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Onmyodo & Shikigami
Magical Taoism***
"The Way of Power," is the oldest form of Taoism practiced today. In Magical Taoism, power from the natural elements and from the spirits, immortals, and deities is invoked and channeled by the practicioner. Talismans are an important part of Magical Taoism: power can be channeled into objects for protection and healing." p 5
"Two kinds of power are recognized by the practicioners of Magical Taoism: those that come from nature, and those that come from spirits and deities. Typically, an individual who draws power from nature is a magician, whereas a person who draws power from deities and spirits (including plants and animals) is a sorcerer. In some cultures, the arts of magic and sorcery are exclusive, but in Magical Taoism, the practioners are usually both magicians and sorcerers." p 99
Onmyodo
Def. 1: "An "Onmyo-ji" is a person, usually a man, who practices the "way of Onmyo". Onmyo is the traditional art of Taoist sorcery and astrology, based on the
principles of "Yin and Yang", and also represents a mystical way of living in harmony with the forces of nature. Westerners will probably be familiar with
some practical aspects of Taoist sorcery in the recently repopularized forms of divination - "The I Ching" and "Feng Shui". I Ching proposes to predict
the outcome of events, as well as offering wise, if cryptic, advice on personal decisions. Feng Shui is the mystical study of forms and geography to choose the
most auspicious place and design for buildings, homes and living arrangements."*
Def. 2: "An Onmyo-ji is a person skilled in the disciplines of astrology and fortune telling, and practices "Onmyo-do" - "the way of Onmyo."
Onmyo means "yin and yang", the male and female forces underlying the movement and changes of nature. It is based upon the Chinese
arts of astrology, divination and Taoist magic. Westerners may be familiar with part of this ancient tradition through the recent popularity of the
Chinese classic "I Ching", Book of Changes, a form of Taoist divination."**
For a more complete explanation see volume 6 of the Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan.
Sakura in Blue Seed calls herself an onmyoji and uses shikigami she calls from her ofuda. Both Seishirou and Subaru from X and Tokyo Babylon practice Onmyodo. Also, the
Eastern magical elements in Cardcaptor Sakura are based a bit on onmyodo or magical taoism. The Li family seems to heavily use taoist magic, both Yelan and Xiaolang. Tao
priests also appear in Outlaw Star and Ranma 1/2.
Shikigami
Def. 1: "A Shikijin or Shikigami is a spirit familiar which a sorcerer uses as a servant. This is similar to the folklore in the west of the Witch and her ghostly
familiars symbolized by black cats and so on."**
Def. 2: "A "shikijin" is a slave-spirit who is used to carry out the will of an Onmyo-ji. It is a kind of spirit familiar, similar to the spirits used by the
witches in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" or the popular images in the west of a Witches "black cats" or "ghosts". To send a "Shikijin" out to kill a person is
a very serious matter for the Onmyo-ji who attempts it. If the deadly spirit fails to kill the victim it was sent to, the Shikijin may well turn around and murder the Onmyo-ji instead."*
Both the Sumeragi and Sakurazukamori clans in X are practicioners of onmyodo.
Examples of servants of an onmyoji, or a shikigami in the series are the white birds controlled by Subaru. From his paper talismans he can send forth his white birds. Another example of a shikigami
comes from TV ep. 1 with the crow Kamui captures. After Kamui has fought the shadows (Kamui calls them paper spell servants) that attack him on the way to school, they turn back
to a paper talisman. After the eye appears at the top, the talisman turns back to a crow and Kamui sends it back to its master with his message.
The birds from Madoushi's ribbons in the CCS movie may possibly be a form of shikigami.
*http://www.harapan.co.jp/english/kwaidan/Ujijui_Seimei.htm Kwaidan: The Onmyo-ji (1) Seimei Saves a Nobleman
**http://www.harapan.co.jp/english/kwaidan/konjaku_seimei1.htm Kwaidan: Abe no Seimei: The Great Taoist Sorcerer
***The Shambhala Guide to Taoism by Eva Wong
Further information came from links sent by Emily Ravenwood.** It is partly based on In-yo go-gyo setsu of Chinese origin. This astrology interprets the universe according to the five
Eastern elements and also yin-yang type oppositions. It came to Japan in the 7th century but developed in the way of divination more than astrology. Abe-no-Seimei, an ommyodo
master, was said to be able to predict the future (this reminds me of the Dream Watchers in the film, so this ability may or may not be linked back to ommyodo).
** http://www.hikyaku.com/dico/histxtg29.html
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/kyoto_ime/iro_ka_e/m_55e.html
http://www.sainet.or.jp/~fatcat/inyou-e.html