Greetings!

[eragon]

Hi folks!

I was wondering if all of you practice
shamanism in some form.

Lets get together here and talk about
what practices we use, or just talk
about anything we choose.

Eragon

[wolfdancer]

Hi Eragon,

I practice a form of Celtic Shamanism.
The Celts did not call us Shaman's, they
called us Ta Shar (vision seer's) among
many other names.

Wolfdancer

[vindos]

I don't practice Shamanism as of
yet, however it interests me a great
deal and I am trying to learn as much
about it as I can.

Vindos

[Obsidian]

Errm, how to describe what I do

Well I tend to be a very internal worker, my rituals are very much like my vision quests. I use meditation to put myself into a relaxed/altered state. I did use chakra mantra altering my pitch, tone and speed of repetitions to harmonise with that chakra but throat problems now prevent this so now I use CDs to put me into the Alpha, Theta or Delta states depending on what I want to achieve or which one is echoing in my head prior to a working. My tools are incense according to the day/planet, candles, a small athame and a Baoba shaker which I use at the beginning and ending of rituals. Depending on what I am after, whether its a ritual or just a journey of the spirit, I will find myself in a certain setting or being led to a certain place where I will either perform a ritual or learn something.

Externally I have a special place not so far from where I live and my walk to work every morning takes me through it. Its quiet that time of morning and I just allow myself to experience the now and connect with what surrounds me. I feel the breeze on my face, the rain, hear the leaves on the trees rustling, the birds singing and sometimes depending on time of year, the sun as it rises. I stop, I put down roots into the earth, I feel her hum like a huge Tibetan singing bowl. It grounds me, nourishes me and in turn I give a quiet reflective thanks as I return the gesture.... Always hate to leave.

I have deities whom I commune with. They are to me, part of my nature, teaching me and guiding me as I walk my path. Ever present, they are my conscience and wisdom and I love them dearly.

I also have animal guides, those which have bonded to me seemingly for life, whilst others come and go with lessons for me to learn. They take me where I want to go but also where I need to go.

So that is my practice. Some may say it is not shamanistic and maybe it is not. I am still travelling and learning. Whatever the case though, it feels absolutely amazing to me.

Hugs to All

Obsidian