S03 E01 - Boxes Squares and Spirits

Turning Back Time

Walking the traditional shamanistic path created a bit of a conflict for me: Wodan, Frigg, and others aren't in that lore. Or are they? How to reconcile walking a path that does not venerate the spirits that called me to it? By going back to the beginning of course. So welcome back to the campfire! This episode is me trying to outline how I came to a reconciliation on how to walk one path while not believing in things the way others do brings me to the oldest path of all. The dream is real. It starts there.

The Wyrm, Animism, and Angels

Okay, the wyrm did go away I'll give it that. I shouldn't be surprised where it might have gone, but I was... and that prompted me to think about animism, the corruption of the concept, and then ultimately I started to think about those sexy angels. Take a trip with me from hell to heaven and how science backs it all up.

S03 E01 - Boxes Squares and Spirits

In this episode, Spearcarrier opens up about a tumultuous return to—and swift departure from—a commercial shaman school. After feeling "poked off the dragonfly branch" and losing connection to the spirits, a moment of intervention from the spirit world itself turns everything around. We explore the differences between the expensive, "cookie-cutter" Western shamanic training and the more traditional Ulchi belief that spirits, not schools, select and train the shaman. Spearcarrier discusses the dangers of the commercialized path, the importance of finding a listening elder rather than a guru, and what it means to be a "small shaman" healing in a quiet house. Topics Covered: * The decision to leave a shamanic school after less than 24 hours. * How a spirit blocked my sight to get my attention (and how I got it back). * Discovering the Ulchi path and its parallels to my own upbringing. * The problem with "spiritual humvees" and pay-to-play shamanism in the West. * Healing from spiritual wounds and the value of taking it one day at a time.

19 - Escaping from Wyrms

Do you remember what a wyrm is? I remember. I know. For years, I was trapped between two worlds: the fabricated identity my mother pushed on our family and the deep, wyrd magic that was my true inheritance. In this episode, I'm adding to the whole story as I've told it so far. It's a tale of growing up with unseen gifts, of a father who could chase away dragons, and of a Great Wyrm who found me through a mirror when I was 14 and tried to make me his. This is the story of how that Wyrm tore my family apart, how I was isolated and betrayed, and how, on the longest night of the year, I finally reclaimed my power, my heritage, and my connection to the wyrd. Perhaps this tale will give you direction and fuel your only wyrdly connections. Check more at my webstie, therivershaman.com, where you can also choose to support and help keep the wyrdness coming. bIk8VtNPJfOxef3Rcly7

18 - Dancing to Death: Trapped In A Fairy Ring

Spearcarrier here—computer fan screamin’, space-heater roastin’ my toes, pizza waitin’ in the wings. Complete with swear words. In this one I sit down with Many Cats and chew over: • the Tale of the Moldy Ham Sandwich (yes, it’s still in the fridge) • how a real-deal fairy ring sucked me into an eight-hour daily dance marathon • “Fairy Hitler” and his soul-siphonin’, gem-bedazzled cicada self • hitting Level Zero burnout and the ritual that brought my soul piece home • lessons learned: grounding, energetic hygiene • shout-out to Dragon Shaman (link on the blog) for legit cleanup help - thedragonshaman.net [https://www.thedragonshaman.net/] Grab a mug of chamomile brew, park yourself somewhere comfy, and let’s ramble through myth, magic, and mayhem together. Blog posts, recipes, and extra snark live over at TheRiverShaman.com [http://TheRiverShaman.com]. Thanks for listening, and remember: we took care of those thorns.