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Void of Course Moons - May 2008

Shamanism in South Korea

Even in a modern country like South Korea, there is a sizable part of the population who are drawn to spirits and spirit guides. This is a break from the past where for years shamans were ridiculed and persecuted. Thankfully the times are a'changing. There are now more than 300 shamanistic temples that help people connect with the spirit world. Channeling, sacrifices and healings are all a part of the belief system and today these spiritual rituals are considered part of the Korean culture.

Shaman There are an estimated 300 shamanistic temples within an hour of Seoul's bustling city center, and in them, shamans perform their spiritual ceremonies every day. They offer pigs to placate the gods. They dance with toy guns to comfort the spirit of a dead child. They intimidate evil spirits by walking barefoot on knife blades. Yang Soon-im is one of the most popular shamans in South Korea. She got the call 50 years ago when she was seven and began communicating with the spirits at that time.

Korean shamanism is rooted in ancient indigenous beliefs shared by many folk religions in northeast Asia. Most are women who say they discovered their ability to serve as a mediator between the human and spirit worlds after emerging from a critical illness. They believe that the air is thick with spirits, including those of dead relatives. These spirits interact with people and influence their fortunes.

Fascinating, comprehensive, and eminently readable, World of Shamanism: New Views of an Ancient Tradition explores shamanism—the world's most enduring healing and religious tradition—in the light of modern medicine, psychology, neuroscience, consciousness disciplines, and religious studies. So when you travel to South Korea, be sure to check out these wonderful guides and healers. You never know who may be trying to communicate to you from beyond.

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