Shamanism is not a religion; nor are many other modes of spiritual practice and healing. However, because the practice of shamanism and many forms of spiritual healing beg the belief in Spirit, or spirits, the practices fall under the umbrella of animism which is a religion.

The Circle of the Sacred Earth, Inc. is a church of animism based on the belief in Spirit including the indwelling spirits of all species and natural phenomena of the Earth under the oversight of the Great Mystery or Great Spirit. This belief implies a sacred reverence for all of the life forms dwelling upon the planet, including its waters, plants, land, and air, and for the universe of which we are all part.

The church is a Massachusetts not for profit corporation and has received IRS tax exempt status under 502 (c) (3); donations to the CSE are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Circle fosters traditional shamanic practices such as journeying, drumming circles, spiritual healing and shamanic counseling, as well as offering training in these and other spiritual healing modalities such as Reiki.

The purposes of the CSE as listed in the Statement of Doctrine and Purpose include:

1. supporting the practice of direct spiritual revelation, including shamanic journeying, counseling, and healing by the members,
2. providing a forum of expression for the sharing of such revelations and mutual support among members, as well as fostering a sense of global community and commitment,
3. becoming an educational vehicle and preserving in archives the accounts of direct spiritual revelation, experiences and knowledge for the benefit of the present and future generations,
4. the performance of religious rites by its clergy, such as presiding over marriages, in accord with both the doctrine of the CSE and the law of the State,
5. generating and organizing activities in support of the above purposes.

Membership in the CSE is either general or ministerial. Anyone holding a belief in spirit and the sacred nature of the earth is eligible to join the CSE as a general member. The CSE clergy functions in traditional roles as requested, empowered to perform all rites commonly recognized and enforced by the State, but not in an administrative or governing capacity. The ministers are appointed by the Board of Directors which is the governing body of the CSE who perform secular and organizational services rather than theological. Information and requirements concerning ministerial appointment may be obtained by emailing, calling, or writing Roy Bauer, DD, CSC, the director of the CSE.

Ministers are located in over 20 states and 6 foreign countries.