Lessons in my path as a shaman.

[shadowfox]

Greetings and welcome to everyone.

My name is Shadowfox Mystwalker,

Since i have come back to Spirits Pathway, i have on more than one occasion been ask to teach about shamanism, so this is what this particular segment will be about. Please feel free to post any questions and observations you have, and i will do my best to answer them.

Also in this segment, i will be giving lessons, as to how i found and follow my path as a shaman.

Please i urge you all to read what is posted, but always remember this is my path, and what i do may not work for you as it does me. So try what i have posted, but also if it does not, ask your guides to show you a way that will work for you.

For that is what i have done.

I hope what i post here in the future, will be of benifit to all who read it.

May the great spirit ever make our paths in life as easy to tread as possible, and walk beside us during the times our paths become obstructed.

[shadowfox]

Here in lies the first lesson,

Grounding and centering.

Before one can learn to meditate I believe it is important to learn to ground and center first. Grounding means to feel secure, to root your-self to mother earth, to bring nature into yourself and to bring yourself into nature.
Centering means to find the ultimate, peaceful calm at the center of your being, stretching out to the center of where you are standing, to the center of the planet, into the center of the universe. It is a good idea to ground and center before and after you perform and magical rituals and or meditation.

A Grounding Exercise:

Take three deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Close your eyes. Imagine your feet are like the roots of a tree and go deep into the earth, feel the energy of mother earth.


A Centering Exercise:

Imagine that you energy is merging with that of the universe. Allow the sounds, and smells of the world around you to pass through you, like you were a ghost. Now concentrate on your solar plexus area.
See a glowing ball of energy, now let this energy expand; it has no limit on how far it can expand.
Now allow yourself to slowly become one with the universe. This is the still point.


Just these two techniques can take months to master. It always takes time and effort on the practitioner part, to bring these things into being. Daily practice is needed to master meditation, some find it easy, and others find it difficult, for one reason or another. For some it is fear, fear of what they may discover about themselves, fear of the unknown others have a hard time because of health problems. But in the end of it all they discover that they are the only ones that can do it, through meditation they become the masters of themselves

A word of warning,

No one is an instant master of anything, all takes time and patients to learn properly, so do each lesson one at a time and in the order i have placed them here. To do otherwise is to risk negative results. [/size]

[shadowfox]

The above is the spirit wheel, it is very important to my beliefs.

The Four colors of the spirit wheel represent the four colors of man, white, yellow, red, and black. they also represent the four elements, earth, water, fire, air, with the fifth element spirit being represented by the intersecting lines in the center of the circle.
It also represents the 4 cardinal directions of the compass.

The unbroken circle represents the whole of creation, it encompasses everything, you, me, the trees, stars, even the creator, it shows that everything in creation, is within the hoop. Meaning we are all related, all brother and sister.

Yes it may seem strange to call a tree brother, or an animal brother, but if you you think about it for a moment, the creator created everything, from the elements, so even from a scientific view point, we are related. Yes even to the earth we walk on, and the stones, we use for meditation aids. We are made of the same stuff. So what makes us different from our brothers and sisters in creation? What makes us so special?

NOTHING.

We are of the earth, wind, water , fire, spirit, as are the trees, the stars, and everything else in creation.

Here is something to ponder, what we breath out the tree needs to survive, the tree breaths in our waist, what the tree breaths out, we need to survive, we breath in its waist.

animals eat plants, We eat animals. when we die and are buried, our bodies feed the plants, and so on etc.

If you look around, i bet you will discover many different ways things are connected.

This is were the shamanic journey begins, in understanding, we are all related. It is in this basic, yet most profound knowledge the shaman begins to understand life, creation, and starts to garner his abilities.

As people use things like crystals, candles, mantras etc, to aid them in their meditations, i use the spirit wheel. I hold it, concentrate on it, call it into my mind and heart.

Think of it like a doorway. a doorway into greater understanding of self and creation. An aid to help us understand our true path in life.

In my opinion of all things i will attempt to teach here, this is the most important. A greater understanding of life, both yours and mine, and how everything in creation is of us and we of it.

[shadowfox]

I find that meditation in nature far easier, and much more pleasant then in a house or apartment although it is not necessary to be in nature to meditate. Being in nature i think brings one closer to the energy's of creation, and makes it that much easier to link to the energy's of creation.

For this exercise find a quiet place outside, preferably in the woods, but if one does not live near the woods a park is ok as well.

first find a place to sit or lay down. Make yourself comfortable. now take a look around you see all there is to see, how detailed is what you see, what do you notice the sights sounds smells tastes and feels. Write this down in a journal.

Next close your eyes and take 10 deep slow breaths. Allow your mind to go quiet. If you start to get random thoughts, gently push them away. until your mind is blank. i find it helps to think of a black blank page.

Listen to all the sounds that are around you, allow them to fill with peace. The birds chirping, the wind in the trees, dogs barking children playing, etc.

Then smell all that is around you, allow the sent to fill you with peace. Smell the grass, the aromas of the flowers, sent on the wind, everything.

Next taste all that is around you for this breath through your mouth, slowly i know it sounds kinda weird but you will be amazed at what you can taste, buy doing this. allow this to fill you with peace

Next Feel what is around you, the grass, the brease on your skin, the warmth of the sun, allow it to fill you with peace.

Finally open your eyes, and again see what is around you, the vivid colors, do you notice things you did not before? allow this to fill you with peace.

Do things look brighter, do they seem more colorful or vivid?
if not do not worry about it this can take time to master.

Write down what you felt during the meditation, the ideas that came to mind, what you felt. Over time you will discover that your perceptions of things will change. This is your first step into the world of the shaman energy practitioner.

Do this meditation daily for 2 weeks, then try to do two of the senses at the same time for 2 weeks, then try 3 and so on until you are able to use all five senses at the same time.

The above meditation came to me after a deep inner meditation of my innerself, call it intuition, or the spirits talking to me, or my conecting with the energys of the universe, i know it works because i now use it on a regular basis, and now i feel and see things i never knew possible.

[shadowfox]

The first and probably most important ritual you will learn is how to smudge. This is how i cleanse objects, people, places. Cleansing means removing negative energy from something, and replacing it with a more positive or neutral energy, or no energy at all. It is useful when creating your mystic tools, to remove negative influences within a house, person etc.
Things you will need for your smudging ritual.

1} a smudge stick made of tobacco, cedar, sage and sweet grass
2} a abolonie shell, or a stone to burn it on.
3} a feather, from a eagle, turkey, owl, but not a seagull or crow
The Smudging Ceremony

This is a Cleansing Ceremony. It opens most of our activities and
helps transport one into the calm focused world of spiritual gatherings.
A smudge is made by lighting a match (preferred to a lighter) to a ball
of dried plant medicines so that it smolders. The material is often held
in a shell or ceramic bowl. It is most common to use: tobacco, sage,
cedar and sweetgrass. *

*- Tobacco is used as an offering before you harvest anything from
Mother Earth. It is believed to open the door between our world and
the Spiritual World and carries our prayers to the Creator in the sky.

- Sage is believed to be a masculine plant and it reduces or
eliminates negative energy.

- Cedar offers protection and grounding. It can be placed at
entrances to a home. For extra grounding it is placed in shoes for
daily wear.

- Sweetgrass is a feminine plant that teaches kindness because it
bends without breaking. Because sweetgrass is considered to be the
hair of Mother Earth, we show respect to her by braiding it before
it is picked. In a smudge it is used to attract positive energy.*

* The smoke from these four dried medicines is pushed forward with an
Eagle Feather. When we smudge, we first cleanse our hands with the smoke rising from the smudge bowl as if we were washing our hands. Then we draw its smoke over our hearts, our mouths, eyes, ears, small of back and our feet. *

*- We cleanse our heart to clean it of resentment and ill will and to
open it to compassion.
- We cleanse our mouth so that what we speak will be truthful and
honest and said in a caring manner.
- We cleanse our eyes so that they will see the Truth in the world, the
beauty of Mother Earth and the gifts of the Creator.
- We cleanse our ears so that we will clearly hear the messages of
others and understand the truth.
- We cleanse the small of our backs so that we will release anger
gathered there, open ourselves to positive energy and heal.
- We cleanse our feet so that we will walk the True Path, walker
closer to our friends and families and easily flee our enemies.*
If cleansing an object, first smudge the area you will be using to cast your circle. Then cast your circle and call the elements. Please make sure, that the item you are cleansing is within the circle.

next smudge yourself using the technique described above.

Now kneeling within the center of the circle place the smudge stick on its burning plate, and place it on the ground before you facing east. Now pick up the item you are cleansing in both hands.

Pass the item through the smoke and say" by the power of fire do i cleanse this object, may the element of fire burn away all impurities" envision the item being engulfed in flame. Allow the fire to burn until it goes out.

Next face the south.
Again pass the item through the smoke and say "by the power of water do i cleans this item, may the element of water wash away all impurities" envision the item submerged in a swift moving steam, allow the water to wash the item until it is clean.

Next face the west.
Again pass the item through the smoke and say" by the power of air do i cleans this item, may the element of air blow away any impurities" picture the item within a tornado, allow the tornado continue until the item is clean.

next face the north.
Pass the item through the smoke and say"by the power of earth, do i cleans this item, may the element of earth bury all impurities" picture the item being burried in a deep hole. leave it there for a few moments then dig it up seeing it clean.

Next hold the item above your head and say" by the power of spirit do i cleans this object, may the element of spirit which is in all things recreate this item in its purest form." Picture the item being formed from the smoke until it is whole.

CONGRATULATIONS your item is now cleansed.

[shadowfox]

I have seen many elaborate circles created for ritual use, and meditation purposes, they all have an energy about them, a serenity that is unmatched anywhere in nature, except places of power. This is because of the energy's that one or more people divest into its creation, and use over time.
A spirit circle to a shaman, is a holy place, a place to do meditation, spirit work, dream work, spell work, etc. It is the physical representation, of the interactions of the universe as he is shown and sees it.
A shaman has no need for an alter, for nature is his alter, he can create a spirit wheel anywhere, at any time, but they are usually created in a place of power, making them that much more effective.
Items you will need to call the elements and cast the circle.

1} your smudging items.
2} a pipe, corn cob or an Indian peace pipe are good.
3} tobacco to place in pipe and burn.
First cleans the area using the smudging ritual above. Always remember to smudge yourself first.
then fill the pipe with tobacco and light it, take a few puffs to ensure it is light, you do not have to inhale.

starting at the east point of the circle take a few puffs then present the pipe stem first to the east. and say" I call apon the spirit guardian of the east "the great pheonix". Bird of fire and rebirth, come to my circle to watch and protect and partake as you deem necessary" envision the pheonix taking a puff from the pipe in acceptance to your request.

next go to the south, Take a few puffs from the pipe, then extend the pipe stem outwards and say" I call apon the guardian spirit of the south, "the Great Whale". Delver of the deep. King of the waters. Come to my circle to watch, partake, and protect as you deem necessary." envision the whale taking a puff from the pipe in acceptance to your request.

Next go to the west. Take a few puffs from the pipe, then extend the pipe stem outward, and say " I call apon the spirit guardian of the west. The great eagle. Master of the air, King of the currents of the sky. Come to my circle to watch, partake,and protect as you deem necessary." envision the eagle taking a few puffs from your pipe, in acceptance to your request.

Next go to the north. Take a few puffs from the pipe. then extend the pipe stem outward, and say " I call apon the spirit guardian of the north, the ant. King of the earth, delver of the deep, knower of the deep secrets. Come to my circle, to watch partake and protect as you deem necessary." envision the ant taking a puff from your pipe in acceptance to your request.

Now walk to the center of the circle, take a few puffs, and then extend the pipe, above you with stem skyward, and say " I call apon the spirit of the creator, he whom is of all things. Maker of all that exists, both above and below. Come to my circle to watch, partake, and protect, as you deem necessary.

Now standing in the center of your circle, take a few puffs from the pipe and feel the energy of the elements around you, within you. Facing east, with pipe extended and stem pointing at the ground, say " I close this circle that is guarded well by the powers of creation, let no evil or negativity enter or leave, Guide me in all i do, fill me with the love and knowledge of the universe, allow me to see the unseen, fell the un felt, hear the unheard, touch the untouchable, and taste the untasted.
The animals i used in my ritual were ones shown to me, in a dream, as was the ritual, these animals may not be your animals. Meditate on the Spirit Wheel and soon your elemental animals will come to you, and replace mine with yours.

The pipe and tobacco is use as a offering, to the elements, to entice them to appear, It is believed to open the door between our world and the Spiritual World and carries our prayers to the Creator in the sky.

[shadowfox]

Some call it the spirit walk, some call it finding the spirit world. There are many different names for it, my name for it is Walking the Mist.

This is how I find my guides, and hidden knowledge that the spirit guides will lead you to if you ask them the right questions.

The reason i call it Walking the Mist is when i enter the spirit world, through meditation, the world is covered in Mist, it is only through the help of my spirit guides that i am able to find my way to what i seek, so the questions i ask and the intent i have is of great importance.

I am told by my guides, the Realm of the Spirits of Memory is shrouded, so i can not stumble upon knowledge that is not meant for me, or knowledge i am not ready for yet. It also hides me from the negative influences, that also reside within the Realm of the Spirits of Memory.

Walking the Mist is not to be taken lightly, it can be both positive and negative, so one must be prepared. Knowing what you are going there for, and being able to sense the energy's around you is very important.

Always remember not all spirits are a positive influence. Some will try to lead you down a negative path. Yes the balance of the universe is also within the Realm of the Spirits of Memory.

Who can you meet in the Relm of the Spirits of Memory?

Well now, that is a good question, and i will do my best to answer it.

The Realm of the Spirits of Memory as i call it, is where the Spirits of Memory, live. What are the Spirits of Memory, you ask? Well to learn this please read my creation story. As it is the basis of my beliefs.

In essence it is the spirit world, were one meets his Spirit Guides, and learns of hidden knowledge. the Spirits of Memory as i call them, are guides within this realm, and with out them one can easily fall pray to the negative Spirits that also reside within this realm, and find themselves lost within the mists.

The Realm of the Spirits of Memory consists of 3 different layers, which also have infinite layers themselves. The three basic layers are:

1. The higher layer, here resides the higher beings of the realm. Angles, gods, and also Spirits of Memory as well.

2.The mid layer, this layer is the closest layer to our existence, and is usually the layer we enter on a spirit walk.

3.The lower layer, contrary to popular belief this layer is not completely inhabited by negative spirits and beings, this area is also home to the dead. Spirits awaiting to be reborn to a new life on our plane of existence.

Residing within the Realm of the Spirits of Memory, are the Spirits themselves. These are not just animal spirits, but also people, ancestors, plants , stones, crystals, and the elements themselves.

All things can teach us of the path we walk, and they all reside within this Realm of existence. This realm is the realm of mystery and wonder, all things can be learned, if one knows the right questions to ask your guides, and your intentions are proper.

Now when it comes to animal guides, not just natural creatures are present, but also creatures of myth and legend, so do not be surprised if you happen to see a griffin, or a dragon, as they all are present, even elves, fairies, and other wondrous creatures exist here. Although you may not see them, unless they have something you need to learn.

Once again i remind you that not all guides are helpful, some will try to lead you astray, some even try to steal or barter for a piece of your soul, which is a precious commodity to beings of negative influence.



Hmmmmm, now comes the actual "how I" walk the mist. As i have said before it is not for everyone, and is not "safe" as many beliefs would have you believe, so one must be prepared.

Prepared how you ask? Well there are a few things you need to know and do first, so you will be as safe as possible.

First one MUST be able to meditate, as i have said many times before meditation is the key to many of a mystics abilities.

The first and second meditations are very important, as they allow you to feel the energy around you and to see how you are linked to all creation.

Armed with these two abilities and knowledge, one is far safer, than without them. These abilities will allow you to know if a spirit is of benefit to you or not.

But even these abilities and knowledge do not guarantee your safety in The Realm of the Spirit of Memory.

So what can i do to make my journey as safe as possible? Well that question is not as easily answered as one might think.

First one must find a place in nature to do it. Before you look for this sacred place, you need to smudge your self using the smudging ritual i outlined before. Then you must ask the Great Spirit, for guidance in looking for your sacred place.

To do this sit and meditate, with the intent of talking to the Great spirit, burning tobacco will help, as it has the power of carrying your prayers to the Great Spirit. Your intentions must be pure, for if you have any negativity, then your journey has already failed. A shaman is all about the love of all things, once one has this then there is no room for negativity.

See not as easy as you thought is it? Well it gets even better

.What is a sacred place? Well in nature there are places that have an energy about them, that is more than just the energy of the 5 elements, a place were all things seem to reside in perfect harmony. The energy of the area is enhanced by this harmony, and if one can feel the energy it will bring great peace within. Even those that can not notice how peaceful the area is, and feel comfortable within the boundary of this place.

Ok so now you know a little bit about what you are looking for, but once again finding a sacred place is not as easy as it sounds, you can look for weeks and never find it, or you could walk out your front door and BANG there it is.

Again i can not emphasize enough how important it is to master the two meditations i have shown you earlier, for they help a great deal when it comes to sensing energy's.

Next you actually need to go looking for your sacred place. Ya i know seems like a lot of work, oh well get use to it lol. This is not a path for the meek or the lazy. It takes a lot of work both mental and physical.

Start your walk, and keep your scenes about you, remember you need to FEEL what you are looking for.

Do not be suprized if you do not find one on the first try, it can take some time, and many attempts. But just keep looking. Eventually you will find one.


Ok so now you have found your sacred space. Awesome, good for you. I knew you would.

Now that you have found it just what do you do with it? Well get ready for some work.

soon to come, how to create a sacred space

[sunshine]

Many thanks indeed Shadowfox, i've been looking for something like this to guide me, i've been practising the grounding and centering for a few weeks now, and i'm finding that since i've let go of my fear of the unknown things are really starting to happen, i will follow your advise in this posting, what a great informative post !!
Love to you,
Sunshine xxx :-)