Ritual

Ritual Defined (1 of 2)
A secular or sacred,
formal, solemn act,
observance, or
procedure in
accordance with
prescribed rules or
customs.
Ritual Defined (2 of 2)
● Ritual is Religion in action -
Wallace
● The ritual in its own right,
serves to explain, rationalize,
interpret and direct the
energy of the ritual
performance.
● Ritual accomplishes what
religion sets out to do.
The Function of Ritual
• It is through ritual that
religion is able to impress
on people a commitment to
their system of religious
beliefs.
• Participants in a religious
ritual are able to express
group solidarity and
loyalty.
Ritual & Ceremony
Ritual and ceremony are
crucial to all human societies
and are important to
understanding religion and
culture.
Rites of Passage & Intensification
● Rites of Passage- mark
transition points in the lives
of individuals, birth, puberty,
marriage, and death.
● Rites of Intensification- occur
during crisis and are more
important in maintaining
group equilibrium and
solidarity. Seasonal change,
no rain, warfare etc.
Ritual Summary
A secular or sacred, formal, solemn act, observance, or
procedure in accordance with prescribed rules or
customs.
Ritual is ‘Religion in action’ - Wallace
Ritual accomplishes what religion sets out to do.
Two Categories of Ritual
● Rites of Passage
● Intensification
 Theoretical Framework Contribution

Animism Animatism Science

Magic Religion Science

Myths Myths Research

Symbols Symbols Symbols (periodic table)

Taboos Taboos Taboos (scientific method)

Rituals (Rites of Passage & Rituals (Rites of Passage & Rituals (scientific method)
Intensification) Intensification)
Prophets
Priests
&
Shamans
 Shaman Defined
• Can be male, female,
identify as both or
neither.
• Ritual practitioners
whose status is
acquired through
personal
communication with a
supernatural being.
 Shamans & Rituals
• Perform curing rites for
the benefit of one or
more patients and
within a context of an
extended family group.
• Rites are contingent
upon occasions of
mishap and illness.
 Shamans Control Spirits
Can be mediums,
deemed to exercise
developed techniques of
control over spirits,
sometimes including
mastery of spirits
believed to be possessing
another medium.
 Shamans & The Supernatural
• Have the ability to
communicate with the
dead, or with demons
and nature spirits,
without becoming
their instrument.
• Purposes are good.
• Can move in the plane
of the supernatural.
 Shamanism Affirms Life &
Can Spawn Death
• See themselves as
warriors in a struggle
against the shadows of
the human heart.
• Shamanism affirms
life but also spawns
violence and death.
• Are found in societies
all over the world.
 Shaman Psychological Type
• Shamanism is a calling
for a particular
psychological type:
those who are less
stable and more
excitable than the
average, but who have
intelligence, ability
and drive.
 Priest Defined
• Can be male or female,
identify as both or neither.
• Claim to religious
authority derives from
service in a sacred
tradition.
• Power is inherited from
the body of codified ritual
knowledge learned from
older priests, later
transmitted to successors.
 Priests Prestige & Authority
• Have prestige and
authority, but their
position is so precarious
and easily damaged that it
is surrounded with taboos
to protect against harmful
contacts with forces that
might render him/her/them
ineffective.
 Priests Influence Deity(ies)
• Communicate with
transhuman entities
through ritual that
involves cultural
objects and activities.
• Concerned with
influencing the gods;
appealing and
appeasing deity(ies).
 Priests Act As Mediators
• Act as the socially
recognized mediators
between men and
supernatural beings,
although they do not
necessarily have a face to
face relationship with the
spirit world but must have
competence in conducting
ritual.
Priests, Institutions & Symbols
• Between the priest and
deity intervenes the
institution.
• Preside over rites.
• Symbols of a rite are
sensorily perceptible
to a congregation and
have permanence in
that they are culturally
transmissible.
 Priestly Restrictions
• There may be some
restrictions on sexual
life.
• In some societies
priests are expected to
have families.
• Abstention from
sexual activity is
sometimes required
for ritual.
 Priests, Monks, Nuns
• Sometimes priests
don’t preach to a
following but address
themselves solely to
the deities they seek to
influence.
 Prophets Defined
• Get a ‘personal call’.
• Authority is founded
on revelation and
personal charisma.
• Purely the individual
bearer of charisma.
 Prophets & Charisma
• Charisma contains a
systematic and
distinctively religious
ethic based upon a
consistent and stable
doctrine which
purports to be a
revelation.
 Prophets Have A Mission
• Has a mission by virtue of
which he proclaims
religious doctrine or
divine commandment.
• Consider the relationship
between religion as a force
for dynamic social change
and as a reinforcement of
the stability of societies.
Shamans, Priests & Prophets (1 of 3)
• Are philosophers of
religion, theologians
of beliefs, and are
recognized as the
masters of worship.
• Act as part or full time
specialists, intervene
on behalf of an
individual client or
entire community.
Shamans, Priests & Prophets (2 of 3)
• Data has shown the
importance of these
religious leaders to the
maintenance of
economic, political,
social and educational
institutions of their
societies.
Shamans, Priests & Prophets (3 of 3)
• Anthropologists have
found it necessary to
consider all religious
specialists because
they fall in the realm
of religion and the
supernatural.
Theoretical Framework Contribution
Animism Animatism Science
Magic Religion Science
Shamans control and Priests (Monks & Nuns too) & Scientists do
communicate with the Prophets appeal to, appease personal research
sacred supernatural and serve deity(ies)

Shamans work to maintain Priests work through the Scientists

balance for community institution(s) and mediate contribute to body
between people and of knowledge &
supernatural, maintains the Institutions, follow
status quo, serve people and scientific method
institution through ritual, ritual
authority is from tradition

Shamans heal Prophets challenge the status Scientists

communities through rites quo and institutions with challenge theories
and rituals, they work messages from the
magic divine/deity(ies) to bring
change, have authority &
charisma
 Illusions
The Adventures of a Reluctant
Messiah
 Illusions Purpose

Purpose of the book?

Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
To give the reader an insider look at what is means
to be a Messiah in order to compare this type of
religious leader with Prophets, Priests and Shaman.
 Illusions Characters
Main characters
● Richard Bach - Messiah in Training, Pilot
(takes people places), Author of the book
● Don Shimoda - Messiah (fixes people),
Mechanic (fixes things), Richard’s friend
 Messiah Defined
Messiah Characteristics:
Suffering Servant
Son of God (Male)
Divine, Works Miracles
Are these the same
characteristics as a
Savior, Redeemer
Prophet? Priest? Shaman?
Bears Sins, Final Judge
Teacher, Leader, Healer
Change Agent, Rejected
Violent Death
Messenger, Charismatic
Priestly Authority
 Messiah vs. Prophet
Messiah Prophet
*Suffering Servant, *Divine, Suffering Servant, Personal Call,
Bear Sins, *Male, *Son of God, Divine Commandment, Male,
*Miracles, *Redeemer, *Rejected, Performs Miracles but does not
*Teacher, Priestly Authority, take credit, Rejected by the
Final Judge, *Salvation, Institutions, A Force for
*Ushers in a new era (change), Change, Teacher, Authority
*Messenger, Healer, *Leader, Based On Revelation or
*Violent death, *Charismatic Message, Mission from God(s)
*same as prophet to teach and ‘save’ the people,
Leader, Violent death,
Charismatic
 Messiah vs. Priest
Messiah Priest
*Suffering Servant, *Divine, Suffering Servant, Divine, Bears
*Bear Sins, *Male, *Son of God, Sins, Male or Female, Teacher,
Miracles, Redeemer, Rejected, Authority comes from sacred
*Teacher, *Priestly Authority, tradition and institution, Saves
Final Judge, *Salvation, People through the Institution,
Ushers in a new era (change), Leader via the Institutional
*Messenger, Healer, *Leader, Hierarchy, Influences Deities -
Violent death, Charismatic appeals & appeases, Presides
*same as priest Over Rituals, Restrictions,
Maintains Institutional Status Quo
 Messiah vs. Shaman
Messiah Shaman
Suffering Servant, *Divine, Divine, Male and/or Female
Bear Sins, *Male, Son of God, both or neither, Performs
*Miracles, Redeemer, Rejected, Miracles & takes credit,
*Teacher, Priestly Authority, Teacher, Savior, Healer,
Final Judge, *Salvation, Doctor, Leader, Violent death,
Ushers in a new era (change),
Controls the Supernatural,
Maintains Balance in the
Messenger, Healer, *Leader,
Community
*Violent death, Charismatic
*same as shaman
 Illusions Religious Concepts
Concepts
● Self as God/Goddess
● Being vs. Becoming
● Self Awareness
● Choices & Consequences
● Fate vs. Destiny
● Power
 Self As God/Goddess
• Because a Messiah may actually include deity
status; what if you were a God/ Goddess?
• What type of God/Goddess would you be?
• Who would you be responsible for and or to?
–The people and things you create?
– Yourself?
– No one?
• Would you rely on people to believe in you in order
for you to exist? To have power? OR...
• Would your existence and powers be determined
by your belief in yourself?
• We will be coming back to this later in the
semester.
 Being vs. Becoming
Being at one with the sacred supernatural or becoming one (through rituals)
with the sacred supernatural is important in religious studies. Which
religious specialist is always at one with the sacred supernatural? Which
religious specialist is always in the process of becoming one with the sacred
supernatural?
• Shamans are at one with the sacred supernatural; in order to maintain
balance they must do rituals and transcend at will, they are being.
• Priests are always doing rituals to become one with the sacred
supernatural so they are constantly becoming. Remember between the
priest and deity intervenes the institution who teaches priests ritual.
• Prophets were at one point and may be again connected to the sacred
supernatural. It is thought that once connected with the message or
revelation; that they remain connected (being) until the message is
delivered or until their untimely death.
• Messiahs are at one with (being) and at the same time becoming at one
with the sacred supernatural. WOW! Transcending time and space.
 Self Awareness (1 of 2)
Why is self awareness important when you are a religious
leader?
Does it help to focus on your role and responsibilities?
Who are religious leaders responsible to?
Who are religious leaders responsible for?
• Shamans to themselves and people they heal
(sometimes)
• Priests to the institution, deity(ies), and people they
serve (sometimes)
• Prophets to the deity(ies)
• Messiahs to themselves and whomever else they wish,
or not
 Self Awareness (2 of 2)
Are you self aware?
Take a moment…
Do you exist?
How can you tell?
Are you aware of your role in the universe?
Are you responsible for your own actions or actions of
others? (Think parents/children/siblings)
If you consider yourself responsible for the actions of others,
do they deal with the consequences of their actions or do you?
If they don’t deal with consequences, how do they learn?
 Choices & Consequences (1 of 2)
Religious leaders fulfill roles in our communities.
• What choices do religious leaders make in whom
they serve and how they serve?
• Do they have a choice?
• What happens when we feel we don’t have a
choice?
– Are we vested in the outcome?
– Do we even care?
• Who deals with the consequences?
– Us?
Religious leaders are our connection to the sacred
supernatural. Without them, can we even connect to
the sacred supernatural to get our needs met?
 Choices & Consequences (2 of 2)
Shaman, Priests & Prophets all get a calling or have a
personal experience that sets them apart as religious leaders.
• Messiahs become aware.
– What if they don’t want to be a religious leader?
– Do they have a choice?
• Shamans & Prophets usually do not have a choice.
– If Shamans reject their powers, they can get sick and
even die.
• Once the Prophet hears the revelation, they burn to
divulge it to the people.
• Priests and Messiahs have a choice to serve or become
aware of their connection to the sacred supernatural (like
Don & Richard)
 Fate vs. Destiny
Fate & Destiny are often used as synonyms. Both mean an
inevitable or predestined or predetermined outcome. But with
fate, you often do not have a choice. Destiny can imply a slight
opportunity for choice, especially in the journey, although the
outcome may be the same. ‘Destined to become great!’
• What happens when you believe your are fated or
predestined to a specific outcome?
• Does this mean you have no choice?
• In having no choice, do you need to take responsibility or
ownership for your own actions?
• What about the actions of others?
• When people have a choice, are they more likely to take
responsibility for their own actions?
• What about religious leaders?
 Power
Power is defined as force; the ability to make
someone do something against their will.
• Who do religious leaders have power over?
– Shamans - sacred supernatural, natural,
people/communities, social control
– Priests - have authority not power, their
position is precarious
– Prophets - have authority not power, by
divine commandment
– Messiahs - have power over everything
supernatural and natural
 What does it all mean?
We have explored the roles of religious leaders
from many perspectives:
• self as God/Goddess (proximity to power)

• being vs. becoming (part of or separate from

the sacred supernatural)

• self awareness (role and responsibility)

• choices & consequences (responsibility for

self and/or others and what this means)

• fate vs. destiny (predestined role or choice)

• power (ability to impact)

 What About ‘The Golden Rule’
(Vampire or Wompire Example)
The Golden Rule is: Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you. This rule is to regulate
human behavior in a way that leads to our survival
because it is assumed that people to not want to be
hurt or die; so then you would not want to hurt or kill
others. But this is not always true. There is a
‘hiccup’ to this logic. Everyone is not going to be
‘nice’ and respectful to everyone else; and what does
it mean to be ‘nice’ and ‘respectful’ anyway? Isn’t
this subjective?
 Not So Much Golden? (1 of 3)
(Vampire or Wompire)
The Vampire or Wompire example in the book Illusions
challenges the golden rule. Richard is presented with a
dilemma because he thought that as long as everyone was
nice and respectful of everyone else, everyone could be a
Messiah with powers to do whatever they want; but is this
the case?
It wasn’t until Richard was confronted with a vampire who
wished to drink his blood and would wrythe in pain if
Richard didn’t share; that he decided that it didn’t matter if
the vampire was in pain or not. It was a matter of self
preservation for Richard. Which leads to the next question
• Who regulates human behavior and why?
 Not So Much Golden? (2 of 3)
(Vampire or Wompire)
Religious leaders often regulate human behavior. Why?
This relates to religion functioning as a social control
mechanism so that communities and societies can continue to
exist. People won’t have religions without societies to practice
those religions. So there needs to be a mechanism to control
the masses and religion and religious leaders are that
mechanism.
Shamans brings communities into balance
Priests maintain the status quo
Prophets brings needed change
All maintain the system.
 Not So Much Golden? (3 of 3)
(Vampire or Wompire)
• What about the role of the Messiah?
• Is the Messiah meant to help us self discover our own power?
• With great power comes great responsibility (Stan Lee)
• Is ‘do unto others as you would do unto others’ more
accurate?
• Do we already do this and not concern ourselves with the
ramifications?
• What about social control?
• Can we be trusted to control ourselves without natural or
supernatural interference? (prison time/ heaven & hell
incentive/ supernatural punishments)
• Does this go back to our roles and responsibilities, what is
expected behavior in our communities and societies?
 Messiah Handbook (1 of 2)
Some interesting saying from the Messiah
Handbook -
Learning is finding out what you already know.
Doing is demonstrating that you know it.
Teaching is reminding others that they know just
as well as you.
You are all learners, doers and teachers.
 Messiah Handbook (2 of 2)
Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be
true to yourself.
• Where were you born?

• Where is your home?

• Where are you going?

• What are you doing?

Watch these answers change through time.

 Take Away
Messiahs are an entirely different religious leader
than a Prophet, Priest or Shaman but are they really?
Messiahs combine characteristics of Prophets, Priest
and Shaman but why?
Think about what category in our chart Messiahs are
placed?
Why do we need Messiahs when we have other
religious leaders who serve the same or similar
functions?
Does a Messiah provide a better cross-over religious
specialist between Shamans, Priests/Prophets?
Theoretical Framework Contribution

Animism Animatism Science

Magic Religion Science
Shamans Messiahs Scientists
- Priests -
- Prophets -
- - -
Altered States of Consciousness
 Altered States of Consciousness
Defined
• Altered States of Consciousness are mental
experiences that transcend ordinary
experiences such as a trance.
• In its simplest sense, an altered state of
consciousness is any mental state that
differs from the normal state.
 Daydreaming
Daydreaming, feelings you get when you are
sleepy but cannot sleep or are drowsy, or if
you drink too much alcohol.
ASC Interpretation
Although everyone
experiences asc, in both
religious and non-
religious contexts, in
many cultures these
states are encouraged
and are interpreted by
the culture as important
religious experiences.
 Achieving Altered States
• ASC can be brought about by a
number of physiological,
psychological, and pharmaceutical
factors.
• Experiences while in this state vary
according to the factor that is
responsible for the state as well as the
physical condition and cultural/
religious expectations of the individual.
Achieving Altered States (2)
ASC can be achieved through active
meditation- chant, repeated sequence of
words, monotonous beat of a drum, or
sounds of nature, extreme strenuous
motor activity or dancing until
exhaustion or sensory overload, or
severe
enforced isolation where there is
nothing.
 Physical/Biological State
Changes in body chemistry can lead to
changes in mental state.
Changes can be because of fasting,
dehydration, sleep deprivation.
 Sacred Pain
Sacred pain. Pain may be punishment or
purifying may be seen as a transformative
force. Self mutilation- self inflicted pain.
Pain for the individual and community –
vicariously. Pain can induce a euphoric
state through the bodies production of
natural opiates. Pain is used in exorcism.
 Features of Altered States
Features of ASC - weakness, numbness,
blurred vision, hallucinations and visions,
feeling of timelessness, speeding up or
slowing of time, expression of extreme
emotions, detachment or lack of emotions,
loss of control, increased acuteness of senses.
 Religious Use of Drugs
Why do we use drugs?
To achieve ASC...but
what is the reason?
Entertainment/Kicks
Divination
Healing- Medicine
Drugs for Kicks
Six Categories
• Euphoria
• Phantastica
• Inebrianta
• Hypnotica
• Excitania
• Tranquilizers
Euphoria
Euphoria-
• Sedatives, reduce
mental activity and
induce mental and
physical comfort.
• Morphine, Cocaine,
Opium, inhalants, etc.
Phantastica
Phantastica-
• Hallucinogens bring on
visions and illusions
which vary greatly in
chemical composition,
but may be followed by
unconsciousness or
altered brain states.
• Mescal buttons, Hash,
Marijuana, Peyote
Inebriantia
Inebriantia-
• Drugs which produce an
initial phase of cerebral
excitation followed by a
state of depression which
sometimes leads to
unconsciousness.
• Cholorform, Alcohol,
Ether, etc.
Hypnotica
Hypnotica-
• Sedatives or sleep
products which depress
the central nervous
system, resulting in
calmness, relaxation,
reduction of anxiety,
sleepiness, slowed
breathing.
• Chloral and Sulphonol,
Xanax
Excitania
Excitania-
• Mental stimulants
referred to as
analeptics.
• Coffee, Tea, Betel and
Tobacco
Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers-
• A group of drugs that
are used to treat
medical conditions
such as severe anxiety,
stress disorders and
muscle tension.
• Valium, Librium,
Ativan, and Serax
Cross Cultural Comparisons
Drugs are perceived
differently and they
may have different
effects on users from
one society to the next.
Drug Reactions
Physiological and
psychological
reactions to drugs
vary among
individuals in the
same society.
Full Effects of Drugs
When using drugs for
entertainment
purposes, users may
not know or
understand the full
effects of the drug or
how addictive it may
be.
Addiction & Death
Taking drugs without
ritual or regulation to
limit use can lead to
addiction and death.
Drugs for Divination
The explanation of the
different effects of drugs
on individuals within the
same culture and society
is often explained as
supernatural intervention.
Shamans & Hallucinogens
• Shamans use hallucinogenic
drugs for divination
purposes.
• Taking drugs for a specified
purpose- ie: divination or
with healing in mind, within
ritualistic context, can
prevent addiction.
Divination and Drugs
Shamans are less likely to
become addicted to drugs
because the ritual involved
prevents them from using
the drug for recreational
purposes. Ritual regulates
the use of drugs.
5 Supernatural Reasons for Illness
Five supernatural reasons
for illness include:
• Sorcery
• Breach of Taboo
• Intrusion of a diseased
object
• Intrusion of a disease
causing spirit (possession)
• Loss of soul
Illness & Healing
All human societies have
belief systems and
practices that people turn
to in order to identify
disease and effect a cure.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made at the
empirical, psychological
and social levels by the
shaman who prescribes
and effects cures.
Drug Use & the Spirit World
The focus of drug use in
non-western cultures is on
the shaman whose duty is
to control the spirit world
for the benefit of the
members of his/her society.
Who controls the spirit
world and therefore drug
use in western culture?
Shamans & Healing
• Do Shamans heal
people with their
supernatural abilities?
• Is the medication the
cure?
• Does the medication
allow our bodies to
heal on their own?
Divination
DIVINATION TECHNIQUES
• Techniques for obtaining
information about things
unknown, including
events that will occur in
the future; things that have
happened in the past that
are shrouded in mystery as
well as events happening
in the present that are
hidden.
DIVINATION ORIGIN
• The word divination
comes from the same root
as the word divinity.
• Divination has to do with
the supernatural.
• The nature of many forms
of divination is magical.
• Magic rituals are used to
manipulate the
supernatural world to
provide information.
DIVINATION CONNECTIONS
• Supernatural beings including
ancestors, spirits and gods may
have access to unknown
information.
• Many divination techniques
involve contact with such
supernatural beings.
• Examples: Medium contacting
spirit of a deceased individual
or when a shaman falls into a
trance
DIVINATION & MAGIC
• Other forms of divination
are based on the idea that
the world consists of
things and events that are
interconnected with one
another.
• Magic is the perceived
connections between
things.
• Divination is based on
observing these
connections.
DIVINATION CATEGORIES
• Stein and Stein divide
divination up into a
variety of categories.
You will not need to
know these catgories
but you will need to
know different types
of divination
including:
DIVINATION LIST
• Necromancy
• Possession
• Presentiments
• Prophecy
• Omens
• Medium
• Astrology
• Dowsing
• Flipping a coin
DIVINATION LIST CONT.
• Magic Eight Ball
• Ordeals
• Ouija Board
• Palmistry
• Phrenology
• Scapulamancy
• Tarot Cards
• Tasseography
• Dreams
DIVINATION DREAMS
• Dreams are a common
form of divination.
• Dreams are thought of as
visits from spirits or
visions of journeys taken
by the soul during sleep.
• Dream interpretation is key
to understanding the
symbols within the dream
state.
• The interpretation of
dreams is called
oneiromancy.
DIVINATION LINKS
• Websites for dream
interpretation:
• http://www.findyourfate.c
om/dreams/dreams.htm
• Magic Eight Ball
• http://web.ics.purdue.edu/
~ssanty/cgi-
bin/eightball.cgi
 DIVINATION
PRESENTIMENTS
• Presentiments are feelings
that a person experiences
that suggest that
something is about to
happen, such as a feeling
of dread or impending
disaster.
• Example: Nose itching-
you will be kissed.
• Sneezing 6 times-you will
go on a journey.
• Ears burning- someone is
talking about you.
DIVINATION NECROMANCY
• Necromancy refers to
divination through contact
with the dead or ancestors.
• It was believed that the
body would show signs of
how a person died, which
was a way the spirit could
communicate with the
living- CSI Forensic
Units?
DIVINATION OMENS
• Omens- fortuitous
happenings or conditions
that provide information.
• Includes:
– Ornithomancy - reading the
path and form of a flight of
birds.
– Apantomancy- a chance
meeting with an animal- ex:
black cat
 DIVINATION
SCAPULAMANCY
• Scapulamancy- using
the scapula or dried
shoulder blade from
an animal skeleton or
human to answer
questions.
DIVINATION ASTROLOGY
• Astrology is based on the
belief that all of the stars
and planets, the sun and
moon influence the
destiny of people.
• Websites:
• http://www.findyourfate.c
om/astrology/astrology.ht
m
• http://horoscope.findyourf
ate.com/
• www.yahoo.com
DIVINATION, DOUSING & MORE
• Dousing- using a forked
stick to locate water
underground.
• Graphology- using
handwriting analysis.
• Palmistry- reading lines in
the palm of the hand.
• Phrenology- study the
shape and structure of the
head.
DIVINATION, TEA LEAVES &
MORE
• Tasseography- the
reading of tea leaves.
• Tarot Cards- a
mechanical divination
device.
– Website-
– http://www.tarot.com/t
arot/
DIVINATION I-CHING
• I-Ching- The Book of
Changes-
– Chinese divination text
thousands of years old.
– Provide more than yes/no
answers.
– Reveals what the person
needs to do to live in
harmony with the forces of
the universe.
– Websites:
– http://www.tarot.com/oracle
/
DIVINATION NUMEROLOGY
• Numerology- based on
Pythagoras and how
numbers can be divine
:)
• Websites:
– http://www.tarot.com/n
umerology/
– http://www.findyourfat
e.com/numerology/nu
merology.html
DIVINATION PROPHECY
• Prophecy and
Possession
• Prophecy- The prophet
received the
information through a
vision unexpectedly
without overt action.
• Possession- altered
state of consciousness.
 DIVINATION SUMMARY
• Why is it that humans want to find out
information about the unknown?
– To be better prepared for what is unexpected?
– To be better prepared for what is to come?
– To ultimately alleviate our anxiety about the
unknown?
• Could divination provide us as humans with
an opportunity to adjust our behavior prior to
an extenuating event in order to prolong our
survival? Something to think about.