From:	Brett Borger <SwiftOne@***.EDU>
Subject:	Re: Noticing Spellcasting (was Re: Paralysis and Projection)
Date:	Wed, 23 Apr 1997 23:51:44 GMT

>After following this thread, I tend to agree with Gossamer and the
>camp that says that no verbal and somantic components are required
>for spellcasting, for the reasons he stated. But it does
>raise one question in my mind: then how does hermeticism differ from
>shamanism? Don't shamans have to dance, or sing, or something? I can
>see how a hermetic mage could just recite the spell formula in his
>head, but what does a shaman do?

I always rule this as a role-playing thing....and enforce it.

Way of the Shaman, grimoire II, is required reading for my shamans.

Basically (I'm of the no action necessary, but often used anyway camp) the
difference is attitude. Just as a hermetic can look at you and give you a
whammy, so can a shaman. Just as the hermetic tends to gesture, so does the
shaman. THe heremetic gestures with an orderly meaning....the shaman calls
on his totem, gestures as appropriate for the moment, or does some other
artistic release.

Heremeticism is planned, logical. Shamanism is artistic, spontaneous.

But whether it is a scientifically designed can or a decorated earthenware
bowl, they both hold water.

-=SwiftOne=-