Book Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Love it
This book and the book "The Mist Filled Path" also by Maceowen are two of my favorites in my "top ten" list of books about shamanism.You won't be disappointed if you buy this book.

The Spiral Speaks
How rare it is to discover the voice of the Ancient Ones in modern writing. Truelly this is a book to reread and nurture over and over as your heart awakens from its own dreaming. I especially enjoyed the three segments as spirals of initiation for those called to the path of Celtic shamanism. My own experiences resonate with MacEowens as I too have walked backwards in time to remember from where I came. We are the ones we have been waiting for and may the Clan awaken globally.

Recently I have also read a book that has similiar energy and she too has some very amazing experiences from the days of old. Eclipse of Fate...my healing journey through past-life recall written by Barbara Burritt echoes the voices of ancient mysteries. Try it as well as Franks first book, The Mist-filled Path. Waiting to read your next one Mr. MacEowen!

An On-Going Journey
As someone who has some basic experience with shamanism, I find Frank's second book a most enjoyable and informative read.He takes us further along his personal journey and shares his well-researched material in a practical manner that we can easily integrate into our own practises and beliefs, whatever they may be. He has inspired me once again to explore my own Celtic Scotish shamanic heritage.

A wonderful spiritual journey!
I would like to recommend this wonderful book on Celtic Shamanism.The Spiral of Memory and Belonging is a journey of the soul, and our connection with the earth and spirit realms that our ancestors were attuned to.

There are exercises in here to help you get in touch with your ancestors, and explanations as to what a shaman really is.This book really opened my eyes to the Otherworld.

I bought this book to help me to understand the ancient tribes of Scotland.I found that and much more.I discovered my own hidden spirituality.It was a very inspirational book for me and written in a poetic style that made it a joy to read.

Compelling
The Spiral of Memory and Belonging is a good book but it is not a great book by any means.I was at first riveted and then the fire died down as the author plunged into fluff and repetition without going anywhere.Then the book redeemed itself at the discussion of the three spirals.I was slightly taken aback at the description of the downward spiral.I believe there are many reasons why someone could head downward.The threshold and upward spiral were also useful.I found the section on healing family/ancestral wounds also pertinent.Although I wanted more.I think the author has experienced much more and has a LOT to offer but this book only hints at it.Definitely worthwhile reading for anyone new to shamantic practise but it is still vague and full of fluff for those familiar with these experiences.
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Book Description

Shamanism has ancient roots. It stems from the beliefs of ancient hunting cultures but was adapted to fit the needs of agricultural communities where the role of the shaman integrated with that of the priest.

Native Americans believed that it was their responsibility to maintain harmony in the natural world on which they depended by performing a variety of rituals. Hunters blessed the animals they sought in the hope of their acquiescence, farmers blessed their fields and seedlings to ensure a bountiful harvest. Shamans were credited with exceptional powers to act on behalf of the community. They claimed to be capable of separating their spirits from their bodies and interceding with those spirits that controlled the many forces of nature.

This book records the author's research into the traditions and practices of shamans across North America. Illustrations include remarkable photographs of masks, effigies, and implements used by shamans that are in the National Museum of the American Indian, Field Museum of Natural History, Canadian Museum of Civilization, and Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnology.

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent intro
This is a good introduction to NA 'shamanic' cultures. The book is divided into 7 chapters, devoted to semi- geographic groups with similar social organizations and spiritual practices, including the Eskimo, Subarctic, Northwest Coast, Southwest, Californian and Plains Indians. There is a lot of information in each chapter yet the info is condensed in an interesting manner for the lay reader. Included are a number of cool stories and anecdotes.In my opinion, Hunt achieves a good balance between the illustrations and the text...the depicted photos ofritual paraphernalia, shamans, landscape tell the story almost by themselves.

I recommend this book as a starting point for people who want to learn about the diversity of NA shamanic practices and beliefs practiced across different cultural, language, ethnic and geographical divisions. As expected from a book intended for a general audience, author presents his information as hard facts. I am sure experts might quibble about some of them; however, this does not detract from the usefullnes of the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I loved it!
Okay, first I need to get this out of my system--due to whatever little miswiring there is between my eyes and my brain, there were a number of times I looked at the title of this book and read it as "Exploding Shamanism".Which would have been an interesting book indeed :P

That being said, I just want to say that this is an excellent book!

Now, there are a ton of books on basic shamanism out there.Some of them are really good, and some are just kind of "eh".This is one of the former.It's a basic guide to shamanism, but it's one of the best books on neoshamanism I've seen.

First of all, the author doesn't try to pretend she's more-indigenous-than-thou.She's quite straightforward about where she's coming from and admits that she comes from primarily a postindustrial white background, though she has worked with shamans and teachers from numerous cultures.She also doesn't use the "Okay, I'm going to tell you a story, and you try to figure out where the important parts are" format that drives me NUTS in other books.

Instead, she takes the various techniques and experiences common to most shamanic practices and makes them relevant to our day and age.Not only does she draw on the indigenous and nonindigenous cultures she has learned from, but she also incorporates other areas of study such as psychology.In fact, she has the balance between microcosm and macrocosm down perfectly, IMO.

There are a number of exercises throughout the book, too, that are aimed to let the reader put what s/he reads into practice for hirself, which is an excellent addition.The material lends itself well to personal use in general, and can be used alone or in tandem with other magical/spiritual paths.This is not a book of dogma, but rather a useful guide.

It is primarily a 101 book, but the techniques in it may be used beyond basic practices.I'd highly recommend this to anyone interested in shamanism but not sure where to start, or those who have been trying to learn but are tired of culturally-specific practices taht are taken out of their original context.

Informative and fun to read!
Webb has done a great job breaking down an enormous amount of information into a neat package that can be easily digested, even with no prior experience of shamanism.I truly enjoyed the humorous anecdotes and witty comparisons that brought an ethereal subject back down to Earth.Highly recommended!! ... Read more

Book Description
In this highly original study, C. Michael Smith draws on phenomenological resources and hermeneutic dialogue to explore the affinities and distinctions between shamanism and Jungian psychology, both rooted ultimately in a heart-centered way if life, and both having highly intricate maps of the human psychic interiors. As the reader adventures through this book he or she will encounter shamanic initiation, dismemberments, disassociation, grief, despair, and soul loss, the healing power of ritual, ecstasy and other altered states. The book explores many rich topics including the role of talismans and amulets, the various levels of the collective unconscious, the archetypal and imaginable perspectives on such phenomena, and implications for psychotherapeutic practice today. In the new preface, the author argues that in the end "It isn't the fascinating and powerful techniques that are the essential thing, but the person inside, its capacity to live from the heart n Earth-honoring and Nature- attuning ways that is the essential center of the Jung/shamanism interface."

In Jung and Shamanism in Dialogue, C. Michael Smith has written a "must have" classic for all students of shamanism and Jungian psychology. Thorough, clear and authoritative, Smith writes from first-hand perspective, drawing on his own depth experiences in studying and teaching shamanism and Jungian psychology for decades. As in his previous book, Psychotherapy and the Sacred, he is psychological and spiritual, phenomenological and historical in his unique perspective. Jung was often described as a "shaman" by those who knew him well, but few have had the courage to openly make this claim, and none has presented the case as thoroughly as Smith has. This new preface to this second edition adds a richness of wisdom worth the price of the book.-Tess Castleman, Training Analyst, The C.G. Jung Institute, Zurich ... Read more

Book Description
An exploration of shamanism and the archetypal symbolism that sits at the foundation of all human life

Not just an academic work. Helps the reader experience the actual mindset of the shaman

Presents a cohesive view of the recurrent patterns of symbolism and visionary experience that underlie all religion

The human psyche contains archetypal patterns largely lost to contemporary society but which shamans have employed for over 30,000 years to gain access to the spiritual world. Shamanic symbols both affect and reflect these durative patterns that exist, with uncanny similarity, in civilizations separated by expanses of time and distance. The Strong Eye of Shamanism draws together the many facets of the art of shamanism, presenting a cohesive view of the recurrent patterns of symbolism and visionary experience that underlie its practice.

The "strong eye" of the title refers to the archetypal symbolism that sits at the foundation of all human life--whether in Paleolithic caves or today's temples. The author asserts that society has become separated from the power of those symbols that lead us into deeper understanding of our spirituality. In today's world of splintered psyches, a world in which people are in search of their souls, shamanism survives as an age-old technology of soul recovery, a living Rosetta stone that reminds us of the shared foundation that exists beneath even the most radically different perspectives. Through its study of shamanism, archetypal psychology, and symbolism, The Strong Eye of Shamanism encourages individuals--and society--to look inward and remember that the deepest forms of awareness begin with the knowledge that the answers reside within us.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

History of Shamanism over the last 35,000 years.
This book is a History of Shamanism over the past 35,000 years.

If you are interested in practising Shamanism; this Book will not help you.

This book explains the role of the Shaman in his or her culture. acting as mediator between the spirit world and the physical plane, and as healer.

If you are interested in practising Shamanism; please skip over this book and view my Shamanism, listmania list.

Please E-Mail me if you have questions or comments; Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

Shamanic Underground
This is a decent book on the shamanic roots of Paleolithic cave paintings.But frankly, I've gotten a little tired of seeing so many praises of C.G. Jung's influence on art, folklore, literature, the occult, science, mathematics, mythology--and now shamanism.And you hear it every other page--Geez!Enough already!The book would have lost a quarter of its pages if he'd said it only once.The focus is also on most famous examples of European cave-art (largely to the exclusion of Australian Aboriginal cave-art, which may more concerned with hunting magic, btw).A book better than and foundational to this one is Gertrude Rachel Levy's superb "Religious Conceptions of the Stone Age" (which is absolutely priceless if out-of-print).Ryan's book is well worth reading but, to me, its like an updated appendix to Levy, with some important new information on the Mayans and other meso-American cultures. In fact, the most important thing about this book to me was the reference to Levy (for which I thank another reviewer).

Archeological aspects of theology, psychology and religion
Not since G.R. Levy's "Religious Conceptions of the Stone Age" and "The Sword from the Rock" has archeology revealed so much of man's spiritual origins. Well researched exposition revealing mankindsheritage; 30,000 years of insights into our relations with the transcendantReality of all faiths. This may turn out to be one of the mostcontroversial books published in recent times. Read it! ... Read more

Book Description
This book takes you to the "classical academy of shamanism," Siberian tribal spirituality that gave birth to the expression "shamanism." Popular imagination frequently associates this phenomenon with Native American religions. At the same time, because of the language barrier, a large number of primary sources coming from Siberia, the "motherland" of shamanism, have been inaccessible not only to the general reader but also to scholars. For the first time, in this volume Znamenski has rendered in readable English more than one hundred books and articles that describe all aspects of Siberian shamanism: ideology, ritual, mythology, spiritual pantheon, and paraphernalia. The anthology is also supplemented with an extensive interpretive essay, in which Znamenski introduces the reader to shamanism studies and shows how Russian and Western writers and scholars have covered Siberian spirituality from the eighteenth century to the present. Both anthropologists, historians of religion, psychologists and practitioners of shamanism will find in this text plenty of valuable information, which they can use in their research, seminars and workshops. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (13)

I Red it and Read it and Read it!!!
I got this book Rainbow Medicine right after meeting the Author in 94. What a powerful person and book I read it over and over. The spirits in this book open doors to healing each day of my life. I will always trust the writings of Wolf Moondance. It will help all who look. Dan Bentely

The Book is Grand it saved my life.
I think there are a lot of ways t see a Truth and I want to say this book is full of truth. I was sad and very angery at the lies that are told about good people and the indian ways. I was lost and drunk and this book pened me up to the memories of my Grandmother and father. I remembered the love and the truth and I'm alive and teaching school because of the book. Please, if you need spirit and are looking to learn grab this one and keep it close-It is Great!!! Carol Smith

I love the book-It helps!
I'm a young one and I have the book it is great. My grandmother is Native American and she thinks we need to remember the magic of our people and not live in the anger and hate of the old days. We almost lost the spirit of our people and we need books like this to remember. I find the book easy to read and great to learn from. It make my Granny smile. Wolf Mooondance is a good writer. Thank you Frank from South Dakota

The Real Thing
This book is a contemporary teaching tool to reach out to all people that strive for a better life.Many would say that this isn't "traditional" material or that shamans don't write books.The idea of this book is to reach out to the public in a contemporary Native American spiritual way, and allow people to find happiness in a difficult world.This book accomplishes the goal, and succeeds in being an excellent healing tool.Doubt or anger is not what this book is about.It is about sharing a vision (contemporary) and helping people to have a guide for self healing and happiness.No, this isn't "tradional" Native American writing, but it IS great contemporary Native American writing.We are all on this earth to share our ideals and culture, so do yourself a favor and read all of Wolf Moondance's work.Native American's do write books and they also share their visions with the rest of the world.Remember anger and negative opinions do NOT mend the hoop.The book is a great beginning to help people get acquinted with spirituality whether it is Native American or a personal experience.The book is a quality experience and I recommend it highly.

sorry people.This is not the real thing!!
My purpose for writing this review is by no means motivated by any intent to slander the author in any way. In fact, after reviewing the author's website and other books, I think my review can be applied to all bookstore shamans. Unforunately, it seems that many of you non-natives are unable to distinguish authentic native spirituality from this type of material.My concern is for the interests of the reader.The approach that most Native Americans have taken in response to this type of misrepresentation of culture has not been a peaceful one.There is no shortage of protests and lawsuits against mispresentation in Indian country. There are many people today who are taking advantage of Native American people through their presentations of bogus teachings.I implore you to use common sense.You must know that today, in this modern age, there are many charlatans at work, especially in this genre. I do not mean to insult the intelligence of the readers but what you have here by "Wolf Mood Dance," is a romanticized version of Native Spirituality.In a sense, maybe this book's information is what you "want" to hear.If it adds something positive to your life, ..fine.But for those of you who are genuinely interested in learning about Native Spirituality, you must approach these presentations in a skeptical manner. Real Medicine healers are few and far between.Again, you must use common sense on this one.Authentic Native spiritual leaders usually keep to themselves and live a simple life usually among their own people and not in a corporate headquarters.It would seem very fishy to my people if our spiritual leaders were to suddenly begin to write books and create websites in order to promote an image.For those of you who seek spiritual guidance from an authentic leader, I'll leave you with a few points to contemplate.In short, you must seek the authentic healer in the proper place, and that is NOT in a bookstore.Also, each tribe has its own cosmology and heirarchy of deities and spirit helpers. It is not a case of lumping a Native practices in to one group and labeling it "Native Spirituality."As I seek to bridge the gap between non-indians and my own people.I am willing to share what I have experienced and how a genuine Native American percieves life.I do not "KNOW IT All" but I do know my culture and offer my hand for the sake of helping another in life, however I can. yellowrobe@hotmail.com ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

One of the few excellent sources for this subject
It is high time (ahem) this collection of writings receive the praise it is due.Offerings on this subject have proliferated in recent decades, but far too many of them have little to offer those seeking genuine knowledge and understanding.Here, packed in one volume, is an assortment of excellent articles exploring various aspects of how hallucinogenic plants and fungi figure in ritual uses across culture.This is a work of anthropology, not lightweight stuff for those who want to beat their own drum playing "New Age shaman" (instead of learn about shamanism as an aspect of other cultures to which such practices actually belong).Later in his career, Harner abandoned this type of scholarly work and went with a more commercialized route that was far less interesting (unless, again, you want to become a Harner Core Method ® Shaman yourself). But this volume amply testifies that in his early career Harner did some excellent work, such as his field studies among the Shuar Indians (popularly known as the Jivaro), whose culture is steeped in shamanism and applications of hallucinogenic plants.(Incidental irony: many of the Shuar shamans state that they took up their practice in order to get rich!)

One of the most fascinating and informative pieces in this book is Harner's article on the use of belladonna and related plants by peasant herbalists accused of witchcraft in mediaeval Europe.The evidence he presents is strong and persuasive, but watch out!It tends to demolish more fashionable and ideologically polarizing interpretations of history, such as (a) there were no "witches," the very idea is preposterous, the whole notion just a paranoid projection from the hysterical imaginations of superstitious people in a pre-scientific age; (b) witches were real, and Evil!, worshippers of Satan, even if they didn't exactly fly on broomsticks; and (c) witches were real and Good!, noble practitioners of an ancient pagan goddess-worship religion.No, its all much more interesting than any of that, turns out.

The selections in this volume are generally well written, although in the scholarly-academic sense, i.e., with the intention of informing, not merely entertaining, the reader.A favorite, unique highlight herein is "The Mushrooms of Language," which astutely interprets Mazatec Indian customs concerning psilocybin mushrooms.The final section of the book raises an interesting question, of the extent to which experiences with hallucinogenic drugs may tap into something beyond cultural soft-wiring of perception, although none of the evidence offered could be described as conclusive, only suggestive.

This book came out in the early 1970's, before the discussion and exploration of this subject got derailed by the "Castaneda effect" and similar "New Agey" influences.It is founded not upon exploitation and sensationalism, but intellectually open-minded curiosity and a desire to explore and learn with feet planted firmly on the ground."Hallucinogens and Shamanism" is baby without dirty bathwater, and as such is highly recommended for those with serious interest.

Good topics, drab writing
Despite the fact that I am absolutly facinated with Shamanism (more so Ethnobotany than the new age stuff) I found this work to be more of a textbook in the school sense and at times really dragged on. I do recommendthis work for the content. Getting through the content can be a littlearduous though

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Customer Reviews (1)

Disappointed in the price
I guess my timinng was wrong and I hooked up with the wrong boodseller because the price I paid was 2 and 1/2 times what the suggestedretail was and shortly thereafter I saw prices on used that were a fraction of what I paid. ... Read more

Product Description
Excerpts from Aboriginal Siberia A Study in Social Anthropology WITH A PREFACE BY R. R. MARETTDownload Description
IN everyday life the shaman is not distinguishable from other people except by an occasionally haughty manner, but when he is engaged in communicating with spirits he has to make use of a special dress and special instruments. Of these the most important and the one in most general use is the shaman's drum. It may be said that all over Siberia, where there is a shaman there is also a drum. The drum has the power of transporting the shaman to the superworld and of evoking spirits by its sounds. ... Read more

Book Description
This in-depth primer of the magic of the Northern Way introduces the major concepts and practices of Gothic or Germanic magic. From Pennsylvania Dutch hex-magic to Scandinavian runes, Northern Magic explores the folk traditions, ancient lore, Germanic Mysteries, magic, and wisdom of this ancient Germanic culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Excellent Book on the Revivification of Norsk Viking Magick
A few people gave trashy reviews of this fine book.The bottom line is that no one can say for sure, what the original runesters did.Edred 'Stephen Flowers' Thorsson presents an interesting modern interpretation of the ways of the scandinavian pagans of yesteryear.Many of the old building structures of northern europe,have those 'Hex-signs' highly displayed still.The christian romanisation of Scandianavia incorporated the symbols into the catholic church.And later the protestants left the symbols there,because it was so apart of their social identity.If Sweden and Norway had embraced Russian communism,the physical Hex-signs would have been removed and destroyed.I think most literate pagans would agree,this is a valuable book on the revival of the Norsk Shamanisic beliefs and traditions.

Operant Hexology
I give this book 5 stars not for its information on runes or norse mythology, but for the small chapter on the Pennsylvania Dutch Hexsigns. I am very interested in Hexology and Powwow, and read anything I can get my hands on about it. Mr. Thorsson has given the reader a basic introduction to Hexology, examples of Hexsigns, and pretty good history too. I cannot speak about the rest of the book, but buy it for the hex information if for nothing else.

Great source for younger futhark runes
Edred Thorrson is perhaps the most trusted modern authority when it comes to the Runes and Northern occult tradition.

This book is a great introduction to many practices rooted in the Northern way, including a fascinating section on the only system of unique colonial American magic that I have come into acquaintance with, Pennsylvania "Dutch" Hex-signs.

Very informative and suitable for beginners as well.

Learning from this book
This is my principle book that I am learning from. For one it is far more accurate on runic magick and magick in general than any Wiccanized book that I can find. People say this guy is a Satanist so they freak out and run but frankly I could care less what one's personal religion. The fact that this guy knows his stuff is beyond doubt. Yes he makes some errors but everyone does this...As for him belonging to the Temple of Set. Sounds like a pretty closed minded way of thinking not to mention very christian in mindset to think that you shouldn't read a book from someones religion that is very different than your own.

Recommended to all Pagans interested in the Northern Way!!
Another of Thorsson's masterpieces! I strongly recommend this book to all pagans who follow the Northern Way. I don't quite understand the bad reviews about Edred Thorsson being a satanist, he is quite far from it!

This is an excellent book for beginners of Asatru, due to the book wide variations of Norse paganism. This book covers many subjects and customs such as: The Troth, Runes, Hex-signs, Seith Magic, and much more. This book, however, is not in depth in these subjects, but a great introduction to them. If you are looking for information on Runes of the Elder Futhark, I wouldn't count on this book, however Thorsson introduces the Younger Futhark and covers them pretty well (one page on each rune, front and back!) I also recommend this book for the advanced, because it introduces new customs as well. Be sure to check out other books by Thorsson. ... Read more

Book Description
Advice and step-by-step guidelines for those seeking to recover from addictive relationships. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

A classic of the field
Despite debate, if one approaches this book with an open mind, one finds alot of evidence supporting the idea of Celtic Shamanism.This is a remarkable cross cultural survey as well of shamanism.It's well researched and presented.I love it so much, I am on my third copy.It's a classic of this admittedly narrow field.

More history than instructional...
...but that doesn't mean that this isn't a top notch book.I found it to be an exceptional source of information about shamanism in general and celtic shamanic beliefs in particular.I highly recommended it to all with an interest in such subjects.IF, however, you are looking for a "how to" book, this is not what you are looking for.

The Metaphor in the Humanity
On my shelf of shamanist titles, this one sits prominently figured.Cowan presents the traditional fantastic experiences of the shaman in an amazingly receivable framework.His experience of archetypes in well-known myths and legends opens one to the ability to read all things symbolically, thus, as the dynamic spiritual presences that they are.To that end I regard Cowan as a shapeshifter of symbols, not an interpreter of them.His telling of olde tales connects their spirit with a modern audience.

In this book his love and connection to the Celtic path is evident, though it is not necessarily rooted in what we know of Celtic history, itself.I feel it is important to make that distinction, as Cowan is cultivating the opening of the shamanic experience of metaphor in a Celtic context.He is not a Reconstructionist, thus this work offers, rather, an experiential opportunity in a Celtic framework.

Packed!
Lots of good solid information here. I must admit I like his writing style as well. Excellent material, well presented!

Wonderful intro to Celtic mysticism
I first became interested in shamanism after reading books by core-shamanic practioners Michael Harner and Sandra Ingerman. While these books described a way of relating to and healing with the natural world that I have always longed for, my heart yearned for a practice more connected with my long-forgotten European ancestry. Soon I found this book, which addresses the issues of recovering native European Celtic traditions. I agree that it's a wonderful introduction to Celtic mysticism and spirituality. Cowan covers a wide variety of topics to "pull" from and trigger remembrance. Regarding the witchcraft issue, black and white magic has been a part of every native tradition since the beginning of time. Certainly the inappropriate use of magic figures prominently in our collective soul wounds, and needs to be considered. ... Read more

Book Description
""This book is a comprehensive ethnographic survey of the uses of tobacco in nearly three hundred Indian societies in South America. . . . This meticulously written book . . . is an awesome piece of scholarship which should be of interest not only to Wilbert's fellow anthropologists but also to scholars in medicine, pharmacology, and history, especially ethnohistory.""-Virgil J. Vogel, Ethnohistory ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Reads like some one's masters thesis
This book is nothing but a survey of previous literature.It's an exhaustive (and I mean EXHAUSTING) list of every mention of tobacco in the notes, logs, and published works of early explorers, scientists, and missionaries in South America.There were a few interesting things - I didn't fall asleep EVERY time I tried to read it, just almost every time.It took me 2 years to get through this book.Don't look here if you want to understand the role of tobacco in South American medicine.

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Customer Reviews (5)

A "how to" book on working with Plant Teachers
I remember a Terrance McKenna comment that went something like-- "If you want to work with psychedelics, the first place you should go is a library."Unfortunately, back in the 60's there was nothing to speak of in any library. So psychedelics exploded into the spiritual vacuum of social club Christianity, creating a backlash of fear and loathing.Bit by bit, this situation is being rectified with books like Mushroom Wisdom.This book is a must for anyone considering following the arduous spiritual path of working with Plant Allies.

Solid introductory material into shaman psychology
Finally, we have post baby-boom author with the authority and integrity of McKenna to talk about psychedelic experiences.This material is more of a general orientation into modes of thought, consciousness, and perspectives used by mystics, shamans, knowers, etc.There is scant material here on mushroom specifics but enough to make it an almost required resource for anyone looking at psychedelics for the first time.If you are new to the spiritual path or psychedelic studies then there is much more than a pinch of good information here.Much of the authors music is also good expecially Shaman's Path.

very good
reccommended for anybody intrested in modern shamanism, consciousness, awareness, spirituality, positive world change.very good book, very well written

tool for higer conciousness
Great book. the author guidesthe spiritual seeker in a precise way through the journey of discovery.

wonderful piece of work
i am still currently reading this book and loving it.well thought out and very interesting.not your typical book on magic mushrooms.it goes well beyond the realms of explaining the spiritual use of our little fungus buddies.not a how to grow guide which makes it extra special.this book is a spiritual guide.another thing i will point out is the art work contained within is exceptional.i recommend this book to anyone interested in self spirituality and guidance.great job martin.peace.

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Customer Reviews (4)

To all the aformentioned reviewers
I have not read this book but the aforementioned complaints make no sense to me.
Ninjutsu and Taoism(which is a form of shamanism) Started in Tibet/China.
While being seperate paths, they originated of one source thus I can see connections just from my own research.

Just a comment
I haven't read the book but I am about to buy it so this isn't a review it's just a comment on the other reviews.

I don't know exactly how the writing linked Taoism and Ninjutsu as I haven't read the book. I just wanted to say this isn't the first time I have heard of this.

It was in one of either of these two books I can't remember which (I would bet on the first):

Mind Manipulation
The Ninja - Steven Hayes

They discuss the development of alot of the psychoogical aspects from the Taoist 5 elements and there was a reference to some "5 element ninjas." There was even a Japanese word for them.

I remember this clearly coz at the time I was doing XIng Yi Luihe a Taoist art with the 5 elements at its heart. Also the 5 element ninja idea sounded cool.

I am not concluding anything...just offering a bit of info in passing.

PS. My rating was just to try and not mess up the rating by others.

Not Accurate
I just would like to add my support to the previous review, who is right on target. Most notibly, he was waaay far off when he linked the infamous japanese Ninja to Taoism.

Very in-accurate. I suggest nobody wastes their time reading further about this book. Very bad. Avoid.

Thelemic Taoism? .....interesting but not accurate.
If you're into Thelema, Aliester Crowley, The Golden Dawn, OTO, or similar topics, this may be a book for you. If, on the other hand, you want I book on Taoism, I would recommend any other but this one.

With the core topic about Taoism and the I ching, the author has wrapped them in a veil of Neo-Paganism and other-Asian practices. This book reads as a compilation of texts that others have previously written, with introductions into chapters quoting Aliester Crowley's text. If you are into Eastern philosophy and thinking, you'll easily discern that this book is not written with the type of focus or commitment to preserve that Asian flavor (some Asian practices blended with neo-pagan practices and presented as western thought).

The material presented herein is spread to thin and over to great of subject matter to have any solid foundation as a book on Taoism. Simply, the material presented is inaccurate.

The exercises he gives within this books pages are Shamanic at best (not Asian or Taoist) and a lot of detail is left out about these things he has decided to include.

The mis-use of mudras and associated practices demonstrates this sort of hodge podge approach, as does the using the "Assuming the form of Fudo" for everything....... Fudo is Japanese Buddhism, Taoism is Chinese Taoism. Also, Fudo's attributes are mis-represented in this text as is the symbolism that is associated with him (for example, his sword in this text is not drawn with the symbolic Vajra handle, nor is the definition of the weighted rope, held by Fudo, accurate). The "Diamond Thunderbolt" Mudra (which is Japanese Buddhist) is mis-used, and, the specific practices associated with its use are not included. I could go on.

If you are looking for good books on Taoism, please refer to books written by an actual Taoist Priest. I would recommend:
Taoism and the rite of cosmic renewal by Michael Saso
Blue Dragon White Tiger by Michael Saso

...... and interestingly, Fudo isn't mentioned in these text, nor is Aliester Crowley. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

This book is great!
If you could choose only one book to start someone off learning about Shamanism, this should be the one.

Not my cup of Ayuahuasca
I am no expert on shamanism--which is why I thought this book would be a good one for me to read.But this book was not for me.The author's version of shamanism is totally different than what I have read or experienced.Her idea of a shamanic journey is no different than a guided medititation.And she views shamanic practice in a totally psychological way.She believes that a shaman can heal psychological problems but medical problems should only be taken to a medical doctor.She doesn't seem to understand that the spirit world is real and not a figment of the imagination.She also seems to think that a person chooses their power animal.

Another thing that bothered me was that many of the pictures in the book were of neo-pagan or wiccan rituals but the author never made an effort to explain how these religions are related to shamanism.She also states that the majority of shamans are male--which is totally untrue--it may be true in some places, like south america--but korean shamans are almost exclusively female and in many places the number of male and female shamans are equal.

I wanted to like this book--I generally like the complete idiot's guides--but this one seemed like fluff to me.

Take a Shamanic trip
Gini Graham Scott has done an excellent job in putting together a 'general introduction' to Shamanism in this book. She takes a number of different topic regarding it and describes them in terms virtually everyone can understand and makes it clear all who read this can benefit from using various "shamanic techniques" in their own lives. She also cautions in a few places in the book about those who claim to be "shamans" but may be using the term to profit from it more than helping people go on shamanic journeys.

Ms Scott devotes a couple chapters to the "history" of shamanism, starting from prehistoric times to the present, as well as describing its forms in various parts of the world. Even if all of these forms of shamanism developed indepedently of each other, it's interesting how they all seem to share some common ideas. I liked how Ms Scott talks a bit about "power animals," I have a handful I work with when doing meditations and have found them to be very helpful. Ms Scott also does a great job describing the various "shamanistic worlds," Upper, Middle & Lower and what you will find in each of them. Ms Scott also describes the process behind going on a shamanistic journey and what to expect and what to watch out for on such journeys.

This is a topic that up until recently most people found to be very mysterious and now that it seems to be gaining in popularity I'm glad to see a book like this out that gives a good overall view of what shamanism is and isn't. I have friends that are shamans and now I have a much better understanding of who they are and what they do. ... Read more

Book Description
Healing Thoughts is not only a self-help, personal growth text, but a guide to metaphysicians & psychotherapists as well. The book presents various models of psychotherapy and how they relate to types of Shamanism, specifically Hawaiian Shamanism. Learn to connect with, learn from, and use Spirituality in your daily life using meditation, dream therapy, personal mythology, visualization, positive thought, prayer & internal dialogue. Heal your body, your relationships, yourself! ... Read more

Book Description
Shamanism: A Reader unites perspectives from disciplines including anthropology, psychology, musicology, botany to provide a unique overview of modern writing on shamanism. From grassroots political writing to classical ethnographies, and imaginative narratives to detailed case studies, the 25 articles and short extracts presented here cover topics including gender, initiation, hallucinogenic consciousness and political protest. Juxtaposing the traditional practices of indigenous peoples with their new and often radically urban reinterpretations, experts including Michael Harner, Milhàly Hoppàl, Majorie M Balzer and Piers Vitebsky raise questions about constructions of shamanism, its efficacy, its use and misuse as a cultural symbol, and its real nature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good, solid research and reading, though with a few clinkers
Well, it took me the better part of two weeks, but I finished this academic anthology over the weekend-and found it to be worth the effort. It was good to see a collection of essays that both approached traditional shamanism with an open mind, and also embraced the existence of neoshamanism (while also bringing up issues with it). I did find that the quality of the essays varied quite a bit, and the themes and topics didn't always seem to mesh well. Though I there were some real winners there, too. So here are my personal opinions on some of them:

I Liked:

-Ioan M. Lewis' "Possession and Public Morality", which was an intriguing essay on how shamanic rituals can be used to uphold community moral standards through using public peer pressure to extract confessions of broken taboos. This process then allows the community to heal rifts caused by these violations and release the social tension.
-Alan T. Campbell's "Submitting", which got me thinking about attitudes towards shamanism and seemingly implausible realities.
-Edith Turner's "The Reality of Spirits", an *excellent* argument against the fear of "going native" by anthropologists and other academics. Based on the experiences of the author and her husband, and a really good commentary on the practical application of anthopological research.
-Chungmoo Choi's "The Artistry and Ritual Aesthetics of Urban Korean Shamans" is a fascinating look at Korean shamanism, which isn't nearly as well known outside of academic circles (and the Koreans themselves, of course).
-Mihaly Hoppal's "Ethnographic Films on Shamanism" is another good one, specifically covering films of Asian (primarily Siberian) shamanism, how these films have progressed and what they contribute, as well as the political climates at the times they were made. This essay and the last were particularly unique contributions.
-Both Bernard Saladin d'Anglure's "Rethinking Inuit Shamanism Through the Concept of `Third Gender'" and Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer's "Sacred Genders in Siberia: Shamans, Bear Festivals and Androgyny" are excellent perspectives on gender issues within shamanism; the latter is also a nice look at the Carnival-esque feel of the bear festivals.
-Piers Vitebsky's "From Cosmology to Environmentalism: Shamanism as Local Knowledge in a Global Setting" didn't surprise me whern I enjoyed it thoroughly; I'm generally a fan of Vitebsky's works, including The Shaman. Here he explores the juxtaposition of shamanic knowledge that's designed for a specific environment into global society, and how removing the inherent cosmology of a shamanic system necessarily changes it. One of the best in the collection.
-Ward Churchill's "Spiritual Hucksterism: The Rise of the Plastic Medicine Men" is an essay that I actually really like; it's a good commentary on cultural appropriation.

I Didn't Care For:

-The reprinting of a chapter of Michael Harner's The Way of the Shaman; I would have liked to have seen something different from him, though it was one of only two essays on the initiation process of shamanism. In fact, there were a few reprints in here, and it would have been nice to encounter more original material.
-There were a couple of essays I simply could not get into, primarily because I found them rather dry, or otherwise uninteresting. These included Thomas A Dowson's "Like People in Prehistory", Marina Roseman's Remembering to Forget: The Aesthetics of Longing", Gordan MacLellen's "Dancing on the Edge: Shamanism in Modern Britain", and Robert J. Wallis' "Waking Ancestor Spirits: Neoshamanic Engagements With Archaeology".
-Sandra Ingermann's "Tracking Lost Souls" wasn't horrible, per se, but it was rather jarringly discordant with the rest of the collection. It's a very New Agey interpretation of core shamanism, and it didn't fit in with the more scholarly approaches. An examination of neoshamanism, or a critique and comparison of various modern systems, would have worked better than Ingermann giving us a play-by-play of her method of soul retrieval.
-Beverley Butler's "The Tree, The Tower and the Shaman" was just strangely written and arranged; I had trouble following it, and ended up skipping a good portion of it. I'm also not sure how relevant it is to shamanism, from what I could gather.

Despite my personal dislikes, I still think this is a good anthology to have in your collection if you have any interest in shamanism. The good essays are excellent, and they outnumber the not so great essays by quite a bit. I'm quite pleased with this collection, and I've already used it as source material in my writing, as well as gleaned some inspiration for the further development of therioshamanism, my own personal path. ... Read more

Book Description
In this timely collection, Neil Price brings together recent archaeological thought on shamanism. Issues addressed include shamanic material culture, responses to dying and the dead, shamanism in the context of other belief systems such as totemism, shamanic soundscapes, and the use of ritual architecture. With case studies from the arctic Greenland to Africa and from Europe to Asia this work covers the Palaeolithic to the present day. ... Read more