Ghedee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghedee (or Gheede) (IPA pronunciation: [ˈʒiː.iː.diː]) is the name of a secret society of energy workers in the coastal region of West Africa, primarily in The Ivory Coast and Liberia.The primary focus of Ghedee practice is physical, mental, and emotional healing. Ghedee can be classified as Traditional African Medicine.
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[edit] Ghedee Philosophy and Practice
Gheeds work one-on-one with individuals to facilitate change. Utilizing over 360 different energetic techniques, and regimens, the Gheed is able to create emotional, mental, and physical change. The intent is to bring about healing by creating a balanced flow, which returns the body to optimal function. The principles on which Ghedee is based are similar to principles seen in other energetic practices familiar to westerners, such as Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, and Tai-Chi. There are, however, specific fundamentals of Ghedee that are unlike any other system.
A Ghedee practitioner, or priest, is called a Gheed. Ghedee and it's practitioners are not part of any organized system of religion. While it's practioners may participate in the various local religions prevalent in that region of Africa, Ghedee itself is tied to no religion.
[edit] Mbec
The Ghedee Society is based on the understanding that absolutely everything perceived or imagined is mbec or energy. Everything that exists is a specific vibrational state of mbec. This is similar to the Chinese concept of Ch'i. By transforming this vibrational state, change can be created through the construction of a new vibrational state. This practice of the transformation, manipulation and manifestation of mbec is at the heart of Ghedee practice.
[edit] The Three Bodies
The Ghedee practice understands that all human beings have three bodies: an Emotional body, a Mental body, and a Physical body - all of which are specific, tangible vibrational forces. The physical body, being the end point of all experience, is the focal point of the other two bodies. The Emotional and Mental bodies exist "interdimensionally", meaning their vibrational state is not dense enough to have a physical manifestation. They can be experienced, but not seen or touched.
It is important to distinguish the idea of a soul from that of the three bodies. Ghedee practice recognizes the soul as a separate entity from the Emotional, Mental and Physical bodies. Ghedee philosophy understands the soul to be that which lives on after death, while the three bodies are a shell solely for the purpose of experiencing this life.
[edit] The Energetic Grid
When working with people, the Ghedee understand that the physical body is wrapped in an energetic grid of vertical and horizontal lines of energy. These thousands of grid lines form a sort of net around the entire body. This system of grid lines lies within the lymph system of the physical body. Of these lines, there are groups of close parallel grid lines that allow for a larger volume of energetic movement in the bodies. These close parallel grid lines are referred to as working grid lines. It is along these grid lines that 98% of Ghedee work with the physical body is conducted.
[edit] Blockages
When the normal flow of any body system is obstructed - be it the circulatory system, respiratory system, or the energetic grid - discomfort, disease, and even death can occur. Working in the framework of the three bodies and energetic grid lines, Gheeds work to heal by removing blockages to the flow of engergy. Ghedee practice seeks to bring the energetic grid and, ultimately, the body back into a balanced flow.
Ghedee philosophy explains energetic blockages are manifestations of held traumas in the Mental, Emotional and Physical bodies. Each experience in life creates a surge of energy in all three bodies. When the experience is not released, as is normal, it becomes held energy. Over time, further experience leads to more held energy in the form of a blockage. With enough time and energy, blockages can manifest as physical ailment and disease.
[edit] Gheeds
There are three types of Gheeds:
- Those whose sole practice is the transformation of mbec at the source of the vibrational state
- Those whose sole practice is the manifestation of mbec through the introduction of other vibrational states
- The Zoe, who is master of both
The first type of practitioner assists solely with removing blockages in the 3 bodies. The second type will often create herbal remedies for healing. The Zoe, master of both, is usually the leader or teacher of a particular group of Ghedee healers.
Practicing Gheeds adhere to a strict code of secrecy. While the existence and purpose of the society is not secret, Gheeds are bound to never reveal anything about the training they receive and the rituals they perform. Inductees to the society are blessed at birth, and can begin training as early as age 9.
When working, Gheeds follow a dress code of either wearing all black or all white. When working away from the Temple, they wear all white. When working in the Temple, they wear all black.
[edit] Ghedee History
Ghedee practice dates back almost a millenia, before the Wagadou Empire, commonly known as the Ghana Empire. From this region, Ghedee migrated south into what is now West Africa at the beginning of the 8th century A.D. These migrations lasted through the Wagadou, Songhay, Sosso and Mali Empires.
West African Gheeds have links to several tribal groups in that region: the Dogon, Mendé, and the Kru. Most modern Gheeds claim to be descendants of the Dogon people of North Western Africa, in the country of Mali.
[edit] Ghedee in Modern Times
Due to war and civil unrest in West Africa, Ghedee practioners are scattered, and the number of practioners small. It is unknown exactly where or how many members of the society remain. Most information indicates that Ghedee is still mainly practiced in south West African countries, primarily Liberia and The Ivory Coast. Outside of this region, Ghedee practice is largely unknown.
While much of traditional African medicine is unknown to Western civilization, Ghedee practice is even more obscure. It is likely that the many secrets and traditions of Ghedee practice will disappear along with the small group of remaining practitioners.
