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Olivia Bernkastel

@livingwithkami.bsky.social
535 followers 135 following 95 posts

Licensed Shinto Priestess of the Konko Faith🌿教派神道金光教の神職です。I share about my life as a priestess and Shinto traditions. 📬Contact me at: livingwithkami@gmail.com | livingwithkami.carrd.co

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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
There are many people in the modern world who scoff at those that revere and worship the divine that is nature and all around us. Without convincing through fear (which is real in its own way) I'd like to introduce why it's actually very logical to do so as well
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
If you visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, remember please that the shrine grounds, the forest, the subsidiary shrines - all of it is a holy and sacred sanctuary. It's not a park at all, but you're in a place that is like church grounds. I hope that people will come to understand this
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
I have a great sadness to see the burnings of the shrines and temples around Japan. I truly hope it is not arson or anything sinister. Most importantly I hope they can rebuild and be protected against future fires
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Beautiful Yuhi Falls in Hakone
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
On the rainy morning of the Spring Equinox, we did our gravesite visit and gave prayers before the ceremony... The scenery was very beautiful and moving to see - grey and misty but the greenery and flowers of early Spring revealing themselves as we walked through the cemetery.
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Ilya ✯ イリヤ @cosmic-faerie.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
このビデオが國學院の企画展を説明されていた。神道や神様の関係と流動的な性別について展示だ。 本当に面白いと思うよ。 Video on Kokugakuin's specific exhibit on gender and Shinto/Kami. It's unfortunately only in Japanese but still worth watching imo. youtu.be/LxlqzXAYyx0?...
youtu.be
企画展「性別越境の歴史学―男/女でもあり、女/男でもなく―」を展示解説!!
YouTube video by 國學院大學博物館 Online Museum
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Ilya ✯ イリヤ @cosmic-faerie.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Apparently the name of this shrine 恵茶人 is pronounced エチャシト, and is derived from an Ainu word. The name according to Kotobank refers to the practice of releasing bears to run along the beach during festivals.
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Happy New Year from Japan! ⛩🎇🐴🎍明けましておめでとうございます!今年も宜しくお願い致します🌌
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Mixed fruit and vegetable offerings for today's monthly ceremony🙇🏻‍♂️
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
I finished preparing 60 Goshinmai (Sacred rice pouches) for the December month and New Years season 🙏🏼 When I finished, I humbly requested they be blessed by Kami-sama🙇🏻‍♂️
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Today I helped to clean up, set the altar space, and officiated a Kamidana installation and Fushimi Inari Taisha Ōmitama enshrinement today at a friend’s home ⛩🌾 Inari Inari Faith Inari Okami Shinto Torii Kamidana shrine foxes Japan Japanese religion
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Some reflections today on a series I finished and I adored!
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Today, October 22nd, 2025, marks 10 years serving as a priestess and toritsugi mediator! I am eternally grateful for these past 10 years and I pray for many more years to be able to serve Kami-sama and people!🙇
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Yesterday, I mailed out sacred items to Germany, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Australia, and USA. It's nice to see Shinto and Konko Faith growing around the world. ☺️☀️
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𝑪. 𝑫𝒂𝒂𝒆́ @christinedaae.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
As a mixed Japanese Shinto shrine maiden + a fantasy writer myself, I've seen many non-Japanese anime/cyberpunk fans trying to write their own stories. Some of them do a ✨great✨ job. Others... not so much. So, let's unpack how you can be a better writer, especially if you're borrowing from Shinto.⛩️
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Happy Tanabata! 🎋🌌💫
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𝑪. 𝑫𝒂𝒂𝒆́ @christinedaae.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Your local shrine maiden here with a friendly reminder to please not rely on ChatGPT as a source for knowledge on Shinto ChatGPT can’t discern between sources that are legitimately verifiable or not in English, so relying on it to explain the more delicate, detailed aspects of Shinto is unwise
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𝑪. 𝑫𝒂𝒂𝒆́ @christinedaae.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
The awesome @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social was referenced for her help with the Religion for Breakfast’s series on Shinto. She literally has a PhD studying Shinto and gave a presentation at Kokugakuin University about it. youtu.be/qlKeVY_FsVg?...
youtu.be
What is Shinto?
YouTube video by ReligionForBreakfast
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Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
The torii irl:
A photo of the large golden torii standing in front of Kogane Shrine in Gifu.A photo of the golden dragon waterspout at Kogane Shrine in Gifu.
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Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Found the perfect omamori (strap type) for #torii fans at Kogane Shrine 金神社 in Gifu! ⛩️😍 #お守り #神社巡り #神道 #Shinto
Photo of an omamori with a golden torii and small gold coin stamped with the name of Kogane Shrine on a phone strap
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Nice to meet you, my name is Olivia! I'm a licensed Shinto priestess of the Konko Faith, currently working at @yokosukakonko.bsky.social Please feel free to contact me at livingwithkami@gmail.com🌿 (Photo is when I was graciously able to officiate a wedding in Scotland, and my shrine)
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Some old photos of the offering of Kibimai sacred dance at our shrine over 50 years ago! Not sure the exact dates, but more to come. ✨☺️
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Even if you can't afford a big Kamidana, or acquire sacred items or materials from Japan just yet - I think it's good to start from the heart and have even just a space you can focus your prayers. This was my very first Kamidana from 2011, just a little alcove in my bookshelf!
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Ilya ✯ イリヤ @cosmic-faerie.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
京都御苑での厳島神社の水彩絵を描いた。 Watercolors I did of Itsukushima Shrine at the Kyoto Imperial Gardens.
Watercolor painting showing red and yellow fall leaves a stone torii and shrine building behind them next to a lake.
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
Preparing for the Spring Grand Ceremony at our parent shrine ☺️🌸
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Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
And did I mention that the Japanese Journal of Religious Studies is open access for FREE? You are welcome to submit a related manuscript for consideration! We publish monographs and edited volumes too. 😗 @jjrs-nirc.bsky.social
media.tenor.com
a black cat says " you 're welcome " in front of it
ALT: a black cat says " you 're welcome " in front of it
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Ilya ✯ イリヤ @cosmic-faerie.bsky.social · 13/04/2025
面白い祠に通り合わせた。矛の形があった。 An interesting hokora I came across. It has a spear motif
Stone lantern, to the left is a tall staff with two pointed poles in an X shape, attached to them is a Hokora shrine.
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
The cherry blossoms in bloom!🌸
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Waiting at the okekkai (barrier seat between Kami-sama at the altar and the worshippers side for toritsugi mediation)
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Photos from Spring Grand Mitama Ceremony yesterday at @yokosukakonko.bsky.social shrine 🌸💐 I'm very thankful to everyone who made it and even those who could not join us we prayed for them and their loved ones!
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金光教横須賀教会 Konkokyo Yokosuka Shrine @yokosukakonko.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Yesterday's Spring Grand Mitama Ceremony at the shrine 🌸💐 we are very thankful to everyone who made it!
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金光教横須賀教会 Konkokyo Yokosuka Shrine @yokosukakonko.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Our mascot Oni-chan helped yesterday too to greet worshippers!
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Yesterday's cemetery visit and grave cleaning as part of the traditional Spring Equinox memorial to the ancestors and those who have gone before us 🌸🙏🏼 this time, we cleaned up all of the pebbles in front of the grave too. It was such a peaceful and warm day
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𝑪. 𝑫𝒂𝒂𝒆́ @christinedaae.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Today is March 5th in Japan, which means it’s Miko day (巫女の日)! Not an official holiday, but definitely observed by those who practice or are interested in Shinto. Why March 5? Because of the play on words! 3 can be read as “mi” (三) 5 can be read as “ko” (五) As a Miko, I love today!
A selfie of me in Mikosan kimono with chihaya and kagura suzu bells! My hand holding kagura suzu bellsA tamagushi branch for sacred Shinto offerings A photo of me dressed in Mikosan kimono in front of a small shrine for Inarisama.
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Opening the Mitama altar doors for tomorrow 🙏🏼
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
Preparation of the offerings for tomorrow's Spring Grand Mitama Ceremony! 🌸
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Around the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, the Sun will set with the light shining directly on Kami-sama's altar, and it's always so beautiful to see! 🌸
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
This may not be exactly Shinto related, but I feel valuing someone based on their heart, morals, and desire to be a better person in spite of inevitable mistakes - will always be more important than valuing someone based on their worldly achievements, image, or perception from others.
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Our shrines Setsubun altar ! 👹🫘 In Konko Faith one of the Kami-sama we honour is Konjin-sama, who was said to be such a fierce Kami-sama like an oni. But even with such fierceness means also such great power, and so we should have reverence for even the rough sides of nature.
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Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
"But Kaitlyn, where can I read about alcohol and global Shinto?" 🥃 I got you, friend. 😎 works.hcommons.org/records/czj7... 1/🧵
works.hcommons.org
Do Kentucky Kami Drink Bourbon? Exploring Parallel Glocalization in Global Shinto Offerings
Scholars of Japanese religion have recently drawn attention to the global repositioning, "greening", and international popularization of Shinto. However, research on Shinto ritual practice and materia...
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三上(Mikami) @yoshizukushi.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
始祖(火神・軻遇突智カグツチ)とその系譜(經津主神フツヌシ)🔥⚔️
火神とその系譜
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三上(Mikami) @yoshizukushi.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
【諏訪大明神】 お正月は義実家でしたので初詣はお諏訪さまでした。早く鹿の国観たい🦌
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三上(Mikami) @yoshizukushi.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
【天苗加命】 經津主神の御子神で香取連の祖。摂社・又見(またみ)神社には、香取・鹿島・枚岡(春日大社の神神)の御子神がお祭りされております🌱
天苗加命(あまのなえますのみこと)香取神宮摂社・又見(またみ)神社について
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
I pray and hope, and will do all I can to support Kami-sama so that everyone facing difficulties, suffering, and turmoil in their heart can feel healing, safety, and a newfound sense of strength and hope to keep walking forward each day.
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
I feel deeply Shinto is a practice that can help heal the world, both from an individual and broad sense for all that is around us. The more that can be known about it, I feel very thankful as it may be able to help someone in their life. When we feel strong, we can make good changes in the world
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
I was browsing the Shinto-related articles on English Wikipedia and I just wanted to express a huge thank you to all the people who've contributed to them! They have improved amazingly over the last 5-10 years and I saw recently even art of the various Kami-sama has been added!
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
Happy New Year !! 🥂🎊🎉🗻🍆🦅🌌 あけましておめでとうございます!
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𝑪. 𝑫𝒂𝒂𝒆́ @christinedaae.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Some photos from today’s ceremony! It was my honor to serve for the year end ceremony at the shrine ⛩️✨
This is an image from a traditional 年越大祓 (Toshikoshi Ōharae) ceremony, which is performed at the end of the year in Shinto tradition. The participants are gathered in a Konkokyo shrine (hiromae) setting, with priests and miko (shrine maidens) leading the ritual. The attendees are holding texts, likely for chanting or recitation during the ceremony, which focuses on purification and starting the new year free of misfortune or spiritual impurities.This is another beautiful photo of the Toshikoshi Ōharae ceremony. It highlights the solemn atmosphere of the ritual, with participants seated respectfully and miko in their traditional attire actively engaged in the proceedings. The interior architecture of the shrine and the presence of ritual objects on the altar, like offerings and decorative tassels, emphasize the traditional setting and spiritual focus of the event.This photo beautifully captures the conclusion of the Toshikoshi Ōharae ceremony, where participants are receiving sacred sake (omiki) or other blessings from the miko. This moment signifies purification and sharing in the divine spirit, an essential part of many Shinto rituals. The miko’s involvement highlights their role in bridging the spiritual and human worlds. The setting maintains the reverence and warmth of the ceremony, emphasizing communal and spiritual harmony as everyone prepares for the new year.A group photo of the six Miko (shrine maidens) who assisted the Priest, one of the other students in Miko school, and my friend from France in the middle. The details of the Hiromae can be seen in the back
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Today I attended Tsurugaoka Hachimangu's Gochinza Kinen Sai 御鎮座記念祭 "Shrine Foundation Ceremony" where "Gochinza" 御鎮座 is the term for Kami-sama to rest and dwell upon a place. It was my first time attending as a Suukeisha of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu!
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Olivia Bernkastel @livingwithkami.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
I had a wonderful time yesterday with friends listening to my friend Dr. Ugoretz's (@kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social) presentation on the Globalization of Shinto at Kokugakuin University! I really hope she'll get more opportunities to do this presentation or similar presentation on the topic elsewhere!
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