Benebell Wen | Wu Shamanism: Just a Rumination @BenebellWen | Uploaded May 2023 | Updated October 2024, 3 hours ago.
The two branches of Wu when we say Wu shamanism:
1. Wu shamanistic-historical Traditions
2. Wu shu

"能以舞降神者為巫"
Néng yǐ wǔ jiàng shén zhě wéi wū
-- That is the proverbial axiom defining what the 巫 (wu) is.
-- Translation: The one who can use dance (or ritual) to placate the spirits is called the 巫 (wu).

Pre-order my forthcoming book, I Ching, The Oracle (North Atlantic Books, September 26, 2023): amazon.com/Ching-Oracle-translation-historical-references/dp/1623178738

Word List for Reference:
Li Zehou (1930-2021) 李澤厚
Wu shu 巫術
Xian gu 仙姑
Wu puo 巫婆
Shen han 神漢
Shen puo 神婆
Shen tong 神童
Yang Shao 仰韶
Zhunti Pusa 準提菩薩
Marici 摩利支天
Matsu 媽祖
Xi Wang Mu (Queen Mother of the West) 西王母
Jiu Tian Xuan Nu (Lady of the Nine Heavens) 九天玄女

Eight Forms of Wu Shu 巫術:
1. Incantations and ritual sacrifices
2. Petitions to gods or spirits for divine justice [original: hexes & curses]
3. Divination; the ability to interpret signs and omens
4. Warding off evil and curing spiritual sickness
5. Exorcism, soul retrieval rituals
6. Fu talismans and spell-crafting
7. Metaphysical uses of herbs [original: poison magic 蠱道]
8. Mediumship; ability to communicate and negotiate with spirit entities

I didn't cover this in the video chat, but another way that Forms of Shu are characterized is as the Five Mystical Arts 五術:
1. Spiritual Cultivation 仙學
2. Divinatory Arts 卜筮
3. Study of Appearances (ex. face reading, palmistry) 相學
4. Study of Fate (ex. astrology) 命學
5. Study of Healing Arts 醫學

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I'd also like to signal boost David Shi's Spirit Voices published earlier this year by Weiser Books.

If this is a topic that interests you, you'll love Spirit Voices. It covers North Asian traditions and legacies of shamanism, with a focus on Mongolic and Tungusic practices. Shi himself is of Manchu ancestry (one of the 56 ethnic groups of China). #aapiheritagemonth

https://a.co/d/9q6xipe

#aapimpact #aapivoice #asianamerican