[foxyshaman]

I am done teaching in journey circles. Cricles are places where we call in spirit, introduce a new topic every friday and journey (or other work) to get to know and work with the spirits who have gathered to help us. 14 years of being a leader is long enough. Every Friday drumming and teaching and learning and sharing and....

I am still teaching, I just want to take it deeper. So, private students, small groups and some larger workshops. I am enjoying the depossession work along with the other healing modalities I have learnt along the way. What a great combination. I will always have patients, of that I am sure.

I think every leader has their day and has to step aside for someone else who has vigor and naive ideas of leadership and all it is cracked up to be. My jaded self has learnt three very important lessons in this role:

1. Leaders are put on pedestals whether they want it or not. (falling off someone else's pedestal has always hurt me more than them)
2. For every Jesus there is a Judas.
3. For as equally valuable as you are... you are equally disposable.

Shamanism has been my passion for almost twenty years. I am so grateful I have practiced at a time in history when it was 'safe' to do so. This is the first time in history that we can learn from cultures half way around the world. I was not raised in a tribe, hell I barely have a nuclear family, so I don't have tribal teachings behind me. I used to lament that, but you cannot lament what you will never have. But I also don't have 1000 years of superstition behind my practices as well. So, I have been afforded more freedom in some respects. I have been incredibly blessed by the spirits that have taught me. I am blessed to have met and been taught by the shamans (Sangomas) I have from West Africa, Australia, and South America. I am grateful for the Grandmother spirits that have taught me and 'schooled' me.

But yeah... it is a hard day. Even though I have been gearing up for this - the finality of it looms ahead of me.

Energy vampires and nasty spirits are no fun. I have had my share of those over the years. And even though you and I practice differently I relish in our conversations and sharing. I am not bothered by those same spirits anymore, or at least not as much. I think I have been fortunate to have gathered around me some fantastic kick assers...which I need at times cause i can be pretty oblivious.

Anyway... I have to finish my handout for tonite. It will be a large circle, word of mouth and all... so I don't even know how many copies to have on hand!!!

See you later Sunshine!!!