Shamains - What is It ?

[Lynn]

Shamanism – What is it?
Shamanism is on some levelsreligious as it be tied to particular and fixed elements, with a specifiedideology that has been



with us (man) through millennia and is found in manydifferent cultural setting. It travelsalong two more common paths one being Native American and the lesser knownEuropean type.
The word shaman is loosely used foralmost any “witch-doctor” who comes into communications with spirits. On a very simplistic level a “Shaman” is manor woman whom is able to change in their state of being or consciousness and isable to freely contact or travel other realms or dimensions. From this one is said to be able to obtainand bring back with them knowledge and obtain powers.
It is still practiced in many partsof the world, including, Siberia, North America, South America, Indonesia,Oceania and
many others places.Shamanism has emerged in many cases without the benefit of written words. As somuch is oral, sadly many traditions may have been lost or are being lost in themodern day.
Generally it is understood shamanism is one of the earliest efforts ofman to understand his supernatural World. From this comes the understanding of practices that seek to gain somemeasure of influence or control of these forces.
On a very broad level it is to seekthe understanding of the Universe, the Earth, and the Animals on theEarth. To on some levels too understandthe bind of life and death cycles. Tolearn to control on some levels the energies that impact our day in day outlives. To become “ONE” with all that isaround us.

To identifying specific individualswhom follow the path of shamanism is very difficult as traditionally, they wereassociated with hunting/gathering groups found in agriculturally based societies.Gone are those old ways for the most part isolated now in some tribal fractionsis all? Shamans are now located all overthe World. The main goal of Shamanism (that remains consistent) is to go into adeep trance state of consciousness allowing one to connect with the spirits andthings that are beyond the physical world to help revitalize one's life onearth through healing,
guidance, or knowledge.
In the truest sense a Shaman is notjust a “Medicine Man” but is a healer, priest, mystic and even poet. It can even be said that Christian mysticismis a type of Shamanism. It is not whatmany think on as a “cult” or “sect” activity.
Shamanism is a path that needs noother’s to be with one to follow along it. It very much is about getting in touch with that inner
self or innerbeing. To come to accept that place ofbeing ONE with physical and nonphysical planes of consciousness. To be able to accept in the paths of bothlife and death cycles being just that cycles not a beginning of andending. Just one journey.
One of the most interesting paths isShape Shifting.

Simply put it is a shift from thehuman form to that of an animal
form. Done both mentally and physically, in the Astral Body.
One way is to be two in the onewhere ye are a part of the human form and part the animal form. Ye have the human aspects of thought but theinstincts of the animal in ye as well.
The other way is the full shift inthe Astral Body to be just the anima in all its form and beauty. To leave the human part of ye behind. Still attached but separate in the astralform.


NOTE: for all Shaman practices ye do need to bewell grounded and it does take a ton of energies to do this. To follow that path of balance in both Worldswe can journey. Protections as wellWhite Light or connection to the divine ext.



Lynn

[norseman]

Cunning/Wise Folk and their modern incarnation, the Hedge Witch had/has a large input of European shamanism combined with Traditional Craft.
Clue is in the name. "Hedge" is just an alternative to "Veil".

Easy come, easy go.

Originally Posted by Lynn

Shamanism is a path that needs noother’s to be with one to follow along it. It very much is about getting in touch with that inner
self or innerbeing. To come to accept that place ofbeing ONE with physical and nonphysical planes of consciousness. To be able to accept in the paths of bothlife and death cycles being just that cycles not a beginning of andending. Just one journey.

That's not entirely true. Shamanism (a problematic term in itself, as I have discussed in two other threads but won't beat a dead horse) is, and cannot be individual by it's nature. The role of a shaman is to provide contact and mediation with the spirit world for his community. The shaman becomes a shaman because he is usually forced to by spirits, and he receives training and guidance from his elders in how to interact safely and usefully with the other-world.