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Originally Posted by Rev. Rex
Hi, Cate. I'm stricken by how similar your path is to mine. When I teach shamanism, I also teach not only concepts, but show people how to use tools, how to find that which they will need, how to journey, what dangers are in the spirit realms and how to guard against them, how the spirit realm affects those in this realm, and more. Just from what you've said so far, you do much the same thing. Also, for a long time, I've felt that witchcraft is allied to shamanism in many ways, besides both of these just being earth based. And neither are actually religions, but both are higly spiritually based.
What do you think about the similarities between witchcraft and shamanism? Have you studied any shamanism? And do any of your books drawn on or point out any of these similarities?
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Hi Rev Rex! I want to thank you for your question and I do all that are taking the time to exchange thoughts and questions with me.
In addition to being a Witch, I am also a Shaman but not a Medicine person.
My teacher is Ceremonial Chief Frank WhiteEagle and he helped me define the difference. According to Cheif WhiteEagle, who is spiritual leader to twelve nations, a Shaman works with spirts and the spirit realm in any capacity. A Medicine person work with herbs and plants, like a Kitchen Witch or Herbal one. I began my path with Native Teaching. Interestingly enough, I was his son in another life. This year I will be adopted by him!
Not all Witches work with spirits. When I chose Witchcraft (as opposed to Wicca) as my primary path, I did not know this! As I grew within the craft I learned that some Wiccans practice their faith like a "religion" or a belief system. Some do spells in addition to observing sabbats and esbats and making offering, ritual prayer and petition.
My personal spirit path was totally spirit guided. I chose not to read any books until I was taught by them. THEN I read books and discovered what I was taught was all out there. I preferred to evolve as a solitary and remain a solitary to this day.
I differentiate Wicca from Witchraft because Wicca is new (from the '50s) as founded by Gerald Gardner) whereas Witchcraft is any of the older Pantheon and earth systems. Witchcraft is also healing, herbology and midwifery in addition to spell casting.
I would like to invite you to visit witchvox.com and read my articles that are up. I have written about karma, candle dressing, fighting the shadow self and soul retrieval (among many other topics). It is in these topics that I try to expound on my beliefs as I have experienced them
My first book, GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, is a comparative examination of nontraditional systems. I am offering it free! There is a story behind this book. It was published by a publisher, claiming to be traditional. This publishser became a nightmare. I fought for three years to get out of my contract and miraculously I was finally released! I felt freed by spirit and decided my mission to educate and help is too important so I decided to celebrate and give it away for free for all who want it! (for your full length pdf please e mail me at
catecavanagh@gmail.com)
I am loving this interview!