Contemporary Magical-Medical and Magical-Mystical Practices: On the Issue of Function and Adaptation

Abstract

The article discusses the problems of transformation of magical-mystical and magical-medical practices, drawing on the case of “revival” of Russian (neo)shamanism and the shaping of folk healership. It further touches on the specificity of adaptation of those involved in such practices in perestroika and post-perestroika period. The author discloses adaptation models which are then examined through the cases of different organizations, both in the capital and elsewhere in Russia, including organizational unions in Siberia (both in comparative-typological and genetic perspectives). Special attention is paid to the interaction between the practices under consideration and professional medicine, as well as to the forming of complementary medicine attempting an access to the level of integrative medicine on the country-wide scale.