Riding Windhorses: A Journey Into the Heart of Mongolian Shamanism

By Sarangerel and Sarangerel Odigan

Book Overview

The first book written about Mongolian and Siberian shamanism by a shaman trained in that tradition.

- A thorough introduction to Mongolian and Siberian shamanic beliefs and practices, which, until the collapse of the Soviet Union, were banned from being practiced.

- Includes rituals for healing and divination techniques.

In traditional Mongolian-Buryat culture, shamans play an important role maintaining the tegsh, the "balance" of the community. They counsel a path of moderation in one's actions and reverence for the natural world, which they view as mother to humanity. Mongolians believe that if natural resources are taken without thanking the spirits for what they have given, those resources will not be replaced. Unlike many other cultures whose shamanic traditions were undermined by modern civilization, shamans in the remote areas of southern Siberia and Mongolia are still the guardians of the environment, the community, and the natural order.

Riding Windhorses is the first book written on Mongolian and Siberian shamanism by a shaman trained in that tradition. A thorough introduction to Mongolian/Siberian shamanic beliefs and practices, it includes working knowledge of the basic rituals and various healing and divination techniques. Many of the rituals and beliefs described here have never been published and are the direct teachings of the author's own shaman mentors.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892818085
• ISBN13: 9780892818082
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Destiny Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great look into shamanism from the Mongolian perspective

I ordered this to do an ethnographic review for my college Shamanism class, and although I haven't finished it yet, the section on healing and divination is my favorite so far. On the seller side, it came very quickly and arrived even before the minimum expected date.