This week we are turning our attention to the extremely broad collection of indigenous traditions, generally referred to as Shamanism. While Shamanism may seem to be a loose terminology, considering the countless regional variants which span the entire globe, we will see that there are common threads which connect many of these local practices. These local practitioners can be found in Central Asia, China, Japan, throughout North and South America, Africa, Australia, to name a few. The term Shamanism comes from the word has its root with the Russian word šamán, which in turn has its origins with indigenous Siberian dialects where Shamanic practices were observed by European travelers from as early as the 16th century.  

So what is Shamanism and what connects these very ancient and widespread spiritual practices which can be found on every corner of our planet? And how can Shamanism teach us something of value in our lives today? To help answer these questions we are proud to have as our guest Marcela Lobos. 

Marcela Lobos is a medicine woman initiated in the healing and spiritual traditions of the Amazon and  the Andes. She was born and raised in Chile, where she leads expeditions, working with women  shamans who belong to a matriarchal society that holds the wisdom and passion of Mother Earth.

She is a senior staff member at the Four Winds Society and is married to its founder, Alberto Villoldo.  Together they travel throughout the United States and Europe teaching the wisdom of the Medicine  Wheel. They also founded Los Cuatro Caminos in South America to share the same wisdom in Spanish.  Marcela is passionate about taking women through rite of passage that allow them to find their power,  grace, and wisdom.