Practical Animism?

This is a recent article that came across my screen, and although it makes some very valid points about animism and some excellent explanations of facets of animism…I must admit that I came to a screeching halt at the end; where I read this….

“As a professional practitioner of the ancient ways, Dave expects and
is expected to earn a living from his activities. His clients must pay
for his goods and services, beyond the initial consultation. Just as
the needs of his clients vary, so does the value of Dave’s work. The average client may expect to spend between $500
and $1,000 for Dave’s work, although some pay less and a few pay much
more. Dave sets his fees himself, after consultation with the
prospective client.”

“Aboriginal” people don’t charge a fee such as this for their”services”… this in our culture amounts to nothing more than prostituting yourself and your gifts. Do we “gift” our medicine people? Surely … sometimes with food, beads, or blankets, or bring them gifts from the States like honey or the like….other times their expenses are paid for making the trip, which include gas, food, and lodging. Sometimes we even put them up in our homes and with our families in exchange for their “services”… we never charge a fee. This is not any aboriginal practice that I know of and it continues to be an issue in Indian Country.

AN AMERICAN REVIVAL

The heartland of the North American continent is
experiencing a profound revival. Recent years have seen a small but
significant rebirth of practical animism in the north-central plains,
and an amazing prophecy is unfolding on the prairie. The participants
believe that the spirit of a place is a function of geography, ecology,
and history, and that the land shapes the inhabitant as surely as the
inhabitant shapes the land. The long-hidden secrets of the grandfathers
are revealed; their carefully hidden knowledge passed on. An ancient
body of practical knowledge is once again available to real people
everywhere. The hopes and dreams of a few worthy people long dead now
have new life.

NEW ANIMISM

Animism
is a body of knowledge founded upon the belief that the things around
us are infused with more than mere existence. Animists believe that the
hills, valleys, waterways, and rocks are spiritual beings, as are the
plants and animals. Further, they believe that there are other, less
obvious spiritual beings not commonly associated with the phenomena of
everyday experience.

Beyond these basic beliefs, animism comprises a
practical system of knowledge designed to be of benefit to the
possessor. This system of knowledge usually involves techniques for
entering into beneficial arrangements between the practitioner and the
spiritual beings that are accessible to them.

There are almost as many different bodies of practical
knowledge as there are practitioners of animism; particularly so given
the current resurgence of popularity animism now enjoys. The practice
of animism has not always been such a Babel of systems as it is today.

ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE

The
aboriginal Americans who lived on the northern plains developed a
mature and coherent system of practical animism. The world view of
these early Americans was inextricably entwined with their animist
beliefs and methods. They sought to live in harmony with the world, in
both the practical and the spiritual sense. Their body of animist
knowledge was the treasured thread that bound their lives together and
gave each one meaning. This knowledge was passed from generation to
generation, its practitioners valued members of society, and its tools
revered as the very soul of the group.

Long term relationships between a group of real people
and various useful spiritual beings were cultivated and maintained unto
hoary tradition. For a people to lose their core of animist knowledge
meant the end of their group viability. Similarly, if a people were
destroyed, their animist knowledge could be lost forever; the methods
and relationships forgotten and neglected, the tools decaying in some
dusty museum.

HIDDEN KNOWLEDGE

There
came a time when the aboriginal practitioners of northern plains
animism foresaw a wrenching change that would threaten the very
treasure that made them whole. The aboriginal seers knew the coming of
the Europeans threatened to destroy their people along with the ancient
knowledge they had preserved for so long.

Early on, they made plans to secure their knowledge,
methods, relationships and tools for a future generation of real
people. They had faith that the land and its spiritual inhabitants
would survive the depredations of the seemingly crazed displaced
Europeans. They knew that one day these gentle but persistent spirits
would reshape the new inhabitants, just as it had reshaped their
ancestors so long ago.

The secrets were hidden, cached in the places that
were familiar to them, using some old methods and some new ones devised
for the urgent purpose at hand. Thus a significant body of aboriginal
American knowledge was put to rest in the northern plains, with the
hope that it would once again be found by the new real people of the
coming age.

FOUND KNOWLEDGE

At
least one modern practitioner of the animist system has found a rich
trove of aboriginal American knowledge. Deliberately stored by the
ancient inhabitants of a beautiful river valley in northwest Iowa, this
knowledge has been found and is now available for practical use once
again. The secrets of the past are revealed.

This new age shaman is the descendant of the European
usurpers, and his family has lived in the area for several generations.
His name is David Huckleberry, and he is following the gentle urgings
of the knowledge he has inherited. His task is not an easy one;
integrating the ancient practices into today’s culture.

CULTURE SHOCK

In
the old days, when Dave’s rediscovered knowledge was enjoying its
golden age, practical animists had an institutionalized niche in
society. The aboriginal cultures of the northern plains valued them
highly, and depended heavily upon their services. Those who have
studied them and their history in the European manner have called them
shamans, witch doctors, seers, curers, augurs and sorcerers.

In today’s world, especially as it is encountered in
rural Iowa, there is no societal role for these types of persons. Even
when the current relative resurgence of animist beliefs is considered,
the real practitioner is left without a workplace or a clientele. The
ancient knowledge can only be truly practical in its application when
these elements are present.

Dave has spent many years trying to overcome the
modern bias against practical animism and its practitioners. He has
successfully reestablished a respectable and useful niche for himself
and his talents, in obedience to the urging of his ancient teachers.

PRACTICAL ANIMISM

Practical animism has existed in every part of the
globe that has been inhabited by human beings. It has been a feature of
human behavior since time immemorial. Because it is largely a function
of the relationship between people and the land they occupy, its
practice reaches a certain maturity among those people who live in
close association with a particular place or range of places over
relatively long periods of time. Even nomadic people can have a well
developed system of practical animism; they simply become familiar with
a greater range of places than more localized people.

Invaders and other usurpers of land, however, are
almost never wholly successful in bringing their animist systems along
with them to their new homes or ranges. Animism is inextricably linked
to the place or places where it is practiced. The new inhabitants of
the land must eventually deal with the local animist beings; only
certain highly skilled practitioners could move such beings from place
to place. Yet the fact remains that animist societies can sometimes
leave their rich heritage behind for others when faced with doom and
destruction.

PRACTICAL MEANS USEFUL

The
characteristic that sets a body of practical animism apart from mere
belief in animist precepts is its usefulness. In short, practical
animism can be used to benefit men and women. These benefits are
available to the practitioners, and vary according to the geographic
location or range of their familiarity. Similarly, the skills, learning
and tools at the disposal of the practitioners also enter into the
calculus.

Experienced practitioners with rich bodies of
knowledge and the right tools can accomplish amazing things indeed.
Furthermore, some bodies of animist knowledge permit the practitioners
to use their skills and tools to help their clientele; certain bodies
of animist knowledge actually require its practitioners to do so. This
is exactly the case with Dave. The ancient knowledge he has found puts
him at your service.

WHAT DAVE DOES

David
Huckleberry is a practical animist, heir to a great body of aboriginal
American knowledge, possessor and maker of powerful tools. His
knowledge requires that he use his gifts to help others in the
practical matters of life.

Dave has solutions for discovering or disclosing that
which has been elusive, occulted, forgotten or deliberately hidden. It
is also within his power to indulge those clients requiring more active
measures, although prudence demands that he be more selective in
accepting such clients.

Dave is always the final arbiter in such matters. Dave
would like to try to help you. He is willing to listen to your wishes,
consider your problems and formulate a course of action especially for
you. He will provide you with the tools you need to realize your goals
and eliminate your problems. He can help you find the real power you
need to act effectively.

WHAT DAVE CAN DO FOR YOU

Dave
Huckleberry lives in a rustic cabin beside the Little Sioux River near
the lake region of northwest Iowa, a setting sculpted by the most
recent glaciation. He spends his days and nights helping others through
practical application of his animist knowledge. Dave is a true
modern-day shaman, drawing upon the ancient knowledge he has discovered
and using the tools that have been vouchsafed to him.

Using the wealth of natural materials available to
him, and with the help of the familiar spirits which inhere in his
extensive range of operations, Dave creates objects of great power and
utility. He makes each one only after personal consultation with its
intended owner.

Each object is unique, hand crafted by Dave in the
ancient manner to serve the particular needs of each client. The
objects give the client access to the aspects of Dave’s practical
animism that they need. Dave instructs each client directly on the
proper use and application of his creations. Dave not only makes your
power objects for you, he tells you how to use them in your quest for
knowledge and power.

POWER OBJECTS

The
objects that Dave fashions vary according to their intended use. He
makes things he calls medicine bags, amulets and spirit callers, as
well as other power objects. They are as different in appearance and
method of use as the individual needs of his clients differ one from
another. Dave carefully diagnoses each client’s particular case before
he makes a plan, gathers the necessary materials, assembles them in a
way that imbues them with the power of the animist forces with which he
is familiar. The results are curious and amazing, even for those
experienced in such matters.

Most clients seek help with business decisions,
personal relationships, career related matters, and affairs of the
heart. Whatever your need, Dave will listen. If it is within his power
to help you, he will be at your service. The living tools of practical
animism can be yours.

TELL DAVE WHAT YOU NEED

There
are two ways for the prospective client to access Dave’s practical
help. The most direct method is to ask something specific of him. Dave
will tell you if he can deliver or not. The other approach is to ask
Dave to use his powers to ascertain your needs. Dave welcomes clients
from both modes with equal enthusiasm.

The prospective client should be aware that there are
fundamental differences between the two methods of applying for Dave’s
help. While only those familiar and experienced with petitioning the
services of animist practitioners should expect to be successful with
the direct method, there is another way.

LET DAVE TELL YOU

Should
you, like most of Dave’s prospective clients, be unsure of the exact
nature of your practical needs, or inexperienced in the practice of
animism, you would be wise to let Dave discern and reveal your needs.
He is skilled in numerous forms of augury. If need be, Dave can put
these skills to work for you. Then he can decide whether it is within
his power to help you.

If you choose this approach, Dave will want to
communicate with you personally. You may initiate this process by
sending e-mail to Dave from this page. If it is your wish you may
include your telephone number, and if Dave thinks it advisable, your
practical needs may be ascertained in one or more telephone
conversations. Dave does not have a telephone at his cabin, but he can
return your call when he is in town, usually within a day or two. Dave
can then proceed to create the necessary tools for you and personally
instruct you in their use after receipt.

PERSONAL ATTENTION

Some
needs are, by their nature, difficult to diagnose and to deal with
effectively by telephone or mail. In many cases augury will be
required. Should you feel that your needs require more direct personal
attention, Dave will make every effort to oblige. He is willing to
travel to meet with his clients, and on certain unusual occasions he
invites his clients to visit him at his cabin in Iowa.

Such personal attention is not always necessary or
advisable. If Dave decides after initial consultation that he would be
unable to proceed effectively without meeting the client in person, the
client remains free to decline without obligation. Dave never
compromises his work in any way. The desires and the best interests of
his clients always come first for David Huckleberry.

FREE CONSULTATION

You
can send Dave an e-mail and be assured of a personal reply, without
charge or obligation. All applications receive prompt, complete
replies. Messages must be sent to Dave through a third party, who will
relay your message to Dave. Dave will then relay a personal reply to
you. Be sure to include an e-mail address or postal address. A
telephone number is optional.

While Dave prefers to take the time to respond to
written applications, he understands that some of his client’s needs
are urgent, and will accommodate them accordingly. If your needs
require, and you send him your number, Dave will contact you directly
by telephone. Be advised that this happens rarely

DAVE’S FEE

As
a professional practitioner of the ancient ways, Dave expects and is
expected to earn a living from his activities. His clients must pay for
his goods and services, beyond the initial consultation. Just as the
needs of his clients vary, so does the value of Dave’s work.

The average client may expect to spend between $500
and $1,000 for Dave’s work, although some pay less and a few pay much
more. Dave sets his fees himself, after consultation with the
prospective client. It costs nothing to find out exactly what
Dave can do for you. An e-mail can initiate your personal relationship
with an experienced and powerful practitioner of the resurgent
practical animism.

CONTACT DAVE