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                                      WICCAN SHAMANISM
                                      by
                                         Selena Fox
                                   typed by Lewis for P.A.N.
                                         508-795-7628


     Shamanism exists in tribal ccultures around the world and has done so for 
centuries.  Yet, in reading most anthropological texts on Shamanism, there is 
little, if any reference made to shamanism in Europe.  Howeverm Shamanism has 
existed among the peoples of Europe not only in ancient times, but also 
through the present day.  During the Middle Ages, the Old Ways largely 
disappeared from public view because of persecution.  Yet they were not 
erradicated but took a more underground existence.  Today, there are some of 
us of European ancestry that are bringing Shamanic ways rooted in 
pre-Christian Europe back into the light.

     Wiccan Shamanism is a term I began using several years ago in an attempt 
to describe my own path of magick and spirituality in relation to the other 
forms of Shamanism on the Planet.  Wiccan Shamanism draws on the Old but it is 
not simply an attempt re-construction and revival of the Old Ways of tribal 
Europe.  Wiccan Shamanism blends both the Old and the New to suit the modern 
times in wich we live.  Although emphasis is on European symbology and 
traditions Wiccan Shamanism is multi-cultural, incorporating ways of other 
helaers and magick workers from many places and eras.

     What follows is a glimpse into Wiccan Shamanism as I know it and practice 
it.  While Jim,Dennis, and others who help with various aspects of CIRCLES 
work may share many of these concepts, I speak here only for myself - for at 
the heartof this spiritual approach is the idea that each persoon must seek 
their own connection with the Divine, within their own Self, rather than 
having me or anyone else do this for them.  This is not a path of a leader 
with followers, but a path where each becomes thier own leader.

*******************************************************************************



     I call to the Powers of the Four Quarters -- to Earth in the North which 
is the Realm of the Physical Body and Material Plane, to Air in the East which 
is the Realm of Thoughts and Intellect, to Fire in the South which is the 
Realm of Will Power and Action, and Water in the West which is the Realm of 
Emotions and and Intuition.  My Medicine Wheel is the Magick Circle which 
connects the Four Quaters.  The sacred places I frequent include a high rock, 
a crystal clear spring fed pool n a hidden valley and a circle of stones in a 
grove of Oak and Birch on a mound.

     I am a channel between Planet Earth beneath my feet and the Heavens above 
my head.  I become the World tree when I Shaminize, linking the transforming 
Dark of the Underworld with the Awakening Light of the Upperworld.

     I am the Crystal LIght that is at the Center of the Circle and is the 
fifth Element Spirit.  I seek always to act out of MY own Inner Self which is 
at the enter of MY being, for my Inner Self in the Balance of all the 
Elements, of my Female and Male sides, of my Lunar and Solar natures of my 
intellect and intuition my Inner Self is my doorway into the realm where All 
is One.

     I see the Circle of Life from the Center.  I watch the Seasons change as 
the Wheel of the Year turns and I clelbrate the 8 sabbats.  I connect with the 
dance of Night and Day, of Fair and Stormy Weathers, of the Waxing and Waning 
Moon.  I see the cycle of Birth, Growth, Maturity, Death, and Rebirth in all 
of Nature.  I examine the cycles of my own life and of the lives of those who 
seek healing aid from me.

     I am the traveler between the World of Daily Life and the Otherworld 
which is the land of Dreams, visions and Spirits.  I am a Consciousness 
Explorer. the Otherworldis as real and as important to me as the Day-to-Day 
World.  I bridge the Worlds rather than seeking to dwell solely in one or the 
other.  I journey into the Otherworld for a reason -- to bring back healing 
and knowledge to apply to Daily Life, helping others, myself and the Planet.


     I see the Divine in all things.  My friends and allies include not only 
humans but also plants, animals, rocks, winds, waters, fire, stars, and other 
life forms.  I commune with the Source some call "God" as both Mother Goddess 
and Father God, for both aspects are necessary for the Unity.
    
    The main focus of my Shamanic work is Healing.  I was called to this path 
as a young child in dreams and Out-of-Body experiences, but I didn't begin my 
work until my aduly years when I started Helaing myself.  To do this 
Ijourneyed alone into the Pit of my Shadow Self and came face-to-face with my 
problems and hang-ups; my doubts fears, disillusionments, rejections, angersm 
and hurts; with all MY false self images.  Words can not begin to express the 
misery, the utter despair the powerlessness I felt during this time.  Yet 
coming apart was essential; it enabled me to break through the barriers which 
I had formed and let others form in my psyche that had kept me from being one 
with my True Self.  In the deepest Darkness, I felt the Light of my own Inner 
Self beginning to shine through.  I focused on the Light and slowly emerged 
from the Pit, stronger and more integrated than ever before and with the power 
to heal others as well as myself.  As a result of this transformation process, 
my life's work became clear.  I now help others from thier own pits of 
negativity and become whole again.

    Yet my work also extends to more than Humankind; it involves bringing 
Healing to the Planet as a whole.  In my communing with the Land, I have heard 
the cries of the Earth mother, sorrowing over the self-centered, greedy, 
intolerant, and destructive behaviors of many of Her human children, who are 
polluting the soild, waters, and air; who are playing power games with nucler 
fire; and who are polluting the spiritual atmosphere of the entire world with 
their narrow mindedness and hate.  I am deeply concerned about survival -- not 
of the Planer Herself for all the humans in the world can not destroy Her even 
with all their weapons; She is too stong and powerful for that to happen.  
What I am concerned about is the survival of the human race. -- will we 
anhilate ourselves and many of the life forms around us, or will we wake up in 
time to see the larger picture, find and implement creative solutions to the 
worlds problems, and enter a New Age of expanded consciousness?

    The Balance of Life can be restored on Planet Earth; Harmony can be 
restored between humankind and other life forms; Love consciousness can 
increase and be prevalent on the Earth.  I, along with numerous other healers 
and ministers from a variety of spiritual traditions around the world today 
have responded to the upset of Mother Earth by dedicating our lives to this 
Planetary Healing Work, each in our own way.  It is this Great Work that 
underlies all the healing and other things I do.  It is the Heart of Wiccan 
Shamanism.



     First published in fall 1984 CIRCLE NETWORK NEWS;
     (C) 1984, CIRCLE, Box 219, Mt. Horeb WI 53572 USA.;

