"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack."
'Rudyard Kipling'
The word Shaman comes from the Tungus language via Russian. Among the
Tungus of Siberia it is both a noun and a verb. While the Tungus have
no word for what we call shamanism, it has come into usage as a blanket
term used by anthropologists, historians,etc., to designate the experiences
and the practices of the shaman. Shamanism is not the name of a religion
or group of religions.
I believe that the idea of Shamanism is the basis of all human religions
and belief systems. (I use the word shamanism here as a blanket term
for practices that are world wide, not just in the Americas). I believe
that these practices have been around since paleolithic times.
These practices are similar all over the world with very little variation.
In the following pages I hope to show you what I mean.
I also have found that there is some intolerance between some people who
study one type of Shamanism over another. This is not what these pages
are about. I am seeking Shamanism in all it's forms and practices. May
we all learn together.
If you choose to link back to me you may use this banner, thanks Wolfdancer.
