[Help] Shaman Synonyms you would choose?

[Sedim Haba]

As I mentioned to another, while Shamanism is the oldest faith system of humanity,
there is no universal term for this universal Archetype. I fail to see why that is.
The very term 'Shaman' borders on cultural appropriation, seeing it originates from a single culture.
But, 'Shaman' is applied to many cultures, and is not exclusive anymore, IMHO.

Webster certainly is no help, none of the Synonyms stand out as better than others:

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No wonder, their definition is problematic, a Shaman partners with Spirit Allies to heal, not 'magic'.

( I need to make a similar thread as this, for synonyms for 'spirit', but one thing @ a time. )

Cambridge Dictionary is much better, at least in terms of definition, tho the alts are equally unappealing:

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But, still misses the mark, one does not 'control or influence' it's partnership.

So, community of wizards, what term would you use?

For someone who has no magic, no ESP, PSI, or any intrinsic magic of their own whatsoever.

(Unless you consider Autism such, I have that in abundance!)

Who gains whatever 'powers' or 'magic' by way of alliance with a non-human entity.

What say ye?

 

[deci belle]

It is the most ancient occult functionality. Shamanism is the prototypical priesthood, the basis for the earliest form of unification of peoples under a system of education of higher truth, social protocol and directive leadership by acknowledged authority, formalizing civilizations. As such, these are the products of Universal Good, not by a country.

Why not just call it shamanism? That's what it is.

 

[Sedim Haba]

It is the most ancient occult functionality. Shamanism is the prototypical priesthood, the basis for the earliest form of unification of peoples under a system of education of higher truth, social protocol and directive leadership by acknowledged authority, formalizing civilizations. As such, these are the products of Universal Good, not by a country.

Why not just call it shamanism? That's what it is.

Personally, I'm fine with it. But, one does get accused of 'cultural appropriation'.

I would use Hedge Witch, as that is functionally equivalent. But, gender specific, and would be even more problematic.

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Oh, and here's another problem with being an outlier as far as terminology is concerned,
one I'm sure most people here have experienced at some point.

You are searching online for some obscure term for your craft, and you get hits aplenty...
but they're wikis of some game or movie or book, where the creator found that term,
and thought it'd be a really spooky or 'occulty' label for some game mechanic or something.
GOOD LUCK finding anything actually useful in that case.

It's kinda the same for Shamanism, I look for books or info or stuff, and I get stuff for an
indigenous shamanism. NOT that finding Navajo traditional teachings isn't useful or
informative, but can I actually use it? I may enjoy watching African Shamanic Zaouli
dancing, it's mesmerizing, to watch, and I can appreciate the pure athleticism, if
nothing else, but... I can't do that!

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(oh, NOW I see the problem with auto-merging, this post is HOURS later, why is it merged?
See, I can't even edit spelling mistakes in this new post, it won't let me.)

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( I need to make a similar thread as this, for synonyms for 'spirit', but one thing @ a time. )

I think I may have found one:

Entity

Universal, not tied to any culture or expectations. Not an alcohol term, especially!

 

[FireBorn]

Cultural what? Let that shit die please. Such a tired thing in my opinion (im not alone). I get where people are coming from and all, but “shaman” hasn’t belonged to any one group in a long time, like a really long time. It’s been used across cultures to describe a role that transcends geography: someone who connects with spirits, mediates between worlds, and walks the margins.

Westerners love the title, hate the work. No surprise there. Everyone wants the badge, but few want the initiation.

I dont know that I would say there is no magick in Shamanism. I mean connecting with spirit isnt something that everyone can do easily. If that isnt magick, then neither is Solomonic magick, Enochian magick, any form of ritual magick right? Something to compare that thought against, you decide.

Historically, the one chosen as “shaman” wasn’t self selected. It was the sick one, the strange one, the struck by lightning one. Sounds familiar to a lot of us here, honestly. It’s not about technique. It’s about transformation.

Just my .02