Prehistoric Shamanism:
Prehistoric cave paintings suggest that the earliest people to practice magic were Shamans. In these cave paintings, the Shaman was the link between the spirit world and the world of the living. From the beginning of time people turned to the spirit world, their ancestors or the world of the gods for help in times of need. Therefore, it was the Shaman’s role to mediate between the spirit and human worlds.
The word “Shaman” is Russian, and was a term that originally meant “ecstatic healer,” it applied to healers throughout inner Asia and Northern Siberia. It also comes from the Sirbian Tungus “hamman” meaning “one who is exited about” or “raised.”
Both derived from the Pali word “saman” meaning, “ecstatic philosopher or wanderer.”
Shamanism is the earths most ancient and authentic form of spirituality, it’s an ageless human activity.
Shamans were and still are today the mediums we seek out to help us connect with the ones who passed away and they are also alternative / spiritual healers.
Please note – not all mediums and alternative healers are Shamans. I’m just pointing out that THAT it’s what most Shamans do and it’s very plainly put and very simplified.
Eastern Shamanism:
Japanese Shinto – Shinto means “the way of the spirits” and is the name for a collection of “kami,” gods/spirits of nature. Kami are associated with natural phenomena, deified heroes or anything that can inspire awe. Kami can also be found in a pure and sincere heart.
In Shinto there are two categories of religious leaders who deal with spirits: the “miko” – female Shamans / mediums through whom the spirits descend and “kannushi” – priests who oversee the worship of the spirits and officiate the state cults.
Korean Shamanism – Mu-sok is cults that formed around female Shamans who were a source of native Korean magic. Korean Shamanism is centred around the individual Shaman or “mansin” and her household gods. Men are not generally Shamans but they do conduct formal rites of ancestor worship. The role of the mansin is to communicate with ancestors / spirits / gods, let them possess her and then bargain with them. Her role is to purify the home / dwelling and restore harmonious relations between humans and ancestors / spirits / gods.
Chinese Magic – Magic was very important in the Chinese ancestral religion of the Shang and early Chou. The “Wu” was a Shaman / sorcerer who dealt with the spirit world and they were also healers by means of spells and medicinal plants. The Wu tradition was also connected with the “fangshi” meaning “persons of techniques.”
Western Shamanism:
In our modern and usually urban context, practicing Shamanic techniques such as “journeying” is perfect ways to revive ancient “ways of knowing” for those who feel estranged from nature as a source of spirituality. Many modern Western Shamanic practitioners turn to what they see as ancient means of healing and creating a connection with nature. This modern Shamanism is considered a “method” rather than a religion and can be practised by anyone as a method of self-empowerment.
Modern Shamanic practitioners attend drumming circles to help induce a trance state for journeying.
Healing is often a central component of journeying, the essence of Shamanic healing is the spiritual removal of aspects of a person that should not be there and returning those spiritual parts that should be. This is done with the aid of spirit being called power animals or totems.
A person that practice Shamanic traditions and techniques is not the same as a Shaman, just as doing a spell every now and then does not make you a witch. A person cannot just decide to become a Shaman and you cannot just decide to be “initiated” as one too. You will be “called” and you will be “recognized” by a Shamanic community as someone that has a potential to become a Shaman.
