ABSTRACT
Shamanism is a field of work that spans the archaic to traditional tribal settings and pluralistic Westernized societies. It is simultaneously ancient and yet, from a Western perspective, in its infancy. As it has changed over time and crossed national borders, it has enhanced and challenged individuals and cultures through art, music, dance and medicine – but it is not without controversy. As it has made its way into contemporary Western culture, it has run into professional and ethical hurdles and, more recently, safety issues, which are the subject of this chapter.
