Salt and pepper shakers are common kitchen items that are used to store and dispense salt and pepper while cooking or seasoning food. They come in various designs and styles to suit different tastes and preferences. One unique design is the salt and pepper shakers with a magic wand design. These salt and pepper shakers are shaped like magic wands, resembling the ones seen in fairy tales or magician performances. The base of the shakers is designed to look like a magician's hand holding a wand, while the top portion is hollow and serves as the container for the salt and pepper. The magic wand design adds an element of fun and whimsy to the dining experience.

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

The magic wand design adds an element of fun and whimsy to the dining experience. It appeals to both children and adults, making it a great choice for family meals or gatherings. The shakers can be used to sprinkle salt and pepper on dishes with a wave of the magic wand, adding a touch of enchantment to the culinary process.

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.

Apart from their visual appeal, these shakers are also practical and functional. They have openings at the top to allow for easy filling and dispensing of salt and pepper. The materials used for these shakers are typically durable and easy to clean, making them suitable for regular use in the kitchen. Overall, salt and pepper shakers with a magic wand design offer a unique and playful twist on a common kitchen item. They bring a sense of wonder and magic to the dining table, making mealtime more enjoyable and memorable. Whether as a gift or for personal use, these shakers add a touch of enchantment to any kitchen..

Reviews for "Add a touch of wizardry to your dining table with these magic wand salt and pepper shakers"

1. John - ★☆☆☆☆

I bought the salt and pepper shakers with the magic wand design expecting something fun and unique for my kitchen. However, I was disappointed with the overall quality of the product. The wands were flimsy and cheaply made, and the paint on the shakers started chipping after just a few uses. Additionally, the design was not as whimsical as I had hoped, and the shakers did not hold a lot of salt or pepper. Overall, I would not recommend these salt and pepper shakers.

2. Lisa - ★★☆☆☆

I'm not impressed with the salt and pepper shakers with the magic wand design. While the idea is cute, the execution falls flat. The wands are too short, making it difficult to sprinkle the right amount of salt or pepper. The shakers themselves aren't very sturdy, and I worry about them breaking with regular use. The design also starts to fade after a short time, making them look old and worn. I expected better quality for the price, and I wouldn't purchase these again.

3. Mike - ★★☆☆☆

I had high hopes for the salt and pepper shakers with the magic wand design, but they didn't meet my expectations. The main issue I have is with the functionality. The holes on the shakers are too big, resulting in large clumps of salt and pepper coming out at once. It's difficult to control the amount and it ends up ruining the dish. Additionally, the wands are too short and flimsy, making it awkward to use. The novelty aspect is nice, but it falls short in terms of practicality.

Make mealtime more magical with these wand-shaped salt and pepper shakers