Osiyo , my friends. Welcome back to my World.

First, I would like to state this site is not intended to change anyones point of view or advise you your religion is wrong. This site is intended to just show you a different perspective on life and love.
I have taken a journey to explore different cultures and beliefs, and Shamanism and Wicca seems to be the most comfortable to me.
On my journey I have learned that different viewpoints that arise from differing life situations are vital to complete our picture of reality, and the effort to include them, to take off our blinders and see through another's eyes, can be tremendously enriching.

SHAMANISM

Shamans have long believed their powers were the powers of the animals, of the plants, of the sun, of the basic energies of the universe.

When we spend time in creation , we spend time with the Creator. On a shamanic path we worship the Creator by honoring the creation. We seek oneness with Earth Mother.
Go outside....feel the wind in your hair. Feel the sun warm your skin, touch the bark of a tree. Feel the power of nature all around you. Watch the birds circle, hear their cries. Smell the flowers. Nature is calling us back.
Those of us on a shamanic path draw our power and wisdom from the Earth, as this is an Earth religion. We embrace love of nature and closeness to mother Earth as our spiritual path. We do not seek power as such. Our goal is union.
All you have to do is speak to Earth Mother , from your heart, and she will gladly share her wisdom. Just listen with your heart. There are so many lessons we can learn from nature. It is all around us, willing to teach. All you have to do is ask.
For example, trees are the most grounded and stable beings on the planet. Their roots reach deep into the earth to provide stability and to locate nutrients. Spend some time with trees especially if you are seeking balance. Go to a natural place and pick up a fallen leaf. (Please do not pull one from a tree) Sit down and close your eyes. Holding the leaf , breathe deeply and relax. Ask the tree to grant you their strength, stability, balance and ancient wisdom. Or ask them a question , directing the question to all trees, through the leaf. Then listen. Be receptive to feelings, the first words you hear in your mind or your visualizations. Do not try to analyis the meanings until you are through. Thank the tree spirits before you leave.
You can use this same exercise to attain greater steadfastness in your life by asking the stones to teach you about this virture. Or ask the rain to teach you about nurturing.Or the evergreens about constancy.

When you find a feather on the ground,pick it up, hold it to your heart and ask the bird spirits to relay a prayer for you to the Creator. Or ask them for there wisdom. You can even ask them a question, but be sure to listen with your heart, as they will always answer.

I have only brushed the surface of shamanism to show you what is is based on. There are some wonderful sites and books out there if you wish to learn more.

OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUE PATH WALKERS


To bring back the natural harmony that humans once enjoyed.
To save the planet from present practices of destruction.
To find and re-employ real truth.
To promote true balance between both genders.
To share and be less materialistic.
To become rid of prejudice.
To learn to be related.
To be kind to animals and take no more than what we need.
To play with one's children and love equally and fairly.
To be brave and courageous, to take a stand and make a commitment.
To understand what Generations Unborn really means.
To accept the Great Mystery in order to end foolish argument over religion.


BY Ed McGaa, Eagle Man

WICCA.........

From the primal beginnings arose all magic and religion, including Wicca. Wicca can be decribed as a shamanic religion.

The word "Wicca" dates back many hundreds of years and means literaly The "Wise Ones". This is because the Witches of old were the wise ones of their village, knowledgable of herbal lore, legal matters, and spiritual fulfillment. A Witch had to not only be a religious leader, but also the doctor, lawyer and psychologist of the villiage.
Today, people have reclaimed this word in their pursuit of Wiccan religion. A Witch is an initiate of Wicca, one who has earned the right to call themselves Priest, or Priestess, through study, self evaluation, and spiritual living. Wicca itself, is an attempt to re-create European (mostly) Shamanistic Nature Religion, adapting it to fit our modern lives.
Witches are worshippers of the Earth and it's many cycles. We believe that deity is found not only outside of our realm, or plane of existance, but that it is found within every living thing and all that supports it. Therefore, we attempt to live in harmony with the Earth, and each of it's creatures. Wiccan tend to involve themselves with ecological pursuits.
Wiccans observe the holidays of Pagan Europe: Eight festivals spaced evenly about the wheel of the year, at the quarters (equinox's and solstices) and the cross-quarters (midpoints between the equinox's and solstices). They are called: Yule (Dec 21), Imbolc (Feb 2), Lady Day (March 21), Beltaine (May 1), Midsummer (June 21), Lughnassad (Aug 1), Mabon (Sept 21), and Samhain (Oct 31). Actual dates vary slightly from year to year, as they are based upon actual celestial events. Many Wiccans also celebrate the Full Moon, of which we have 13 per year.
The basis of Wiccan philosophy is found in the statement; "An' it harm none, do what thou wilt". Do what you will...but do not do anything that will harm another. It is as simple as that .
Wicca is a religion of love and joy.Wiccans retain their ties with Mother Nature. They show there love and respect for nature and live with Nature.
Wicca teaches self discipline, personal responsibility, kinship with our planet and its creatures, open-mindedness and the virtues of diversity.
Religion is a very personal thing, one which can only be validated by the experiences of the individual. Wicca provides a link for those who follow similiar paths to share their experiences.

When asked my Religion I would always say...Shamanistic and Wiccan. This always made people look at me strange or ask many questions about things I didn't have time to explain, or they just didn't understand. So now when asked I just tell them I'm Pagan.
As Christianity grew , non-Christians became know as Pagans and Heathens. The word "Pagan" comes from the Latin term Pagani and simple means "people who live in the country". The word "Heathen" means "one who dwells on the heath". These were terms that were appropriate for the non-Christians at the time, as most of them lived in the outlying country districts. The terms bore no connotations of evil and their use today in a derogatory sense is quite incorrect.