The first book to fully explore the magic, mystery, and folklore of the ancient traditions of the Balkans This is an extraordinary work of scholarship that blends history, anthropology, folklore, and religious studies. It is the first contemporary book to fully explore the ancient roots of shamanistic practice in eastern Europe, as well as providing a glimpse of how those indigenous beliefs manifest themselves today. Author Radomir Ristic provides a historical context for the practice of European shamanism along with detailed information on how it was developed by region. He also relates startling tales of shamans who transform themselves into wolves and butterflies in order to combat evil, stories of vampires of the past and present, and peculiar anecdotes about Balkan zombies.
