Warriors of Today

As we come to the end of the Warrior Wind, it is good to reflect upon the experiences that we lived this past month. In Shamanism we look at Roles and Winds as one and the same with a small discrepancy. The Winds are cosmological influences that blow our way, changing on every New Moon. They influence us all on a collective level.  The Roles are that we as humans embody. Our Roles show us the gifts or medicine that we use in our daily lives to survive and deal with life’s many challenges.

When we think of Warriors, we often conjure up images of the past... Aboriginal Braves, Mongolian, Vikings or otherwise – our Ancestors - but what about the Warriors of Today? We may think of those who are fighting in Afghanistan or other war-torn countries. But what about those Warriors that we see every day, those who work in the mundane world of commerce and labour positions? Look around you and you will see them by their actions or behaviours. In the past the Warriors fought to protect their people and territory, but they were also the hunters who provided the food for the tribe.

Just like our Ancestors, the Warriors of today need a cause to fight for, they need challenges that test their courage, strength and other skills. Some Warriors may be physically strong, others may be agile or quick on their feet or mentally alert. They may excel in sports and other physical endeavours or great at business endevours. They usually thrive on competition and like to win.

As in all Roles, there is a need for balance in the Warrior role. An imbalanced or dysfunctional Warrior can stir up a lot of trouble. They may end up looking for fights for no practical reason or found speeding along the highways cutting off traffic. They may become verbal or physically abusive.They can be aggessive and destruction, crude and rude. This misplaced energy could be put to better use, but today's young Warriors aren't schooled in the ways of the Peaceful or Spiritual Warrior.

At a dinner party recently a lively discussion soon turned into a heated debate. The topic was religion which is always a hot one at the best of times. But when people start arguing about who is right and who is wrong, defending their point of view to the end, it seems that the Warrior is acting out a battle of the will. In Shamanism, we allow different perspectives to be heard without making the others wrong. There are a minimum of thirty-six perspectives on the Wheel. If we negate one, we lose a stone on the wheel, which leaves an empty space, a vacuum.

Many wars have been fought over religion over the centuries by those who believe that their God is the one and only God. By trying to impose their beliefs on others, they are willing to kill, maim, rape, pillage and plunder. When they are questioned on their beliefs they get defensive and angry.

In today’s world, ideally, we want Warriors who will stand strong in their truth without imposing it on others, without wanting to hurt those who have different perspectives – different beliefs, ways of living, social customs or religious doctrines.

We want Warriors who will protect their loved ones, not abuse them. Warriors who work hard to provide for their families and loved ones. We want Warriors who are strong on all levels and use that strength in service to the needs of their collective - those who protect and defend the innocent, weak and the elderly. We want those who walk in balance and use their power to destroy, not to hurt but to destroy that which doesn't serve the highest good... in themselves first of all. 

We need parents and society to recognize the Warrior traits in their children and bring them up in a way that nurtures their skills so they become functional adults.

A strong Warrior will examine their own motives and be brutally honest with themselves about their weaknesses, imbalances and arrogance.  Warriors can be male or female, either way they have a huge task upon them to carry the burden of truth in a world where deception and lies are paramount. 

If you see someone who is a truth seeker, someone who has lots of energy and likes a good challenge, someone who doesn't beat around the bush to make a point... they probably have Warrior as a dominant Role. 

We are coming into the Peacekeeper Wind next,  and along with the Warrior, it has stirred up some strong passions in many. It is not the time to lose your head and go crazy. Take time to breath, to sit with things and find your truth without making others wrong. It is time to put an end to war and be Hunters, protectors and providers for the community. Warriors need discipline and humility as well as courage, stamina and strength. An arrogant Warrior is like a loaded gun with the pistol  cocked.

I am in awe of the Warriors in my community; the men and women who work long hours of physical or mental labour, those who are strong in their truth and speak up when they see lies, deception or the abuse of power. They are the protectors of the community, defenders of truth. They go off to war every day in their jobs and bring home abundance for their families. They tackle challenges with vigor and don’t give up until the job is complete. We can all be Warriors at times when needed.