Archetype symbols and altered consciousness: a study of shamanic rituals in the context of Jungian psychology
Hang Sun, Eunyoung Kim
Frontiers in Psychology May 9, 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1379391 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 75 |
| Population | Participants in shamanic rituals |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind Shamanism |
| Keywords | Archetype Consciousness Context archaeology Psychoanalysis Cognitive science Cognitive psychology Jungian analytical psychology |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Archetype symbols in shamanic rituals significantly influence participants' conscious state, especially during the Visionary Restructuralization stage, leading to a conscious dissolution of the self. |
Abstract
The alteration of consciousness during shamanic rituals is both a physical and mystical phenomenon. It involves psychological and spiritual experiences. Through ritual practices, shamans can connect with archetype within the collective unconscious, utilizing trance-inducing techniques for "hallucinatory exploration". This study surveyed 75 participants to investigate the impact of prototype symbols in Shamanistic rituals on participants' consciousness states focusing on Jungian psychology's concept of archetype. The results indicate that archetype symbols in shamanic rituals can significantly influence participants' conscious state, leading them to experience a conscious dissolution of the self. Furthermore, archetype symbols have different effects at the stages of consciousness change. In particular, during the "Visionary Restructuralization" stage, archetype symbols, such as patterns, masks, totems and music, brought participants' consciousness to a peak and caused significant changes to it. These findings suggest that the metaphoric function of archetype symbols plays a crucial role in rituals. Archetype symbols connect the individual to the collective unconscious through visual images and symbolic imagery. They prompt the participants to experience emotional resonances that transcend individual experiences and affect their state of consciousness.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on shamanism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptability of shamanic healing for treating psychostimulant dependence: a pilot survey Psychostimulant users in central Arkansas, USA | 2014 | Survey | n = 103 |
| Beliefs in and experiences of sorcery, black magic and brujería among psychedelic users: a quantitative and qualitative survey Adults with personal, professional, or cultural involvement in psychedelics | 2026 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 895 |
| A Spatial Analysis of Shamans in South Korea’s Religious Market Shamanic sites and religious facilities across 229 districts in South Korea | 2025 | Observational cross-sectional study with spatial regression models | |
| Shamanism, Traditional Beliefs, and Trust in Government in Kazakhstan First-year university students in Astana, Kazakhstan | 2026 | Observational survey | n = 351 |
| Transpersonal Effects of Exposure to Shamanic Use of Khoomei (Tuvan Throat Singing): Preliminary Evaluations from Training Seminars Western participants who attended Khoomei seminars | 2012 | Survey study | n = 181 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Esoteric Mind in Modern Science and Medicine July 3, 2026
- Implications of the Sociology of Religion of Carl Gustav Jung's Theory of Individuation: The Role of Pancasila and Local Wisdom in Responding to the Challenges of Postmodern Society Pharos Journal of Theology July 28, 2025
- Evolutionary Trajectories of Consciousness: From Biological Foundations to Technological Horizons. Brain Sciences July 9, 2025
Cites 12
- The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998
- A Revised Paranormal Belief Scale International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 2004
- Ego-Dissolution and Psychedelics: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) Frontiers in Human Neuroscience June 14, 2016
- Psychobiology of Altered States of Consciousness. Psychological Bulletin 2005
- Shamanism as the Original Neurotheology Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science March 1, 2004
and 7 more in the library