A shaman curse is a phenomenon associated with shamans, who are spiritual healers and guides in many indigenous cultures. While shamans are primarily known for their powerful ability to heal, they also possess the capacity to curse individuals with negative energy and consequences. Shaman curses are believed to be expressions of the shaman's anger or frustration towards someone who has wronged them or their community. These curses can be cast upon individuals, families, or even entire communities, and are said to cause a range of misfortune and suffering. The methods used by shamans to curse someone vary across different cultures and traditions. Some shamans may use rituals, such as the creation of effigies or the recitation of specific incantations, to direct negative energy towards the intended target.

Shamanic Curse Unravelling

The training of a sorcerer and a shaman are nearly identical, and it is the how and the why that training is used that differs. On this new workshop, created by Betsy Bergstrom and Simon Buxton we shall be exploring the theme of sorcery with a particular emphasis on the mysterious phenomena of curses and the means to deconstruct and unravel them. A curse is classically described as any expressed intention or wish that some form of adversity or misfortune will befall or attach to some other being, object or place. Curses may be intentional or unintentional, tended or untended, and in some cases can continue to effectively operate over many generations, especially those that may have been created by freelance religious professionals who would have historically be employed to execute this work.

We shall be looking at the science and art of curse creation, how they have been used across time and cultures to create mystical harm and to gain leverage in the Middle World, and will be seeking to engage in diagnosing and unravelling a number of different types of curse, including self curses, family curses, generational, ancestral and lineage curses, object and place curses and corporate curses. The work involves learning to establish safe protocols and align with power-filled, compassionate allies for protection and effectiveness in what can potentially be a dangerous landscape to move upon, leading towards remarkably effective techniques for deconstructing both curses and thought forms that continue to have power over peoples lives.

Please note: This is an advanced course. All participants must well-versed in shamanic journey work.

FEE
£845 (fully residential; fee includes accommodation, food and tuition)

Maximum number of participants: 24

All prices include VAT at 20%

Shaman curse

Curses can cause lots of drama and trauma! They can be the root cause of relationship problems and financial issues, in addition to health issues. Curses are energetic matrixes that have powerful intentions propelled by strong emotions. Most curses are self-induced and are unintentional. That’s right - we can curse ourselves! Unintentional curses can be set into motion by an inner critic. Unintentional curses can also be set in motion by others due to envy, greed, anger, and jealousy.

Intentional curses, conversely, are created by those intending to do harm to someone, typically using personal energy of the recipient, such as hair. With an intentional curse, a spirit can be tricked and bound to the emotional fuel of the curse by the cursor in order to enhance its power. Intentional curses are usually made by those who practice the dark arts. I’ve personally and professionally had much experience with unraveling sticky, gunky curses. My paternal grandmother was a natural at breaking them and thankfully, this gift has been passed down to me.

Whether intentional or unintentional, curses can perpetuate beliefs and paradigms that can be difficult to move out of without appropriate intervention. The emotional fuel is transmuted in a Curse Unraveling session and the intention neutralized. If a spirit has been bound to the curse to magnify its power, that spirit is also freed and psychopomped. This dissolves the financial, health, or relational problems that were initially caused by the curse. Additional shamanic healing is performed to address the trauma of having been cursed, such as Power Animal Retrieval, Extraction Work, Soul Retrieval, Transfiguration and Ancestral Healing, if the curse is a generational one.

Shamans, curses and superstitions in contemporary South Korea

Some shamans may use rituals, such as the creation of effigies or the recitation of specific incantations, to direct negative energy towards the intended target. Others may employ herbal concoctions or talismans to invoke malevolent spirits or forces. The effects of a shaman curse can vary, but they are often seen as supernatural and have a significant impact on the cursed individual's life.

Despite prevalence of Christianity and Buddhism, indigenous shamanism lives on in everyday lives of Koreans

Published : March 28, 2023 - 14:26

A scene from the episode 15 of Netflix original "The Glory," featuring a shaman performing a ritual. (Netflix)

In episode 15 of Netflix's "The Glory," the shaman character, who is involved in the antagonist Park Yeon-jin's shady family business, suddenly drops dead in the middle of performing a ritual, leaving viewers bewildered by the sudden plot twist involving a supernatural scene.

Shamanism may appear out of place in a modern-day revenge thriller, but superstitions and shamanistic practices are not far removed from the daily lives of many Koreans, even in their tech-savvy and fast-paced world.

Based on real events

South Korea has no state religion and over half of Koreans profess to follow no religion at all. Among those who are religious, the two largest groups are Christianity and Buddhism.

Shamanism is the only religion indigenous to the Korean Peninsula, predating any other major belief systems. Its ancient roots are probably why some Koreans still turn to shamans for guidance or comfort when facing life-changing events, or dealing with major illnesses or financial issues.

Sometimes, some shamans, or individuals posing as shamans, exploit the belief system for their own personal gains.

In “The Glory,” the shaman makes money by tricking vulnerable female clients into prostitution by falsely claiming that it can solve their problems. It appears to be inspired by real events.

In one such case, the police in Daegu arrested a shaman in 2009 for forcing a client into prostitution after she wasn’t able to pay for her rituals. The victim had initially borrowed 2 million won ($1,536) from the shaman’s mother in 2002, to pay for a ritual to “ward off bad luck.”

However, the victim was unable to pay off her debts due to the heavy interest demanded by the shaman's family. The shaman then coerced the victim into sex labor, demanding that she repay her debt. Over the course of six years, the shaman managed to extort a total of 1 billion won from the victim.

Photos of rocks that were buried in Rep. Lee Jae-myung's parents' grave. The rocks were suspected of being used in a shamanistic curse ritual. (Lee's Facebook)

Politics and shamanism

Shamans, curses, and fortune-telling have also had a notable presence in Korean politics.

The largest political scandal connected to shamanism to date involves none other than the impeached President Park Geun-hye.

Park’s relationship with her long-time confidante Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the center of corruption and influence peddling at the highest office, dates back to her ties with Choi’s father Choi Tae-min.

Choi Tae-min was a pseudo-Christian sect leader who was known to have an almost “father-daughter” like relationship with the former President Park. A Joongang Ilbo article from 2016 says he was regarded as the “big shaman” by the Korean shaman community before his death in 1994.

Several politicians are known to have sought the advice of shamans ahead of key elections.

The incumbent President Yoon Suk Yeol has also been suspected of having sought advice from unconventional religious figures during his campaigns as well as on his decision to relocate the presidential office and residence outside of Cheong Wa Dae.

Yoon’s 2022 election rival and the main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung recently claimed that somebody performed black magic on his parents’ grave. He claimed that stones engraved with kanji letters meaning “life,” “bright,” “to murder” and “energy” were found at the grave, which he said indicate a curse "intended to bring down the victim's family and destroy their descendants." A suspect has yet to be identified.

A traditional shaman temple located in the heart of Hongdae, western Seoul (Jung Min-kyung/The Korea Herald)

Fortunetelling for fun

Outside of politics, however, many Koreans seek advice from shamans simply for fun. Most tend to take the advice with a grain of salt, much like tarot card fortune-telling in the West.

Shamanistic fortunetelling usually involves face reading and "saju." The former is the practice of analyzing a person’s character from their facial features and the latter requires the shaman to analyze the year, month, day and hour of a person’s birth to predict their past, present and future.

The fortunetelling is carried out in small temples and cafes, usually located in the bustling entertainment districts near universities such as the Hongdae area in Seoul. The atmosphere of these venues are often open and bright, unlike the misconception that it would be dark and mysterious. They are usually squeezed in between restaurants, coffee houses and clothing shops.

Shamanistic fortunetelling is also provided via mobile apps. Jeomsin, developed and operated by local tech firm Techlabs Corp., is the most popular and well-known app. Having amassed over 10 million users so far, the app connects users with fortunetellers who can interpret their saju. The users can conveniently provide their data -- their birth date and time -- via the app to the fortunetellers of their choice. They can also leave a review on the fortuneteller.

“Shamanistic fortunetelling is just a fun way to kick off another year,” Kim Eun-hye, a 33-year-old office worker who recently visited a fortuneteller in Hongdae told The Korea Herald.

“The older generation in Korea may have taken saju closer to heart and saw it as a guide to navigate through life, but my friends and I see it as a fun way to interpret what’s happening in my life. It’s nothing serious.

These effects may include illness, abnormal events or accidents, financial difficulties, broken relationships, and other forms of misfortune. Cursed individuals may experience a series of unfortunate events that seem unexplainable or out of the ordinary. Seeking relief from a shaman curse often involves consulting another shaman or spiritual healer who specializes in removing curses or performing counter-curses. These healers employ various methods, such as rituals, ceremonies, or spiritual cleansings, to undo the effects of the curse and restore balance and harmony. It is important to note that the belief in shaman curses is deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual traditions. Whether one believes in the reality of curses or not, the impact of these beliefs on individuals and communities cannot be ignored. Shaman curses remain a significant aspect of certain cultures, representing the complex relationship between power, spirituality, and the human experience..

Reviews for "The Transformative Journey of Breaking a Shaman Curse"

1. Jessica - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Shaman Curse" as I've heard great things about the author, but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, with too many characters and subplots that never seemed to connect. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. I struggled to care about any of the characters as they lacked depth and development. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity and I wouldn't recommend it.

2. Mark - 1/5 - "Shaman Curse" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, with unrealistic interactions between the characters. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. I found myself skimming through the pages, waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. It's a shame because the premise had potential, but it fell flat in execution.

3. Sarah - 2/5 - Unfortunately, "Shaman Curse" didn't live up to the hype for me. The concept of shamanism and curses intrigued me, but the execution was lackluster. The writing felt amateurish and lacked polish, with awkward sentence structures and repetitive phrases. The plot had potential, but it was overshadowed by predictable twists and clichéd tropes. The characters were forgettable and lacked complexity, making it hard to invest in their fates. Overall, it didn't leave a lasting impression and I wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. Michael - 1/5 - "Shaman Curse" was a disappointment from start to finish. The story lacked originality, relying on tired clichés and overused tropes. The pacing was all over the place, with sudden jumps in time and inconsistent character motivations. Speaking of characters, they were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journey. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, further detracting from the reading experience. I found myself skimming through the pages just to finish it and move on to something more engaging. Save your time and skip this one.

The Role of Shaman Curses in Traditional Healing Practices