Unlocking Your Gifts: The Power of Ancestral and Cultural Roots
- Polly Behringer
- Jul 30
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Throughout history, cultures across the globe have spoken of supernatural abilities—gifts like clairvoyance, healing, telepathy, and other extraordinary powers. While many believe these abilities are innate or developed through personal practice, an often-overlooked factor is the profound influence of our ancestral history and cultural background.
"To forget one's ancestors is to be a brook without a source, a tree without a root." - Chinese Proverb.
Could understanding and embracing your heritage be the key to honing your supernatural potential? Let’s explore how your roots can shape and enhance your spiritual journey.
The Cultural Blueprint of the Supernatural
Every culture carries a unique tapestry of myths, rituals, and spiritual practices. These traditions often serve as frameworks for understanding unseen realms and latent abilities. For example, shamans in Siberia engage in rituals that channel spirits for healing and guidance, while indigenous African tribes may invoke ancestral spirits through dance and song. These practices are not arbitrary—they are rooted in centuries of collective wisdom, designed to access higher states of consciousness and supernatural insight.
Ancestral Lineages and Spiritual Power
Many traditions believe that spiritual abilities are passed down through generations. Knowing your lineage isn’t just about genealogy; it’s about connecting with the spiritual energy of your ancestors. Some cultures emphasize lineage-based spiritual power—certain gifts or skills are inherited or awakened through ancestral remembrance. By exploring your family’s history and stories, you may uncover clues or inspiration to develop your own supernatural talents.
"We are who we are because they were who they were." - Unknown.
Mythology as a Guide
Mythological stories serve as archetypes—symbolic representations of universal themes and powers. These narratives can act as mirrors or maps, helping you identify with heroic figures or spiritual beings who possess supernatural abilities. Engaging with your culture’s mythology can inspire and awaken your own latent powers, providing a sense of purpose and direction on your journey.
After my a shamanic illness and being treated by a female, filipino shaman in the mountain near our home in the Philippines, my mother began referring to me as "aswang". She'd say I looked like an aswang; my often unbrushed hair, wild spirit and dark eyes. I had a baby jungle crow as a pet that found me... and stray mice that I cared for in a coconut shell; these should have been a sign something was different. Some days, she'd go as far as publicly referring to me as "aswang" instead of using my name in front of her peers. I knew it meant witch, but my disconnection to my culture, language and ancestral history, left me to only know what I was told.
She might have been partly right. I understand the deeply, ingrained fear of what she was told from the filipino shaman in the mountains combined with her religious, catholic upbringing living with her grandmother with the added layers of the centuries of colonized history. And she might have been mostly wrong, based on not knowing her own ancestral roots pre-colonization and the conquest of the Philippines in 1566. I wonder if she wasn't clouded by society, if her ancestral knowledge would have led her to a different understanding. This leads to wonder for myself... if I wasn't limited to access or knowledge, would I have understood the full scope of my mother's interpretation of aswang... and understood I'm not as an aswang, but a babaylan as professed by the female, filipino shaman in the mountains.
Reclaiming Yourself: I wanted to interrupt the direction of this blog and remind you that you are not what others tell you. It is up to you to journey into discovery. To not be defined by labels others have given you - instead using them as a guide... either in the direction of.... or the direction away from those labels. The meaning (you find and give) behind that labels has the power to alter the potential of what is possible.
Embracing Cultural Identity for Confidence and Clarity
Confidence is crucial when developing supernatural abilities. Embracing your cultural identity fosters a sense of pride and rootedness, which can be empowering. When you honor your heritage, you build a strong foundation of self-awareness and spiritual confidence, making it easier to access intuition, perception, and other extrasensory skills.
Symbols, Rituals, and Sacred Objects
Many cultures utilize symbols, talismans, and sacred objects believed to hold spiritual power. Connecting with these traditions can serve as tools or focal points to amplify your abilities. Whether it’s a carved talisman, a sacred plant, or a ritual performed during specific lunar phases, these elements can help you attune to unseen energies and develop your supernatural senses.
The Power of Historical Context and Purpose
Understanding the history of your ancestors—their struggles, triumphs, and spiritual practices—imbues your pursuit with depth and resilience. This historical awareness can motivate you to persevere, knowing that you are part of a lineage of seekers who have walked similar paths. Your heritage provides not only tools and symbols but also a sense of purpose in honing your supernatural abilities.
I wish someone would have told me to look around and see what's holding space as placeholders of interest in my home. If you're unaware of your lineage, examine your cultural origins, where your from, look around your home and notice what resonates with you—the patterns, the colors, the books on your shelf. I didn't recognize all the connections until I distanced myself from the noise and chatter of those closest to me. Only then did I start to connect the dots that were clearly there, right in front of me. Pieces I collected, colors I used to paint my walls... resonated deeply with my culture and the babaylan history - all of this unbeknownst to me. Look around... turn down the chatter... and sit in your space. The answers are there.
Remember...
Your ancestral history and cultural roots are more than just stories from the past—they are living, breathing sources of spiritual power waiting to be tapped. By exploring and honoring your heritage, you can deepen your connection to the unseen realms, access hidden talents, and confidently develop your supernatural abilities.
Remember, your journey is personal and unique. Embrace your roots, learn from your traditions, and let your heritage be the guiding light on your path to extraordinary possibilities. The supernatural isn’t just out there; it’s within you, awakened by the legacy of those who came before.
Interested in exploring more about spiritual development and ancestral connections? Stay tuned for upcoming articles and practices to help you on your journey!
Polly Behringer
Holistic Modalities for Releasing Trauma
Babaylan
CREDIT:
I am grateful to Cedar Lee for permitting the use of her powerful artwork. When I craft a blog or article, I enjoy blending personal stories and photos that resonate with the message alongside artwork that complements the theme. Please note, this blog does not reflect the views of the artist(s). I encourage you to check out her other pieces of work; all very powerful.. all very symbolic.
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