When you hear the word Shaman, what comes to your mind?

1. 61

   shamanismandyouposted 12 years ago

   When you hear the word Shaman, what comes to your mind?
   
   I am just wondering what others think about when they hear the word Shaman.  What do you think a Shaman is?
   
   

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2. 70

   Mr. Happyposted 12 years ago

   I am not exactly sure but from my understanding, through the explanations other people give, a shaman is a sort of witch/priest/medicine man. I also think this is either a term from the continent of the Americas or perhaps somewhere in Asia.
   We have witches in Europe. Having lived in North America for quite a while now, I realize the "witch" term has a negative connotation for many people. Perhaps that is why the shaman term is used, this is just a simple speculation.
   A shaman is a sorcerer for me. Any term is good though: shaman, wizard, medicine man, witch, etc. I do think "medicine-man" is the closest other term, next to "shaman", I think it has to do with their healing abilities.
   This is just an opinion. Thank you for the question.

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3. 84

   romper20posted 12 years ago

   Two things. World of Warcraft and my Sisters ex boyfriends brother who is currently a head shaman in Peru. He was even written in Time magazine! But yeah kinda cool lol
   
   BTW - He was the most spiritually intense person i have ever met.

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4. 81

   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   In many tribal faiths, a shaman is an intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds. He can call on the spirits for various interventions.

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5. 0

   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   Many harvests ago, I took a medical anthropology class in college where we talked a lot about shamans. I went in with an open mind and left the class convinced shamans were charlatans who gave us a glimpse of the proto-stages of the formation of large religions.

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6. 61

   AnnNoEposted 12 years ago

   I believe a Shaman to be the religious leader and healing practioner of the group or tribe he or she is a part of. Yes, I do believe a female can be a Shaman or "Shamaness".

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