This is an extraordinary work of scholarship that blends history, anthropology, folklore and religious studies. It is the first contemporary book to fully explore the ancient roots of shamanistic practice in Eastern Europe, as well as providing a glimpse of how those indigenous beliefs manifest themselves today. Author, Radomir Ristic, provides an historical context for the practice of European shamanism along with detailed information on how it was developed by region. He, also, relates startling tales of shamans who transform themselves into wolves and butterflies in order to combat evil, stories of vampires of the past and present and peculiar anecdotes about Balkan zombies. The range of his approach can be seen in the table of contents: 1. Introduction: What Is Shamanism? 2. Native European Shamanism 3. Shamanism in the Balkans 4. Shamanistic Traditions of Serbia, Monte Negro, Bosnia and Herzegovina 5. Shamanistic Traditions from Croatia and Slovenia 6. The Origin of European Witchcraft and Shamanism 7. Vampires, Werewolves, Witches and Shamanism 8. Dragons, Dragon Men, Fairies and Shamanism This is a book for anyone interested in the ancient European roots of contemporary witchcraft and shamanism. It is, also, for those fascinated by folklore and mythology and interested in stories of vampires, werewolves, witches and warlocks.

Author Biography

Radomir Ristic is a Serbian author specialising in the magic and ethnology of southeast Europe, as well as South America and the Caribbean. He lives in Belgrade.