Spirit Guides, Totem Animals, I have posted this under paranormal because for

I do agree that Shamanism is a spiritual aspect of earth based nature based religions, I do not see it as a religion in and of it self. This was why I had been surprised to hear it referred to as one. It made me curious as to how others may consider this concept. I also find that Animal Totems and Spirit Guides should be aspects of spirituality rather than religion, or paranormal, but find that many consider those things which are "angel" or "spirit guides" to be more in keeping with magic and "new age" It seems if people would label less and try to understand more there could be less confusion, though I can see where shamamism can be an aspect of religion if your religion is something that follows this kind of spiritual path. Shamanism seems to deal predominately with Native spiritual teachings such as those of Native Americans and the Aboriginis of Australia, or some of the Tribal spiritual beliefs of the African continent.