Shamans/Neo-Shamans

by Robert J. Wallis

In popular culture, such diverse characters as occultist Aleister Crowley, Doors musician Jim Morrison, and performance artist Joseph Beuys have been called shamans. In anthropology, on the other hand, shamanism has associations with sorcery, witchcraft and healing, and archaeologists have suggested the meaning of prehistoric cave art lies with shamans and altered consciousness. Robert J. Wallis explores the interface between 'new' and prehistoric shamans. The book draws on interviews with a variety of practitioners, particularly contemporary pagans in Britain and north America. Wallis looks at historical and archaeological sources to explore contemporary pagan engagements with prehistoric sacred sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury, and discusses the controversial use by neo-Shamans of indigenous (particularly native American) shamanism.

Genres: Religion, Anthropology, Paganism

328 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 2003

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, objective, and thoroughly-researched book. Wallis has an opinion and a stance on the subject, but doesn't let that keep him from critical debate of a complex issue.

[David Ravicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

very dry but honest