Several years ago I found a book called The Celtic Shaman: A handbook. It was a book explaining how shamanism was an important part of pre-Christian European life, and along with Wicca, helped to shape Celtic thought. This book was written by a Brit, to help other Brits explore their Shamanic past and apply it to today. Because I'm not from Britain (or even simply live there for that matter), some of what the author said didn't (and couldn't) apply to me. (It would be difficult for me to visit Stonehenge to meditate for a weekend, for example...)
Many of the Celtic symbols that the author uses in his visualization exercises resonate strongly with my past and heritage, while others that he uses don't seem to apply to (or exist in) the North American Culture. What I did learn is that I can draw upon a strong Shamanic heritage without feeling that I am somehow "stealing" (and therefore demeaning) the Native American traditions that exist. I'm not Native American, nor have I been raised in that culture. Therefore, I've always been hesitant to attempt to study the Medicine used. It would be difficult for me to have the Native symbols assume such profound importance. However, an important truth I have learned recently is how connected a person becomes to the land of birth. Because I was born in North America, and not in the British Isles, I have subconsciously adopted many of it's (Native American) symbols as my own. Ultimately, as you find out from the following, I found that my symbolic landscape is a natural combination of my Celtic heritage, and North American homeland. I bring to the world of the Shaman my own unique twist.
One of the first things I learned, however, is the definition of Shaman. A Shaman is one who travels between the world of Form and the world of Spirit. A Shaman journeys to the Spirit World to bring the wisdom gained there back to our own world. Naturally, there's much more to it than that, but as a definition, it's a good starting point. With that in mind, let me tell you of my first journey into the Otherworld.
~Flame RavenHawk
Sharing around the Firepit... please visit the guestbook and share your thoughts!