Aboriginal medicine-men, so far
from being rogues, charlatans or
ignoramuses,
- are men of high degree; that is, men who have taken a
degree in the secret life beyond that taken by most adult males - a
step which implies discipline, mental training, courage and
perseverance
- they are men of respected, and often outstanding
personality
- they are of immense social significance, the psychological
health of the group largely depending on faith in their powers
- the
various psychic powers attributed to them must not be too readily
dismissed as mere primitive magic and 'make believe,' for many of them
have specialized in the working of the human mind, and in the influence
of mind on body and mind on mind
" From Aboriginal Men of High Degree
by the late Australian anthropologist A.P. Elkin (1945:78-79).
Shaman (pronounced SHAH-maan) is a word from the language of the
Tungus people of Siberia. It is a proper noun and does not denote sex.
Both male and female would be called Shaman. Plural is Shamans, not Shamen.
Shaman has been used to describe/name medicine men/women, witchdoctor,
sorcerer, wizard, magic man/woman, magician and seer.
The word Shaman lacks the negative connotations of the other words mentioned above.
However, not every type of medicine man, witchdoctor, etc., is a
Shaman.
A Shaman enters into an altered state of consciousness, at will, to
contact and utilize a different reality in order to gain knowledge,
power, learn the true nature of something and to help others.
The Shaman has at least one, often more than one, helping
spirits or Totems in their personal service.
Often these Totems (or spirits) take on an animal form.
This animal form is a way of
understanding the gifts/abilities of the particular Totem and does not
refer to the Totems strength.
A mouse Totem would be no less "powerful" than a bear Totem.
The difference in the appearance of the Totem refers only to the
gift/ability of the Totem. For additional information on animal Totems,
refer to Animal-Speak by Ted Andrews.
It is an excellent source of
information on non-Native American Totem descriptions.
Every culture, including England & Ireland, have their Shamanic
traditions.
These days there are many 'studying the shamanic traditions' or
'learning Shamanism', mainly because it's trendy. The are not usually
harmful. I have even met some people purporting to be Shaman as if it
were a religion.
Shamanism is not a religion in and of itself. It is a calling and not a
religion. A Shaman could be Christian, Islamic, Pagan or any other
religion. As a calling, it is not a practice one enters into lightly.
A Shaman is Shaman, not because they want to be, but because they MUST be.
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