{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthepathtothedivineself.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fa-shamans-approach-to-surviving-6f26cdb9","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"A shaman's approach to surviving christmas","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/c5feb9/c5feb909-cc39-4a79-8646-18f80ad2dd13/d52269b0-e282-4ffe-b613-403382100893/1544270342artwork.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/d52269b0-e282-4ffe-b613-403382100893\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"A shaman&apos;s approach to surviving christmas\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"HOW CAN CHRISTMAS TIME CAN BECOME A PERIOD OF DEEP HEALING, TRANSFORMATION AND SELF-ACTUALISATION? \r\nBY DIVING INTO INNER SHADOWS WHICH ARE CRAVING RESOLUTION.\r\n\r\nApart from being a commercial holiday,  Christmas was first and foremost a celebration of the arrival of Jesus Christ. \r\nAs a link to the divine realm, I believe he was a shaman. \r\nBut he was also an archetype for the highest level of consciousness achievable by mankind. \r\n\r\nScholars and historians, however, have challenged 25 December as Jesus’ actual birthdate, stating some details in the writings indicate he would have been born in spring. \r\nIt would have instead been chosen because of its alignment with the winter solstice. \r\n\r\nSo why is the solstice important? \r\nThis is the starting point to this bonus episode's discussion on how to approach Christmas from a shamanic perspective. "}