description: First published in 1951, "Shamanism" soon became the standard work in the study of this mysterious &amp; fascinating phenomenon. Writing as the founder of the modern study of the history of religion, Romanian emigre--scholar Mircea Eliade (1907-86) surveys the practice of Shamanism over two &amp; a half millennia of human history, moving from the Shamanic traditions of Siberia &amp; Central Asia--where Shamanism was first observed--to North &amp; South America, Indonesia, Tibet, China &amp; beyond. In this authoritative survey, Eliade illuminates the magico-religious life of societies that give primacy of place to the figure of the Shaman--at once magician &amp; medicine man, healer &amp; miracle-doer, priest, mystic &amp; poet. Synthesizing the approaches of psychology, sociology &amp; ethnology, "Shamanism" will remain for years to come the reference book of choice for those intrigued by this practice.
language: English
title: Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy
titlecomplete: Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy
genres: Paganism, History, Psychology, Mythology, Anthropology, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Occult, Nonfiction
ratings_count: 2512
publisher: Pantheon Books, NY