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Book reviews

Book reviews The Shaman - His Symbols and His Healing Power, by Spencer L. Rogers. Springfield, II1.: Charles C Thomas, 1982, 203 pp. In this fascinating volume, Spencer Rogers, an anthropologist, examines the basic assumptions, epistemology, and methodology of Shaman healers through the centuries in every part of the world. In a rather systematic, textbook fashion, Dr. Rogers discusses the roles, functions, and method- ologies used by the Shaman in the particular societies in which they lived and practiced. From these accounts he deduces specific "striking and unexplained similarities between the practices of people geographically far apart" (p. ix). Rogers uses the generalizations derived from these similar- ities to compare Shamanism with modern Western psychiatry and psycho- therapy. His treatment is comprehensive and scholarly, with considerable reference to both modern anthropological and psychiatric observers and those of the last century who have studied the practices of the Shaman. Dr. Rogers regards the Shaman as a constructive leader in his society who practices "mysteries beyond the understanding of most members of his community" (p. ix). In these functions Rogers perceives the Shaman as a skillful therapist who utilizes principles and methods which are basic to the practice of psychotherapy. The Shaman is http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png The American Journal of Psychoanalysis Springer Journals

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Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
1984 Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis
ISSN
0002-9548
eISSN
1573-6741
DOI
10.1007/BF01248301
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The Shaman - His Symbols and His Healing Power, by Spencer L. Rogers. Springfield, II1.: Charles C Thomas, 1982, 203 pp. In this fascinating volume, Spencer Rogers, an anthropologist, examines the basic assumptions, epistemology, and methodology of Shaman healers through the centuries in every part of the world. In a rather systematic, textbook fashion, Dr. Rogers discusses the roles, functions, and method- ologies used by the Shaman in the particular societies in which they lived and practiced. From these accounts he deduces specific "striking and unexplained similarities between the practices of people geographically far apart" (p. ix). Rogers uses the generalizations derived from these similar- ities to compare Shamanism with modern Western psychiatry and psycho- therapy. His treatment is comprehensive and scholarly, with considerable reference to both modern anthropological and psychiatric observers and those of the last century who have studied the practices of the Shaman. Dr. Rogers regards the Shaman as a constructive leader in his society who practices "mysteries beyond the understanding of most members of his community" (p. ix). In these functions Rogers perceives the Shaman as a skillful therapist who utilizes principles and methods which are basic to the practice of psychotherapy. The Shaman is

Journal

The American Journal of Psychoanalysis – Springer Journals

Published: Jun 1, 1984

Keywords: Clinical Psychology; Psychotherapy; Psychoanalysis

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