What is Shamanism?

[Philosophia]

What is Shamanism? How is it different to other paths, including hedge, kitchen, etc.? Is it a connection to the elements, the land, and/or the spirit world?

I understand and acknowledge that many different cultures had shamans (or, at least, shamanistic qualities) but were there are specific attributes that were common in each practice? Is shamanism a specific path or is it a umbrella term for many different beliefs?

[Vigdisdotter]

This will probably sound very contradictory, but while I consider my path shamanic, I don't think Shamanism is a path in and of itself.

Allow me to try to explain. Shamanism is a philosophy and a way of interacting with the world (in it's entirety). The individual form it takes really doesn't make it shamanic. What makes it shamanic in my mind are two many things: intermediary skills between humans and spirits and service to one's community. No community, then I don't think you're a Shaman.

As for what makes it different from hedge or kitchen witchery, that's a very blurry line :) and for myself it's a combination of outlook and personal practise (that community service thing again).

And yes there are common attributes.
-3 levels of existence
-journeying between those levels
-healing craft, usually a variant on the soul retrieval concept
-light bearer for the dead.

Shamans were also guides, teachers, priests and at times fools. They played many roles, seeing to the needs of their community. Which is what makes it so hard to pin down what Shamanism IS :)

Does that help?

[Shanti]

Its also an ability.
The ability to shift consciousness in order to travel to different realms.

[Vigdisdotter]

Its also an ability.
The ability to shift consciousness in order to travel to different realms.

Very much so. Like cooking or being able to play the piano :)

[Philosophia]

This will probably sound very contradictory, but while I consider my path shamanic, I don't think Shamanism is a path in and of itself.

Allow me to try to explain. Shamanism is a philosophy and a way of interacting with the world (in it's entirety). The individual form it takes really doesn't make it shamanic. What makes it shamanic in my mind are two many things: intermediary skills between humans and spirits and service to one's community. No community, then I don't think you're a Shaman.

As for what makes it different from hedge or kitchen witchery, that's a very blurry line :) and for myself it's a combination of outlook and personal practise (that community service thing again).

And yes there are common attributes.
-3 levels of existence
-journeying between those levels
-healing craft, usually a variant on the soul retrieval concept
-light bearer for the dead.

Shamans were also guides, teachers, priests and at times fools. They played many roles, seeing to the needs of their community. Which is what makes it so hard to pin down what Shamanism IS :)

Does that help?


Its also an ability.
The ability to shift consciousness in order to travel to different realms.

Thanks to both of you in answering my questions. :hugz:

One more question, if nobody minds:

What is the difference between a philosophy and a spiritual path? (I apologize if this is rather silly thing to ask.)

[Sage Rainsong]

To my understanding there are two types of Shaman. One, is "classic" shamanism and the other is "core" shamanism. Classic Shamanism are the practices of the various holy people of indigenous tribes. Core shamanism is basically new age shamanism (not an insult, at least in this case). I think that Michael Harner came up with it. Basically he felt that Shamanic practices can be stripped down from their cultural context to "core" techniques. These practices include contacting animal spirits, connecting to nature and so on. I got this info from this artice: http://cauldronfarm.com/writing/shaman_compare.html
The article is not perfect but it's very thought provoking IMNSHO.


What is Shamanism? How is it different to other paths, including hedge, kitchen, etc.? Is it a connection to the elements, the land, and/or the spirit world?

I understand and acknowledge that many different cultures had shamans (or, at least, shamanistic qualities) but were there are specific attributes that were common in each practice? Is shamanism a specific path or is it a umbrella term for many different beliefs?

I think of Shamanism as more of an umbrella term for many different holy people of various cultures. they have their own words in their own languages but Shaman is a convenient umbrella word which makes for less confusion. If we are talking about modern Shamanic practices I think that the main difference between a shaman and a witch has to do with spirits. A hedge or kitchen witch may or may not believe in any sort of spirit beings. To me it seems that shamanic practitioners and traditional shamans alike believe in some sort of spirit world in which they interact with. Sorry if my post is a little disjointed. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep.

[Vigdisdotter]

What is the difference between a philosophy and a spiritual path? (I apologize if this is rather silly thing to ask.)


Not that much really :) they are basically the two sides of the same coin. The philosophy is the theoretical and the spirituality is the experiential aspect. Really they work best together, rather then separate.

[ShadowStalker]

And yes there are common attributes.
-3 levels of existence
-journeying between those levels
-healing craft, usually a variant on the soul retrieval concept
-light bearer for the dead.

Shamans were also guides, teachers, priests and at times fools. They played many roles, seeing to the needs of their community. Which is what makes it so hard to pin down what Shamanism IS :)



I think that is a very good explanation.

For me personally, the first thing that often comes to mind when someone refers to Shamanism or takes it as a part of their path is that they are likely to eventually become a teacher/guide in some aspect of their life, as this path tends to call to that particular type of individual.

Shamanism for me personally is tied to the very base things in life - the elements, the Earth, animals and instincts. It encompasses the spiritual, the physical, and the astral.

More than anything, it has taught me to explore and test my limits in these areas. (Sadly, I lack a better way to put that.)

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Disclaimer : In no way , shape , or form , am I trying to begin a dispute...
I have a different view , and I shall express it...

If we take the concept of the populace of the world ,
as community , then I can agree , regarding the shaman ,
and community , in order to be classed Shaman...

I believe someone may practice shamanism , and not
live with , and interact with "community "...

At least , most of the time...

If the Shaman is in contact with the Spiret world...

If the Shaman , is traveling between the three main worlds ,
with subsets , in my tradition , on the " vertical axis "...

And , in my tradition , also , the four elemental realms ,
on the " horizontal axis "...

If the Shaman is " holding a place " , or "doorway" open ,
for the marriage of those worlds...

If that Shaman is releasing souls from this plane of existence ,
the Spirets inform them of , that need that assistance...

If that Shaman , might perhaps work on the Earth Healing level ,
rather than " village healing " levels...

If that Shaman was working with energies on a pan theistic view ,
of recognizing , and interfacing , with being...( mineral , plant , animal )

I believe that person is still to be classed " Shaman "...

With one last clause...If an individual , or community group , sought
out their help , even though they had never interacted with them before...

And the need was genuine...

They would have a responsibility to assist...A commitment made upon
assumation of the role , not to the community , but directly with the
World of the Spirets...

One not wise to break...:)

[RainInanna]

That's an interesting perspective. After all, if we can realize humans are not the only life-forms, we should be able to say they aren't the only community a Shaman can serve and work with?

[skilly-nilly]

That's an interesting perspective. After all, if we can realize humans are not the only life-forms, we should be able to say they aren't the only community a Shaman can serve and work with?

It is interesting! And I like it because I perceive the Earth as an Entity fully capable of making that decision for acceptance.

However, I think that a very important part of the whole of Shamanism is the recognition and acknowledgment of the people/community/beings one serves as Shaman.

That is, one is a Shaman for the specific community, not as a piece of personal identity.
So, for example, someone could be the Earth's Shaman but then (imo) would not be speaking for any other specific group or entity.

So (still only my opinion) one wouldn't say "I am a Shaman" because that is claiming as personal identity something that is reserved as recognition from the community.

The Earth could say, "Joe here is My Shaman."
But the Shaman wouldn't then be empowered to prance around telling unconnected people that ze was Earth's Shaman; I think ze would then be permitted to say,
"Thank you, Earth."

A friend of mine put it very well, " 'shaman' makes me think of my shamanic journeying recording. The author says that if a person tells someone "I am a shaman" the spirits consider that boasting and give them "the big SURE ENOUGH" and take their powers away." I'm sorry to say that I don't know who the author is, but I find the message to be very resonant.

BTW, I like 'Walker Between Worlds' very much too. Very specific and not grandiose.

[Shawn Blackwolf]

I am most satisfied , and content , there are different opinions of the word Shaman , and it's meanings , and applications...:)

[stalkingwolf]

I despise the use of the term Shaman. It is a term much like the term Squaw. It is aWASP term for any leader or Holyman of any culture that
did not follow or bow down to xianity.

It has been mentioned that a "Shaman" had contact with the Animal/ Spirit world. In the culture of MY people all of the people had contact with this realm. Each individual had at some point a guide, four legged,or winged one.
Of the peoples that swan in the waters or crawled on the earth.

There were holy people of many types. There were seers of visions, healers,
shield makers, arrow makers, war leaders, peace leaders, and many others.

At times there were "Medicine People" who had the power to overrule the council.

Again it has been mentioned that a "shaman " must be part of a community. Define community. During my life I have communed with
2 leggeds, 4 leggeds, winged ones, and those beyond the veil.

As long as You choose to use the derogatory term Shaman I will
speak of certain others as WASICUYA.

[Lupabitch]

I despise the use of the term Shaman. It is a term much like the term Squaw. It is aWASP term for any leader or Holyman of any culture that
did not follow or bow down to xianity.

"Shaman" is an Evenk (formerly known as Tungus) word, from Siberia. It does not have the same connotations as "squaw". Anthropologists appropriated the term for simplicity's sake to describe similar practices among many cultures around the world, including many Native American/First Nations cultures.

Yes, there are "plastic shamans" who steal things and misrepresent them to the world. However, I don't think that many people who use the term shaman, particularly with the understanding of the anthropological and cultural history of the term, intend to use it in any derogatory form. I think you're reading too much into pagan use of the term, and also making assumptions about the people who use it. Pagans are becoming more aware of the dangers of cultural appropriation, but that doesn't mean we can't develop our own practices.

*************

Also, responding to something else earlier in the thread--there's a lot more than "classic" and "core" shamanism. Not everyone who practices neoshamanism is a core shaman. I, for one, can't stand core shamanism. I know what Harner was trying to do, but I think he did a shoddy job of it. His version of shamanism is drawn from only a couple of cultures, but is presented as core to all forms thereof. Additionally, in The Way of the Shaman he focused primarily on what he thought "Westerners" would want, so it's mostly focused on healing. However, shamanism in various cultures may not only include healing, but also finding game, and even attacking rival communities and their shamans. The shaman was not always a trusted figure, even in hir own community. In Korea, for example, while shamans may be consulted for various things, it's not considered desirable to have a shaman in your family.

The way I have developed my own neoshamanic path is by reading anthropological sources to see the different things shamans in various cultures do in interacting with the spirit world. Then I ask myself how I, in modern American cultural context and based on my own experiences and background, would do the same things. I do not use core shamanism or its derivatives, and I always present what I do as being of my own creation, not traditional to any indigenous culture.

But that's how I do things; YMMV.

[MonSno_LeeDra]

I maybe wrong for others but I find for myself that many "Shamans" are rather reclusive and loners to a great extent. At times a part of their society but also seperated from it to a certain degree, literaly on the fringes.

I find for myself that I serve my community from a removed facet more often than an actual hands on perspective. I usually end up in conversation with or helping others on an indiviudal basis. I do not seek it out but will be in a place and the conversation turns to some item that the person is having trouble with and it just comes forth.

I frequently end up in the woods with a group and i'll say something or do something and it will trigger a conversation on the Green People, The Winged Ones, the Two Legs or Four Legs, etc. Sometime I find I get questioned about why does the earth feel this way or that way in a given area. What can we (collectively) do to fix it.

Many times I feel removed or seperated from the people about me and find solace in the woods. Yet as I move threw the woods I feel sensations from the land and animals of things that need to be done. Some times its a spiritual thing almost like a light to open a doorway to cross over other times like a shield to force something out or away.

For many years it was as the warrior. That service to land and people done via the military service. Yet the global trek also introducing me to various other forms of shamanic belief and influences.

For me I seldom use the term to describe myself, but have several friends who use the term to describe me to others.

[Nesta]

I maybe wrong for others but I find for myself that many "Shamans" are rather reclusive and loners to a great extent. At times a part of their society but also seperated from it to a certain degree, literaly on the fringes.

I find for myself that I serve my community from a removed facet more often than an actual hands on perspective. I usually end up in conversation with or helping others on an indiviudal basis. I do not seek it out but will be in a place and the conversation turns to some item that the person is having trouble with and it just comes forth.

I frequently end up in the woods with a group and i'll say something or do something and it will trigger a conversation on the Green People, The Winged Ones, the Two Legs or Four Legs, etc. Sometime I find I get questioned about why does the earth feel this way or that way in a given area. What can we (collectively) do to fix it.

Many times I feel removed or seperated from the people about me and find solace in the woods. Yet as I move threw the woods I feel sensations from the land and animals of things that need to be done. Some times its a spiritual thing almost like a light to open a doorway to cross over other times like a shield to force something out or away.

For many years it was as the warrior. That service to land and people done via the military service. Yet the global trek also introducing me to various other forms of shamanic belief and influences.

For me I seldom use the term to describe myself, but have several friends who use the term to describe me to others.


This really strikes a chord with me. I've been doing my thing for several years now and have never thought about putting any names to it. I'm now reading a lot of stuff about shamanism and thinking 'oh, that's what I do'. It's a weird sort of revelation.

I don't interact with my community as such but whoever or whatever needs me always finds me. It happens how it's supposed to happen and that's it. I've trusted in that for years.

[[V]]

Shamanism is the next step after Sorcery.

Sorcery is when you use magickal tools and rituals and all that jazz.

Shamanism is the same thing, but all your tools and rituals are used on the astral.

So in a nutshell, Shamanism is when you preform your magick on your astral.
All Shamans eventually need to carve out their corner of the astral and design their own temple. This is something that becomes stronger and more vivid as you use it. The ultimate goal is to create this protected secret temple somewhere on the astral & be able to project consciousness, or straight up leave your body and visit that temple & preform all magick work there.

I know one Shaman. He tells me how he's been designing, modifying & using this astral temple every day for almost 10 years. The imagery has become so vivid, its practically real even in conscious states. In the temple there is a wheel thats spinning. All he needs to do is project his awareness to his temple, grab this wheel & he is instantly pulled out his body and lands on the floor inside the temple. Essentially its all the mechanisms for an instant OBE.

[Wandering Bear]

What is Shamanism?

In my humble opinion, shamanism is, as others have said, not a path in and of itself. However, a path can be shamanic in nature, as mine is.

Shamanism is the practice of communicating, and working, with spirits. However, here we must define what a spirit is. I define the word 'spirit' as any nonphysical entity; the consciousness of a living physical thing.

Through this practice, the shaman builds intimate relationships with specific spirits, called spirit allies. Through these relationships, the shaman is able to perform such things as healing, finding wild game, ending droughts, attacking enemies, etc.

I do not know much about kitchen witchcraft, but hedgewitchery is definitely shamanic in nature. Magic is working with energies, shamanism is working with spirits; and hedgewitchery seems to be a combination of the two. In many ways, my own path can be seen as hedgewitchery.