What are the branches of shamanism?

Shamanism is a religion practiced by the indigenous people of far northern Europe and Siberia. Shaman is a Siberian word. Although the word has been applied to practices elsewhere, that's an improper usage of the word. I'm unaware of"branches" of shamanism and not sure what you mean by that. read more

Within the shamanic cosmology, the world is divided into three levels: the upper, lower, and middle worlds. This is often symbolized by a world tree, with the roots, trunk, and branches corresponding to the lower, middle and upper worlds, respectively. This is the trinity of shamanism. read more

The World Tree is a common image in accounts of shamanic experiences from both traditional societies and in modern shamanic groups. The World Tree forms an integral part of the shamanic cosmos, linking as it does the world of humanity with the world of the spirits. read more