Book Review: An Encyclopedia of Shamanism

Letecia writes:

Hey there, can't remember if this link was shared before. The books are actually now published in paperback and at about half the cost, not that I have my copies yet. It looks interesting. I have also including a few links at the bottom of the page, one the author's website, the last one is a link to Google books where you can take a look at the book.

For me it helps to contextualize Filipino Magical/Priestess/Oracle/Healers in relationship to the global view of first nations peoples commonly named "Shaman's" by researchers, academics and practitioners.

Enjoy!

****

Shaman's Drum Reviews: An Encyclopedia of Shamanism

An Encyclopedia of Shamanism by Christina Pratt. New York, NY: Rosen Publishing, 2007. Biblio; index; notes; 8.5” x 11.25”, 616 pp.; two vols.; $200.00 (paperback).

Reviewed by Timothy White. Reprinted from Shaman's Drum, Number 75.

In An Encyclopedia of Shamanism, Christina Pratt has compiled a potentially useful—although rather expensive—reference tool that bears testimony to how far shamanology has come in the last few decades. Thirty years ago, shamanism was rarely discussed outside of collegiate anthropological circles. Today, we find this two-volume encyclopedia set offered by a mainstream academic press that specializes in educational books for young readers. Moreover, the set’s contents are rich enough to provide shamanic practitioners with some stimulating windows into the transformative worlds of both traditional and contemporary shamanisms. Unlike many cross-cultural overviews on shamanism, the essays and many of the entries in these volumes are enriched by the author’s personal background in several experiential shamanic traditions—including Michael Harner’s core shamanism, Malidoma Somé’s Dagara traditions, and some unidentified Ecuadorian, Nepalese, and Tibetan traditions. more

Related Links:

Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing
Encyclopedia of Shamanism Vol. 1 by Christina Pratt
Encyclopedia of Shamanism Vol. 2 by Christina Pratt