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A FEAST FOR A SHAMAN'S BURIAL
The 12,000 year-old remains of a feast and a female shaman's burial were found recently in Israel. The apparent reason for the feast, the earliest known compelling evidence for such, was the shaman's burial. Read the article from Discovery News online. Submitted by Timothy Flynn, FSS Three Year Program graduate, Monterey Bay area, California. Back to beginning... 
BOOK OF PHOTOS HONORING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Dignity is a collection of photographs by Dana Gluckstein, which honors indigenous peoples worldwide. It is in celebration of the 50th Anniversary in 2011 of Amnesty International, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organization. It contains over ninety black-and-white portraits spanning three decades. For more information, visit the publisher PowerHouse Books. The book is available in November 2010 from bookstores and online. Submitted by Timothy Flynn, FSS Three Year Program graduate, Monterey Bay area, California. HEREDITARY TRANSMISSION IN SIBERIAN SHAMANISM
This article looks at the belief in the hereditary transmission of shaman's gift, which is common to Siberian shamanism. While the author's explanation of the "shaman's sickness" is psychologically oriented (quoting from authors from the fifties and sixties) – and does not seem to recognize the reality of spirits – the article contains interesting quotes from shaman candidates and poignant photos from 1977 of disappearing shamanism under former Soviet law. Read the article, "Hereditary Transmission in Siberian Shamanism and the Concept of the Reality of Legends;" by Aado Lintrop – folklorist, filmmaker and poet – who works in Tartu at the Estonian Folklore Archives of the Estonian Literature Museum. More articles can be found online in the Electronic Journal of Folklore (Estonian Folklore Institute). NOTE: Each issue we plan to post on the website or provide a link to an article or other media with useful information about shamanism or shamanic healing. Check the Articles section for several varied perspectives on shamanism and shamanic healing, many from past issues of Shamanism and the Shamanism Annual, the Foundation's scholarly journal - one of the exclusive benefits of the Circle of the Foundation.
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WHAT IT MEANS TO HEAL
The practice of shamanism has changed my perception of what it means to heal, both from the standpoint of a healer and as a recipient of healing. By definition, Ordinary Reality is a dimension that includes pain and suffering. Even if we never experience ill health, at the very least our bodies' age, with the decline and suffering that goes along with growing old. Michael Harner often says that at some point all healers fail because everyone dies – at least our earthly bodies pass away. What, then, does healing mean? A beautiful black and white bird hit my window the other day and lay twitching and stunned on my deck. I later learned that it was a kingfisher, but at the time I simply observed how strong and handsome a bird it was and how much I hoped it would not die. It was in the sun and I worried about the heat and wondered how I might help it, but dared not go outside for fear it would try to fly and fall off our high deck, or in its distress further injure itself. I called in my helping spirits to see what might be done for the bird and then found myself wondering how exactly I should ask the spirits to help. It suddenly came to me that what I was most concerned about was really not that the bird would die, but that it was suffering – and images of other people and animals I had experienced when they were ill or emotionally distressed flashed through my head.  After a quick journey to obtain the kingfisher's permission to work on its behalf, I asked my helping spirits to ease the bird's pain and suffering in whatever way was best for its soul – and left it to the bird, as was its right, to choose to stay here and live or to pass on. I was delighted when I returned a bit later to see that the kingfisher was nowhere to be found on my deck. I like to think he or she thrives still in the nearby woods. — Susan Mokelke Go to beginning... NOTE: "Healing Words" contains helpful
practices, ideas and
suggestions from shamanic healers, answers to
questions of concern to those
practicing shamanism, and inspiring stories. FSS
presents them as a service to the shamanic
community
without endorsement; as always, each shamanic
healer
is responsible for using these ideas in a
responsible
and ethical manner. If you would like to
SUBMIT A HELPFUL TIP, email the Editor.
(A few succinct paragraphs, please.)
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SUPPORT OUR WORK
For more than two decades, the Foundation for Shamanic Studies has worked to preserve, study, and teach shamanic knowledge for the welfare of the planet and its inhabitants. Michael Harner's pioneering work has led to a revival of shamanic healing in a contemporary context. In addition to its training programs, attended by thousands annually, the FSS works to preserve and revive indigenous shamanism as well researching the practical applications of shamanic healing and knowledge to present day problems. 
Snuff-Jaguar
Shaman Manuel da Silva (center) talks of
traditions at the inauguration of the Shamans' House. Robin Wright is at the left.
Photo by Michel C. Wright.
The work of the Foundation is carried out through the many projects supported by your generous contributions – including the Baniwa Shamanic Revitalization, the Living Treasures of Shamanism program, and the development of new workshops and training programs such as Shamanic Dreamwork™. Read more about the current activities of the Foundation on the Foundation's news blog. Your support is critical and immensely appreciated and we ask you to please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We welcome to our Advisory Council those who invest $5000 and above annually for three years. Please email Development
Associate Carolyn
Fee if you wish to discuss the many
convenient ways to give. We are very grateful for your generosity. Michael Harner Susan Mokelke |
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ABOUT FSS NOTE: You are receiving this email
from the
Foundation for Shamanic Studies because you are a
member-donor or have taken a Foundation course or
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Copyright © 2000-2010 Foundation for Shamanic Studies, a non-profit public 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization.
Editor: Susan Mokelke
Foundation for Shamanic Studies
Email:
info@shamanism.org
Editor:
smokelke@shamanism.org
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