North Star Road: Shamanism, Witchcraft & the Otherworld Journey (Llewellyn's World Religion and Magic Series)

Rating:
Summary: Thinking Man's Shamanism
Review: North Star Road was a joy to read. With it's mix of legends, myths and history there is something for everyone with even the slightest interest Shamanism or witchcraft. For the more serious student, there are Shamanic exercises (at the back of the book) which are well thought out and easy to follow. The way in which Mr Johnson shows that many of the older religions like witchcraft may have had a similar foundation is wonderful and really does make you sit and think. His use of plain english coupled with a flowing style make this a book hard to put down. I would gladly recommend this title to anyone with an interest in this field.

Rating:
Summary: A Grand Synthesis
Review: This book makes a very convincing case for locating the roots of practically all true magical practices in the original spiritual path of shamanism. In doing so, we see that true Wicca, and other simular traditions, have a legitimate claim to extremely ancient and profound practices dating back to the dawn of the race. The author shows parallels between the beliefs and practices in culture after culture (Mayan, Plains Indian, Siberian, Norse, Celtic, Chinese, Tibetan, Polynesian, Hindu, Greek, Etc.) He then shows connections with more historically recent traditions in Germany, Switzerland, France, Ireland, Italy, England, etc. I found it to be a magnificent and convincing synthesis.

I found it especially appropriate that a book about common roots should use the universal symbol of the World Tree as a starting point.

The author points out that when a society ceases to listen to the messages of the otherworldly dimension the results are always the same: listlessness, depression, addiction, inhumanity, and general malaise. This is the result of "loss of soul." It is the natural function of the shaman to maintain the connection with the otherworld and to reclaim lost souls.

The next time a "skeptic" tries to minimalise the legitamacy and lineage of your spiritual path, you could do far worse than to refer this book to them. The connection between early Christianity and Shamanism is even explored (estatic states, speaking in tongues, spirit journeys to higher realms, helping spirits, crucifixion on the World Tree....)