Eliade defines shamanism not as a religion in itself, but as a "healing or helping technology" embedded within various cosmological frameworks. The defining characteristic of a shaman is the ability to intentionally enter an —or "ecstasy"—during which their soul is believed to leave the body.
This journey typically involves an ascent to the sky or a descent to the underworld to interact with spirits. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy
Mircea Eliade’s , first published in 1951, remains the foundational text for the modern study of shamanic practices . Eliade, a Romanian historian of religion, was the first to systematically categorize these diverse traditions into a unified "technique of ecstasy". Core Thesis: Shamanism as a Technique of Ecstasy Eliade defines shamanism not as a religion in
Eliade explores the "World Tree" or "Axis Mundi" as the central cosmic pillar that shamans use to traverse these different spiritual realms. Mircea Eliade’s , first published in 1951, remains
The book details the profound symbolism behind a shaman’s costume and drum. The drum is often viewed as a "vehicle" (like a horse or boat) that facilitates the journey into the spirit world.