A shaman does 3 things for the group:
1) Interprets dreams, omens, etc.
2) Heals
3) Intercedes beyond the veil for the benefit of the group

It's a position that acts somewhat tangentially to all the other positions of power and authority-- political, religious, etc. It's not something a fellow seeks. It's not even what you'd call a calling. For me, folks just started treating me as a shaman until I relented.

There was a fellow shaman I knew many years ago. He put it this way: "I'm here to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable."

As I am preparing for the rite of marking my 10,000th post, I'm not able to go into detail right now. It's a rigorous bit of cleansing, purification, meditation, ritual sacrifice and communication with my spiritual guides. We can go into this later, once I have made the transition.

Years ago, I compiled a bunch of the early work I did on this august forum. It does not address your questions directly, but I think you will find a lot of your answers.

http://www.blackholecoffeehouse.com/the_shaman_papers.htm

I'm sorry. I've got an appointment at the sweat lodge this AM, then I have a fitting downtown at the tailor for my official B'wana arrayments.

Genesis 9:2-4 Ministries Lighthearted Confessions of a Cervid Serial Killer