All of us believe something that is shared by the Shaman. We believe in our own value. We believe in our own shared love with others. We see the creatures about us and see their value. We breath the air and know that even the air is important to us and others.
I am generalizing, of course. To say we, is always dangerous. Not all of us value ourselves, but most of us do. Not all of us value the creatures around us, and some hunt for sport, crushing the life from a creature just to feel powerful and important, taking only the head and leaving the rest to rot in the sun. But most that care to read this share our common values. Most of us care about each other, and see some connection with others that breath the air we share, and value the creatures from which we obtain sustenance, be it from animal or plant. Most of us have a common understanding of how things are interconnected in some way.
The Shamen have studied this infinite view, and have shared our thoughts over the vast times, and have learned from each other and value and yes worship these countless connections of all living things. We are all flawed, so no one does not fail in their thoughts and practices, but we all try to be more perfect in learning and in our practice as living and growing and striving Shamen.
Each human, no matter free or slave, tribe member as ally or foe, panther of the forest or citizen of Gor’s vast cities, has a connect with all in our planet, and the mysterious mist shrouded place called Urth, with our fast fading memory.
We are here now, and even the hunter sees in the fast dimming eye of the deer so recenly shot, as she offers a prayer to thank the creature for its life force to feed her family, and make good speed the spirit of the creature to the farther land.
The Shaman, with song and drum, ceremony and dance, word and deed, tries to bring all women and yes males, to a better understanding of this infinite connection we share with ourselves, and with all living things. We all share this mysterious air we breathe, and the life force we feel when friendship bonds us to each other, and love courses into our hearts, or the touch of a hand to a dying creature, hunted or seen as a special friend.
The goddess Freyja means a lot to the Shaman as a focus to show us the way to a better and clearer understanding of our calling, our connection, our dedication to this way that has become our path.
We see the past as a story from which can be drawn a warning, a realization of folly, and a guidepost to a better, more guided life. The present is a wide stage upon we act out our numerous roles of life, and the Shaman draws on experience and learning to guide someone who comes to us for direction. The future we see much more dimly, as a vast potential for good and alas, for failure, the future determined by our own choices, and determinate forces, and the runes rolled in the path not taken or chosen.
We call on the spirits surrounding us, whether it be our ancestors, or just those gone before, be it animal or human, to help the Shaman guide us in our support and direction of those who come to us. We are all a spark of energy, as a flame of a candle is that spark. No spark is wasted in this vast panoply of energy, and they are out there to help each of us. Yet most cannot hear nor are ready to accept. The Shaman has the ears to hear and the willingness to learn from this vast, limitless host of spirits gone before.
There is so much danger in this life, and so much to learn from this spirit world, that the Shaman in training goes though a ceremony to find their own special guide, a familiar, an animal spirit dedicated to be with them always, to protect and show the way amidst this invisible world of the spirits.
I have previously written about the finding of my own spirit familiar, lil Sain who is always and forever on my shoulder. If I were to die, she also would die, but you would surely join us.
Join with us when we call for a ritual, or a ceremony, or a grand three moon dance, and share in the glory that we all share, I salute you my friends and all that have yet to be my friends.
Blessed be.
Shaman Ecstasy, of the Sa’Jesuil Panthers
