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What is shamanism?

THE ORIGINAL HOLISTIC METHOD FOR THE BODY, MIND & SOUL

 

Hello, and thanks for popping by! What I’m sharing here is a VERY brief overview- think of it as the CliffsNotes! There are SO many wonderful books, articles, videos and websites that have covered these topics EXTENSIVELY, and I would prefer to boost the signals of those content creators than to recreate the wheel.

What’s the difference between a shaman and a shamanic practitioner?

What is Shamanism?

Shamanism is the oldest form of spiritual healing, and the most ancient spiritual practice on earth. Practiced worldwide for millenia, shamanism can serve as one’s entire spiritual system, or it can be practiced within the boundaries of a specific religion. 

“Shaman”, derived from the word šaman, originates from the Tungus tribe of Siberia, and translates to "one who knows". There is some debate around “who is a shaman”, versus “who is a shamanic practitioner”. Both shamanic practitioners and shamans use the shamanic journey to seek information for the protection, healing and wellbeing of the members of his or her community. Most of us doing this work delineate the two as follows.

What is A shamanic practitioner?

Shamanic practitioners live in the modern world. We often apply our wisdom and tools in ways that fit within the context and lifestyle of our community, and our own cultural melting pots. This may include blending our shamanic training with other modalities, and sometimes, scientific insight. Many of us specialize in a smaller handful of services, unlike a shaman. You can learn about the shamanic healing services I offer here.

What is a shaman?

Shamans devote their entire lives to their shamanic practice. They are the doctors, pharmacists, healers, storytellers and wisdom keepers of their communities. For tens of thousands of years, our ancestors trusted shamans to access the wisdom necessary to treat physical, emotional and mental ailments. A skilled shaman was (and in few places around the world, still is) an asset to their community when it comes to hunting, planting, harvesting and potential threats. Their foresight guides the community to safety and abundance.

Shamans are to thank for several modern medicines of the Western world. The Amazonian shamans, for example, have been blending medicinal plants for thousands of years to cure a myriad of ailments. As the scientific community caught wind of these powerful plant-based medicines, they began to study, use and synthesize them for use in Western medicine.

What is a shamanic journey?

Shamanic journeying is the way in which a shaman or shamanic practitioner gains knowledge and wisdom for the healing and betterment of their community or client. During a journey, one enters an unordinary state of consciousness, most often through listening to the quick, repetitive beat of a drum or rattle. Information comes in one or multiple senses. 

You do not need to be a shaman or shamanic practitioner to reap the benefits of journeying. Once you learn how to journey, you can use your skills for your personal wellbeing. Journeying is an excellent tool to use when you’re feeling stuck, unclear, unable to make a decision, or too overwhelmed to chart a new path for yourself.


Shamanic resources

learn about shamanism

Here are a handful of the books, videos and articles that I’ve enjoyed. If you’re interested in more resources, check back, as I do add to this list periodically.

** indicates resources that either touch on (or center) the effects of “conquered” cultures, colonization, land theft, and/or genocide on indigenous cultures. I believe this is important information for us to know and consider as we exercise our birthright in accessing our own ancient spiritual wisdom :)

Podcasts

  • The Shaman’s Cave- Sandra Ingerman & Renee Baribeau, on Youtube and Spotify.

  • Why Shamanism Now? by Christina Pratt- WOW- SUCH a wealth of wisdom here!

  • Saga Kraft- myths, fairy tales and legends with a shamanic flavor- on Spotify by Betsy Bergstrom

  • Freyia Norling- Norse shamanism/Witchcraft. Think of “shamanism” as the umbrella of the shamanic practices of all cultures, and witchcraft is one specific shamanic practice under that umbrella. As with everything, witchcraft can be practiced for “good” or “bad”, so don’t let the word scare you. I’ve noticed some shamans from other parts of the world poo-pooing witchcraft because they don’t understand this. Let’s not allow harmful steroetypes to be perpetuated:) Remember the witch trials? Yeah.. So just a little PSA to please be mindful before talking negatively about practices we lack an understanding of.

Groups

  • The Shaman’s Cave Facebook group- this community was created by Sandra Ingerman & Renee Baribeau, and is a place for shamanic minded folks to ask questions, share experiences and grow. It’s an excellent place to share about your shamanic journeys, ceremony, and ritual experiences, and learn from others. (Thank you Araceli for reminding me of this incredible resource!)

  • Shamans Are the Gardeners of Energy- This is Sandra Ingerman’s group. It’s a place to uplifting and inspiring one another. Password is Transfiguration

videos

Articles

Websites

  • Norse & Germanic Shamanism: This website site covers Norse magic & shamanism (Seidr) as well as German & Norse mythology

  • Sami Shamanism: A brief introduction to the Sami people’s ancient art of joiking AKA yoiking

books

  • **Andean Shamanism: “Masters of the Living Energy: The Mystical World of the Q'ero of Peru”, by Joan Parisi Wilcox

  • Toltec Shamanism: “The Wisdom Of The Shaman”, by Don Jose Ruiz

  • Toltec Shamanism: “The Four Agreements”, by Don Miguel Ruiz

  • Core Shamanism: “The Way of the Shaman”, by Michael Harner

  • Core Shamanism: “Soul Retrieval”, by Sandra Ingerman

  • Core Shamanism: “The Book of Ceremony: Shamanic Wisdom for Invoking the Sacred in Everyday Life”, by Sandra Ingerman

  • Sami & Finnish culture (with shamanic roots): “Santa Sold Shrooms”, by Tero Isokauppila. Watch my review HERE

  • “The Sámi Peoples of the North: A Social and Cultural History”, Neil Kent

  • “Inari Sámi Folklore: Stories from Aanaar”, by August V. Koskimies (Author), Toivo I. Itkonen (Author), Lea Laitinen (Editor), Tim Frandy (Translator)

  • “Spirited Medicine: Shamanism in Contemporary Healthcare”, a book of many contributors; edited by Cecile Carson MD

  • “Jaguar in the Body, Butterfly in the Heart; The Real-life Initiation of an Everyday Shaman”, by Ya’Acov Khan

  • “Animal Speak”, by Ted Andrews

  • “The Cosmic Serpent” DNA and the Origin of Knowledge”, Jeremy Narby

  • “Shaman, Healer, Sage: How to Heal Yourself and Others with the Energy Medicine of the Americas”, by Alberto Villoldo

  • “One Spirit Medicine: Ancient Ways to Ultimate Wellness” by Alberto Villoldo

  • Various shamanic cultures: “Traveling Between the Worlds, Conversations With Contemporary Shamans”, by Hillary S. Webb

  • Various shamanic cultures: “Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy”, by Mircea, Eliade

Novels With Shamanic Themes

  • “Diana, Herself: An Allegory of Awakening”, by Martha Beck

  • “Star Mother: A Novel”, by Charlie N. Holmberg

Other

Music


Learn About Indigenous Cultures

Each November I dive deep into learning from people of indigenous cultures around the world. I wrote a blog post about this HERE.

My shamanic-specific resources are wonderful ways to learn about indigenous cultures too. Jump to “Shamanic Resources”.

This brand new section will continue to grow. It’s currently mostly Native American information, as that’s the folder I’m uploading from at this moment.

** indicates resources that either touch on (or center) “conquered” cultures, colonization, land theft, and/or genocide on indigenous cultures.


Videos

Documentaries

Youtube Channels

Articles

Websites

Books

  • **”Everyday is a Good Day, Reflections of Contemporary Indigenous Women”, by Wilma Mankiller

Purchase Native Made or Harvested Goods

CLIENT RESULTS

Jessica Riphenburg, Shamanic Practitioner