [[devil]], and thus was the [[stage]] set for the many comparatively recent exhibitions of [[religious]] [[intolerance]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft Witchcraft] was a [[religion]] with many [[primitive]] [[tribes]].

90:2.4 The [[shamans]] were great believers in the mission of [[chance]] as [[revelatory]] of the will of the spirits; they frequently [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cast_lots cast lots] to arrive at [[decisions]]. [[Modern]] survivals of this proclivity for casting lots are [[illustrated]], not only in the many [[games]] of [[chance]], but also in the well-known "counting-out"[http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/summer/counting_out/index.htm] rhymes. Once, the [[person]] counted out must [[die]]; now, he is only it in some childish game. That which was serious [[business]] to [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN primitive man] has [[survived]] as a diversion of the [[modern]] [[child]].

90:2.4 The [[shamans]] were great believers in the mission of [[chance]] as [[revelatory]] of the will of the spirits; they frequently [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cast_lots cast lots] to arrive at [[decisions]]. [[Modern]] survivals of this proclivity for casting lots are [[illustrated]], not only in the many [[games]] of [[chance]], but also in the well-known "counting-out"[http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/summer/counting_out/index.htm] rhymes. Once, the [[person]] counted out must [[die]]; now, he is only it in some childish game. That which was serious [[business]] to [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN primitive man] has [[survived]] as a diversion of the [[modern]] [[child]].

90:2.5 The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_man medicine men] put great [[trust]] in signs and omens, such as, "When you hear the sound of a rustling in the tops of the mulberry trees, then shall you bestir yourself."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Book_of_Samuel#Chapter_.5] Very early in the [[history]] of the [[race]] the [[shamans]] turned their [[attention]] to the [[stars]]. Primitive [[astrology]] was a world-wide [[belief]] and [[practice]]; [[dream]] [[interpreting]] also became widespread. All this was soon followed by the [[appearance]] of those temperamental shamanesses who professed to be able to [[communicate]] with the spirits of the [[dead]].

90:2.5 The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_man medicine men] put great [[trust]] in signs and omens, such as, "When you hear the sound of a rustling in the tops of the mulberry trees, then shall you bestir yourself."[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Second_Book_of_Samuel#Chapter_.5] Very early in the [[history]] of the [[race]] the [[shamans]] turned their [[attention]] to the [[stars]]. Primitive [[astrology]] was a world-wide [[belief]] and [[practice]]; [[dream]] [[interpreting]] also became widespread. All this was soon followed by the [[appearance]] of those temperamental shamanesses who professed to be able to [[communicate]] with the spirits of the [[dead]].

90:2.6 Though of [[ancient]] [[origin]], the rain makers, or [[weather]] [[shamans]], have persisted right on down through the ages. A severe drought meant [[death]] to the early [[Farmer|agriculturists]]; [[weather]] [[control]] was the object of much [[ancient]] [[magic]]. Civilized man still makes the [[weather]] the common topic of [[conversation]]. The olden peoples all believed in the [[power]] of the [[shaman]] as a rain maker, but it was customary to kill him when he failed, unless he could offer a plausible excuse to account for the failure.

90:2.6 Though of [[ancient]] [[origin]], the rain makers, or [[weather]] [[shamans]], have persisted right on down through the ages. A severe drought meant [[death]] to the early [[Farmer|agriculturists]]; [[weather]] [[control]] was the object of much [[ancient]] [[magic]]. Civilized man still makes the [[weather]] the common topic of [[conversation]]. The olden peoples all believed in the [[power]] of the [[shaman]] as a rain maker, but it was customary to kill him when he failed, unless he could offer a plausible excuse to account for the failure.

90:2.7 Again and again did the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Emperor#Lineages_and_epochs Caesars] banish the [[astrologers]], but they invariably returned because of the popular [[belief]] in their [[powers]]. They could not be driven out, and even in the sixteenth century after Christ the directors of Occidental [[church]] and [[state]] were the patrons of [[astrology]]. Thousands of supposedly [[intelligent]] people still believe that one may be born under the [[domination]] of a [[luck]]y or an unlucky star; that the [[juxtaposition]] of the heavenly bodies determines the outcome of various [[terrestrial]] [[adventures]]. Fortunetellers are still patronized by the credulous.

90:2.7 Again and again did the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Emperor#Lineages_and_epochs Caesars] banish the [[astrologers]], but they invariably returned because of the popular [[belief]] in their [[powers]]. They could not be driven out, and even in the sixteenth century after Christ the directors of Occidental [[church]] and [[state]] were the patrons of [[astrology]]. Thousands of supposedly [[intelligent]] people still believe that one may be born under the [[domination]] of a [[luck]]y or an unlucky star; that the [[juxtaposition]] of the heavenly bodies determines the outcome of various [[terrestrial]] [[adventures]]. Fortunetellers are still patronized by the credulous.

90:2.8 The [[Greeks]] believed in the efficacy of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Oracle_of_Delphi oracular] advice, the [[Chinese]] used [[magic]] as protection against [[demons]], [[shamanism]] flourished in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India India], and it still openly persists in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Asia central Asia]. It is an only recently abandoned [[practice]] throughout much of the world.

90:2.8 The [[Greeks]] believed in the efficacy of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Oracle_of_Delphi oracular] advice, the [[Chinese]] used [[magic]] as protection against [[demons]], [[shamanism]] flourished in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India India], and it still openly persists in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Asia central Asia]. It is an only recently abandoned [[practice]] throughout much of the world.

90:2.9 Ever and anon, true [[prophets]] and teachers arose to denounce and expose [[shamanism]]. Even the vanishing red man had such a [[prophet]] within the past hundred years, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenskwatawa Shawnee Teuskwatowa], who [[predicted]] the [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Feclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov%2FSEsearch%2FSEsearchmap.php%3FEcl%3D-18080827&rct=j&q=eclipse%20of%201808&ei=riiITIqUPI329ASYwaHfDg&usg=AFQjCNHz5VOsvhNcM1-wllYQkm8xgLlrYg&sig2=Ej7xh3bdojezqIk8dXWg8A&cad=rja eclipse of the sun in 1808] and denounced the [[vices]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_80#80:9._THE_THREE_WHITE_RACES white man]. Many true teachers have appeared among the various [[tribes]] and races all through the long ages of [[evolutionary]] [[history]]. And they will ever continue to appear to [[challenge]] the [[shamans]] or [[priests]] of any age who oppose general [[education]] and attempt to thwart [[scientific]] [[progress]].

90:2.9 Ever and anon, true [[prophets]] and teachers arose to denounce and expose [[shamanism]]. Even the vanishing red man had such a [[prophet]] within the past hundred years, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenskwatawa Shawnee Teuskwatowa], who [[predicted]] the [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBUQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Feclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov%2FSEsearch%2FSEsearchmap.php%3FEcl%3D-18080827&rct=j&q=eclipse%20of%201808&ei=riiITIqUPI329ASYwaHfDg&usg=AFQjCNHz5VOsvhNcM1-wllYQkm8xgLlrYg&sig2=Ej7xh3bdojezqIk8dXWg8A&cad=rja eclipse of the sun in 1808] and denounced the [[vices]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_80#80:9._THE_THREE_WHITE_RACES white man]. Many true teachers have appeared among the various [[tribes]] and races all through the long ages of [[evolutionary]] [[history]]. And they will ever continue to appear to [[challenge]] the [[shamans]] or [[priests]] of any age who oppose general [[education]] and attempt to thwart [[scientific]] [[progress]].

90:2.10 In many ways and by devious [[methods]] the olden shamans [[established]] their reputations as [[voices]] of [[God]] and custodians of [[providence]]. They sprinkled the newborn with [[water]] and conferred [[names]] upon them; they [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision circumcised] the [[males]]. They presided over all [[burial]] [[ceremonies]] and made due announcement of the safe arrival of the dead in spiritland.

90:2.10 In many ways and by devious [[methods]] the olden shamans [[established]] their reputations as [[voices]] of [[God]] and custodians of [[providence]]. They sprinkled the newborn with [[water]] and conferred [[names]] upon them; they [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision circumcised] the [[males]]. They presided over all [[burial]] [[ceremonies]] and made due announcement of the safe arrival of the dead in spiritland.

90:2.12 The [[shamans]] dressed well and usually had a number of [[wives]]; they were the [[original]] [[aristocracy]], being exempt from all tribal restrictions. They were very often of low-grade [[mind]] and [[morals]]. They suppressed their rivals by denominating them witches or sorcerers and very frequently rose to such positions of [[influence]] and [[power]] that they were able to [[dominate]] the chiefs or kings.

90:2.12 The [[shamans]] dressed well and usually had a number of [[wives]]; they were the [[original]] [[aristocracy]], being exempt from all tribal restrictions. They were very often of low-grade [[mind]] and [[morals]]. They suppressed their rivals by denominating them witches or sorcerers and very frequently rose to such positions of [[influence]] and [[power]] that they were able to [[dominate]] the chiefs or kings.

90:2.13 [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN Primitive man] regarded the [[shaman]] as a [[necessary]] [[evil]]; he feared him but did not [[love]] him. Early man respected [[knowledge]]; he honored and rewarded [[wisdom]]. The shaman was mostly fraud, but the [[veneration]] for shamanism well [[illustrates]] the premium put upon [[wisdom]] in the [[evolution]] of the [[race]].

90:2.13 [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_52#52:1._PRIMITIVE_MAN Primitive man] regarded the [[shaman]] as a [[necessary]] [[evil]]; he feared him but did not [[love]] him. Early man respected [[knowledge]]; he honored and rewarded [[wisdom]]. The shaman was mostly fraud, but the [[veneration]] for shamanism well [[illustrates]] the premium put upon [[wisdom]] in the [[evolution]] of the [[race]].

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_90 Go to Paper 90]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_90 Go to Paper 90]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 90 - Shamanism, Medicine Men and Priests]]

[[Category:Paper 90 - Shamanism, Medicine Men and Priests]]