Home: Spirituality: Shamanism

See also: Shamanism in Red Willow's Quest

Art courtesy of Camlyn's Pagan Postcards

See also: Native American Spirituality

What is Shamanism?

The term "Shaman" has its origins in Siberia (a Siberian tribal word for its practitioners), but is used by anthropologists worldwide to refer to Aboriginal healers. Some believe Shamanism is the world's oldest healing tradition, and Shamans can be found in all cultures on earth. Shamanism is defined as "techniques of ecstasy" in "Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy (Mircea Eliade). Prehistoric paintings indicate that shamanism was practiced in Europe at least 25,000 years ago.

Shamanism developed in peoples who had to live in tune with nature to survive. The shaman, being priest, healer, advisor in personal and social matters, artist and musician all in one, contacted the spiritual world to communicate with the forces thought responsible for the different aspects of life and the well-being of all. Ancient and long-developed practices worldwide for enhancing mental and spiritual abilities for healing or problem-solving are sometimes collectively known as "shamanism."

For example, Spirits may be encouraged to occupy the Shaman's body during public lodge ceremonies. Drum beating and chanting aid this process. The spirits are then asked to depart and perform the needed acts. Generally speaking, shamanism is a method, not a religion.

For Native American Shoshoni Shaman In the 1800's vision quests were an important part of training. A person would go off on a quest in the wilderness. They would remain in one place for three or fourth days without sleeping or eating, waiting for a vision that would guide their life by. In the book Red Willow's Quest, the Shoshoni maiden Red Willow is given a vision of a cave that she is to go to. Here is the scene when she finds the actual cave later:

"I drew a circle with a stick and sat down in the center of it, planning to remain here for the next four suns and sleeps. Once Wind Chaser saw that I was not going on any farther, he disappeared into the woods. I prayed to Apo to give me a vision, then began to sing my song: Hu-nai-yiee. Gradually I felt my consciousness expand until I was one with all life. I was a deer running swiftly through the forest and an eagle flying high in the sky.

"On the third night, Oapiche, my spirit guide, came again and took me into the spirit world. I found myself in a shimmering white body beside Oapiche outside the entrance to a cave. He led me through the cave to an opening that held many ancient objects. I could feel the power radiating out from them. He told me in thought impressions to find my personal totem, which would give me strong medicine. I examined a pipe and reverently touched a painted shield with feathers on it, then reached out to clasp a small sculpture. The inner vision faded and I found myself back in my body. I continued to pray in hopes that my Spirit Guide would return and take me back to the cave. He did not reappear. I was left wondering at the meaning of the vision and if the cave existed in the physical world." Read more about the shamanism in Red Willow's Quest.

Red Willow's Quest: A medicine woman's epic journey of action, romance and inspiration.

This new book is visionary author Heidi Skarie's re-telling of the story of Red Willow, a young Shoshoni maiden who undertook a dangerous quest in the early 1800's to successfully become a medicine woman.
Shamanism in Red Willow's Quest.
Buy now for 33% off !!