Shamanism and the term "shamanism" in Heathenry

[Juniperberry]

Just to add a bit to my post:
If anyone wants to discuss the paper in more dept I´m willing to do that as well. I think this subject could potentially need a more detailed discussion - but maybe I´m wrong.

 
I'll have to reread it again before then, which will probably be some time after the holidays.

One thing, though, about "harmonizing" the similarities. An AL member wrote something on her blog once about how anyone could fall down a rabbit hole to the underworld, but it wouldn't be the same underworld for everyone. I don't have any problems agreeing with that. Shoot, there's plenty of different "worlds" here. Which is kind of my point: I think there are multiple locations but that there is also a universal, natural law to the otherworld just like there is here. Ex: Rain falls down everywhere you go, whether you worship this or that or not.

I can see why "shaman" isn't appropriate to universally explain the various ways cultures deal with the other/underworld. An indigenous word should be availabe to describe the cultural location within the otherworld. But I think an effort to harmonize the natural rules of the other/underworld is worth looking at also.