Death and Rebirth: Global Initiations
Ouroboros
It has been over a year since planet Earth entered into the time of COVID-19. Like newly germinated seedlings, we are moving toward the light with global vaccinations on the horizon, but we are not yet completely through this time in history. Challenging as it has been, it's important to take inventory of what aspects have been fruitful. As humans, we have a tendency to only focus on the negative instead of embracing the lessons that difficult times can teach us. Rather than being constricted in resistance, we can choose to acknowledge the blessings and lessons that have miraculously come forth.
In many ways, we are collectively being asked to surrender to an intense cycle of death and rebirth. In letting go of parts of ourselves that do not serve, we can choose to allow other parts of ourselves to come forth for our Highest Good. In the process of the shamanic journey, I have been shown multiple times the ways that we are collectively being asked to become.
In shamanism, when a neophyte is being chosen by the Spirits, it is often characterized by a similar death and rebirthing process, recognized as a shamanic initiation. A shaman goes through a process called dismemberment and rememberment by the spirits. This is likened to a dissolution while surrendering to a reembodiment. The egoic state disintegrates and the neophyte undergoes a series of tests to become "the Hollow Bone." The initiation process ignites the shaman's inner light, leading to deep transformation. The shaman also embodies his or her Helping Spirits and then radiates that energy out into the world. This can occur multiple times over a shaman's lifetime, in a cyclical pattern.
The ancient symbol of the ouroboros is one symbol of this universal cycle of life, death and rebirth. The snake's skin being shed symbolizes moving through vulnerable times into a self-realized state. The snake symbolizes the power of alchemically transmuting poisonous, heavy energy into valuable medicine for a new life.
There are many stories of death and rebirth. One of the most ancient stories is the resurrection of Osiris, the Egyptian god of fertility, agriculture and the afterlife. In the story, Osiris' brother, Set, kills him and cuts him up into pieces (dismemberment). His wife, Isis, searches for the pieces, wraps his body up like a mummy (rememberment) and brings him back to life with her magical powers (reemergence). From this story, the ancient Egyptians recognized that life is indeed eternal: the spirit does not stop existing at the time of death but continues on in its glory, infinitely.
The crucifixion of Jesus is another example of dismemberment and initiation, while his resurrection is an example of the miraculous power of transformation. His story gives us much hope in helping us overcome our own challenges. Many religions around the world have similar stories of intense initiation which include the death and rebirth process.
Nature is in a continuous cycle of destruction and new growth. Wildfires may completely destroy forests and parcels of land, or volcanos may disintegrate trees and vegetation, but nature always finds a way to come back to life. Although we might acknowledge this occurrence in Spring, we might not be quick to acknowledge the metaphorical Springtime in ourselves. Since we are part of that natural rhythm and cycle, the power of transformation is also within each of us.
As we celebrate Spring Equinox and Easter, we can remember these powerful examples of miracles and hope. We can then celebrate the new life sprouting forth around us and inside of us, leading us into a time of celebration, post-COVID. Authentic growth is rarely a comfortable process. Just like nature, we too are in the process of transforming and rebirthing ourselves as we enter into a time of more light and more hope coming to fruition.
