Post by Blackbird on May 30, 2005 14:00:08 GMT -1
Following on from my comments in the Manda Scott thread, I thought it would be interesting to talk about the idea of shamanism with regards to Brythonic trads.
Firstly, I would like to get away from the word completely and use language that is more relevant and descriptive of Brythonic practices. As I'm sure everyone here knows, the word 'shamanic' and 'shaman' should only properly be applied to a small group of people within some Siberian tribes. I really don't like the way that it has been applied to the magical and religious practices of many different cultures.
In addition, I really don't like the woolly nature of the term. When we describe something as shamanic, what do we mean? What are these aspects which we are identifying as such, and can we find more appropriate ways of describing them?
The application of the term shamanic to the practices of various cultures implies that all these cultures are doing something that is directly comparable. I think this is unhelpful, acting as a red herring for those seeking deeper knowledge and experience. For these cultures are coming to their practices from a completely different context, societal structure, worldview etc.
A good example of this is the lore surrounding Taliesin. John Matthews was perhaps the first to start this bandwagon rolling with his book 'Taliesin: Shamanism and the Bardic Mysteries in Britain and Ireland.' Matthews admits in his introduction that he is using shamanism as a "blanket term", and also that shamanism is "fashionable", so it is a shame that from then on, he makes many generalisations when using both that term, and the term 'Celtic'.
So if we are to move away from shamanism - and I hope I have made the case that we should - where does that leave us? Is there truly such a thing as 'Celtic Shamanism' (((shudder))) or is this a convenient modern construct? I feel that we can come to a far more enlightening experience within the Brythonic lore if we take away the blinkers which this term provides.
Firstly, I would like to get away from the word completely and use language that is more relevant and descriptive of Brythonic practices. As I'm sure everyone here knows, the word 'shamanic' and 'shaman' should only properly be applied to a small group of people within some Siberian tribes. I really don't like the way that it has been applied to the magical and religious practices of many different cultures.
In addition, I really don't like the woolly nature of the term. When we describe something as shamanic, what do we mean? What are these aspects which we are identifying as such, and can we find more appropriate ways of describing them?
The application of the term shamanic to the practices of various cultures implies that all these cultures are doing something that is directly comparable. I think this is unhelpful, acting as a red herring for those seeking deeper knowledge and experience. For these cultures are coming to their practices from a completely different context, societal structure, worldview etc.
A good example of this is the lore surrounding Taliesin. John Matthews was perhaps the first to start this bandwagon rolling with his book 'Taliesin: Shamanism and the Bardic Mysteries in Britain and Ireland.' Matthews admits in his introduction that he is using shamanism as a "blanket term", and also that shamanism is "fashionable", so it is a shame that from then on, he makes many generalisations when using both that term, and the term 'Celtic'.
So if we are to move away from shamanism - and I hope I have made the case that we should - where does that leave us? Is there truly such a thing as 'Celtic Shamanism' (((shudder))) or is this a convenient modern construct? I feel that we can come to a far more enlightening experience within the Brythonic lore if we take away the blinkers which this term provides.