Anima Center?

[Heather2011]

I came across this website while I was searching up on Shamanism this morning. I'm just wondering if anyone's ever heard of it, been there, if it's legit, etc...
It sounds like a nice place and just maybe I was thinking about checking it out when I graduate next summer.

http://www.animacenter.org/

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I've looked over the site a bit because of another thread I was in that referenced it. To be truthful I find it to be simply another neo-shamanic site and program. That and it's not really a shamanic site as much as one that has created a new "Granny" magics path that combines some shamanic practices along with some new age stuff with what on the surface appears to be folk magics.

Given that we had a thread just a few weeks ago about another site with it's death's caused because they were after money does nothing to make me think this one any less.

Not only that but also somewhat feministic in application. I especially liked the statement where she takes some of her more advanced ladies as students.

But since I am male and not really able to participate in her course it simply lesson's my beliefs in it's truthfulness. Add that I am a shamanic practioner and ones sex is not a facet of it. Couple that with I come from a family tradition that has much of the "Granny" magics in it and I find it even more unbalanced.

OF course that is just my opinion on the site so other's may have and probally do have a difference of opinion.

[Heather2011]

I see excactly what you mean.
Not all that glitters is gold!
If you don't mind me asking, how did you get started on your path?

[MonSno_LeeDra]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get started on your path?

Don't mind at all. Not sure I can give a simple answer though for it's been many steps that have culminated in where I am at at the moment.

I was born into a family tradition that has been passed down. Parts well structured and formated other parts more supported and inspired than actual method. The girls seem to always be pushed towards granny magics or folk magics while the males were more pushed towards a shamanic warrior type path. Yet don't think the girls were any less pushed for many of them also touched upon our side and we thiers.

The earliest things I really remember though was being shown how to be a water witch and being told to be a shamanic practioner was to be alone. Spending more time alone in the woods or just wandering the fields. Alone even in a crowded room of people because of the way the world works.

I don't remember many early writtings but do recall I was encouraged to read everything and anything that dealt with occult topics. Not only occult but history as well. I read things on the pyramids, Bermuda Triangle and other spots, haunts, ghosts, ancient kingdom's and lore.

Some things encouraged to try and see what would happen, other's to read but not try until later. Things that would later be discovered to be spells, curses, chants and journies. Discussions on anythng and everything we could imagine and some we really did not nor could comprehend at the time.

Add a few years into it and I was introduced to an elderly Italian lady that sort of adopted me into her family and started teaching me her traditions which I later would identify as a form of Stregia. Heck that was how I became an adopted son of Aradia though I know much of it I don't speak on it as it was not mine to claim nor pass.

I really do not think one could even say their were identifiers on the pathway. It was I would just have people appear that would cause my focus to change or shift. Teacher's some would say that appeared to influence me, confuse or confound, then move on. Yet each interaction changing or molding me though I didn't always realize it.

It's like the girls in the city of Aberdeen in Scotland that walked by three times and kept telling me Blessed Be brother. The son of a voudon woman who I served with in Scotland that spoke many times with me. Not only spoke but whose mother identifed me and made him come back off of leave early because of something she sensed was ongoing with me.

Sort of like bumpers along the road. Appear in my life, cause the desired change then fade again until the next would appear. 23 Years in the military travelling the world and seeing many religions and spiritual practices.

All I can really say for sure is Spirit placed me here and set me upon a certain pathwalk. Over the years watching and nudging me into what ever channel I am supposed to be in. Nearly ending my life more than once in that walk.

But I finally understood what they meant when they said to be a Shamanic practioner is to be alone even in a crowded room. We straddle two or more worlds and tend to their hurts and listen to their dreams and guide. We see, hear and yes imagine things that to some would be nightmares. At times even question our own sanity in regards to the things we do, see, hear and speak and the realility of is it real or not.

A lot of times having to be reminded that the journey is the pathwalk we are upon and the destination of little importance except to tell us we have arrived. Yet not even in death do we trully arrive for many of us have lived before the viel and walked the worlds.

[Heather2011]

Wow! What a life you have lead so far. Thank you so much for sharing your story with me! I don't even know what else to say! Just...wow!

[Lupabitch]

I wouldn't really say it's shamanism in and of itself, but it looks like they have a lot of material that could be integrated into a neoshamanic practice. At least they're grounding what they do in contact with Nature, rather than a convention center.

[specialkaj]

Originally Posted by MonSno_LeeDra

Don't mind at all. Not sure I can give a simple answer though for it's been many steps that have culminated in where I am at at the moment.

I was born into a family tradition that has been passed down. Parts well structured and formated other parts more supported and inspired than actual method. The girls seem to always be pushed towards granny magics or folk magics while the males were more pushed towards a shamanic warrior type path. Yet don't think the girls were any less pushed for many of them also touched upon our side and we thiers.

The earliest things I really remember though was being shown how to be a water witch and being told to be a shamanic practioner was to be alone. Spending more time alone in the woods or just wandering the fields. Alone even in a crowded room of people because of the way the world works.

I don't remember many early writtings but do recall I was encouraged to read everything and anything that dealt with occult topics. Not only occult but history as well. I read things on the pyramids, Bermuda Triangle and other spots, haunts, ghosts, ancient kingdom's and lore.

Some things encouraged to try and see what would happen, other's to read but not try until later. Things that would later be discovered to be spells, curses, chants and journies. Discussions on anythng and everything we could imagine and some we really did not nor could comprehend at the time.

Add a few years into it and I was introduced to an elderly Italian lady that sort of adopted me into her family and started teaching me her traditions which I later would identify as a form of Stregia. Heck that was how I became an adopted son of Aradia though I know much of it I don't speak on it as it was not mine to claim nor pass.

I really do not think one could even say their were identifiers on the pathway. It was I would just have people appear that would cause my focus to change or shift. Teacher's some would say that appeared to influence me, confuse or confound, then move on. Yet each interaction changing or molding me though I didn't always realize it.

It's like the girls in the city of Aberdeen in Scotland that walked by three times and kept telling me Blessed Be brother. The son of a voudon woman who I served with in Scotland that spoke many times with me. Not only spoke but whose mother identifed me and made him come back off of leave early because of something she sensed was ongoing with me.

Sort of like bumpers along the road. Appear in my life, cause the desired change then fade again until the next would appear. 23 Years in the military travelling the world and seeing many religions and spiritual practices.

All I can really say for sure is Spirit placed me here and set me upon a certain pathwalk. Over the years watching and nudging me into what ever channel I am supposed to be in. Nearly ending my life more than once in that walk.

But I finally understood what they meant when they said to be a Shamanic practioner is to be alone even in a crowded room. We straddle two or more worlds and tend to their hurts and listen to their dreams and guide. We see, hear and yes imagine things that to some would be nightmares. At times even question our own sanity in regards to the things we do, see, hear and speak and the realility of is it real or not.

A lot of times having to be reminded that the journey is the pathwalk we are upon and the destination of little importance except to tell us we have arrived. Yet not even in death do we trully arrive for many of us have lived before the viel and walked the worlds.

your post has rerally stuck a chord in my soul .i find very many liknesses with this.It has helped my spirit lead me to deciding my path. before reading this i was triig to decide between norse wicca and shaman prractition. your post helped me in choosing this path. thank you very much.and i can only hope my journey is as enlightening and fruitfull as yours