14.1.21 Shamanism and the Wishing trees
Also see Shaman and Why is my work shamanistic?
I see strong shamanistic elements in the setting up and the physical presence of the Wishing trees. I have written about ritual, and specifically about ritual and the Wishing trees here and here and amulets and I think they're all connected - the ritual objects, ritual performative acts undertaken firstly by me but then by my participants - writing, walking, tying, tending, connecting on social media.
Day 1, 1.4.20, Planting a Wishing tree #participationinisolation
I can see why I could be regarded as a shaman-like figure.... but I think I prefer the more secular term 'faciliator, and I'm also happy '. The idea of a wishing tree, or a sacred place for petitions, is as old as human kind. Shamanism is part of a 'primitive belief system which precedes established religion, it has its own symbolism and cosmology, inhabited by beings, gods, and totems, who display similar characteristics although they appear in various forms, depending upon their places of origin.' ( University of Minnesota, 2016)
'However, the shaman is unique in that he or she not only has increased facility for traveling in non-ordinary realms, but also uses their spirit relationships to create changes that will manifest in the physical world, for the healing of individuals or the community.' (ibid)
It does make me wonder if it would be reasonable to replace the word shaman with 'artist' in the preceding sentence. It might read something like this:
'However, the artist is unique in that he or she not only has increased facility for thinking differently, but also uses their socially engaged relationships to create changes that will manifest in the physical world, for the wellbeing / entertainment /provocation of individuals or the community. '
Although, I do like the idea of artists 'travelling in non-ordinary realms'!
Are socially engaged artists like 21st century shamans? There is obviously more that's ritualistic and symbolic in the Wishing trees than in many other socially engaged projects, as I've already mentioned. The fact that the later 2 Wishing trees were set up on hawthorns adds to the mysticism:
'Hawthorn is a tree of magical enchantment and is strongly associated with Beltane, the ancient festival celebrating spring. In Celtic mythology it is one of the most sacred trees and symbolises love and protection. It is also known as the Fairy Tree, as fairies live under the Hawthorn as its guardians, and so was treated with great respect and care. However, politely collecting Hawthorn sprigs and flowers was allowed, especially by brides, who wore Hawthorn blossom in their hair or bouquet to symbolise their union of love.' (The Present Tree, 2020)
'However, the shaman is unique in that he or she not only has increased facility for traveling in non-ordinary realms, but also uses their spirit relationships to create changes that will manifest in the physical world, for the healing of individuals or the community.' (ibid)
It does make me wonder if it would be reasonable to replace the word shaman with 'artist' in the preceding sentence. It might read something like this:
'However, the artist is unique in that he or she not only has increased facility for thinking differently, but also uses their socially engaged relationships to create changes that will manifest in the physical world, for the wellbeing / entertainment /provocation of individuals or the community. '
Although, I do like the idea of artists 'travelling in non-ordinary realms'!
Are socially engaged artists like 21st century shamans? There is obviously more that's ritualistic and symbolic in the Wishing trees than in many other socially engaged projects, as I've already mentioned. The fact that the later 2 Wishing trees were set up on hawthorns adds to the mysticism:
'Hawthorn is a tree of magical enchantment and is strongly associated with Beltane, the ancient festival celebrating spring. In Celtic mythology it is one of the most sacred trees and symbolises love and protection. It is also known as the Fairy Tree, as fairies live under the Hawthorn as its guardians, and so was treated with great respect and care. However, politely collecting Hawthorn sprigs and flowers was allowed, especially by brides, who wore Hawthorn blossom in their hair or bouquet to symbolise their union of love.' (The Present Tree, 2020)
Interestingly, I think the first two Wishing trees began to look like shamanistic figures, reminiscent of maypoles and Tibetan prayer rituals involving brightly coloured, fluttering flags and ribbons:
Wishing tree, Horfield Common, Bristol, Day 27, 26.4.20
....especially when it's in constant movement. It looks as if it's alive, a living sculpture.
Lou Baker, Wishing tree, Horfield Common, Bristol, 5.5.20, Day 36
Baker, L (2018) Living sculptures; research and development Available at: https://issuu.com/loubakerartist/docs/lou_baker__living_sculptures__resea (Accessed: 14 January 2021)
Borkar, N. (2018) 8 Things you should know about Tibetan prayer flags Available at: https://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/self/8-things-you-should-know-about-tibetan-prayer-flags-before-hanging-them-up-257899.html (Accessed: 14 January 2021)
Oakhouse Foods (2020) The maypole: what does it mean? Available at: https://www.oakhousefoods.co.uk/blog/blog/2019/05/03/the-maypole-what-does-is-it-and-what-does-it-signify/ (Accessed: 14 January 2021)
The Present Tree (2020) Hawthorn Available at: https://thepresenttree.com/blogs/tree-meanings/every-hawthorn-tree-has-a-story (Accessed: 14 January 2021)
University of Minnesota (2016) Shamanism Available at: https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/shamanism (Accessed 20 November 2020)
Borkar, N. (2018) 8 Things you should know about Tibetan prayer flags Available at: https://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/self/8-things-you-should-know-about-tibetan-prayer-flags-before-hanging-them-up-257899.html (Accessed: 14 January 2021)
Oakhouse Foods (2020) The maypole: what does it mean? Available at: https://www.oakhousefoods.co.uk/blog/blog/2019/05/03/the-maypole-what-does-is-it-and-what-does-it-signify/ (Accessed: 14 January 2021)
The Present Tree (2020) Hawthorn Available at: https://thepresenttree.com/blogs/tree-meanings/every-hawthorn-tree-has-a-story (Accessed: 14 January 2021)
University of Minnesota (2016) Shamanism Available at: https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/shamanism (Accessed 20 November 2020)