Shamanism: Ancient Greece and Some Modern Examples

SHAMANISM: Ancient Greece & some modern examples

I. Ancient Greece: def.: "unstable person - rec'd 'call' to relig. life'

A. Training:

1. Solitude
2. Fasting
3. Diet
4. 'psychic" sex change

B. 'Method:' 'Arts;" Skills:

1. power of 'mental dissociation'; trance (pot Possession)
2. bi-location in physical & spiritual worlds (soul as 'bird')
3. Skills:

a. divination;

b. healing (magic, medicine);
c. poetry (relig.)
d. weather control;
e. 'rebirth'
f. power is a divine 'gift"
g. can disappear & return as a god

C. Origins: (pre-Greek) 'North' (Central Asia?), Scythia, Thrace

1. date ? ca. 650 B.C.? -prob. Earlier, but lst literature references
2. Customs -in North, similar to early Greek shamans: e.g.,

a. tattooing -priests & priestesses;

b. Abaris legend similar to Greek'Hyperborean'Apollo

D. Evidence: (scarce) (6th & 5th cents. B.C. = general; later 'specialists')

1. Writings: main ex. = Empedokles (poetry)
2. Legends: in lit., there is a 'pattern' for shaman legends

a.Epimenides (Kretan) was Aeacus reincarnated; at death tattoos appear

b. Pythagoras (as shaman)

1)believed in reincarnation (shaman Hermotimos in former life?)

2) " psyched = soul & had a 'guardian spirit'/spirit guide
3) founded religious order (site: Kroton, Italy)

II. Some modern examples of Shamanism:

A. def.: " a practitioner who can will his/her spirit to leave the body & joumey to upper or lowerworlds. *word 'shaman' from Evenk tribe in Siberia. Sim. to 'priest' & to 'sorcerer'/witchcraft; but focus is 'healing'

B. Beliefs:

1. Not a single religion or doctrinal system

2. Worldwide shamanic traditions sim. approach:

a. 'animism' beliefs;

b. spirits are conscious, often anthropomorphic
c. 'spirit' world & everyday life connected

C. Method: Trance -

1. Need for soul-travel -wh/is 'vital' for 'work'
2. Work w/spirit or 'bring back info.' from spirits
3.Gain/lose power(s)

D. Examples:

1. Sora tribe (India); dead & healing tie; women; views- death
2. Yaomami (Amazon, S. Amer.); use ebene-'healing,'&
initiation ritual (5-day preparation; tree cutting rite; 'new' spirit helper