About Indie Shaman
Indie Shaman aims to provide a means of helping people answer questions about life, promote self discovery and self development, and encourage respect for the self, the community and the land. We aim to do this by providing a supportive network for those interested in a Shamanic way of life, as well as for Shaman and Shamanic Practitioners from all cultures and for those of mixed heritage as well as those who are unsure yet as to where their cultural heritage lies.
Honouring our Ancestors
Honouring the Land
Honouring our Community and Ourselves
The answer to the question “what does the ‘Indie’ in Indie Shaman stand for?” is, as most people guess, independent. This doesn’t mean, as we once saw a practitioner describe themselves on an unrelated website, a “contemporary or ‘indie’ shaman” but independent as in all inclusive regardless of tradition or area of shamanic interest.
Indie Shaman was set up with the aim of being approachable yet not ‘fluffy bunny’ and providing accessible support, advice and information, spanning across traditional indigenous shamanism, contemporary shamanism and multiculturalism.
The ‘Indie’ in Indie Shaman also means 'independent person who thinks for themselves' as in our slogan ‘For Independent Spirits’, a very shamanic trait found in both indigenous and contemporary shaman. Plus we liked the pun!
History
Indie Shaman began as a discussion board/forum in 2006. When it moved to its own hosted website, Forum members suggested they could help contribute to the cost of running the site through membership and Indie Shaman as we know it now was formed with the company being registered in June 2007. The shop was started shortly after with the aim of financially supporting the free services Indie Shaman offered. As our membership had expanded from those interested in training in shamanism to include those interested in shamanism in a wider context the concept of a ‘shamanic lifestyle’ was explored and included.
In 2008 members suggested starting up a Charity Fund with donations being made by Indie Shaman including from shop sales and in 2009 we first adopted a hedgehog from Secret World Wildlife Sanctuary. We were pleasantly surprised to then receive a rather cuddly hedgehog and it was decided he could travel round and visit members around the world. Shaman Sham the Wandering Hedgehog was born! Starting in the UK Sham has now visited many countries including Ireland, Scotland, Greece, the US, Peru and Spain. Most notably attending 2 courses in shamanism with Ross Heaven earning his own ‘ologies’ and discovering his true name Ezekiel. A member’s suggestion and further fundraiser in 2010 led to the adoption of Madadh, a beautiful wolf from Wolf Watch UK. Indie Shaman intends to continue both adoptions in the future.
By 2009 Indie Shaman could now afford to offer something more to members and the Indie Shaman Shamanic Lifestyle magazine was launched.
Indie Shaman has been through a few changes in response to demand since that first year and aims to continue to respond to the needs of those who approach us so if you have a good idea do let us know about it!
Contact & Company Information
Indie Shaman Limited. Registered company no 6290381. Registered offices: 16 Littledean, Yate, Bristol, BS37 8UL. Telephone 01454 855755.
Click to Email or use our contact us page.