Choosing A Life

This thesis is an inquiry into the lives of four women in Tallahassee, Florida, who have not only chosen to adopt New Age beliefs, but also to become New Age healers. Of particular interest are the life events that influenced their decision to become metaphysical healers. Are there common themes in the life experiences of these four women? Do these life experiences parallel the life experiences and life stories of traditional shamanic healers? How has the incorporation of New Age ideas and healing practices affected their lives and their views of the world? And more broadly, how may these lives be understood in the context of our present times and in turn contribute to our understanding of the reinvention of shamanic healing in the New Age movement? The primary mode of investigation in this study is the 'life story.' Each informant provided a chronological account of her life, detailing the events and experiences she felt were most significant. These four life stories were then evaluated for common themes relevant to the thesis objectives outlined above.