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The Documentary Podcast

Heart and Soul: Will the real Shaman stand up?

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.32.6K Ratings

🗓️ 5 May 2023

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

According to the national census, the number of British people who say they follow Shamanism as a religion has risen twelvefold in the space of 10 years. While the numbers are still low – at around 8,000 followers - the increase has put pressure on those who have followed the practice for years. The BBC’s Amber Haque visits a British shaman to find out what Shamanism is, what it means to her and her circle of believers and why they think it should be taken seriously.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

15 years ago, 23-year-old Norwegian student Martina Vic Magnussen was killed in an apartment near Mayfair.

0:07.0

23-year-old Martina Vic Magnussen was found partially buried in the basement.

0:12.0

Before being questioned, the only suspect in the case had fled the UK to Yemen.

0:17.0

I made a promise to Martina's family to find out what happened.

0:21.0

Murder in Mayfair is the new mini-series right here in the documentary. All episodes are available now.

0:28.0

This is the documentary from the BBC World Service. I'm Amber Hack and I'm in Glastonbury, England.

0:36.0

For this episode of Harn's Soul, which explores personal approaches to spirituality from around the globe,

0:43.0

I'll be immersing myself in the world of shamanism.

0:48.0

So, you might be wondering what is going on right now.

0:58.0

I am laid on a living room floor in a country house.

1:06.0

My eyes are closed and that sound you're hearing is animal feathers being wafted and burning sage being blown over me.

1:16.0

The room is vibrating, alive with sound and energy.

1:33.0

This is a first for me. Right now, I'm being connected to my ancestors and it is affecting me a lot more than I was expecting.

1:43.0

Just see if you can extend your awareness for fingertips below.

1:48.0

But I am not here for a family reunion. I'm actually experiencing my first ever shamanic healing ceremony.

1:58.0

And I'm doing this because I want to find out why shamanism has become the fastest growing belief system in England and Wales.

2:13.0

So being preyed over by an internationally renowned shamanic practitioner is something I don't get to do every day.

2:26.0

But more on that later, for an increasing number of people here, healing ceremonies like these are becoming a regular part of life.

2:40.0

Well, this should be good news for shaman's right. But some feel uneasy that their ancient belief system has become so popular so quickly.

2:59.0

And the fear that it's being hijacked by those whose motives are less than spiritual. More on that later too.

3:08.0

My journey to my first ever shamanic healing begins in a place which many people associate with spirituality and mysticism.

3:23.0

Hello!

...

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