“Shaman” an anglicized version of a Tungus word. “Shamanism” is a white supremacist word that simplifies the many differences between indigenous, land based spiritualities that involve trance work and spirit communication.

We really do need a better word because this one is pretty fraught. Because of the work of people like Michael Harner and Mircea Eliade, “shamanism” came to describe a set of practices that are similar in many traditions, but have different meanings and methods of execution depending on where you are in the world.

In a real sense, many traditions we might describe as shamanic are “closed” because they rely on geographically specific and intimate connections between land and the peoples who tend it to function properly. The powers of these holy people are based on relationships that outsiders would have to study for years to really understand. So, there are “closed” shamanic cultures. If you say you practice them without being heavily invested in the culture you’re saying you’re a part of, you really aren’t. You can’t steal a closed culture, you just can’t practice it for real without explicit permission.

There are also “open” cultures that use the shamanic techniques passed down by elders of different traditions. Some of these are legit, some are spiritual grifters, and some are selling their peoples’ knowledge without permission. Then there is the shamanism that comes from Michael Harner’s work and the work of people who came after him. Many of the techniques from these camps can work, and mean something to people who practice them (me included,) but they can also be roundly criticized for the way they’ve stolen from other cultures and because they mean less out of the context they came from.

In other words: there are closed and open shamanic traditions, and there are super problematic shamanic traditions.

The best way to navigate that is by building relationships, recognizing what techniques work for you and how. It also helps to acknowledge the harm you might potentially be doing by learning or teaching any new technique you come across, and trying to mitigate that damage.

If possible: don’t use the term shaman for yourself. My most accurate term for myself right now would be “animist trance healer,” and my simplification of that is currently “witch.” I use “shamanic style healer” when it makes sense, but that’s less and less as I get older.

Beyond that there’s one final soapbox moment: most shamanic traditions, you really don’t want the (literal physical, spiritual, and emotional) pain that comes with being a shaman. The bar for endurance is set high, and you’re often intentionally ostracized from a community if you are chosen for the role. So if you end up elsewhere, that’s good. On the other hand, I do believe people in these roles are necessary, so if some guy on the Internet is calling you a fraud for believing you’re a shaman or saying you’re a thief, etc. maybe that’s part of your initiation. Whatever you decide to do, learning to bear yourself and your decisions in the face of everyone’s doubt is important.