I have been asked to describe what a shaman is and does by various people, and I answer that I do not belong to any formal school of anything. I can only describe my own experiences of it.
Firstly, I believe that a shaman ultimately walks alone upon this earth. Some are fortunate to have encountered a mentor, but you will find us to be rather apart from others. This is because we are marching to a slightly different drum. When we were kids, we may have longed to fit in, but each of us stood out in some way. Most came to accept and embrace this "otherness".
I think it is this "otherness" which allows us to create our own magic, in our own way. Shamans are deeply in tune with their own inner counsel and will follow it even when others think them crazy.
The way of the shapeshifter is the way of my healing practice. I take on the energy field and "become" the client; I then tweak and tune the field, clearing any blockages I encounter. This clearing is usually felt by the client, and is certainly reflected in their lives. When conditions are right, I use my drum to loosen blockages and to establish the proper vibration. Sometimes my toning guide comes through; other times I am called to put my hands upon the client.
Shapeshifter also means taking on the form of other beings, such as wolf, eagle, or dragon, all of which I have "become" in journeys.Perhaps this experience, which has no words to describe it, would best be conveyed by a poem written for me by another of the ancient ones. The accompanying image was created using my likeness...
Poem written for me by Hawkflying
In life are people who are blessed with a touch of
kindness and feeling that share their great gift.
They are able to reach out to the pain inside you and
heal you with their power and to give you a lift.
I have met such a woman who has embraced this art
and gives of her energy to heal others such as you and I.
Knowing this will make her life better she is able to
reach inside you to the pain and to heal as she looks you in the eye
Gently caressing her drum which is a symbol of her power
that she draws energy from in a way
passed down through time in the old way...
Knowing that the spirits of the world reach through her
to take your pain away and heal you and take away the hurt,
if not forever still for this day
As you look deep into her eyes as she reaches out
to feel the power that lies within each of us
she guides your spirit toward the light
Knowing that between you and she together
you can teach your body the things it needs
to heal itself too and not just to fight
Perhaps a gentle mix of herbs to let your mind
reach out to your heart and body
to begin the healing from inside
Teaching you that you need not be afraid
that this is something that must come from way down deep
where your soul does abide
Together you reach into that place most secret inside you
where you can begin to heal the pain and hurt
that you feel so much
Laying her hand upon you, you feel the power
in this woman who can just make it feel better
with just a gentle, caring touch
Touching you soft as she uses her power and
chanting so softly in her own special way
to bring you soothing comfort in her special way
You know that you join with her in seeking a way
to heal yourself as you listen to her soft chanting and
the touch of her hands on the drum this day
The shaman has learned things
that have been passed down through time to others
who have the healing gift and are willing to share
Finding someone to whom they can pass on this ancient knowing
so that it will not be lost
and someone who will really care
The spirits of the world reach out to her and touch her
as she opens up her heart to them
so that they might enter inside
Knowing that she has the gift of healing
they enter softly to aid her in her task
of healing the pain in others; with her they ride
When she needs them they come to her
and add their power to hers
to reach out to those in pain and in need
Going way down inside you to find your own spirit
to bring it out into the light where it belongs
is a powerful deed
Blessed by the power of nature
that brings her something that others might find
and reach out to her
We find the Shaman a woman with a true heart
that does this for her love of others
and it makes our heart stir