((I have a role playing task coming up that will require me to go “full on” shaman. To be honest, I have no idea how to do that yet, much less within the parameters of what is possible through built-in game mechanics. But for starters, I decided to look up what makes a shaman a shaman – not in the WoW sense of shaman, but our “real world” sense. This was for my own benefit, but may help other shaman role players as well. The information below is massively lifted from Wikipedia.org))
The word shaman, used internationally, has its origin in manchú-tangu and has reached the ethnologic vocabulary through Russian. The word originated from saman (xaman), derived from the verb scha-, "to know", so shaman means someone who knows, is wise, a sage. This knowledge or wisdom, in the Tungu languages, implies in one way or the other mastery of the "spirits", whose powers can be introduced by the Shaman into himself at will, using them in his own interest, especially in order to help others who suffer because of spirits.
Shamanism encompasses the belief that shamans are intermediaries or messengers between the human world and the spirit worlds. Shamans are said to treat ailments/illness by mending the soul. The shaman also enters supernatural realms or dimensions to obtain solutions to problems afflicting the community. Shamans may visit other worlds/dimensions to bring guidance to misguided souls and to ameliorate illnesses of the soul caused by foreign elements. The shaman operates primarily within the spiritual world, which in turn affects the “real” world. The restoration of balance results in the elimination of the ailment. The shaman’s practices, though they evolve in the actual moment, work with elements, basic references, archaic symbols and emotions already present since the origin of humankind.
Shamanism is a 'calling'. Individuals who are 'called' typically experience an illness of some sort over a prolonged period of time. This illness will prompt the individual to seek out spiritual guidance and other shamanic healers. Such illnesses are usually not healed/curable by traditional medicine. The shaman heals through spiritual means that consequently affect the world by bringing about restored health.
The wounded healer is archetype for a shamanizing journey. This process is important to the young shaman. He undergoes a type of sickness that pushes him to the brink of death. This happens for two reasons:
The Role of Healer
Shamans gain knowledge and the power to heal by entering into the spiritual world or dimension. The shaman may have or acquire many spirit guides in the spirit world, who often guide and direct the shaman in his/her travels. These spirit guides are always present within the shaman though others only encounter them when the shaman is in a trance. The spirit guide energizes the shaman, enabling him/her to enter the spiritual dimension. The shaman heals within the spiritual dimension by returning 'lost' parts of the human soul from wherever they have gone. The shaman also cleanses excess negative energies which confuse or pollute the soul.
The Role of Mediator
Shamans act as "mediators" in their culture. The shaman communicates with the spirits on behalf of the community, including the spirits of the deceased. The shaman communicates with both living and dead to alleviate unrest, unsettled issues, and to deliver gifts to the spirits.
Functions of a Shaman
Shamans perform a variety of functions depending upon their respective cultures: healing; leading a sacrifice; preserving the tradition by storytelling and songs; fortune-telling; acting as a guide of souls. In some cultures, a single shaman may fulfill several of these functions.
The word shaman, used internationally, has its origin in manchú-tangu and has reached the ethnologic vocabulary through Russian. The word originated from saman (xaman), derived from the verb scha-, "to know", so shaman means someone who knows, is wise, a sage. This knowledge or wisdom, in the Tungu languages, implies in one way or the other mastery of the "spirits", whose powers can be introduced by the Shaman into himself at will, using them in his own interest, especially in order to help others who suffer because of spirits.
Shamanism encompasses the belief that shamans are intermediaries or messengers between the human world and the spirit worlds. Shamans are said to treat ailments/illness by mending the soul. The shaman also enters supernatural realms or dimensions to obtain solutions to problems afflicting the community. Shamans may visit other worlds/dimensions to bring guidance to misguided souls and to ameliorate illnesses of the soul caused by foreign elements. The shaman operates primarily within the spiritual world, which in turn affects the “real” world. The restoration of balance results in the elimination of the ailment. The shaman’s practices, though they evolve in the actual moment, work with elements, basic references, archaic symbols and emotions already present since the origin of humankind.
Shamanism is a 'calling'. Individuals who are 'called' typically experience an illness of some sort over a prolonged period of time. This illness will prompt the individual to seek out spiritual guidance and other shamanic healers. Such illnesses are usually not healed/curable by traditional medicine. The shaman heals through spiritual means that consequently affect the world by bringing about restored health.
The wounded healer is archetype for a shamanizing journey. This process is important to the young shaman. He undergoes a type of sickness that pushes him to the brink of death. This happens for two reasons:
- The shaman crosses over to the underworld. This happens so the shaman can venture to its depths to bring back vital information for the sick, and the tribe.
- The shaman must become sick to understand sickness. When the shaman overcomes his own sickness he will hold the cure to heal all that suffer. This is the uncanny mark of the wounded healer.
The Role of Healer
Shamans gain knowledge and the power to heal by entering into the spiritual world or dimension. The shaman may have or acquire many spirit guides in the spirit world, who often guide and direct the shaman in his/her travels. These spirit guides are always present within the shaman though others only encounter them when the shaman is in a trance. The spirit guide energizes the shaman, enabling him/her to enter the spiritual dimension. The shaman heals within the spiritual dimension by returning 'lost' parts of the human soul from wherever they have gone. The shaman also cleanses excess negative energies which confuse or pollute the soul.
The Role of Mediator
Shamans act as "mediators" in their culture. The shaman communicates with the spirits on behalf of the community, including the spirits of the deceased. The shaman communicates with both living and dead to alleviate unrest, unsettled issues, and to deliver gifts to the spirits.
Functions of a Shaman
Shamans perform a variety of functions depending upon their respective cultures: healing; leading a sacrifice; preserving the tradition by storytelling and songs; fortune-telling; acting as a guide of souls. In some cultures, a single shaman may fulfill several of these functions.
