Shamanic Witchcraft
by Christopher Penczak
(Originally appearing in The Second Road)
Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice known to man. Originating in the early tribes of humanity, a certain individuals of the tribe would show unusual traits when relating to the world. These individuals would see things from a different perspective. They received this perspective through entering altered states of consciousness through various techniques, and are able to commune with the invisible divine forces, the spirits, the gods and nature. Such people are revered as healers, medicine men and wise women of the tribe, and sought after for their divine wisdom and healing power.
Technically, from an anthropological point of view, shamanism now refers to such practices as performed by natives of North, Central and South America, and Siberia. The word shaman is actually from a Siberian tribe, but because of the belief the Native American's migrated across the Bering Strait to reach America, the lineage holds true. We have the most information about these Native American practices because the traditions are still being practiced today. Although the culture was adversely impacted by the European migration, the wisdom lived on, passed from generation to generation. But anthropologists found other cultures practiced similar techniques around the world. Since these mystics were not of the same ethnic origin, many in the field felt the word shamanism was not appropriate. The term "core shamanism" was coined, leading the way for ethnic specific labels such as European shamanism, Celtic shamanism or Norse shamanism.
Although each culture might have a different mythology and specific beliefs, the techniques and results are quite similar. Core shamanic techniques include consciously altering the mind state to enter what Michael Harner, author of The Way of the Shaman and founder of the Institute for Shamanic Studies calls Shamanic State Consciousness, or SSC for short. Drumming, dancing, fasting, chant, meditation, pain, sex and herbal concoctions are all methods for achieving SSC. Once in this state, the practitioner can commune with spirits for additional knowledge of the past, present and future, enter the spirit worlds, visit the gods and bring back healing energy, often fighting monstrous personifications of disease in the spirit world, battling for the health of the patient.
In a societal context, shamans were the religious leaders, spiritual counselors and doctors of the tribe. Most had wisdom of the plants that healed and basic medical knowledge. Some traditions held a very sophisticated system of psychology, even by our so called "modern" standards. In particular, the Hawaiian shamans, the Kahunas, held this knowledge. Shamans have also been known to use what we call energy healing, psychic surgery and vibrational healing. They hold a reverence for the natural world, the Earth and the invisible powers.
Well, with that definition they sound strikingly similar to another group of mystics from Old Europe, who were called witches. Witches held many of the same tenets and techniques of healing. Witches were midwives and herbalist, bringing life into the world. The wise ones interpreted dreams and gave prophecy. They worked with spirits and they worked with herbs and potions. The archetypal wise woman or cunning man, living on the outskirts of a town is the same living archetype of the shaman. American shamans are known for their rain dances. Hedge witches are less known for their fertility spells. The act of dancing around a circle with a broomstick, jumping up was a form of imitative magic, mimicking the upward growth of the plants. Such dances gave way to the myth of flying on brooms, but were really spells to insure the crops would grow. Witches flying ointments were aids in astral travel, or what shamans call journeying.
The Americans continued to honor the shaman because unlike the Europeans, the conquering church did not absorb their culture and holidays. It was not until the church came into power that European witches were maligned as wholly evil. The Church's spells were miracles, but all other forms of magic and healing were works of the devil. The witch's holidays, the festivals of the pagan folk, were absorbed into the Christian calendar until their meaning was lost.
Modern practitioners of witchcraft, often called Wiccans, often tend to focus on the art of the magician, such as spell craft, talismans, charms and ritual. All are very important aspects of the craft. Many forget the shamanic aspect of the craft. Roots from witchcraft's history can be traced back to the shamanic figures of the European Paleolithic tribes, the hunters and gathers. Walking between worlds, the ability to journey to the spirit realm, is as important as spell craft.
Remember these roots have given birth to the art of shamanic witchcraft, which has always been a part of the craft regardless of the new emphasis. Hopefully such a term will help open the eyes of many people prejudiced against witchcraft, still believing the old propaganda and thinking it as evil. There are many in the new age world that feel shamanism is wonderful, but witchcraft should be avoided. Perhaps this new light on the ancient art will heal the old fears and open us all to new worlds. That is ultimately, what shamanism and witchcraft are all about.