Print

Print
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?