Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas

Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas, by Claudia Muller-Ebeling, Christian Ratsch and Surendra Bahadur Shahi. An absolute tour-de-force! Generated from over eighteen years of research, this gorgeous hardcover volume gives an in-depth look at the customs, traditions, myths and legends of the Himalayan Shamans. The everyday lives of modern practitioners are respectfully examined and revealed with hundreds of high quality color and black-and-white photographs, detailing the many plants and tools of their traditions.

Fans of Muller-Ebeling and Ratsch’s previous effort Witchcraft Medicine will also not be disappointed. Chapter after chapter of this book imparts recipes for sacred drinks, incenses and smoking blends regularly used by the Shamans. Many of these are, of course, poisonous and/or psychotropic and commonly found within a Traditional Witch’s herb closet. As such, the authors compare and contrast the legend and lore of the Himalayans with that of the Western witches and wortcunners of old. Reading this book was like discovering a brand new world drenched in echoes of home.