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              STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND ETHICS--LIFEWAY SHAMANIC FELLOWSHIP 
           
              By Usen's grace, Ho-dah.... 
           
              1.) PURPOSES: 
                              Thisis aneraofdecision.Dowe allowourselvestocutthe
                              throatoftheMotherWhohasnourishedus asaspeciessince
                    we "came down from the trees"?  Or do we work to walk in 
                    Beauty and Harmony with Her, and cherish Her, and work to 
                    see Her healed?  The resurgence of Shamanism, the primal 
                    Earth Religion of practically all of the Earth's 
                    pre-Agrarian cultures, is an important thing, foretold by 
                    the Paiute prophet Wovoka and in the Hopi Prophecies.  It 
                    was said that both the Red Man would return to the Ways of 
                    the Old Ones and that the non-Native would also embrace the 
                              Lifeway.
                                     Therearenon-Nativeswho
                                                          respectfullyhavechosen
                    these Ways, and are carrying them on in a reverent way. If 
                    the Lifeway was only given for the Native peoples, it would 
                    die out within our lifetime.  There are simply not enough 
                    traditional Elders left. 
           
                              Ithasbeenshown tosomeofus thatOurMotherThe Earthis
                    not willing to die quietly.  She has demonstrated this by 
                    the increase in natural disasters of the past decade, which 
                    continue day by day.  The Hopi prophecies state that, when 
                    the "bowl full of ashes" (most interpret this as the 
                    Thermonuclear Bomb) is overturned, that Our Mother shall 
                    rise up in Her righteous anger and destroy humanity.  This 
                    prophecy is coming true, although it may yet be reversible. 
                    Perhaps it is we who reverence the Ways and walk in harmony 
                    with Our Mother that may stay Her hand. 
           
                    The Lifeway Fellowship is here for those who wish to honor 
                    Our Mother and Our Father, Earth and Sky, and to honor The 
                    Giver Of Life, from whence all things flow in the Universe. 
                    Our world-view is primarily allied with that of the 
                    Navajo/Dineh, Apache/Teneh, and Hopi peoples. However we do 
                    not represent ourselves as the keepers of those ways.  The 
                    secrets of those Nations are for them alone, unless Usen' 
                    wishes to reveal them to us.  Our mission is to help heal 
                              OurMother,TheEarth,andtohelpeachotherwalk incloser


















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                                                                             384

                    harmony with Her.  We also exist to provide a way for urban 
                              andsub-urbanpeopletolearnandpractice
                                                                 therootShamanic
                   techniques that aid us in finding our True Vision and True 
                    Way of Power, and following that Vision and that Way. 
           
                    We identify ourselves as Pagan (Webster's New World 
                              Dictionary"1.b)...apersonwhoisnota
                                                               Christian,Moslem,
                            orJew (byfaith);heathen.Paganspecificallyreferstoone
                  of the ancient polytheistic (or pantheistic) peoples.") and 
                    as unashamed Pantheists and Polytheists.  The Lifeway 
                              is trulyareligious commitment. No-onecan makea    
                            commitmenttothe Lifewayandtothe worshipofLifeGiver, 
                        TheEarth Motherand TheSky Father andremain aworshiper   
                  of other Paradigms of the Deity,much as one cannot be a       
          Christian and worship the  Greco-Roman pantheon.   However            
          this does not  imply the condemnation of other Paradigms, nor         
          impel a duty to "convert" others. 
           
                              WestandbyotherPaganswhodonotshareour paradigms,IE.
                            Wiccans,Asatruans, Hellenists,and otherShamanic     
          traditions, (African and  neo-African(Santeria & Voudoun),            
          Australian,  Siberian, Traditional  Native American,  and             
          Polynesian,  to name a few) and even  though we may disagree          
          with some or all of  their practices and beliefs, they  are           
          Brothers, Sisters and Cousins, and  in times of persecution           
          as  well as times of goodwill we  must defend them.  We  may          
          even  share in their open rituals and allow them to share  in         
          our open  ceremonials.  But that which  is ours must remain           
          ours, just as that which is theirs must remain theirs. 
           
              2.) THE(A)OLOGY: 
           
                              AsourFellowshipisinherentlyreligious,
                                                                  wemustdeclarea
                    The(a)ology. (The strange spelling refers to the fact that 
                    we acknowledge a Goddess as well as a God) 
                    This is summed up very easily.  There are three main powers 
                    we worship, Usen' the Life Giver, The Earth Mother, and The 
                    Sky Father.  The latter Two are emanations of the First, as 
                    all, including the God and the Goddess, are emanations from 
                    Usen', which is the primeval First Cause. 
           


















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                              Usen':OnecannotlookuponTheLifeGiveras eitherMaleor
                   Female, for The Life Giver is beyond those distinctions. 
                    Usen', and The Life Giver, are names for this First Cause, 
                    this Force that pervades all and caused all to come into 
                    being. From Usen', the God, Sky Father, and the Goddess, 
                    Earth Mother, emanate, as the lesser Deities emanate from 
                    Them. 
           
                    The Earth Mother: We live and walk and are sustained from 
                    The Earth Mother, which is our Earth.  She is alive, and we 
                    all exist within Her as part of Her structure. Science, 
                    through the Gala Hypothesis, has finally acknowledged Her 
                    existence, and some even have learnt the lesson that our 
                    duty in this life is to care for and honor Her.  This is a 
                    lesson that all must learn, for as long as we despoil Her, 
                    we risk Her wrath.  She is expressed through the faces of 
                    White Painted Woman, Who is The Woman Warrior, through Corn 
                    Mother, Who is The Nourishing Mother, and through Spider 
                              Woman,WhoisTheWiseWoman,TheAncientOne,TheCustodian
                    of Wisdom. Women are acknowledged as being human represent- 
                    atives of The Earth Mother. 
           
                    The Sky Father: Just as among we Humans, there is both Man 
                    and Woman, so there is no Earth Mother without Sky Father. 
                    Sky Father is the air we breathe, the flame that gives us 
                    warmth and cooks our food, and brings forth the rain that 
                    fertilizes Our Mother and allows Her to provide us with 
                    the crops and animals that sustain us.  Sky Father is also 
                    expressed as The Hunter, The Warrior, and First Shaman, and 
                    is also expressed in Killer Of Enemies and The Child Of 
                    Water. He is also present and acknowledged as being present 
                    in every Man. 
           
                    There are other spirits that exist in the Universe, some 
                    beneficent, some maleficent.  But most important is Usen', 
                              EarthMother,andSkyFather.Bywalkinginharmonywiththe
                    God(esse)s, one can tell the Good from the Evil, welcoming 
                    in Good, and protecting each other from Evil. 




















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                                                                             386

           
              3.)ETHICS: 
           
                    We have our code of Ethics.  It is neither lengthy nor 
                    overly restrictive.  We do not include ancient taboos in 
                    this list, such as Mother-In-Law avoidance or the taboo 
                    against Fish, because they may not apply nowadays.  If you 
                    wish to not eat fish or to avoid your Mother-In-Law for 
                    religious reasons, it is your prerogative.  But it is not a 
                    requirement. 
           
                    1.) If the action does not harm yourself, other people or 
                              intelligentbeings,orOurMotherTheEarth,youarefreeto
                   do as you wish. 
           
                              2.)Tochargeforhealings,sweatsorceremonials
                                                                       istotally
                    wrong and extremely offensive.  Also, to charge excessively 
                    for teaching is equally offensive, but a modest fee 
                    over expenses is allowable.  Your conscience is the best 
                    guide, that and the Will of the Deities. 
           
                    3.) Magick should be limited only to protection of Self and 
                    Loved Ones, and to healing and helping those in need, 
                    provided that permission is given by the patient and that 
                    help other than healing does not interfere with the Will of 
                    others. Magick that is used in a coercive (IE. Love spells) 
                    or destructive (harming or killing magick) way is patently 
                    wrong and is considered Black Magick. 
           
                    4.) Contact of spirits by any means other than Shamanic 
                              journeyingor
                                         theVisionQuestisveryrisky,andPossession
                   is a real possibility.  The practice of mediumship, or 
                    "channeling" has no place in the Lifeway, and exposes not 
                    only Self but others to danger. 
           
                              5.)Permissionmustalwaysbeaskedofthespiritsofplants
                   and/or animals before taking them for either sustenance or 
                    for medicine. 
           
                    6.) One's visions and one's personal ceremonies are one's 
                    own.  Personal visions should not be spoken of, but shared 
                    visions are for all of the group. 

















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                    7.) It is wrong to criticize another within the group or 
                    outside the group.  Racism, sexism, xenophobia or general 
                    disrespect of others has no place in the Fellowship. 
                    Individual decisions about lifestyle and other ethical 
                    issues not covered here are an individual's own affair. 
           
              4.):GROUP STRUCTURE AND INITIATION PRACTICES 
           
                    There is only one Initiation, which is the Initiation that 
                    makes one Kin within the group and in the sight of The 
                              Deities.Itisgivenafterone hastakentheirfirstVision
                   Quest, has found their Power Animal(s) and has met the 
                    Shaman Within.  It can only be denied to those who have met 
                              theserequirements,isyoungerthanthe
                                                               legalAgeOfConsent
                   (in most places, 18 years) is not of sound mind, and/or is 
                    under suspicion of being a Law Enforcement Officer or other 
                    person antipathetic to Pagan and/or Shamanic belief 
                    who requests initiation for fraudulent purposes (usually to 
                    infiltrate to either sabotage or publicly discredit the 
                    Fellowship) Initiation must not be denied on account of 
                    physical disabilities, blindness, deafness, or sterility, 
                    nor on account of sex, race, nationality, political belief, 
                    or sexual preference. 
           
                    There are no set offices within the Fellowship.  Ideally, 
                    leadership should be by consensus, with true leaders being 
                              temporaryandpurpose-oriented.
                                                          Facilitation
                                                                     ofrituals
                                                                             may
                   be done by any Initiate of the Fellowship.  ANYONE WHO 
                    REPRESENTS THEMSELVES AS A HIGH PRIEST/ESS OF THE LIFEWAY 
                    SHAMANIC FELLOWSHIP IS A FRAUD, AND IS DOING SO CONTRARY TO 
                    THIS STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND ETHICS. 
           
                    Support of the Fellowship is done on a purely voluntary and 
                    mutual basis. No tithe or dues should be assessed unless 
                    they have been agreed upon by all members, initiates and 
                    non-initiates alike. 
           
                    Membership is extended to all.  But initiation is reserved 
                    for those who meet the criteria mentioned above. 
                    Non-initiates can participate in open ceremonials and in 
                    basic workshops, but may be denied participation in certain 
                    ceremonials and advanced workshops. 
















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              5.) THE QUESTION OF RECOGNIZING SHAMANS 
           
                    In traditional societies, the title Shaman was not just an 
                    honorific, or recognition of talents.  Nor was it the 
                    highest initiatory level in a Shamanic society.  The Shaman 
                              was,inmostcases,abovetheChiefin
                                                            decision-makingpower
                   and was judge, doctor, father-confessor, and intercessor 
                              withtheDeitiesforthetribe.SomeShamanicsocietiesare
                   now providing their membership with "Shaman training 
                    seminars" and "Shaman apprenticeships" that can be had for 
                    an exorbitant price.  This implies that the cost of being a 
                    Shaman can be paid in money and in a set amount of time. 
                    This is not the case.  Many tribes believe that the office 
                    of Shaman is not one that is earned, but one that one is 
                              borninto.Certainly,theskillsareneversomethingoneis
                   born with, and this is not merely hereditary.  Rather, when 
                              achildisborn,thecurrentShamanwouldrecognizethatthe
                   child had the POTENTIAL of being the next one, and the 
                              child'straining
                                            wouldbeginwhenthey
                                                             wereconsideredready
                            by theShaman.At adulthood,theywould betested. Ifthey
                          passedthetest, theywould becomethenext Shaman.If they 
                        failed, usuallythe testwas suchthatthey wouldeither die 
                outright, or they would go insane.  Many "heroic quest" 
                              tales,andmostnotablytheArthurianlegendshave
                                                                        echoesof
                   this practice within the ancient Shamanic traditions of 
                    Europe. 
           
                    But the point that is being made here is that we should not 
                              goback tothatsortofwayof doingthings,becauseinthis
                   society it is nigh on impossible.  The stand I am offering 
                    here is that recognition as a Shaman can be conferred only 
                    through shared vision, and signs from the Deities.  It is 
                    not my place to say what the signs are...it will be obvious 
                    to the Fellowship.  I am not Shaman myself, and will not 
                    brook anyone calling me that.  This is something I place in 
                    the lap of the Deities to decide.  I cannot do anything 
                    more.  It is a mockery of those people that can truly be 
                    called Shamans, who are respected, powerful people of 
                    traditional tribes, to do anything less.  In any event, to 
                    claim such a title is definitely not enough, and is 
                              punishableby
                                         withdrawingFellowshipfromthe
                                                                    onewhoclaims
                   to be Shaman falsely. 
















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              6.) FESTIVALS AND WORSHIP DAYS 
           
                    The festivals are reckoned as they have been for centuries 
                    by most Southwestern tribes, by both the Sun and the Moon. 
                              Theseasonsbeginonthefirst fullmoonafteraSolsticeor
                   an Equinox.  The Solstices and Equinoxes themselves are 
                              times
                                  ofcelebrationaswell,andperhapstheperiodbetween
                   the two (which usually works out to be no more than a week 
                    or so) could be considered a time of Holiday.  Lesser 
                              ceremonialsareheldonNewMoonsandFullMoonsbetweenthe
                   first Full Moons of the seasons.  Optionally certain Pagan 
                    festivals could be celebrated in conjunction with other 
                    groups, but they are not to be adopted as official Lifeway 
                    Fellowship ceremonial days. 
           
                              There
                                  areotherceremonialsthatarepersonalinnature,and
                   can be held at any time, although synchronizing them with 
                    the Festivals and the New and Full Moons is advisable. They 
                    are Naming, where a newborn child is named in the presence 
                    of the group and their Life-beads given; Coming Of Age, 
                    where the child's physical maturity is acknowledged, and 
                    where, for a short time, they become Child of the Water (if 
                              aboy)orWhitePaintedWoman(ifagirl);Initiation,where
                   a person becomes a full-fledged member of the group, given 
                    after a person becomes a legal adult; Joining, where a man 
                    and a woman consent to be married; Unjoining, where a man 
                    and woman who are married consent to have the bond 
                    dissolved, which is to be done only after four reconcili- 
                    ation attempts fail or after evidence of marital infidelity 
                    or abuse is given before the group; the Moonlodge, which is 
                    a special sweat for women in their Moon-time; and Release, 
                              whereaceremonyforadead memberoftheFellowshipisdone
                   to guide their soul Back Home.  Other ceremonials that are 
                    dreamed or envisioned by a person or group are also 
                    encouraged. 























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               7.) SUMMING UP 
           
                    A few quick ones: One can be either clothed or unclothed at 
                    ceremonies, but it should be known that none of the 
                    Southwestern tribes did ceremonies in the nude.  However, 
                    one should disrobe for the sweat lodge, as clothes are not 
                    only uncomfortable within the sweat lodge, but interfere 
                    with the cleansing process of the lodge. 
           
                    This Statement can be accepted or rejected by individual 
                              groupsthat
                                       federatethemselves
                                                        withLifeway
                                                                  Fellowship.But
                   federation can be denied to those groups who stray too far 
                              fromsomeofthebasicguidelines,ordoanythingthatwould
                   sully the reputation of the Fellowship in general. 
           
                    Hi-dicho...this is finished. 
                    May these proceeds please Life Giver Usen', and the Mother 
                    and the Father. 
                    ENJU! 
                    Chihacou White-Puma, 1988. 






































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