Shaman

A shaman is a person who interacts with both the normal world and the world of spirits, usually acting as a sort of intermediary between the two. They are the bridge that connects the material world and the ethereal world. They can cast spells or use the very spirits to help them in combat, exploration, and interactions, so much so, that being surrounded by spirits is a common occurrence for them.

Career

Qualifications

Shamans must connect with nature in order to contact the spirits. That is why there are so few shamans in cities and other places where civilization has uprooted it. The gentle quiet of a forest or a distant mountainside may help foster deeper meditation and communion with the spirits, though on the other hand, a shaman capable of connecting with the nature in a city has the advantage of being surrounded by a great number of spirits.

Perception

Purpose

Shamans serve as intermediaries between the mortal world and the realms of spirits, called by the spirits to speak for them among mortals. These spirits come in a variety of forms, ranging from elemental nature spirits to the souls of fallen ancestors, and often take on animalistic shapes. While most shamans revere the spirits for which they speak, they rarely worship them outright. More often, a shaman negotiates with the spirits, being granted power both as a means to fulfill the spirits' needs and as a reward for doing so. 
Although shamans’ repertoires vary from one culture to the next, they are typically thought to have the ability to heal the sick, to communicate with the otherworld, and often to escort the souls of the dead to that otherworld.

Social Status

The extraordinary profession of the shaman naturally distinguishes them socially. The belief that they communicate with the spirits gives the individual a level of authority. Furthermore, the belief that their actions may not only bring benefit but also harm can make them feared. Even a good shaman may do inadvertent harm, and a wicked shaman, who is in contact with the spirits of the material realm, is very alarming.

History

It is generally agreed that shamanism originated among hunting-and-gathering cultures, and that it persisted within some herding and farming societies after the origins of agriculture. It is often found in conjunction with animism, a belief system category in which the world is home to a plethora of spirit-beings that may help or hinder people.
The term "shaman" is used in such a broad context that it covers many traditional healers or miracle workers in tribal societies. Any belief system that is predicated upon the idea of unseen spirits that interact constantly with this world — spirits that can be contacted or controlled by one with proper training and power — is essentially shamanistic. Unlike priests, shamans operate independently, perhaps learning their art from another person who interacts with the spirit world or a spirit guide.

Operations

Tools

A shaman's tools will vary greatly by their specific cultural context, with different shamans in diferent lands often having different tools. Still, there are some parallels that are shared beyond cultural boundaries. One such is the medicine bag, A medicine bag is a pouch that contains objects that have special significance to the owner. Each medicine bag is as individual as its owner, so no two medicine bags will have the same contents. Items commonly contained in a medicine bag include herbs, stones, shells, feathers, animal skin, fur, teeth, or claws. A medicine bag is often worn for protection, healing or guidance, and is closely connected to the spiritual life of the person wearing it. This sacred pouch is usually made of leather and often sports a painted or beaded design.

Type

Religious

Demand

Shamans are a significant role in certain societies, especially smaller scale ones.