other ways in which the beliefs of the Bond of the Grae Wolf are similar to aspects found in traditional Shamanism. One of these is the emphasis placed upon the community. In the society of the traditional Shaman, the Shaman played an important role in binding the community together, by working for the good of the society, in ways such as healing the sick, and offering protection to those in danger. The Bond of the Grae Wolf fulfils this role, not by performance, as does the traditional Shaman, but community work. Thus it is only the method which differs, the goal is the same. In stressing the inevitability of death, fate, and the Ordeals which face the Warrior in the Bond of the Grae Wolf, there is also an echo of another important aspect of traditional Shamanism. In many traditional Shamanic societies, a person often gained the powers of the Shaman by facing a near death experience or similar trial. This was supposed to provide the wisdom necessary for one to become a Shaman. In the case of a near death experience it is of particular importance, for in the process of coming close to death, the soon -to-be Shaman would gain experience of the Other World, and have experience of the Spirits.
The differences, then, between traditional and contemporary Shamanism are not that vast; they share a number of common features, such as percussion, chanting, trance work, communication with the Other World, and the playing of a role within the community. The Pagans and Heathens have as much diversity within their beliefs as do their traditional counterparts, with some stressing the role of Shamanic ecstasy (Timothy Leary ), some the role of percussion (the use of modern day Rave-culture as endorsed by Techno-Shamans), and the more traditional