FSS Polestar: Core Shamanism – Respecting Indigenous Cultures
Core Shamanism, by definition, is based on universal principles of shamanic methodology, and does not borrow ceremony and practices from indigenous cultures. "Core Shamanism consists of the universal, near-universal, and common features of shamanism, together with...
FSS Polestar: Shamanism, Spirits, and Transformation
In My Path in Shamanism, the interviewer asks Michael Harner: In addition to the compassionate spirits, are there malevolent spirits? "Yes. Here in the Middle World the spirits have the whole range of personalities that also occur in ordinary reality. What is...
FSS Polestar: Plant Spirits as Spirit Helpers
Interesting questions often arise during discussions of Animal Spirits, such as Power Animals, and other types of Animal Spirit helpers. People are curious to know whether it's possible to have plant spirits as spirit helpers too. Power Animals and other Animal...
FSS Polestar: Core Shamanism, FAQ
When Michael Harner first introduced The Way of the Shaman in 1980, shamanism was little known outside of academia. The renaissance of contemporary experiential shamanism is largely due to his pioneering work over the last several decades researching, developing, and...
FSS Polestar: Spiritual Help for the Burning West
The original article, Fire Season 2000: Spiritual Help for the Burning West, was written by Nan Moss and the late David Corbin. (©Shamanism, Fall/Winter 1999, Vol. 12, No. 2.) It was revised and expanded by Nan Moss in September 2020. While originally written in...
FSS Polestar: Responding to Events in Ukraine
Please see TRAINING IN SHAMANIC METHODS TO HELP UKRAINE below for opportunities to train with others to apply shamanic methods to help Ukraine and its people. If you are doing something to help and would like to share with the shamanic community, please visit Core...
FSS Polestar: The Shaman’s Song and Helping Spirits
The Shaman's Song and Helping Spirits A podcast with Susan Mokelke From the series, Curious and Curiouser with Robin Johnson: a Great Mystery Podcast Series October 25 This informative interview opens on a personal note, as Susan Mokelke tells the story of her path...
FSS Polestar: What is a shaman?
What is a shaman? How does one become one? The re-emergence of shamanism in the West has been largely driven by the pioneering work of the late anthropologist Dr. Michael Harner, founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. His lifetime of research,...
FSS Polestar: Shamanism & Shamanic Practice, Information & Support During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Information & Support During the Coronavirus PandemicWith the coronavirus pandemic, humanity is facing a test unprecedented in the modern world. One of the most difficult things for us to deal with is uncertainty about the future. Fortunately, we are not alone. We...
FSS Polestar: Shamanism at the Inflection Point
Humanity has reached an inflection point—an unprecedented situation where one species can determine whether the Earth itself fades or flourishes. The confluence of a pandemic, racism as graphically and inescapably laid bare by the homicide of George Floyd, vast...