Shamans

The alchemists Zosimos and Stephanos, writing in Alexandria during the first Christian centuries, had described the chemical process in the form of a story of ritual sacrihce incorporating priest and initiates. In a well-known study, Mircea Eliade sought for the origins of such bloody accounts in ancient shamanism and metal-smithing. The materials of the stone, like the human body and soul, died and underwent purihcation, prior to their resurrection in a glorious body. 

Osburn, Lynn. Origins of alchemy Esoteric origins Shamanic origins A look at the cultural birth of alchemy, r http //www.alchemvlab.com/origins of alchemv.html. 

Contents Introduction to alchemy The Emerald Tablet Operations of alchemy Famous alchemists Original alchemy texts Alchemy art gallery Spiritual alchemy Practical alchemy Alchemy of health Personal alchemy Shamanic alchemy Quantum alchemy Hermetic alchemy Alchemy home study course Emerald Tablet Exchange Alchemy Journal Resources links Lectures and workshops Personal consultations Crucible online catalog Lunar contents Solar contents... 

Wizards have always been powerful iconic figures, whether as Neolithic shamans,... 

Keepers of the Secrets gives a unique perspective of mystical societies throughout civilization. It summarizes the history and spiritual philisophy of the Shamans, Druids,... 

Drury, Neville. Magic and witchcraft from shamanism to the technopagans. London Thames Hudson, 2003. 240p. ISBN 0-500-51140-3... 

Contents Shamanism the oldest magical tradition — Magic in the ancient world —... 

Contents - The Thorn in the Flesh, Shamans, Saints and Alchemists, Morphine, The Boston Dentist, Triumph Over Pain, Benefactor of Mankind" Etc... 

Written by a shamanic healer who shows you how to work with healing techniques indigenous peoples have used for centuries. Includes hands-on methods and an indispensable encyclopedia on the powers of crystals, gems and minerals... 

Choucha, Nadia. Surrealism and the occult shamanism, magic, alchemy, and the birth of an artistic movement. Rochester (NY) Destiny Books, 1992. 144p. ISBN 0-89281-373-3... 

With the arrival of Homo sapiens about 35,000 years ago, the first healers or shamans ingested or smoked mushrooms and plants in order to get into a trance and would mentally fly to another level of reality, in which they could communicate with animal spirits tell the hunters where preys were likely to be found. 

This type of action is found in kanna, or Sceletium expansum and Sceletium tortuosum (Aizoaceae), which have been used by South African shamans from prehistoric times to enhance animal spirits, sparkle the eyes, and to stimulate gaiety. The active constituent of kanna is a serotonin-like alkaloid called mesembrine, which is a potent serotonin re-uptake inhibitor—hence, some potential for the treatment of anxiety and depression however, careful clinical trials must be performed. 

Psychedelic Shamanism The Cultivation, Preparation and Shamanic Use of Psychotropic Plants. 

Other accidents could have introduced early cultures to the hallucinatory effects. While harvesting the plant for seeds (for oil) or fiber, accidental fires could have produced a resinous smoke, which was then inhaled. The smoke would have also appealed to the magicoreligious practices of native shamans (30). The smoke itself is inherently evocative of visions and mystery—a natural medium for shamanism It contained a property that could induce a form of trance it was readily consumed by the cleansing power of fire its smoke rose to the abode of the gods and it allowed dreams to be materialized. 

Hamer, M. J. (1973) The role of hallucinogenic plants in European witchcraft. In Hallucinogens and Shamanism, edited by M. Hamer, pp. 125-150. Oxford University Press, New York. 

Most ritual use has involved ingestion of the raw peyote by itself or in cold water soups prepared with dried powdered cactus buttons and fresh green cactus tops. The Huichol Indians in the western Sierra Madre in Mexico have also employed peyote enemas using a syringe of deer femur and a bulb of deer bladder. Informants claim that the enema infusion bypasses the traditional nausea and vomiting associated with oral ingestion and is favored by shamans with weak stomachs (11). 

R. E. Gerber, C. Hasbun, L. G. Dubenko, M. F. King, and D. E. Bierer, Medicinal Chemistry Department, Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,... 

Shamanism The primitive religion of the Ural-Altaic peoples of Siberia, in which all the good and evil of life are thought to he brought about by spirits which can be influenced only by shamans. 

Shaman A priest or priest-doctor among various northern tribes of Asia. Hence applied by extension to similar personages in other parts. 

Catherine gave her own more jaundiced description of Cagliostros Russian clinic in a play she later wrote, The Shaman of Siberia. Her Cagliostro... 

---