One night in 2009 I was blessed with a vision in a dream. Before me I saw a great gathering of people, all busy sharing their knowledge and wisdom with one another. The spirits whispered to me that the old tradition, which was once part of us, could be brought back to life if only we shared with each other. Around me stood men and women from every corner of the world, and we exchanged learning; they learned from us, and we from them. As an empath I was filled with feelings that carried deep information with them. Just before I woke, I heard a clear voice say: "You shall start something called Norsk Sjamanistisk Forbund" (as you know, "Norsk" was removed later).
Putting a vision into words can be demanding, but I will try to paint a picture of what this vision of the Shamanic Association of Norway involves. The spirits showed me that it is essential to bring forward the spiritual side of the tradition, and not let technical aspects overshadow it. Among the people I saw in the dream there was a deep sense of acceptance and understanding. This told me that if we manage to create public acceptance for a shamanic life stance and faith, we will at the same time create room for personal growth and development. Together we can protect, and revive, a living culture that brings back what was once lost.
This vision came to me as far back as the night of 1–2 May 2009. In the time that followed, several people contributed to shaping what would become the Shamanic Association of Norway, even though they have not always been mentioned in the story. These people were co-creators of what is known today as SF, every bit as much as those who formally founded the association. I therefore want to express a deep gratitude from my heart to Gro Mette Andersen, Børge Ludvigsen, Morten Wolf Storeide and Daniel Tevik.
The work of establishing the Shamanic Association of Norway took shape in 2011, and we were officially approved in March 2012. Since then the Shamanic Association of Norway has held the legal right to conduct wedding ceremonies, and we offer ceremonies that mark all of life's great milestones.
By Kyrre Gram Franck