The Book I have been following and learning from

 This is a fantastic book for anyone interested in native american shamanism. I continue to work my way though the pages and grow. More on this book as we journey together.

5-Element Drumming Mini-Course — HealingDrummer.com

This is a way cool way to get in touch with the elements. I have tried this and it is way cool!
Element Drumming Mini-Course — HealingDrummer.com

Lots going on......

Since my time to post is very short I will give you a brief summary of what's going on with this Shaman the last few weeks. First I have started several structured study programs to expand my spiritual, and magical knowledge.
   1. Just begun the OBOD course for the rank of Bard, then on to Ovate and Druid. And after the introductory lessons I discovered that Shamanism is also a part of this Druidism study, way cool! Can't wait to learn more!
  2. Just completed my initiation into my very first coven, at a place I've always thought of as a spiritual haven. The way my high priestess goes about her teaching has always been simple, straight-forward and extremely powerful. So I am very, very excited to be apart of the first ever Sidhehaven Coven located just outside Rainier WA. As I mentioned before the atmosphere at Sidhehaven is one of peace and of the "Earth". Grandmother spider, The Goddess, God and the Fay all have alters there. And as a place daily prepared as sacred space you can't help but feel this is a place you can be yourself and a place to meet your gods or maybe even some new ones! Answers to questions you may have and almost any other spiritual curiosity may be revealed in this sweet atmosphere. They have public concerts and rituals there and its a great place to just chill if you need it.
 And if those happenings were not enough I have been exercising my skills in divination by doing almost daily tarot readings on my self ( I know your not supposed to do tarot on your self, but it works for me some how so I'm going with it) and weekly shamanic journeys as well. I can feel the spirits raising up in me and leading me forward on new paths and old ones with new vigor, way cool !!! This Waboose Otter has his tail straight up in the air and his fur extra shiny! Now to take a deep breath and reflect on all that has happened........ then back here to tell you all about it! So till next time Ah- hoo!

Weather

Haven't we all heard about the weather from our friends and others? "Gee its too ................ (fill in the blanks) today!!!" Why, I have been doing the same as well until I was reminded by someone very close to me that those of us who identify as Pagan celebrate all the elements! Wow, was I humbled! My desire to want the perfect temp outside blinded me to the fact that all the conditions of our world and the elements (not man caused that is) are a part of the life we live and need our reverence. So this got me thinking about a book I have been reading off and on titled "Weather Shamanism" by Nan Moss with David Corbin. To paraphrase some of what I've discovered  in this book; the weather is controlled by spiritual beings and those beings have in the past had a deep intimate relationship with us. So questions pop into my mind; could our weird weather be from spirits trying to get our attention and re-establish the once meaningful relationship we've had with each other?   My internal guide thinks there is something to this line of reasoning. This calls for more reading, study and meditation on this topic.  More on this later as I watch the sky and clouds and think about how it all relates to me.

Today is the beginning.

Often you hear sayings about "beginning again" yet these sayings often can feel hollow and don't feel like they belong to you. For me the Reluctant Shaman, and I'll tell you in a moment how I got that name, It feels like this day (02-15-2011) is a beginning of a new path for me.  So much has happed in the last couple of years that I feel many things have impacted this "change" day.  Now to my why I feel I'm reluctant. For about six years now I have felt a strong call to the Shamanic path. Yes most of us have had the little voice inside our heads pipe up now and again and suggest that we do this or that. Well for me it was just that way so many months and years ago. So what have I been doing with that "suggestion"? Not as much as I have wished I'd done. So this brings me to the subject of a new beginning I first spoke of.  This Blog is a journal of the sometimes crazy, eclectic journey of Waboose Otter- Shaman. How did I get to be a Shaman? I really don't know yet. By this I mean I have not journeyed back to the starting point for me in my many past lives and discovered what started me off on this way of being. I do suspect however that sometime in the 1300's in the Pacific NW area somewhere I was set on a path that (by birth I believe) brought me to being a shaman for a village in that area . I know this because I had a very, very strong, clear vision of me as a shaman back in 2007 about October. So I know at least in that life time I was in the shaman role.

Now as to what I'd like to share with anyone who stumbles upon this blog is this:

1. We all have spiritual gifting s and how did I discover mine.
2. Are you a "card carrying shaman" and how do you know?
3. What do I believe about the shamanic path.
4. What fun things can you do as a shaman

and other interesting questions once I think of them..... Until I write again....... Aho!