Top 12 Ball Lightning Folklore From All Around World

9. The Elemental Spirits of Amazonian Shamanism

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Indigenous shamanic ideas provide a different viewpoint on the phenomenon of ball lightning straight down in the Amazon forest. Many Amazonian tribes believe that these incredible orbs are expressions of great elemental spirits existing on Earth. Usually known by several tribes under different names, these spirits are usually connected with the natural forces—that instance, thunder, wind, or fire. In certain customs, ball lightning is considered as the visible expression of woodland guardians or ancestral spirits, supposedly protecting holy locations or warning of approaching threats. Shamans reported these incredible events as entities of enormous intelligence and power able to reveal hidden knowledge of the universe or disseminate information of medicinal plants. Tribe beliefs hold that these elemental spirits—assuming the form of brilliant spheres—can interact with the physical world and communicate with humans with the spiritual awareness to see them. Some legends follow courageous people who have teamed up with these spirits to get incredible insight into the secrets of nature or great ability. The tales also warn, though, that, without appropriate reverence and ceremonial preparation, these elemental spirits can be chaotic and destructive. Often narrating complete ceremonies and sacred rites meant to call forth or placify these entities, Amazonian mythology often incorporates indigenous plant medicines and elaborate chants. Many times, the sight of ball lightning in the rainforest is regarded as a sign of spiritual importance, maybe signifying the presence of strong energy vortexes or omens of major events in the lives of the tribe. This shamanic view of ball lightning reveals the profound spiritual link Amazonian societies preserve with their natural surroundings. Seeing even the most strange events as natural aspects of a living, conscious universe.