What is Shamanism?

Shamanism Is The Oldest Spiritual Practice Known To Humanity

The Ancestors of shamanic traditions hail from the Sami people in parts of Scandinavia and Russia; to the Celts, who led nomadic lives from what is now the U.K. to the Mediterranean region. Shamanic cultures have lived in parts of Mongolia, Siberia and other parts of Asia, to Australia, Africa, as well as North and South America. Though the practices vary by culture, the commonalities of shamanism still exist with similar rituals and ceremonies today. The potency of the work has stood the test of much resistance, time, and modern changes.

What Is A Shaman?

The word “shaman” is derived from the Evenk/Manchu word šamán or samaan, which loosely translates ‘to heat up,’ to ‘get excited,’ and ‘to have sacred knowledge {Breeze Wood, Nicholas. Walking with the Tiger: Deepening Your Shamanic Life (pp. 45-46). 3Worlds Books. Kindle Edition.} The neophyte would have had to survive an intense shamanic initiation, sometimes called a “shamanic sickness.” Once initiated, the shaman is considered “reborn” as the hollow bone, and is gifted with the job of serving others in the community.

To the Ancestors, the survival of the community rested upon the success rate of the shaman. If the individual could not clearly divine information or perform successful healing, the individual was not recognized as a shaman by the community.

What Is Shamanic Healing?

The shaman enters into an altered state of consciousness with the use of rhythmic sound to allow part of their spirit to travel into the Otherworlds of the spirit helpers. Drums, rattles, bells, and other instruments have traditionally been used all over the world to support the shaman’s journey. The shaman then returns to this world to bring back guidance, wisdom, and healing. Well-respected shamans often bring about successful results in which recipients report a viscerally positive shift of energy.