For those who follow this tradition feel it is a culmination of both witchcraft and shamanism by means of blending techniques and practices that work well together.  The witchcraft aspect of this path covers not only craft work - magick, but covers the religious part of the tradition while shamanism covers the art of using techniques for healing, journeying, working with nature, and healing the spirit. We choose to weave both into a marriage of compatibility and good ethics while retaining respect for both, gaining the ultimate achievement of spiritual and physical satisfaction and health.  It is a path of personal responsibility, dedication, and service to the community and to one's chosen gods.  We either rise or fall within our own actions, and can only blame ourselves for the result of our actions.  Everything is a part of the whole of who you are - like a diamond you radiate that which you are from within.  And it is by the choices we make that we live as we do.

 

     It is quite difficult to explain to the populace in a few words what more it is, as it is defined differently as it is experienced in the view of the practitioner.  In our belief Mystic Shamanism was a way of life practiced by the Ancients for thousands of years, and it is a life path choice which completes us. For people whom are more attuned to the Faerie - or to be more precise feel they are faerie folk themselves in one manner or another, or take the label of Otherkin, follow this path for it completes them as well.  It fills in the gaps where other paths fail to.  The foundations of ancient religion and spirituality, the core beliefs are not truly known because there was and still is no written record nor historical record of how the Old Ones lived, so we work with what we do have.  It is how you conduct oneself that defines the foundation of any religious, spiritual, or shamanic practice. The core of the wisdom is hidden in centuries of fragments unearthed across the world. The red and silver path we walk can be found in many pagan cultures and religious structure, even though time has reflected the necessary changes for its survival to coincide with today's needs. Nothing is ever just black and white. One needs to learn how to read the grey areas to create the picture you are attempting to envision.

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     The tradition we practice is not about psychedelic drugs or power trips, séances and mystic proverbs uttered in candlelight pouring out of the mouths of false mediums like a side show.  We honor our ancestors and show love and respect for those whom have passed on.  It is not a dogma where you study it one day a week then forget it the rest of the week.  Mystic Shamanism is not a fad or a newly made up religion. It is based on research and other methods of gaining information.  It is not a path to tread lightly or to follow just because “Mrs. Jones is doing it too,” or “gee, this sounds cool“.  It is not Wicca.  This Tradition is not a branch of Wicca.  We do not follow the Wiccan Rede nor copy Wiccan Traditions.  We do not state that Wicca is lesser or greater than our tradition, Wicca is a religion which was developed in the 20th century from a body of teachings introduced in the 1950's by Gerald Gardner.  Our beliefs have existed and flow in our blood prior to Gardner’s work. In our view and belief, we are Pagans. We choose to be called as such.  Our Pagan ways long  surpass Wicca' s birth.  This path is also not by any means a sure fire way to make money and sell to the “weak minded”, or permission to gain unearned titles or ranks for the sake of attention or false authority.  It is not a “here today, gone tomorrow” life style.  It is not Satanism.  We are not devil worshipers, we do not know of the concept of the devil, which is a Christian concept.  Also, our sexual preferences are not for public discussion, although some would assume we are bisexuals, lesbians or gay.  You will find that the majority of the time it is not the case.   Please respect the privacy we deserve  as we respect yours.

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     While Mystic Shamanism is a life path steeped in ancient traditions it is always evolving. Everything evolves - no matter what people may tell you. The traditions of yesteryear are updated to coincide with today’s needs. Also, what one thing is good for you may not always be for everyone, otherwise there would be no diversity in the world. What we do today, what we practice in our daily lives, will never be what our ancestors did exactly to the letter - but it is through our honest intentions and within our hearts that cry out for the need to live in a way which we vibrate to our true selves: Our spirits cry out to live the way we desire that is right for ourselves. Again, what we reflect from our inner selves is made manifest in the outer self.

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     For all extensive purposes, the Mystic Shaman tradition deals with various aspects of self expression, which includes magic and shamanism.  While we live on distinctions of difference, they are necessary to define what our opposing attributes are.  However when you truly examine all paths they lead to the same ideal:  Faith and belief that something exists beyond the mundane world.  The Mystic Shaman in each of us is always different with each individual because each of us is quite different in personality and beliefs.  You must be able to see all sides of a vessel to understand its beauty. And in order to become the teacher one must be the student first.

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     The training in Mystic Shamanism includes required reading and writing, participation in leadership workshops and group instruction, completion of coursework, organizing and conducting public ritual, a ministerial training of at least one year, and the writing of a spiritual journal.  All details are noted with the Spring Glade Academy information.

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