Shaman in a 9 to 5 World [Paperback]

Patricia Telesco (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Patricia Telesco's Urban Pagan took the first steps toward unifying a philosophical ideal with the conditions of modern life. Now she presents a neopagan's complete guide to maintaining a powerful connection with nature, even when sacred groves and wild rivers are far away. Offering meditations, rituals, and guided visualizations, she suggests how the noise and hectic pace of the city can be countered with simple gestures, such as lighting a candle at dawn to create moments of peace, thanks, and renewal. Both an introduction and a valuable refresher, Shaman in a 9 to 5 World adapts a vast array of ancient shamanic traditions to city life, including fasting, drumming, praying, creating sacred spaces, interpreting omens and signs, and even shapeshifting and divination. Covering everything from tools and supplies to power animals, totems, amulets, fetishes, and the elements, this book provides step-by-step guidance for healers of the human tribe.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In the modern world of traffic jams, cell phones, and information superhighways, how can urban shamans create lifestyles that reflect their spiritual beliefs and visions? It's not easy, acknowledges author Patricia Telesco, who previously wrote about living close to the earth within a concrete jungle in Urban Pagan. Now she takes it a step further, presenting the tribal responsibility of the city shaman. Although most people think of shamanism as a form of magic, Telesco explains that mystical ceremonies are "a small part of the big picture. Shamanic living focuses first on self--on becoming all that you can be no what your life's circumstances or surroundings. Next, shamanism shifts your awareness toward the tribe of people you call family, and your importance in the unit. On a much larger scale, shamanism also stresses the familial tribe of humankind and our need to play nicely in the sandbox together."

As a guide for shaman wannabes, this one is multidimensional, manual-accessible, playful, rich in historical context, hands-on practical, and inspirational. All the necessary tools, meditations, totems, drumbeats, amulets, and prayers are here. Telesco has the authority of pagan and magical reverence while being able to translate it into a language that is straightforward and socially responsible. --Gail Hudson

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: The Crossing Press; 1st.Edition edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895949822
• ISBN-13: 978-0895949820
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,097,422 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patricia Telesco aka Marian Singer is the mother of three, wife, chief human to 5 pets, and a full-time professional author with over 60 books on the market, each of which represents a different area of spiritual interest for her and her readers.
Trish travels minimally twice a month to give lectures and workshops around the country. She (or her writing) has appeared on several television segments including Sightings on muli-cultural divination systems and National Geographic Today ' Solstice Celebrations. Besides this, Trish maintains a strong, visible presence in the metaphysical community including having given over 300 radio interviews from coast to coast, writings on the internet through popular sites like: www.witchvox.com, her yahoo club: www.groups.yahoo.com/groups/folkmagicwithtrishtelesco, and various appearances on internet chats and bbs boards.
Trish considers herself a down-to-earth Kitchen & folk magician whose love of folklore and worldwide customs flavor every word she writes. Her strongest ethical guidelines are honor, respect, and gratitude in all things.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Different and Very Wonderful, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shaman in a 9 to 5 World (Paperback)

The tone and delivery of this book is very different for the author, but I really like it. There's a debth here, and a "feeling" beneath the words that says this book was guided and inspired from something very real to the writer. This makes reading much more interesting and inspiring too! The activities, philosophy, and presentation is all very practical considering modern life, and very earth-responsible. Possibly Telesco's best book ever.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL, well researched and highly inspiring, April 22, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shaman in a 9 to 5 World (Paperback)

I am not sure where or why the last reviewer felt so negatively as I have found much of the information in Ms. Telesco's book confirmed by other sources including Funk & Wagnall. IMHO the focus of this book is on the "doing" (which I like) -- there's a real thrust to integrate the philosophy with daily life ... great information that seems to have been very heavily researched and more importantly LIVED in daily life (as opposed to just reading about it).

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intersting book that is a well written guide..., July 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shaman in a 9 to 5 World (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of meeting the author and hearing her speak. She is a well spoken woman who is easy to understand and relates well to everyone. This book has lots of good information and is easy to understand. It has step by step guidance that leads you along the way. I read it in one evening and will use it for references again and again. Very detailed, but easy to understand. Has wonderful information that will be usable again and again. I am glad I purchased the book!