These Pages in loving memory of my Daughter and Granddaughter by choice, Yolanda Christian (5/17/69 - 11/15/96) and Gale Smith (1/1/85 - 11/15/96). May you sleep in peace and awaken in beauty. We miss you.

SHAMAN

What is a Shaman?

A Shaman will Change consciousness to do work in "Other realities or spirit worlds," and does it with self discipline and under will. He doesn't just let his mind wander off any old time it will. He also doesn't use it as a convenient excuse to: Not do something - get attention or be the center thereof - get rich - gain power over others.

He uses the following ways to achieve a change of consciousness in himself and others - Drums, rattles, music, chanting or movement usually dancing, along with herbal teas, powders, and incense (I repeat HERBAL! not illegal drugs). A shaman does not support illegal activities.

He will takes journeys of the spirit, moving outside of time, sometimes called "mythic reality", "dreamtime" or "astral" and he maps these areas he explores.

He will act as a conductor of souls, working hand in hand with the powers of the universe. Working with totems, elementals, guardian spirits, etc.

Believes in the KISS Principle (Keep It Simple, Silly) unlike a priest, He will make offerings of self but does NOT offer sacrifices or do elaborate mysterious rituals--shamanism is NOT priestcraft. It is more personal.

A Shaman is primarily interested in serving others, and is not seeking "enlightenment" as a religious or spiritual goal the way Buddhists and Hindus do, as his focus is on serving others. He knows if he focuses on himself he will lose his power, which he needs to help others. This doesn not mean he doesn't work on improving self, But it is more of the attitude of the more spiritually base/advanced the shaman is, the better he can help others. "Use the Force, Luke!"

It is interesting to note that shamans from assorted parts of the globe came up with similar or even identical techniques and beliefs, independent of each other. Shamanism is at the roots of such diverse practices as witchcraft, voodoo, Tibetan Buddhism and others, but pure shamanism is NOT a priestcraft as are some of the practices originally derived from shamanism.

Who am I?

I am of Irish and Cherokee decent. I am also the contact point for the Shadowlight Medicine Clan on the Net and the Shaman of Shadowlight. I have been asked to write a set of E-mail lessons, meditations, instructions for personal vision quests, sweat lodges, and the care of you medicine pipe, medicine wheel, astrology, and the making of medicine objects. Some will be posted here, some are for the correspondence course (e-mail or snail mail). Being raised by a father with alot of respect for the "old ways" of the forest and nature, I learned later that we were a family with Celtic and Native American beliefs and ways.

I have found in my quest for spirituality and peace that the totems and shamanic beliefs fulfill that never ending quest. I have found some degree of inner balance and peace. The Shadowlight Medicine Clan work on the inner person, to help it grow and change into a being that is one with the natural cycle of things. By natural, I mean not just nature, but the spiritual cycle of growth and experience and rebirth that is a part of all things. There are cycles of the Body, the mind and heart, spirit. These are the personal cycle we have control over. Once we understand these cycles we can have a better understand of ourself.

And to those who are concerned with it, No I am not a registered Native American. I am a person who honors my ancestors and the ancient Traditions that was the center of their being. I do not try to be of any "one" tradition - Native American or otherwise. Nor so I try to teach from one POV. I have yet to find "one true" source of spirituality, but see the similarities in all religions and to me, the names are personal preferences. Though I personally tend to more Native American and Druidic beliefs. The Shadowlight Medicine Clan is of Native American shamanic roots and the teachings were handed down thru the generations. The clan itself is more modern in origin and is a mixed clan of several "pagan" beliefs, all based in the shamanic tradition. For those of you reading and wondering about this paragraph, it is because I get the same questions over and over again.

Now a few words about "BALANCE". To many people worry about being "perfectly in balance"... Balance is not a static or unchanging thing. And perfect is a state for saints and gods. Those that are perfectly in balance with themselves, understand the changing nature of balance and are going with the flow of it. People also seem to think that is a universal state, the same for everyone. It is a personal state of being, involving only yourself and the universe. The personal balance point is always shifting - growth, life experience, POV - all effect your "balance point" and cause it to shift. To use a few of the Dictionary definitions balance means"a pivot point - equilibrium - HARMONIOUS PROPORTION - equal - to weigh". The usual symbol associated with it is the scales of Libra. If you have every used an old fashion scale and weights then you would know that you might have a little of something on one side and alot of something on the other to make the scale be even. We must all learn and maintain our own persoal balance point.

Shadowlight tries to assit people in this quest thru a belief structure, ritual, personal counciling, meditation and attunement with the Earth.

So you need to always be aware of your personal state, body, mind and spirit. That way you can always "adjust" your personal balance point so you are in harmonious proportions with your surroundings and things won't be sneaking up and grabbing you by surprise as often. You also become more aware of your own emotional reactions and can start controlling them so that you ACT instead of REACTING to things.

To those who know us

I am the Correspondence teacher now and will be getting the Classes going again. Hawk has been a very busy man teaching at the collages and doing tutoring at the Reservations here and with the lost of his personal assistant, things have been interesting to say the least. The following is the purpose of the Shadowlight Medicine Clan.

From the Book "American Indian Ceremonies By Medicine Hawk & Grey Cat, Inner Light Publications ISBN #0-938294-72-5 Copywrite 1990. Used by Permission of Medicine Hawk.

THE SHADOWLIGHT MEDICINE CLAN

In the intent for mutual support, optimum growth and ultimate personal balance, the Brotherhood of Staffs and the Sisterhood of Shields have been formed - not as separate organizations with the Clan, but very much as the two halves of one common heart - each distinct in purpose but existing, bonded together. as the beating, vital life force of the Shadowlight Nation. Listed below are the common goals of these groups - delineated by gender for clarification only and not for segregation or the promotion of gender separation within the clan, it's teachings and/or ceremonies. There are many roads on the Path, ultimately leading for all to the center of the Sacred Wheel - that place of total growth, love, harmony and balance within Self.

1. To uphold, practice and promote all stated purposes of the Shadowlight Clan. (see above)

2. To encourage and assist all women/men in a spirit of Sisterhood/ brotherhood to actively step into each one's individual medicine, balance and path of personal power.

3. To band together in mutual caring, healing, teaching and support.

4. A) TO encourage and practice Women's Sacred ceremonies, ie Moon Lodge. b) To encourage and practice men's Sacred Ceremonies, Ie Men's Lodge and Talking Stick.

5. To step into personal Male/female balance with the purpose of self healing, growth, knowing, wholeness: Knowing ultimately that as we heal and balance ourselves, we heal and balance The Mother for we are flesh of Her Flesh and blood of Her blood.

6. To become fully aware of and actively practicing the Medicine/Wisdom Women/man we already are.

7. To honor all of our ancestors who have walked this Path before us, who stand with us at all times, and every second counsel us and continue to show us the Way.

8. To actively honor, nurture, heal and support the Sacred Child within Self and Within all of Creation.

9. A) For all women to actively step into the Sacred Male Shield to manifest all Creative energies B) For all men to selectively step into the Sacred Female Shield to reach that point of ultimate creativity.

10. For all to actively free self, all and all energies from all forms of enslavement (psychic, emotional etc.) that cause and promote personal and universal bondage in any form.

By Medicine Hawk - Elder and Past Chief of the Shadowlight Clan

BIO OF Medicine Hawk and Grey Cat. (I have updated Hawks Bio, but I don't know how current Grey Cats is)

Medicine Hawk is Dr. Medicine Hawk Wilburn, Born in Olive Hill Kentucky. He has been published in over fifty metaphysical periodicals, including Wildfire and Circle Network New. In 1982 he received the Silver Salamander Award for Excellence in Journalism. Hawk is the author of twenty five cassette tapes and three books. Totem, Thunderhead and Native American Animal Spirits. He graduated from Mercer University, Georgia State University with BS, NED and PhD Degrees. Medicine Hawk is Elder and Past Council Chief of the Shadowlight Medicine Clan, International and professor of Education and psychology at three California Universities. He now lives in San Bernardino, Calif.

Grey Cat is Founder of Northwind, A tradition of American Wicca. She has published Widely in Newage and Occult Periodicals including Circle Network news, Harvest and Cog News. She is a two time winner of the Silver Salamander Award for excellence in Journalism. She is Members' Advocate of Arn Draioncht Fein, and association of Neo- Druids; and the Editor of the Crone Papers, a periodical exploring the wisdom and Mysteries of the Elders. She is the author of a correspondence course, Herbs for Magick and Medicine. She has led workshops and rituals at a number of gatherings. An enthusiastic convert to computers, She has compiled a data base on magick and medical uses of herbs. Grey Cat resides in the hills of Tennessee near the place where she grew up.