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The Standing Bear Center for Shamanic Studies What is Feminist Shamanism?  
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ What is Feminist Shamanism? Feminist Shamanism is a sophisticated practice of personal and psychological growth that helps contemporary women remember and reclaim their natural power and authority. It is built upon foundational shamanic structures gifted to me by Standing Bear during my shamanic initiation experience. Building upon those structures, I have combined my understanding of the Medicine Wheel as a sacred mandal and of shamanic experience as essentially Feminine in nature with my knowledge of shamanic psychology, which evolved during my masters studies in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis on Depth Psychology. The result is a clear feminist shamanic path to greater understanding of who we are as women, and to balanced and stable feminine psychological health and well being. Much of what is available in today's neoshamanic movements can best be described as "macho shamanism", as it has been powerfully influenced by patriarchal biases and attitudes, making it unsuitable for women. This is equally true of tribal shamanism. Feminist shamanism stands in stark contrast to macho shamanism, offering women an opportunity to explore shamanic realities and their own psyches in ways that are based upon the needs and requirements of the archetypal Feminine, which, I am very pleased to announce, is alive and well, and waiting to be rediscovered and revisited within the numinous arche- typal landscapes of the Medicine Wheel Mandala.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Feminist shamanism integrates shamanic practices with a modern feminist psychological perspective. In feminist shamanism, the Medicine Wheel is directly experienced as a living mandala that is home to countless shamanic archetypal energies that express themselves as images. The Medicine Wheel is also understood to be a map of human consciousness, and as such, is meticulously explored. The practice of feminist shamanism includes strict adherence to an ethical code that includes confidentiality, clear maintenance of psychic boundaries between oneself and others, and respect for the perspectives of others. At the same time, the feminist shamanic practitioner perceives herself to be part of -rather than apart from- her cultural milieu, and does not set herself above or below other members of her community in any way. This is an expression of the non-hierarchical nature of nature of feminist shamanism. While feminist shamanism benefits both women and men, the practice of shamanism is essentially a Feminine process. Shamanic reality can only be found by first traveling through ithe realm of mythic Feminine consciousness. In order to enter shamanic reality, one must first bypass one's intellectual, left-brain process, which is a product of the Masculine principle, by means of specific kinds of percussion which actually alter one's brainwave patterns, thus creating openings into mythic Feminine consciousness. Feminist shamanism is a discipline that empowers you to directly experience archetypal shamanic realities and energies on both personal and mythic levels. As you progress in your studies, you learn to imaginally enter and explore the incredibly beautiful living mandala of the Medicine Wheel. Once there, you seek guidance and teachings from the archetypal energies residing there, who present themselves as images. These images include landscapes and oceans, times of day, celestial bodies, Animal Spirit Helpers, Upper World Teachers, and various Goddesses. Perhaps most important, you learn to enter and return safely from shamanic reality at will, and to maintain intent of purpose for each individual shamanic adventure upon which you embark. Feminist shamanism supports the evolution of psychospiritual balance between the Feminine and Masculine principles, both within one's own psyche and within the cultural, or collective psyche as well. Western culture tends to foster the over-development of the left brain thought patterns of the Masculine principle, while simultaneously fostering the repression amd denigration of the right-brain thought patterns of the Feminine principle. The disciplined practice of depth shamanism offers an antidote to such conditioning, by training you to remember, enter, become comfortable with, and integrate authentic Feminine consciousness and thought patterns into your sense of Self. Feminist shamanic practice has a profoundly positive influence upon one's personal experience of life and one's attitudes towards the Earth and Her ecology. The practices of shamanic visualization, meditation, movement and journeying, combined with depth shamanic personal growth practices and contemplation in nature teach us that all living beings -including rocks, trees, elements, animals and humans- are equally valuable participants in the intricate web of energy exchanges that constitutes life on Earth. This is in sharp contrast to the patriarchal oncept that humans are superior to- and have dominion over- nature and all other living beings. Feminist shamanic practice can inspire us to find ways to deal with some of the desperate situations requiring our attention in these times. But perhaps most important, depth shamanism reconnects us with our ancient ability to enter and leave mythic, Feminine consciousnes and shamanic archetypal realities at will. This, in and of itself, is of great benefit to human consciousness, and to the Earth our Mother, who supports and sustains us all. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A final word about feminist shamanism and patriarchy: It is all too easy for us to believe that patriarchy is something from our past, thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of countless dedicated feminists over the last century and longer. Their work regained and restored many of the rights and privileges that women enjoyed prior to patriarchy. We now have the right to vote, work, and divorce, to name but a few. But in reality, patriarchy is not something from our past. It continues to express itself today in the many virulent, yet often disguised or subtle forms of abuse that every woman encounters every day in our culture. Contemporary forms of patriarchal abuse continue to adversely affect women psychologically and spiritually. Feminist shamanism addresses those levels of abuse, including the deep, internal, often hidden levels. You might think of feminist shamanism, whether you experience it through feminist shamanic counseling, or as a personal feminine practice, as a kind of antidote to contemporary patriarchal abuse of women. To inform yourself of patriarchy's sources, its symptoms, and its impact on indigenous culture, I recommend that you read the following books:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Serpent and the Goddess: Women, Religion, and Power in Celtic Ireland by Mary Condren The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions by Paula Gunn Allen Benefits of Feminist Shamanic Study and Practice ~You achieve self-mastery through disciplined study and practice. ~Your self confidence and self-esteem are enhanced. ~You learn to encounter and integrate universal Goddess archetypes into your sense of Self. ~Your relationship with the Earth grows and evolves. ~ You reclaim your ancient Feminine Earth Wisdom. ~ Your sense of being "at one" with Earth and all the life She supports deepens. Choose this link to return to my home page.  Standing Bear Center for Shamanic Studies 52 Bear Springs Lane · PO Box 272 Surry, ME 04684 1.207.664.0752 · toll-free: 1.877.664.0752 scarlet@thestandingbear.com
© Scarlet L. Kinney, MA | |