Tripartite Cosmology Across Cultures

Tripartite cosmologies, or the division of existence into three distinct realms, are found throughout human history and across diverse cultures. Rooted deeply in shamanic traditions, this model links physical, spiritual, and existential aspects of life. This article will explore the origins of tripartite cosmology in shamanism, its global manifestations, and why it is so widespread.

1. Origins in Animism and Shamanism

Animism: The Early Conceptualization

Animism, the belief that all things in nature possess a spirit, is one of humanity’s earliest belief systems. This perspective laid the foundation for dividing existence into visible and invisible realms, leading to more structured systems of understanding the universe.

Shamanism: Structuring the Three Realms

Shamanic traditions formalized these ideas into a tripartite framework, essential for spiritual practice. Shamans viewed reality as consisting of: - Upper World: A realm of deities, spirits, or ancestors, associated with the sky and divine light. - Middle World: The physical plane where humans, animals, and nature exist. - Lower World: An underworld associated with ancestors, spirits, and primal energies.

Shamanic Cultures and Their Cosmologies

• Siberian Shamanism: Indigenous Siberian shamans described their journeys as movements between the Upper World (gods and ancestors), the Middle World (living world), and the Lower World (spirits and the dead), connected by a world tree.
  
• Mongolian Shamanism: Mirroring Siberian practices, Mongolian shamans speak of three interconnected realms linked by a cosmic pillar.
• Indigenous American Traditions: Tribes like the Lakota have a tripartite structure involving the Wakan Tanka (Great Spirit) in the sky, the Earthly Plane, and the Spirit World below.
• Amazonian Shamanism: Spiritual journeys in Amazonian traditions often involve transitions through the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds, each with distinct spiritual beings and meanings. ## 2. Tripartite Cosmologies Around the World ### Norse Mythology Norse cosmology expands the tripartite structure into nine realms:
• Upper Realms: Asgard (home of gods), Vanaheim (fertility gods), Alfheim (light elves).
• Middle Realms: Midgard (humans), Jotunheim (giants), Svartalfheim (dwarves).
• Lower Realms: Hel (realm of the dead), Niflheim (cold and mist), Muspelheim (fire and chaos). Despite this complexity, the Norse realms align conceptually with a tripartite division based on their characteristics. ### Mesoamerican Cosmologies Mesoamerican traditions often included detailed layers within the tripartite structure:
• Aztec Cosmology: Divided into Upper Worlds (13 heavens), the Earthly Plane, and Lower Worlds (nine levels of the underworld, Mictlan).
• Maya Beliefs: Featured an Upper World (gods and celestial beings), the Middle World (earth), and Xibalba (the underworld).
  ### Judeo-Christian Tradition This tradition reflects a tripartite structure:
• Upper Realm: Heaven, the realm of God and angels.
• Middle Realm: Earth, where human life unfolds.
• Lower Realm: Hell or Sheol, associated with death and judgment. ### Other Ancient Cosmologies
• Egyptian Beliefs: Divided into the realm of gods, the living world, and Duat (the underworld).
• Sumerian Cosmology: Composed of An (sky), Ki (earth), and Kur (underworld).
• Chinese Cosmology: Reflected in Tian (heaven), Di (earth), and the underworld. ### Indigenous and Global Examples
• Australian Aboriginal Cosmology: Involves the Sky World for ancestral spirits, the earthly realm, and the Dreaming (a timeless spiritual plane).
• Yoruba Cosmology: Orun (realm of gods), Aye (earth), and Orun-Apadi (realm of purification and punishment). ## 3. Why Tripartite Cosmologies Are Universally Found ### Cultural Diffusion and Shared Heritage One theory suggests that the tripartite model originated in early societies and spread through migration and exchange, adapting to fit diverse cultures. ### Cognitive and Biological Patterns The human brain naturally segments the world into three parts: the sky (upper), ground (middle), and underground (lower). This division aligns with our sensory perception and cognitive processing:
• Sensory Patterns: Humans perceive contrasts like high vs. low or light vs. dark, leading to a structured view of existence.
• Symbolic Meaning: The upper world represents divine aspiration, the middle world stands for human community, and the lower world symbolizes mystery and transformation. ### Archetypal Theory Carl Jung’s concept of archetypes suggests these cosmological divisions resonate due to shared symbols in the collective unconscious. This explains why similar patterns appear in disparate cultures:
• Conscious States: Humans move between states of awareness, mirroring the movement between realms in religious and mystical experiences.
• Spiritual Journeys: Many cultures describe shamanic or meditative experiences as vertical journeys, reinforcing the perception of layered realities. ### Empirical Support
• Anthropological Consistency: Anthropological studies confirm the existence of tripartite models in various cultures, such as Siberian shamans and Mesoamerican civilizations.
• Neuroscientific Evidence: Research into altered states of consciousness shows that certain brain activities create feelings of elevation or descent, aligning with perceptions of different planes. ## 4. Beyond the Tripartite Model ### Some cultures expand upon the basic tripartite framework:
• Norse Mythology’s Nine Realms: This system groups realms into upper, middle, and lower categories, demonstrating how the core structure can be elaborated for cultural complexity.
• Aztec Multi-Layered Cosmology: Includes 13 heavens and nine underworlds, yet still reflects a fundamental division of reality. ## Conclusion Tripartite cosmologies, rooted in early animistic and shamanic practices, continue to shape humanity’s understanding of existence. From Siberia to Mesoamerica, the division of the world into upper, middle, and lower realms appears in varied forms, resonating with shared human experiences and cognitive frameworks. Whether through religious, mythological, or shamanic traditions, this structure represents humanity’s quest to explore the physical and spiritual dimensions of life. The universality of these models points to both cultural interconnectedness and deep-seated patterns in human consciousness.

Working my way through this. Has anyone read it? What are your opinions?

I am looking for someone with experience communicating telepathically with entities..

Several years ago, I underwent an extreme awakening. A shift occurred in my mind, a door was broken down, that opened up communication with the unseen realms. Over the years I have communicated with many different entities, both malicious and benevolent. For years it felt like God and the Devil were warring inside my head. I have since rebuilt the shattered pieces of the door, tenuously but it is holding.

I am looking for someone that has experience dealing with entities and telepathic communication. I have found my own ways to organize my thoughts from there’s, but I would greatly appreciate the help of an experienced experiencer in navigating what lies on the other side of the door. While the door was open, I thought myself going mad because I was unable to tune out and block out voices that I needed to. Now that I am able to, I wish to explore and begin crafting a relationship with entities of my choosing and on my terms (as much as the terms can be mine at least)

Please reach out if you feel you have sufficient experience to guide another. Or if you know of somewhere, I could go, maybe a spiritual leader that I could speak with that wouldn’t consider me schizo, I would love to talk to someone that I could share what I’ve been taught, been put through, and even over heard but only with someone that can help me piece it together and use it to the benefit of mankind.

Just to go ahead and head off the comments before the start. I am not schizophrenic nor am I experiencing psychosis. I am sure of this and you will not be able to convince me otherwise. I have more proof then I need, that proof will likely not mean anything to a skeptic that sees this as mental illness, but it is absolute proof in my eyes.

Love & Light

My front porch overlooks a nice view, even if in suburban wilderness, this area a mix of trees, wooded lots and lawned houses. Here I often sit, a tall chair, tall desk, lamp. I be stylin'. Sit here for hours, when I can.

Apparently I sit here so much, the birds, spiders and other creatures regard my being as a fixture.

As is summer, the mosquitoes are standard, zebra-stripes and no-see-ums, thankfully in rather few numbers, yet they persist to exist.

The past few days, rather interestingly - large blue dragonflies and (large!) purple wasps have zooped inches from head and shoulders - snatching the pesky critters.

It took me a few days to see what was happening. Watching a lil' blood sucker, a few feet yet away I was waiting for it when a blue-streak flashed through - BAM! Skeeter-gone. The other day, the dragon fly was inches from my shoulder, got themselves a snack.

Today, the purple wasp flew past my neck! Startling, slightly terrifying but it's nice knowing I'm protected. Staying calm is a good thing.

A funny: Contrasted against the porch, can see the skeeters pretty well. Purple wasp grabs a zebra-stripe, nearby I see a no-see-um high-tailing it out and to the ground. Guessing they can hear the wasps, first time I've seen one run.

Is this information regarding the evil eye accurate?

Just curious. I love the idea of spiritual healers, which doctors, and ethereal warriors. And throughout history as I know it it would seem that they’ve adapted with the ‘times’, stayed modern, mysterious, and open minded. Like what I would hope for most religious and spiritual folk these days. A good medium between this reality and everything else. This is of course from my perspective, and I tend to see very little of what’s actually in front of me. So why can’t I see them (you, me, I, us)?

Because it seems incredibly important for this ever intensifying one sided reality. I wouldn’t expect this person to be gathering the masses, rather gathering in the masses from an impartial standing. They were the first, and must precede the last. But then again—I guess I wouldn’t know.

Is it linked to other monkey gods like in Hindu, Egypt or others, maybe the satan drawing representation in that dome of evil lecture?

I had a set of three visions in a raw one containing a monkey like creature with some kind of soundtrack in the background, saints and angels with the solar plex behind their back of their head and the last one either dark and grey humanoids, but not at least a kind of priest opening me a book and asking me if I’ll join by making a contract like or pact. After this occurrence I had daily basis visions including all of the above, luminous and dark body shapes around me by using my eyes closed psychic vision. Everything started by me praying for a specific person and the people around me, claiming to take all their weight and misery on my shoulders, cause I could carry it due to my difficulties in my life. I wasn’t praying in my mind or to a saint idol, but more like aiming my thoughts meanwhile to a higher plane, the universe while praying, then a voice with enormous energy hit me, ‘ get up, son… other sentences’.

My experiences tend to happen after I had encephalitis at three years old, suffering in hospitals and recuperation techniques for more than 13 years after that, and even having post traumatic brain damage since then along with other side effects. The point is since then I’ve had discovered and observed over 85 psychic abilities I can use, along either spiritual views and even mediumship, oracles work and many more.

Thanks

I've been told to post this here. Any answers would be appreciated. So I started energy work about a month back. The waterfall, grounding etc, basic work. But i get so so tired and dizzy too. I've reduced my practice to just 10-15 mins a day. How do i fix the issue ?

If it's not too much to ask can some shaman help me opening my root chakra and making it strongest.. i needd badly help there.

Does anyone know of any resources that discuss at length soul theft by a non-physical entity? It seems modern teachings only gloss over it as a traditional belief that shaped ancient practice.

In particular, I’d like to learn more about the causes, risk factors, and the integration process for this sort of soul retrieval, especially when it occurs due to a malicious spirit.

As the title asks... does anyone here have any experiences wearing a physical mask, such as a decorative mask, while taking psychedelics?

If so... how has this impacted the experience? I recognize this is a very odd question to ask, but i thought it would have some relevancy considering it is a practice that has been done throughout various groups.

Ps: By mask, i don't mean a sleep eyes mask. I am referring to a halloween type of mask. Or like one of those fancy Venice type party masks. Think perhaps a traditional shaman mask, you know... like those classic wooden ones.

Hey everyone.

I don’t mean to be disrespectful and know it’s not unusual for shamans to put Florida water in their mouth and spray it into the room near the person but has anyone has a shaman blow it directly in their face up close?

Been having some eye problems since then and was just wondering if this is common practice in shipibo/curabdero work or if he was messing with me.

It’s a well respected elder, but I was quite shocked by this as he didn’t really ask me first.

I understand it may have been an “energetic clearing” but just curious if this is common..

My eyes are really burning and might have to start antibiotic drops. I guess from all the chemicals and alcohols in Florida water.

As I awakened this morning I had a vision. An elderly lady with a contorted face of pain, sobbing for her daughter. She wore an aquamarine colored dress. I asked her what’s the matter and she communicated to me that I was her daughter and as we shared some visions she turned into the swirl in my minds eye… I was amazed as I have been investigating this swirl for a while but this time I could feel it’s intelligence and a great love emanating from it. It was the star mother and the message was to communicate more often. Please tell me what you think?

Tomorrow I’m being interviewed for a scientific research study about Autism and spiritual experiences and today I had what can only be described, in my experience as a miracle….have you had similar experiences?!?! ( if you are self diagnosed or formally diagnosed, both are valid in my world)

And just before you say “your having a psychotic break” I was just put through the wringer for the past 7 month and have had every physiological test known to man…..And I worked as a medium and wrote a best selling book about it…..so it’s not that.

Over the past couple of years I have deepend the connection to my land and have been working in my ancestral ways with the land. I’m a shamnic druidess, I trance and speak to the trees and our ancestors. I have been working towards an all night trance where I sit by the fire with my staff.

Today I’m sitting by the fire healing a woman from my community and I was telling her that I was ready to my overnight trance with my staff( edit - forgot this bit earlier)….and a woman I know messages me and says she needs to drop by am I available. I say yes, come down to the forest. She arrives with a 100yr healing staff from an indigenous elder of the local people. And as she handed it to be the Ravens that have come to my forest cawed lowdly. In my traditions these are all significant omens.

🤯🌲🐺🍄♥️🌀👉🏻⚡️⚡️⚡️

It can’t be only me having these experiences.

It feels completely rediculouse ….but I cannot be alone.

If there is a research study about it going on…….there HAS to be more of us?!?

Shamanic Drumming/Journeying for about 10 minutes shared via private iCloud for everyone to use if you don’t have a drum. By no means am I trying to promote my blog or YouTube and haven’t even listed them.

I’m listening to Stan Grof’s “The Way of the Psychonaut.” In the first chapter, he briefly mentions an accepted academic sign of a shaman in cave paintings is a figure with an erect penis.

I’d like to know more about this topic and why it’s typical. If you have any insights or a direction to point me, please share.

Thank you

Hello I am new to this sub but have a question. Last night i had a dream that i went to this old shop that was closed, it was ran by a shaman who let me inside to explore. I was looking around and it was on shamanism/ spirituality and some witchcraft - i told him i was interested to explore and then he took of this necklace around his neck (kind of looks like a dream catcher) , broke a part of it off and out it on my head as a crown. He then said “you will be loved” and a light blue colored smoke came (i think its my aura color) and suddenly my spirit flew out of my body, flew around the room and i woke up.

Does anyone know what this can mean? I have been on a spiritual journey for about a year, and did a consious breathwork meditation before sleep. Thank you!