[expand]The Scythian sky cosmology organized universe vertically. The earth was middle realm where humans lived, observable and tangible. The sky above contained multiple layers or regions—lower atmosphere where weather occurred, higher reaches where celestial bodies moved, uppermost realm where Tengri dwelled in glory. Below earth lay underworld or lower regions (theology varied), realm of dead or chthonic powers. This vertical organization created cosmic axis, pole connecting realms, pathway souls traveled after death ascending toward sky or descending toward darkness.
The shamans traveled this vertical axis during trance journeys. Their souls climbed upward through atmospheric layers, passing through regions inhabited by various spirits or supernatural beings, eventually reaching Tengri’s celestial court. The journey was dangerous—hostile spirits might attack ascending soul, atmospheric barriers could trap unprepared travelers, reaching Tengri required proper knowledge and protection. Experienced shamans made journey safely, bringing back prophecies or divine commands. Inexperienced or foolish practitioners might become lost, their bodies remaining comatose while souls wandered celestial realms unable to find return path.
The concept of “Tengri’s will” governed fate and fortune. When warrior survived battle wounds that should have killed, this was Tengri determining survival. When apparently healthy person died suddenly, this was Tengri recalling soul to heaven. When storm destroyed one camp but spared neighboring settlement, this was Tengri’s selective judgment. The mechanism was not necessarily personal intervention—Tengri was too vast and mighty to concern himself with every sparrow’s fall—but rather cosmic order Tengri established operating through natural law that humans experienced as divine will.
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