The Language of Shamans: Communication as Physical, Symbolic and Subtle

Abstract

Shamanism is a complex discipline of considerable temporal and geographic diversity. Shamanic cultures, too, are diverse culturally and linguistically, yet all use language in communicating in the physical, symbolic and subtle¹ realms. Can we even talk about a language of shamans, and if so, how would we characterize it? While the study of language offers insights into shamanism and the work of shamans, exploring shamanism leads us towards an emerging metaphysics of language. I explore the terms ‘shamanism’ and ‘language,' investigate the nature of shamanic language and consider how the physical and metaphysical realms are integrated through shamanic language. I also consider how shamanism and language have been studied by researchers in a variety of disciplines and look at emerging paradigms in both fields.