Magicka School-Shaman research...Much thanks to Faxon for recommending this school

Research Project One

I must admit that Shamanism is a tradition that I find particularly intriguing. As a child, merely 10 years old, I was forced to reckon with the existence of spirits. Since that time, I have had numerous feelings and experiences that cannot be explained away by way of common logic. Certainly, many forms of Christianity (that I have had the misfortune to observe) has no explanation and/or little tolerance for my experiences. Recently, I was informed that my paternal grandfather could have been a Native American Shaman. An adopted child, I never knew my birthfather, so verifying that I am of Native American heritage would be challenging. I do not wish to become part of the masses of Americans today who claim a Native American heritage that is non-existant. That is neither here nor there, but perhaps this would explain a few things that I’ve wondered about since I was a child. I am almost certain that I no not wish to delve deeply into Shamanism. I’ve had some frightening experiences. However, by learning more about Shamanism, I hope to come away with a better understanding of the unseen forces surrounding me, and with the ability to improve the welfare of others.

The Shaman Tradition’s Founder
The word Shaman seems to have no clear cut founder, as it were. The Russians stumbled upon the term Shaman when colonizing Siberia. The Western World began borrowing this word from the Russians when studying Native Americans. It seems because of this, “Shaman” (originally meaning “spiritual leader”) has been a term widespread and loosely used. Now the term applies to many meanings to include “to see” or “to know” or even “fire in the head”. (McCoy, Edain. 2004) My search for the Shaman Tradition Founder(s) is cluttered by a mass of country and tribal claims on the Shaman practices. An interesting fact I ran across is that some tribe believe that a Shaman can only be born a Shaman. This is not the case with Wiccan Shamanism. Further, Wicca does not lay claim to any right to use the term Shaman, as Shamans have been practicing long before Wicca became an established religion. Indeed, Wicca is a widely considered Shamanic religion.
So, who founded Shamanism? The internet is flooded with information concerning the definition and origins of Shaman practices. After hours of endless reading, I stumbled across one person whose name is associated with the creation of Wiccan Shamanism. Selena Fox established Shamanism in the Wicca community. She borrowed Shamanistic practices from around the world and incorporated them into Wicca, primarily focused on healing. Selena Fox is a High Priestess and also founded the Circle Sanctuary, as well as Pagan Academic Network and other organizations.
In 1984, Circle Network News published an article by Selena Fox in which she stated that she founded Shamanism as a way to mold the old Shaman practices from Europe and other places worldwide in a way that fits modern times. She does not, in this article, attempt to boast that she founded Shamanism. Shamanism was simply a term she used to describe her spiritual growth in Wicca through these practices. (Fox, Selena. 1984)

Where and When it Started
In 1984, Circle Network News published an article by Selena Fox in which she stated that she founded Shamanism as a way to mold the old Shaman practices from Europe and other places worldwide in a way that fits modern times. She does not, in this article, attempt to boast that she founded Shamanism. Shamanism was simply a term she used to describe her spiritual growth in Wicca through different Shaman practices. Selena was not specific in this article as to the year she began using the term Shamanism. Rather she states that was “several years ago”. Neither does she name a place for its beginnings. (Fox, Selena. 1984) The internet is bombarded with publications that concern Wicca and Shamanism. Additionally, the Circle Magazine is a quarterly publication dedicated to Wiccan Traditions, including Shamanism.

Where it is based, and currently operates
Through the artificial intelligence of Google, I was able to discover that the Nature Spirituality resource center and Shamanic Wiccan church is based in Mt. Horeb, WI., and indeed, still operates there today (Beversluis, Joel Diederik – 2000)

What it’s specific systems are
The specifics of a Shamanic system are hard to nail down. In fact, in article after article, I read that the Shamananic system is very personal, and can be modified by the individual practitioner. The one thing that each Shaman shares with all other Shaman is the ability to alter their state of mind through one method of meditation or another.


God and Goddess
Wiccan Shamanism uses only one God and one Goddess. They are simply referred to as “The God” and “The Goddess”. Sometimes they are called “The Lord and Lady” or “Lord of the Hunt, and The Great Mother”.

Degree System
Yes, Shamanism has a degree system. Each degree is earned through progress and mastery of Shaman practices. Further, Shamans can only advance by using their newfound abilities to enhance the well being of their community. (Burk, Michelle. 2008)





Beversluis, Joel Diederik. (2000) Sourcebook of the World’s Religions: An interfaith guide to religion and spirituality. New World Library, Novato, CA

Burk, Michelle. (2008) An Interview with Gail Wood. Paganpages.org (http://paganpages.org/content/2008/12/interview-with-gail-wood-the-shamanic-witch/)

Fox, Selena. (1984) Wiccan Shamanism. Circle Network News. Mt. Horeb, WI (http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos046.htm)

McCoy, Edain. (2004) Advanced Witchcraft: Go Deeper, Reach Further, Fly Higher. Llewellyn Worldwide, St. Paul, MN (55164-0383)