江南地區的師娘現象，從元明以來多有記載，她們能借助神秘力量，替那些重症怪病患者或自覺時運不順、處於災殃之中者，尋找出非關科學理性的緣由和禳解方法。本文通過長期的田野調查，對江蘇常熟地區師娘的生成路徑、判事技能、禳解方式、平時修養、自我認知及其與相關儀式人員之關係等方面，予以整體性呈現，還專門介紹常熟特有的「師娘寶卷」情況，並附錄了《常熟師娘寶卷總目提要》全文。希望以此一地區的典型案例，推進對整個江南範圍內師娘存續生態之調查、理解和研究。

There have been several records of the shiniang phenomenon in Jiangnan region since the Yuan and Ming dynasties. Shiniang, a local appellation, refers to a kind of spiritual mediums who have the mysterious power to heal patients with rare disease, or dispel evil spirits for people who are either suffering from bad luck or caught up in calamities. Their rationale for the cause of diseases or deliverance rituals are inexplicable by science. Through a long-term field study, this article gives a comprehensive description of shiniang in the Changshu region of Jiangsu Province, including the evolution, judicial ritual, and ways of exorcism, daily cultivation, self-recognition and relation with ritual personnel, etc. In addition, I devote an entire section to the introduction of the Changshu-exclusive “shiniang precious scrolls,” with an annotated bibliography appended. It is hoped that this typical case will advance the investigation, understanding and research of the perpetuation of shiniang in the entire Jiangnan area.