So I've been reading some of the novels of Kate Griffen which feature semi-schizophrenic urban sorcerer, Mathew Swift. She's just recently started another series set in the same universe that features a young, blue-haired Asian ex-barista shaman named Sharon Li. These books have been giving me ideas. Adding to the brew were bits from Book 11 in which the naagloshi referred to Molly as a young "Caller." There was also the bit where Listens-to-Wind drew a distinction between himself and followers (presumably shamans) of the Dine'. So, the question was this: How do the Shamans of the Dresdenverse fit into it and what distinguishes them from other practitioners of the mystical arts?
Let's think about wizards for a moment. Wizards are described by the naagloshi, a being one suspects would be familiar with both wizards and shamans, as "callers." It's an apt description. Wizards operate by calling for things. When Harry wants something from Too-toot, he doesn't go to the little fae, he puts together a circle, gets some pizza and calls Toot-toot to come to him. Harry calls for power to blast out flames. He calls up further power to create and maintain the spells on his duster or create his blasting rod or summon a being from the Never-never to answer his questions.
Wizards are also loners. A rare few might have some kind of bound spirit to aid. Some might have an apprentice or two. Except for relatively rare occasions (which seem to involve Harry Dresden) wizards work alone. They need no one else. They call power to themselves, shape into the effect they want through the power of their Conviction and then released that power as a spell which is controlled by their Disciplined wills. Wizards are beings of mind and will.
Shamans, on the other hand, are far more social beings. To be a shaman is to be very much in the world, experiencing it and understanding it. If wizards are "Callers" then Shamans are "Listeners." Where wizards gain their power through acts of will, Shamans "borrow" their powers from the spirits of the world through bargains and acts of service.
To be continued...