What Is the Spiritual Significance of Mount Shasta? 5 Things to Know

Mount Shasta is one of the most prominent features you are likely to observe when visiting the region at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California. The mountain stands tall at an elevation of 14,179 feet, which makes it the fifth-highest point in the state. While the mountain is aesthetically pleasing and is associated with many appealing features, there is more to Mount Shasta than a tourist location. The site has strong spiritual relevance and significance to the people that live in the region, as we shall see below.

1. The Lost Continent of Lemuria

When considering the various Mount Shasta spiritual attributes that have made the location significantly important to different religious sects, the best point of departure is to consider the lost continent of Lemuria. Some locals around the region believe that a lost continent called Lemuria is located beneath the mountain alongside Telos, the continent’s capital, and made of crystals. This increases the allure of the city and its appeal when it comes to legend and spiritual matters.

Legend states that the continent of Lemuria was one of the greatest continents in the world, rivaled only by Atlantis, the lost city that is rumored to still be under the ocean. Legend has it that due to constant conflict between the people of Lemuria and those of Atlantis, a thermonuclear war resulted in both continents sinking. While Atlantis was engulfed in water, the Lemurians fled to the bottom of the mountain, where they live up to date. 

While most people agree that the legend of Lemuria is simply a tall story, some locals have stated that they have seen tall, robed Lemurians shopping in the city. In contrast, others have said that they have seen UFOs made of clouds transporting Lemurians in and out of the mountain. 

2. Winnemem Wintu Tribe

The members of the Winnemem Wintu tribe trace their origins to the holes beneath the mountain. They have strongly affirmed that the mountain guards their traditions and cultures, and as such, they have a solid connection to the mountain. For many people in the tribe, the mountain gives them a sense of communal affiliation and well-being, which relates to their worship and spirituality. As such, they consider themselves the watchers of the mountain, obligated by their deity to keep it free from intrusion and its natural surroundings preserved.

3. Spiritual Pilgrimage

Mount Shasta is home to many pilgrimage activities for many spiritual adherents in the region. People regularly visiting the mountain for cultural or tourist reasons are likely to notice different tents and flags pitched around the mountain. These tents and flags have strong spiritual relevance to the people in the region. The spiritual aspects of the mountain make it an ideal location for many people who engage in pilgrimage.

4. The I AM Activity Religious Movement

The I AM Activity movement also traces its origins and spiritual identity to the mountain. The first mention of the I AM Activity movement comes from the initial encounter the leader of the movement allegedly had when visiting the mountain. During his hikes on the mountain in the early 1930s, Guy Ballard, a business executive who is also the spiritual leader of the now-defunct group, stated that he met a mysterious spiritual being who gave him some profound revelations. Guy Ballard claimed that during his encounter with the being, he had very in-depth spiritual experiences, many of which prompted him to start the I AM Activity movement.

The religious organization is founded on a mixture of Christian and theosophy teachings Guy Ballard stated to have received from the supernatural ascended being. According to his teachings, the ascending beings have acquired a unique attribute that allows them to transcend beyond birth and death. The religious movement had numerous adherents, even reaching millions. However, after the organization was charged with fraud, it was disbanded. Nonetheless, you can still find some people going to the mountain to pursue the practices and teachings of the movement.

5. Hidden Treasures

There has also been a comprehensive conversation regarding hidden treasures located under the mountain that have strong spiritual relevance to native communities. According to a legend, the hidden treasure was first discovered in 1904 by J. C. Brown, a British prospector. He discovered a hidden village with gold, treasures, and tall mummies, most of which were possibly hidden for a long time. When he returned home, he was involved in preparing an exploration team. However, when the day of the excavation came, Brown was not found and has been missing since.

Parting Shot

The spiritual significance of Mount Shasta extends from the traditions and legends of the Native American communities, the pilgrimage of the people living in the region, the lost continent of Lemuria, and the teachings of the I AM Activity religious movement. Many people consider the spirituality of the region a critical factor underpinning the popularity of the mountain for tourists. If you want to engage in a tourist activity yourself, you can also enjoy the spiritual attributes of the region by arranging a visit.