When mankind first began to form social groups, perhaps in the early Stone Age, people believed in some kind of external spirit forces, both good and bad. These helped to explain the mysteries of nature, of climate and illness. The shaman (man or woman) was the one with special talents to interact between these forces and the people of the group.
Often called the Medicine Man or Wise Woman, they would have known about the benefits of certain herbs and plants and how to use them to treat sickness. Over time, some shamans added drums and rattles, dance and incantations, creating a ceremony and often falling into a trance. For all of this he would be greatly respected and revered as one who could speak to spirits, both benevolent and malevolent.
There have been many variations of shamanism throughout the world, yet nearly all share common beliefs, especially that spirits play important roles both in individual lives and in human society. The traditional image of the shaman is that they can use trance states and go on vision quests, their own spirit leaving the body to enter supernatural worlds in search of answers to people’s troubles, perhaps accompanied by animal spirit guides.
They would often have a talent for divination or scrying, perhaps by throwing bones or reading runes, sometimes foretelling future events. And they would always have a collected of sacred items – a special stone with a hole in it, a piece of bark from certain a tree, an eagle’s feather – kept close in a private bag.
The shaman is always more at home with nature and the animal kingdom than human society and animal spirits would bring important messages for those seeking help. A cat appearing in a ceremonial vision indicates that the client must trust his own abilities. A bear means that you should get going on a creative project that you have in mind. A snake represents transformation and healing.
Although we usually think of this as a feature of indigenous societies, the practices of drumming, chanting and spirit communication exist in many non-shamanic cultures. And apart from the ceremony, many of the shaman’s skills are not so very different, perhaps, from spiritual mediumship. After all, Edgar Cayce (1877-1945), for example, would take himself into trance, diagnose illnesses and make remarkably accurate predictions of the future.
It is often claimed that shamanism is a ‘calling’ prompted by dreams or omens, whilst others say that their powers have been passed down through families. It seems that I have the good fortune to have inherited such gifts! From childhood I could see spirit and dreams have always been very meaningful for me. My mother and grandmother both had similar talents, as do both of my children and one grandchild.
For a long time, we were simply thought of as spiritualists. But then I found, through attending a course with a well-respected shaman who works with Native American rituals, that I could develop this work further by learning certain traditional shamanic practices.
For example, we would set the scene by establishing the four cardinal points, each represented by a spirit animal: north might be a buffalo, south a coyote, an eagle to the east and bear in the west. The session then begins with hypnotic drumming rhythm, each person with a different type of drum. I feel as though these drums are talking to me even though I cannot understand their language.
The purpose of one ceremony might be for reawakening, another for healing. One time I was told that the power of a ‘spider spirit’ was needed to heal a girl’s neck problem. That was a bit of a problem for me, having a serious aversion to the creatures, so I decided to make up a pretend one… But when I opened my hand, much to my dismay the vision of a large tarantula formed immediately! I unloaded the thing as fast as possible onto the girl’s neck yet still definitely felt it sting my little finger and then also the girl’s neck. Our leader later reassured me that the spider was simply sharing its power with us. Hmmm…
Shamanism today is very similar to how it has been in the past, with some small changes incorporated slowly and sensitively. It isn’t only practised in faraway places and by indigenous peoples but can even be found in suburban London. In the small group that I run at home, we to try and pass this gift on, helpers others to enhance their natural abilities through spiritual journeys and other traditional activities. And laughter is always a big factor in all this work, drawing in positive forces.
Whether one believes in shamanism or any other religion or none, curiosity about its practices and beliefs remains strong and widespread. We all still have the same needs as our earliest ancestors, for healing and guidance and to reach out to the spirit world that we feel instinctively surrounds us.
THE RHYTHM STICK
Listen, move, stamp your feet
to the eternal drum,
beating out from African skies,
beating out from Native tribes,
on coconuts in schools,
in big brass marching bands whose drums
sit aside broad bellies
as mighty arms strike either side.
Listen to the nightclub music where the dance
strikes through the feet and trembles
all along and up the spine
and through the legs to arms and head,
with energy that feeds back
and encourages musicians even more.
The drum is a spirit being,
talking to us,
taking us into deep meditation,
as we whirl about, circling the ground,
flattening the grass, the corn, the mud
and breaking up the concrete.
Listen to the rhythm stick.
© Sandy Phillips, 2026
Sandy Phillips is the author of The Narrow Doorway,
telling the story of her extraordinary life from growing up
in the London Blitz to many powerful spiritual experiences.
