Bi-Sohn : Shamanic Ritual sending prayers to the Heavens
In our shamanic traditions, rituals can be intricate, complex and layered, but there’s sacred beauty in simplicity. One such ritual is Bi-Sohn (비손)—a practice to send prayers to the heavens. Rooted in the belief that the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—are not merely physical entities but divine forces that influence our lives, this ritual offers a direct and intimate way to connect with the universe. These celestial bodies are collectively venerated as Ilwolsungshin (일월성신), the shamanic gods of the heavens, representing the sun, moon and stars - embodying the unified divine presence of light, time, and cosmic order.
Best of all, Bi-Sohn requires only a few simple elements and your heartfelt intention to perform.
Bi-Sohn is more than a ritual; it is an act of sacred connection with Ilwolsungshin, the collective force of the heavens that guides and influences our lives. This simple practice allows us to pause, align with divine energies, and invite harmony, clarity, and support from the cosmos into our daily existence.
The Essence of Bi-Sohn
Bi-Sohn is traditionally performed outdoors at night, under the open sky, where Ilwolsungshin can witness and carry your prayers. However, for those unable to access outdoor spaces, an alternative approach is to perform it near a window, where the celestial bodies are visible or imagined. The ritual serves as both a prayer and an act of veneration, inviting harmony and guidance from these divine forces into our lives.
Bisohn 비손: Reenactment from a Kdrama
What You’ll Need
A bowl of clean water (preferably a white bowl)
A space where you feel safe and connected to the heavens (outdoors or by a window)
A clean body and mind
Preparing Yourself
Before beginning the ritual, it is important to cleanse your body. Taking a shower or washing your hands, brushing your teeth and face is a symbolic act to clear away physical and energetic impurities. In Korean shamanic thought, our bodies are conduits, and a clean vessel allows for the free flow of energy and connection with Ilwolsungshin.
Performing the Ritual
Set Your Space
Find a quiet place outdoors or by a window where you can access the night sky. Place the bowl of water in front of you. The water symbolizes purity and acts as a medium through which your prayers can be carried to Ilwolsungshin.Focus Your Intentions
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to center yourself or take moment to meditate. Reflect on what you wish to send to the heavens—prayers, gratitude, intentions, or even worries you wish to release.Offer Your Prayers
With your palms together in a gesture of respect (this is the traditional Bi-Sohn posture), bow gently three times toward the heavens. Speak your prayers or intentions aloud or in your heart. Visualize the energy of the sun, moon, and stars—the collective presence of Ilwolsungshin—embracing your prayers and carrying them to the heavens.Connection Through the Water
After offering your prayers, gaze into the water in the bowl. Imagine the light of Ilwolsungshin reflecting back at you, symbolizing the celestial forces’ response and alignment with your intentions.Close the Ritual
Once your prayers are complete, bow again to honor Ilwolsungshin and the heavens. To close the ritual, respectfully give the water back to the earth, another powerful guardian force that grounds and balances the energies of the heavens. Pour the water onto the soil, a plant, or a natural space, visualizing the energy of your prayers returning to the land, where it can be nurtured and supported by the earth's grounding presence. This act completes the cycle of connection between the heavens and the earth, leaving you harmonized with both cosmic and earthly energies.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of Bi-Sohn lies in its accessibility and its power to bridge the human and divine. By honoring Ilwolsungshin and giving gratitude to the land as a grounding force, we recognize our place within the universe and our deep connection to its rhythms and energies. Whether you perform Bi-Sohn outdoors under a starry sky or by your window gazing at the moon, trust that your prayers are heard and carried by the divine forces that shape our lives.
Would you try Bi-Sohn?
If you’re unsure how to proceed or need more direction in your ritual practice, consider booking a mentoring session for clear, detailed guidance. Together, we can strengthen your connection to the spirits, the universe, and most importantly, yourself.
