ITALIAN WITCHCRAFT AND SHAMANISM: THE TRADITION OF SEGNATURE, INDIGENOUS AND TRANS‐CULTURAL SHAMANIC TRADITIONS IN ITALY. By AngelaPuca. Aries Book Series: Texts and Studies in Western Esotericism, 35. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2024. Pp. x + 210. Har

Puca, a scholar specializing in esotericism and shamanism, is based in Leeds Trinity University and holds a PhD in religious studies from Leeds Beckett University. Her academic background includes research on folk magic, shamanism, and indigenous religious traditions, particularly within the Italian context. This book is a culmination of her doctoral research, which examines shamanic traditions of Italy, with a focus on the Segnature healing practices. Puca's research fills a significant gap in both shamanic studies and the anthropology of religion, contributing to broader discussions on indigenous and trans-cultural spiritual practices. Segnature is an Italian folk healing practice passed down through generations. Puca begins by challenging traditional definitions of shamanism and contextualizing them within Italy, drawing on historical and ethnographic data to place Segnature within a broader shamanic framework. Early chapters explore the influence of globalized shamanic movements, such as those inspired by Michael Harner (1929–2018), and their impact on Italian spiritual communities. A central theme of the book is the tension between preserving indigenous traditions and the influence of trans-cultural practices. Puca illustrates how global shamanism intersects with Italian folk traditions, particularly Segnature. She argues that Segnature embodies indigenous Italian shamanism, having endured for centuries despite the pervasive influence of Catholicism. The later chapters explore the syncretism between Segnature and Catholicism, showing how the practice has adapted Catholic elements to endure. This raises important questions about classifying indigenous practices and their resilience. Puc's use of discourse analysis and ethnographic research offers a nuanced view of how practitioners define their work, with her focus on deixis providing insights into shamanic traditions. This book makes a significant contribution to religious studies, anthropology, and the study of esotericism. Puca's interdisciplinary approach, blending historical and contemporary perspectives, is essential reading for scholars of shamanism, folk magic, and the interaction of local and global spiritual practices.