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SPIRIT WORLD ETIQUETTE
By SilverEagleDreamDancer

This seemed like an excellent topic brought about by some questions from Earthwalker, so I
thought I'd start a new thread under its title. Easier to reference and find that way.
“Who or what was this type of guardian or protection? Does everyone have this type of
protection or just some individuals like Cinnamon? What are the rules of etiquette in the spirit world?”

One sort of accepted respect-oriented thing that could be considered etiquette is not to discuss
the specifics of someone else’s protections and or protectors. If the person themselves brings it
up then it's open for discussion. It's also acceptable to discuss protectors in an anonymous way -
such as... 'I knew someone once who had a scorpion protector....'. This is just from what I know.
I don't know the traditional view of that sort of thing.

Generally speaking, I've not met anyone without some type of guidance that also can act as a
spiritual protector. In some disciplines, the individual will seek out other protectors for various
types of spiritual travel they will learn through their study, usually an animal either fictional or
actual. They will train and grow with this spirit throughout their journey. In fact, I did a past life
reading recently where the person met the creature that was, in this life, their guide and guardian.
In the past life, the creature was one they had rescued and tended. After death, this creature
followed the person through many lives as their guide and companion.

Cinnamon:
First let me say I agree 100% with Silver Eagle's comment so won't go there myself. *Soft smile*
"Who or what was this type of guardian or protection? Does everyone have this type of
protection or just some individuals like Cinnamon? What are the rules of etiquette in the spirit world?"

Where Guardian/Protectors are concerned we can create our own, some are more or less
"assigned to us", our Totems will act in this capacity for us, they can be animals as Silver Eagle
said, in the physical and/or spiritual sense, and yes, we all have them or can create them. Some
of these Guardians, such as the one Northernwolf ran into when he came to check on me are
"self-appointed" and there's not much you can do about that. They serve in that capacity. I knew
this one was busy, but he's on active duty 24-7 now and nothing or no one gets past him without
his permission. LOL. I don't mind, I know it's out of love, but he's young yet and has some
etiquette of his own to learn too. Guess I'd better have *another* talk with him.

As for general etiquette in the spirit world it's pretty much the same as it is here...being polite,
honest, and sincere...asking if there are any rules you need to be aware of, and for any
clarification on behavior you might want to know. The Guide/s you work with should help you
out on that but even there they have that Coyote humor and let you learn some things the hard way.

Silver Eagle Dreamer:
There's something else I've noticed when encountering others guardians. Sometimes, they aren't
out to 'harm' - they are out to test your heart and truth. I've found, in more than a few cases, that
when I would travel to a person to heal them, and the person knew and gave me permission to
help - I'd still end up in a fight with their guardian but the purpose of that fight wasn't to keep me
away.... it was to test my heart. The language of combat is its own - a tradition of honor. You can
learn much from someone by how they fight. I learned that in Taekwondo. It's funny because I
know what I mean but it's not coming out the way I want it to - lol. I hope it makes some sense.

Cinnamon:
“There's something else I've noticed when encountering others guardians. Sometimes, they aren't
out to 'harm' - they are out to test your heart and truth. I've found, in more than a few cases, that
when I would travel to a person to heal them, and the person knew and gave me permission to
help - I'd still end up in a fight with their guardian but the purpose of that fight wasn't to keep me
away.... it was to test my heart.”

This is very true in all cases where you encounter challenging spiritual beings. It can be
someone's Guardian Spirit, an elemental spirit, or a Spirit of Place. Etiquette is important at all
times and while we are not always challenged, we certainly can be and are frequently enough.
That challenge is to be met with honesty and one of our own challenging their intentions as well.
You have to stand firm, and you should not back down unless you know you are intruding rudely.
If you go for the right intentions and the situation is appropriate this is merely a formality. If the
situation (or place) is inappropriate then you would naturally back down. Often a sacred site is
dedicated to specific work and we are not to do anything else there other than that so that's an
example that may help.

When confronting a personal Guardian it's merely a point of making it known that you have
come for the right reasons and mean no harm, but that also means opening yourself willingly to
that Guardian so it can look within your heart to see that. If you are telling the truth it will show
and if you are lying it will show too. Then you would have consequences to face with the lies or
you'd have to flee pretty darned fast to avoid trouble. IMHO and experience. Think of a
Guardian as you would a protective mother and you'll see what I mean. Imagine a stranger
coming up to your child. How would you react? Just ignoring that person and letting them
approach is careless endangerment and for a Guardian it is unthinkable...just as it is for a mom.

Lune:
You know, I find it is sooo important to practice sound etiquette, not just with other humans but
with land and stuff. I have gotten pretty sick once when I was learning this stuff as I did not
realize I was trespassing on a male sacred site. Mind you, an adult, who should have known
better was encouraging me to, so another part of that day was TRUST MYSELF. But sick I
got!!! and same with people, it is so important to work with a true heart. I think, now, in that I
might not get sick as I might be able to sort it out, due to having a true heart and being more
experienced. I know what SEDD means about testing. I get that ALL the time for the first time I
meet a land spirit - I think they do it with anyone, but they all react badly to my skin color as
well! But this issue is also like the Lynx one I posted on the shaman board. In a way I was
frightened that I had been inappropriate and seen more than was intended. But I guess in that sort
of case, I really can only trust spirit.

Earthwalker:
Lune, How can skin color possibly make a difference in the spirit world? Isn't bad enough that it
still does in some places in the mundane.

Silver Eagle Dreamer:
Actually, I encountered the same bias when I moved to Japan, from the spirits still here. I was
under constant attack for the first month or so because I could hear them and I wasn't Japanese.
It took some time but it all worked out and now both I and the Ancestors here consider each
other family. I suppose it all depends on what level of being you're dealing with.

Earthwalker:
I will just have to take your words for these experiences but from someone that has not had any
experience as such, they don't make much sense to me. Why when spirits can communicate
through telepathy would they react in a hostile manner to someone’s appearance. In the mundane
world we can often sense intent I would think that in the spirit world this would even be more
likely since I would think it is the primary mode of communication. I think on this one I'll just
have to wait and see for myself. From the dances the only cautious reaction I observed was from
the black jaguar but then I believe he was reading my own uncertainty. He approached after I felt
comfortable. Couldn't these ancestors and protectors be reacting to our own uncertainty or
uneasiness in regards new and unknown situations?

Wisowl:
Maybe I can say a little something here. I do not *visit* people that often, but when I do and I
encounter a guardian I always state who I am and why I have come and they let me through, as
they can see that my intentions are honorable. But then, even uninvited, I go only to friends
places to see if they are alright or if I can help in any way. *Seeing* is not so much the word
here, it is more like *feeling*. So far I haven't found an aggressive guardian.

Northernwolf:
I know I made a mistake and it's a nice show of it. But like you I don’t see very well, I feel more
than anything else. But then Lune can describe the room I'm in perfectly so I guess that explains
part of her point of making an arrangement with the person first so you are not invading. But that
is so far beyond my abilities.

Ghostkatt:
I don't know if it's that it's beyond your abilities NW...we all experience things differently...I don't
"see" well either...but my knowing/feeling, especially in a journey, is pretty good. I suspect that
yours is pretty darn good too! Though if it's a healing journey for someone else, I "see" far better
than I do if I'm journeying for myself. And I have encountered Guardians that are not too thrilled
to see me...even if I have the person's permission to work on their behalf! ((HUGS)) NW just
'cause it's the holiday season and I feel like it!

Silver Eagle Dreamer:
“Couldn't these ancestors and protectors be reacting to our own uncertainty or uneasiness in
regards new and unknown situations?”
I would like to clarify a difference of spirits. The Ancestors I talk about in Japan are those who
have passed on and remain here to tend their families. There is a difference between these groups
of Spirits and those who are Guardians of this area. The attacks were from those who had passed
on - not the Guardians of the area.

Cinnamon:
“There is a difference between these groups of Spirits and those who are Guardians of this area.
The attacks were from those who had passed on - not the Guardians of the area.”
This is not significant to just the Japanese, it's found in NA practices too. The difference is the
same here. When the spirits of those who have passed on are present there are sometimes
prejudices that can come through. Not everything is worked out in the physical world and just
because we cross over doesn't mean we aren't still going to encounter lessons. The spirits of
those Ancestors can pass information, act as Guides or Protectors and fulfill numerous needs.
There are also the "other" spirits...spirits of the land (Spirits of Place), Nature Spirits, and of
course the elemental entities. Now there are more but these are pretty inclusive of the range we
can encounter.

Spirits of Place tend to carry an essence of the land and its customs at heart and they behave in a
cultural manner. However, they are of a higher vibration and they have great power over their
locations. They can instill confidence and peace or sheer terror at will and they will most
definitely challenge us.

Nature Spirits tend to be localized to areas inhabiting forests or mountain ranges, etc. They can
be moody, or prissy, they can be disinterested in us or very focused. It's all dependent on what
their respective concerns and duties are. Many of them could care less about humans and will
avoid them rather than make contact.

Elemental Spirits need to be coaxed into interaction at times or at the very least we must show
our worthiness to them. When we honor the approach through methods such as journeys or
Dancing the Wheel they will see that integrity showing and are more apt to be open to discourse.
We find them in the elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth.

With all the spirits and variations among them it's a fascinating study in and of itself. Like us,
they all have their own personality and different levels of understanding, most are able to convey
spiritual concepts pretty well, but their natures are their own and only through experiencing that
can one come to see their way to working with them. Relationships with spirits need to be
established just as they do with people. It's part of the growth of the path and learning how to
walk it. To expect to understand this without any experience is going to frustrate anyone.
Through the exercises of Dancing the Wheel we've seen many of us introduced to different spirits
and given ourselves the opportunity to share those experiences. This expands that horizon and
allows you to see the variations that exist are limitless. Give yourself time. You'll see it’s the only
way for all the information to unfold.

I think when people first come to a spiritual path they are starving for knowledge and
information and overly eager to soak it all up. But the truth is you can't do it all at once and you
have to reign yourself in a bit going back to the basic fundamentals, terminology, and
familiarizing yourself with the atmosphere of the path before you begin to walk it. It's very
normal to have a lot of questions initially, and we're all happy to address, discuss, or debate
issues. I'm not trying to quell anything here, just bring some perspective to things. So ask away,
but know that it is going to be a rag tag gathering of bits and pieces that you will have to fit
together as you go. In the course of your studies you will start building a foundation for yourself
in your own way and in that these pieces of information will start fitting into their proper slots.
So keep your curiosity fed, but understand that you need to be patient too. And keep a journal of
all encounters and attempts. I know that can be frustrating and you are asked to take a lot on
more or less blind faith as you learn to see for yourself, but it's truly the only way I know to
achieve that knowledge and experience. This said, perhaps it will ease some minds. I think if you
can get the theories down, understand the methods of bringing them together starts to make
sense and you move much faster as a result.

It took those of us who do hold this knowledge a long time to gather it, and many experiences
along that journey. It's fascinating, exciting, perplexing, and a challenge, but I can assure you
it's all well worth it. So many who begin to seek find that there are many misconceptions that
come from a lot of different sources: Hollywood, fantasy novels, different media and cultural
lore conflict in presentation of the knowledge, or plain out corrupt it and it takes time to sort out
that from what you personally think is going on with the reality of what the truths are. Hope that
helps some of the frustrations I'm seeing here.

Earthwalker:
Thank you for your posts. In fact I do think I know a little bit about feeling as you have
discussed above. I was thinking visual challenge as opposed to what I label as intuituion or
feeling. When I drive down certain roads or walk certain paths I can feel the land and some
places just don't feel right. I just keep moving either forward or turn around and go back. Certain
places do emit strong feelings. Whenever I have purchased a home I always walk the land to see
how it feels. The one time I went against this intuition, I found myself in a financial disaster.
Never again will I go against my intuition. Hopefully will see more or feel more in time. Thanks
again.

Northernwolf:
Don’t get over zealous with the hugs Katt I'm not a huggy type of person, although I can accept
them from time to time. You said: “I don't know if it's that it's beyond your abilities NW...we all
experience things differently...I don't "see" well either…”
Well I used to see pretty well in journeys. But that was when I was journeying like 2-3 times a
week. Now I'm almost as blind as a bat.... which isn't a bad analogy as you still pick up stuff but
not as accurately. It was just very different and I thought it added to the experience and that
what all books talk about when talking about journeying. But sure I agree with you, feeling is
just as good, just different.

Lune:
Skin color and stuff.....I guess an explanation of what I meant won't go astray...Well let me see,
when I am, say, walking along in the physical world (rather than in a journey), then when I can
feel/sense a land spirit then they get all startled and a bit iffy if I do anything that suggests I
might see them. Because they have just got used to being "unseen" in general by people of my
skin color. And I say skin color as that seems to be what they are going on as information by
which to judge what I am likely to behave like. ie they have just come to expect being invisible
to white people. Then I explain that it is perfectly normal for a white person to be able to see
them and then kinda... show them my genetic energy signature so they can see where I am from
and my ancestry etc. and where my homeland is and why I am here and what my intent is and
they see that and settle down. Like as if I have given them enough information for them to know
how to relate to me.

But I guess that is in line with a lot of cultural mores and customs and taboos from aboriginal
lore that have been so intricately woven with the land. Some places are appropriate for some
people and not for others. But it is not like the land here is pristine but had aboriginal people
plonked on top, living "sustainably" with it. Instead, the people are CUSTODIANS of the land.
They were a part of the ecosystem in the way that say ants are and termites and trees. And the
better "white" people are at living in harmony with the land, the more it is because we are a part
of that ecosystem, not an add-on. So of course the spiritual side of the land is totally interwoven
with the human presence reflecting how it was physically for millennia.

I am just startled that Earthwalker felt it so strange... in answer to your questions, Earthwalker,
NO, spirits are not unprejudiced and working only on a perception of the person's intention. They
are more like people than infallible and totally pure beings. And the land spirits have well and
truly come to expect hurt by neglect from people with my skin color. I am sure they were hurt by
many an aboriginal through time too, but overall, aboriginal people long ago developed a
relationship with the land, physically and spiritually, that we are now struggling to maintain, thus
is the relevance of shamanism to my world.

Earthwalker:
Lune, "I am just startled that Earthwalker felt it so strange... in answer to your questions,
Earthwalker, NO, spirits are not unprejudiced and working only on a perception of the person's
intention."

Thank you for your explanation and I believe I do understand it from your perspective but not
totally since I haven't experienced it except for the eerie feeling I occasionally get when walking
/ driving through certain areas. In reality this was prior to my initiation into the world of spirit
(a few months) and I didn't stayed around long enough to meet these spirits. Honestly, however I
would never have even thought to explain it that way. I am just beginning to know the spirit
world though and so far I guess I have not interacted in this dimension. I believe I did meet one
spirit from your land (Australia is the only country which feels intuitively right). He just rose out
of the sun -dried soil in a bush type environment, had twigs on his head and was covered with
dried mud. He seemed very primitive, skin tone was brownish (that which showed through the
dried mud), had a nice smile and his eyes appeared somewhat mischievous. If you know who he
might be I would like to know about him. He has appeared briefly twice.

"But I guess that is in line with a lot of cultural mores and customs and taboos from aboriginal
lore that have been so intricately woven with the land. Some places are appropriate for some
people and not for others."

Maybe, but when you look out at the immense beauty of any land I have to believe that the spirit
of the land can feel that energy even if they are more like those in the mundane world. To me that
which is sacred is found in the beauty of the land and I was shocked to even think that one could
be blocked from seeing, feeling, interacting, and fusing with the nature of unexplored lands
because of skin bias. Even in the mundane world in the physical plane most people get a sense of
one another's presence upon which they make their initial contact. I cannot say that skin color
comes into play anymore than as a note, as is hair color, height etc. noted.

"the people are CUSTODIANS of the land. They were a part of the ecosystem in the way that say
ants are and termites and trees. And the better "white" people are at living in harmony with the
land", the more it is because we are a part of that ecosystem, not an add-on. So of course the
spiritual side of the land is totally interwoven with the human presence reflecting how it was
physically for millennia…. but overall, aboriginal people long ago developed a relationship with
the land, physically and spiritually, that we are now struggling to."

I agree but isn't this what the environmental movement is about worldwide. Moving back
towards a state where we are living in communion with nature as opposed to as you said "living
on it". Yet the reality exists that worldwide communication has made us into a global nation; we
are no longer capable of living in isolated groups. How do we enable the caring spirits of the
lands to help as environmental concerns are addressed worldwide and as we move towards
fusion with nature?

I apologize for being somewhat argumentative and do accept what you are saying but have never
felt it(as of yet). . How of should you call upon these guardians? The only other guardians I have
met surround portals and they have never been hostile. I approach cautiously and they usually
just close their eyes, let me pass or lead me to the portal.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Cinnamon:
Bias, you know this thread about skin color and prejudice by spirits is the first time in all these
years I've ever heard such a thing. It may be peculiar to Lune's region of the world. I've not run
into it and I've been to a lot of sacred sites, dealt with Spirits of Place and land spirits. Perhaps
the reason I have not encountered this is my intent going in and my focus as well, but it seems
odd to me that this is going on. I know that a lot of land spirits don't care for humans in general
and are shy about interaction with us, but race and skin color have never been issues that I've run
into other than with other humans. Interesting thoughts though.

Lune:
Hello, just checked in while the turkey is cooking, and thought to try to explain a bit better. Skin
color - this is actually simple - it is only when they see me in physical sense first and then it is
just surprise that I am aware enough to interact with them on a spirit level and in such a
conscious manner with them. And I think Earthwalker also read it as me being blocked to access,
but that is wrong, just a wariness and a need to go through the correct protocols, maybe the
equivalent to knocking on the door politely, I think. It is no big deal, I just have encountered
surprise on their parts, but like I said, it is only when I am physically walking through the land,
not say a journey or whatever.

As for the protocols, I think surely there must be protocols to go through for every land spirit, it
is just that in Australia the land and the aboriginal customs are so intwined - people still live a
traditional or semi-traditional lifestyle in a lot of places here, that I think the protocols are
similar to those of different aboriginal cultures. But Cinn, have you not had spirits presume
about who and what you are first, then find out better later? isn't that what happened when NW
visited - your guardian presumed first, asked questions later?

*sigh* One day I can go to America and Europe and OH YEAH!!! Africa then I can see what it
is like there. And Earthwalker, about the environmental movements etc., I agree totally and I
think it is a great puzzle how to be sustainable and in harmony, but on a global scale too, Quite a
challenge.

Earthwalker:
Lune, environmental issue: the best models for sustainability that I have seen presented is in a
book called the "Future of Life" by Edward O Wilson. The key is a broader view, that of the
global community verses individual countries. I read the book if you are interested I cannot due
his brilliance justice.

If you come to Montreal you need to extend your trip south a couple of hundred miles. Surfing
(?) well how about snowboarding? Boards and water seem the same to me (?); plus you get the
views from the mountains.

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