Hi Sabina, I haven't read the book , but guess it may be something to do with the idea that a shaman (as represented in many contemporary anthropological sources) can heal by taking a person's sickness onto him/herself - and then either dispose of it or live through it (or even pass it on to someone else!). Shamans often literally 'suck' the sickness or bad spirits out of a person - or draw it out in some other way. I'm not aware of any direct evidence, however, linking such practices to Celtic shamans - although its not beyond the realms of possibility that IF they were part of Celtic shamanism they may have merged with Christian explanations for misfortune and morphed into sin-eating .....? Best wishes, Emma ________________________________ From: "Magliocco, Sabina" <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thu, 7 April, 2011 18:30:06 Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Information on Sin Eaters Just curious: how is sin-eating presented as Celtic shamanism in this publication? It seems to me that the whole idea of sin, and the rite to displace it from the dying person to a designated sin-eater so the deceased can enter Heaven, is heavily influenced by Christian concepts. I'm not saying this is a part of official, scripted Christian doctrine; it's clearly a part of venracular religion. But what's the Celtic part? Best, Sabina Sabina Magliocco Professor Department of Anthropology California State University - Northridge [log in to unmask] ________________________________________ From: Society for The Academic Study of Magic [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kim Hunter [[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 10:04 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Information on Sin Eaters Interesting synchronicity for once...I've just finished this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sin-Eaters-Last-Confession-Traditions/dp/0738713562 ________________________________ Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2011 02:53:35 +0000 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: [ACADEMIC-STUDY-MAGIC] Information on Sin Eaters To: [log in to unmask] Hello all... I am one of those non-academics with a keen interest in occult, paranormal and metaphysics. I am looking for information on the origin and practice of sin eating.. Any thoughts?