THE ALTERED STATE OF THE SHAMAN

The Chumash shaman used drugs to induce an altered state. Both native tobacco, which was eaten, and Jimson weed (i.e., Datura) were used for this purpose (but not at the same time). By inducing a trance, the shaman believed that they gained access to the spirit world - usually in the form of an animal. Caves, springs and pools of water and high places were very important in this belief.

Caves were inhabited by natural animal spirits. The shaman gained access to the spiritual world through caves. It was believed that the rock wall or a crack in a wall in a cave would open up, and the shaman would enter another world. For this reason, lizard is a common rock art motif. Lizards take refuge by entering cracks or crevices in rocks. It was believed that they could enter and exit the spirit world with ease.

The shaman could enter the spirit world through a spring or pool of water - without getting wet. Creatures that inhabited pools of water, such as water striders, salamanders, pond turtles and frogs, could also enter and exit the spirit world with ease. They too are common rock art motifs.

The shaman could enter the spirit world through the north star, as could birds, which could fly to the spirit world. Shamans are often depicted in rock art with wings, with bird heads and/or bird feet. The shaman was transformed into a bird in order to visit the spirit world.

Spirit animals were seen during altered states in the same way that a person of intense faith today may receive messages and see visions of their own faith.

Once a shaman had return from an altered state, rock paintings were made to record or "write on the wall" the images seen. These rock paintings or pictographs were powerful images to be feared and respected, and the places where they were painted were sacred places.

                                                                                    Mike Kuhn

9-27-04