Androgynous Shaman

To become a shaman, he or she on their journey must learn that there are multiple dimensions of existence. Just as most of us do not believe that magic is black or white or that there is good or evil - we can also say that the sexes cannot be divided simply into male or female. This perception and sometimes dogma is hard to break. Most often a shaman in the beginning of their journey will come across a spirit or guide that is ambiguous by nature which helps with their initiation into a train of thought that transcends the gender lines. Often times, but not always, in history shamans were bisexual and/or homosexual. This helps legitimize the fact that they were not trapped by gender and had reached a higher spiritual plane. Proving furthermore that they were shamans who could go between worlds and planes - to reach beyond to the spirit world.

According to the book Fire in the Head Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit by Tom Cowan, many Native American communities felt that transgender men were 'touched with some special magic, power, or wisdom that would be valuable to the community.' Their dreams and visions were encouraged and often they were elevated to a healer or spiritual leader status.

The same follows for lesbian shamans who have been found from the Artic Circle to the Amazon. They were recognized and celebrated as interpreters and 'go-betweens' for the Otherworld. Lesbian shamans were encouraged to dress like men and hunt. They were fierce warriors.

I find this topic extremely fascinating. At one point in time our ancestors celebrated our differences and furthermore valued these differences.