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A shaman is an intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds, responsible for physical and spiritual health. They use various methods to gain power over spirits and possess diverse abilities, depending on cultural context and knowledge. Shamans operate independently and are found in many tribal cultures.
A shaman is a person who interacts with both the normal world and the spirit world, usually acting as a sort of intermediary between the two. They are common in many tribal cultures, although shamanism can exist in other types of culture as well. This person is often responsible for both the physical and spiritual health of people, and may also be called upon to call upon spirits for help or to predict the future and interpret omens.
Central to the idea is the concept of a focal point where the natural and supernatural worlds connect. This node is often seen as the center of the world and may be associated with an archetypal feature, such as the World Tree. A shaman moves from the natural world to the supernatural world and often has to pass certain tests to exert power over the spirit world. When the person returns to the natural world, he has been imbued with special powers or knowledge, which can be used for good or ill.
The path a shaman takes varies widely, depending on the cultural context from which he comes. Many people have pointed out that generalizing all tribal belief systems to a single term – shaman – fails to account for the diversity these paths can take. The individual can use force to gain power over him, literally trapping or enslaving spirits to do his bidding. These people may also use a more peaceful form of fellowship, by attuning to spirits to learn from them or ask for their help. Some may see what they do as a literal movement, with their physical body accompanying them into the spirit world, while others may embark on their spiritual journey while in a trance, using a form of astral projection to visit the spirit realm.
The powers that such a person possesses also depend on the cultural context, his ability and his level of knowledge. A shaman may be able to see into the future and the past, predicting events and warning against certain courses of action. He or she may be able to heal illnesses, often believed to be caused by evil spirits, or even heal more pronounced physical wounds by invoking the aid of benevolent spirits. This person can exercise control over the weather, calling on rain to water crops or storms to punish enemies. He or she can fly or teleport instantly, cause plants to grow or wither, make women fertile or barren, or exert total control over the body by stopping its heart, cutting itself without bleeding, or holding hot coals in its hands.
The term is used in such a broad context that it covers many traditional healers or miracle workers in tribal societies. Any belief system based on the idea of invisible spirits constantly interacting with this world – spirits that can be contacted or controlled by one with the proper training and power – is essentially shamanic. Unlike priests, shamans operate independently, perhaps learning their craft from another person interacting with the spirit world or a spirit guide.
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