Some people have asked about the origin of the word ‘seabhean’. It was a word given to Amantha many years ago by an elderly woman who had heard it used in Donegal. I do not know whether it was in common usage or whether it is still used.
I searched Ó Dónaill’s Irish dictionary and the word ‘seabhean’ was not listed. However, the word ‘sea’ yielded some interesting results.
sea, (gs.∿). 1. Strength, vigour. Nuair a bhi siad ina ∿, when they were in their prime. Bhí an Bhealtaine ina ∿, May was in its pride. Baineadh an ∿ as mo lámha, my hands became powerless. Gan sú ná ∿, without sap or vigour. Níor fhan ∿ ná seoladh ionam, I was in a state of collapse. Nach dona an ∿ a bhí ann, he didn’t put up much of a struggle, didn’t last long.
2. Heed, attention; regard, esteem. ∿ a chur i rud, to take notice of sth. Ná cuir suim ná ∿ ann, pay no heed to it whatever. Níl ∿ acu ann, they are not interested in it.
The composite word seabhean (pronounced shavan) is a combination of the word ‘sea’ (pronounced sha) and the word ‘bean’ (pronounced ban). From a grammar and spelling perspective, the word seabhean is correct as a composite word using those two components. The meaning of those two words together is quite close to the essence of what the Irish healer woman is – a woman who works to boost someone’s life force, energy, strength or vigour– i.e. a healer – and also a woman who is held in high regard or high esteem. It makes absolute sense that that word was used for the Irish healer woman. Perhaps some Irish speakers from Donegal may know if the word is still used today for healer women there.
Another linguistic challenge for some people is the use of the word shamanic in the context of the Irish healer woman. In The Way of the Seabhean, Amantha explains that she uses the word ‘shamanic’ to describe the way and the realms in which she works. If she had used an Irish word, people would not have understood. I, personally, have tended to use the phrase ‘female shaman’, to explain the word ‘seabhean’ to people – I use it in my foreword to the book. It is simply a way of giving people a handle on the concept of the seabhean and the context of her work.
The working practices of the seabhean and her way of being in the world have much in common with healers and visionaries in other (mainly indigenous or tribal) cultures, many of whom would describe themselves as shamans. Amantha learnt that way of being and that way of working from her Irish granny. Neither Amantha’s grandmother, nor other Irish healers would necessarily see themselves or their work as part of shamanism. Yet, Granny taught Amantha about the place of betwixt and between and how easy it was to cross over, especially at certain places. Amantha’s journeying came from working with her innate gifts as a seabhean in her own right. That type of journeying is most commonly called ‘shamanic’ journeying.
Some people wondered whether chakras are Irish. Chakras are the energy points or energy vortices in the body. In Amantha’s work, these are the feet, the base, the womb, the solar plexus, the heart, the thymus, the throat, the third eye, the head and the place of communion (which is the place of harmony when all of the other energy points are in balance). Similar energy points are used by healers from many cultures. The word ‘chakra’ is neither Irish nor English. ‘Chakra’ is a Sanskrit word, which is almost universal and is used in The Way of the Seabhean to conveniently convey the concept of energy points. The energy points (as described in the book) are not borrowed from any other culture. This particular grouping of energy points is unique to Amantha, as far as we know at this time. Perhaps Amantha’s courageous sharing of this work will inspire other Irish healer women (seamhná – plural of seabhean) to come forward and share their understanding.
The wisdom and practices of the seabhean or healer woman were passed from generation to generation, probably since ancient times, and we do not know whether those ancient women shared a common understanding or set of practices. Neither do we know whether, over all the generations of Irish healers, those women got together to compare notes. The Way of the Seabhean is Amantha’s unique expression of her personal path as an Irish seabhean/healer woman. It is a life enhancing path that she shares for the good of others and is not necessarily anybody else’s path. She believes that many of the practices of her own seabhean journey may be learnt and used by others for growth and healing. As each person opens to their innate seabhean, they embark on their own, unique path. At the heart of this journey is goodness and respect for others and for the planet.
The Way of the Seabhean by Amantha Murphy with Orla O’Connell is published by Womancraft Publishing.
Very clear, thank you for explaining. I found Amantha to be very authentic and am living her book. It awakens something in me, a connection to the female ancestors on my mothers side.