Because Wicca is associated with witchcraft, many people get a little freaked out by it, and have the wrong impression of what it is. Shamanism also has many negative connotations for the general public, but seems to be a little more accepted.

Wicca and Shamanism are both nature-based spiritual paths, and like Buddhism they focus on intention and the mind. All teach that to be happy, to enrich the world, you need look no farther than what's in your own heart and how it works with the environment around you. Both teach that the divine is within as well as outside of ourselves, and it's the bringing of the two together that creates magick.

Both of these paths are fairly new to me, and I've only begun practicing them in the last year, so I'm not expert. Everything on this page is my point of view and experience.

Wicca is a fairly new spiritual path that is based on older forms of practice, such as witchcraft and shamanism. Witchcraft goes way back and has been much maligned by Christians who feared and misunderstood what the practice was. Contrary to their accusations, witchcraft is not about devil worship, casting spells intended to harm, sacrificing animals and people, or riding around on broomsticks. Instead, witchcraft focused on tuning in with nature, discovering one's place in the universe, and controlling will and intent for the good of the self and others. Wiccans, like the witchcraft of old, use the power of the earth's directions and elements, natural objects like herbs, fire, and stones for healing purposes and focusing the will, or intent. Wiccans learn to work with the energies of all things, living and non-living. The idea is to keep a positive flow of energy moving, while averting negative energies.

Divination has had an important tool with Wiccans, and many use tools, such as tarot, astrology, or runes to stay on their spiritual path, to realize what areas of their lives need the most work. Wiccans also include Shamanistic practices in their rituals, such as meditation and journeying.

Shamanism is believed to be one of these oldest religions or spiritual paths of the world, if not the oldest. Many cultures world-wide practiced shamanism: ancient Celts and Norse people, Australian aborigines, Asians, Native Americans, and South Americans. It's interesting to read the various practices of the shamans of these cultures, as they have much in common in their rituals and their experiences.

Shamans and practitioners discovered how to maximize human abilities of mind and spirit for healing and problem-solving, as well as using journeys to hidden worlds otherwise only known through myth, dream, and near-death experiences.

Many argue that it's "all in their mind" or just their "imagination." But any Wicca or Shaman will tell you, imagination is an important part of the "otherworld" and plays an crucial role in starting you on these revealing journeys.

Wicca, Shamanism, and Buddhism all teach us to get in touch with our true selves, our divine nature, and see how we are all interdependent and connected. The methods used by all three of these spiritual paths is through meditation and ritual that involves nature, our environment. Each of these spiritual paths focuses on compassion and love, on healing, and our connection to the Earth and universe, or multi-verse.

Science is discovering significant changes in the brains of people who practice these spiritual paths, especially meditation and journeying. Quantum physics is discovering explanation for the connectedness of all material and nonmaterial objects, basis for otherworlds, and consciousness.

More Information

Interfaith.org You can take wonderful online courses here
Shamanism.org Dr. Harner has been recognized as a pioneer in the field of anthropology and shamanism since the early 60's
Wicca.org Information and courses
Witche's Voice Find other wiccans and pegans in your area
Shamanism Sacred Text Read about Shamanism in different cultures

Great Books