by OftenBen

Good evening hubsquad, I'll be hosting your Occasional 'Give Me A Quote From Something You've Been Reading Lately' thread. Kicking things off, I have a quote from one of my favorite medical anthropologists, Carol Laderman, from her book Taming the Wind of Desire: Psychology, Medicine and Aesthetics in Malay Shamanistic Performance

Shamans, by the very nature of their profession, must have the means of strengthening their bodily defenses, particularly when going into trance. They mobilize their inner resources, personified as the Four Sultans, the Four Heroes, the Four Guardians, and the Four Nobles. To 'Guard from above and become a shelter, guard from below and become a foundation, Guard from before and become a crown, guard from behind and become a palisade.' They call upon their familiar spirits to 'guard the inner gates closely, and strengthen the outer gates.' Shamans who omit these basic protections may put their lives in jeopardy, and indeed several deaths, even in contemporary settings are attributed to a lazy Shaman.

No tags this week, everybody just post whatever you got.