The Trickster is an example of a Jungian Archetype. In most traditions the Trickster is often portrayed as a Male Character. One of the few Female Tricksters is Kitsune, the Japanese Shape-shifting Fox. In our Modern world Trickster is portrayed by the Fool, which survives in modern playing cards as the Joker.
In modern literature, the trickster survives as a character Archetype, not necessarily supernatural or divine, therefore better described as a stock character. In Mythology, Trickster is a god, yet is not. Trickster is the wise-fool who rebels against authority, pokes fun at the overly serious, creates convoluted schemes, that may or may not work, plays with the Laws of the Universe and is sometimes his own worst enemy.
One role of the Trickster is to question, and to cause us to question, and not accept things blindly. He appears when a way of thinking becomes outmoded thereby needing to be torn down built anew. He is the Destroyer of Worlds at the same time the savior of us all. [Read more…]
Shamanism has a deep, longstanding history that crosses cultures and continents. It is the oldest known spiritual practice and has evolved into many forms through the centuries. This is just one of the reasons it such a useful tool for spiritual healing. I.e. that the core practices of a Shaman, and within Shamanism have such a universal truth about them that they can be used on their own, or in conjunction with other practices.