While a Shaman may exhibit magickal powers such as control over fire, wind or magical flight or as a healer, more than anything else, Shamanism is a technique of ecstasy.

The distinguishing feature of Shamanism is its emphasis on a ecstatic trance state in which the soul of the Shaman leaves the body and ascends to the heavens or descends into the underworld.

The Shaman makes use of spirit helpers, with whom he or she communicates, while retaining control over his or her own consciousness.

Either Women or Men may become Shamans.

Traditional Shamans have developed techniques for lucid dreaming and what is today called the out-of-the-body experience. Along with these techniques, the near-death-experience has played a significant role in Shamanic practice and initiation for thousands of years.

This ability to consciously move beyond the physical body is the particular specialty of the traditional Shaman.

These journeys of Soul may take the Shaman into the nether realms, higher levels of existence or to parallel physical worlds or other regions of this world.