Frequently asked questions
what is shamanism?
There is evidence that Shamanism is over 40,000 years old, believed to be more than 100,000 years old. It is the oldest Spiritual practice known to man and up until about 150 years ago shamanic cultures survived on five continents, a true testament to its strength and adaptability. What is common to all Shamanic cultures is that the Shaman journeys to meet spirit guides in 'Non Ordinary Reality', the Dreamtime, the Otherworld for the benefit of all.
Shamanic cultures know that everything has a spirit and everything is connected. They choose to work in harmony with these spirits to maintain balance and order in their lives, environment and community. Life is sacred and is treated as such.
Shamanic cultures know that everything has a spirit and everything is connected. They choose to work in harmony with these spirits to maintain balance and order in their lives, environment and community. Life is sacred and is treated as such.
What is a Shaman?
The Shaman, the 'one who sees in the dark' alters his or her consciousness to enter the realms of Spirit, Non Ordinary Reality, to meet with benevolent loving teachers to gain information and healing for individuals and for the community and bring it in to this reality. The Shaman acts as a bridge between the invisible realms, and works with the spiritual aspects of wholeness and wellness. The role of the Shaman is to restore wholeness and return balance and harmony to the environment and to the community and to the individual. The Shaman was traditionally the doctor, the psychologist, the counsellor, the priest, the celebrant and the storyteller. Shamans are often called to this path by spirit, not always by choice.
what is shamanic healing?
In Shamanic terms there are three classic reasons why we become ill: Soul loss, Power loss and Intrusions (energy we have taken on that in unhelpful). Though there are also Ancestral/Karmic and Past life reasons as well as Possession (considered an intrusion), basically, something needs to be removed or something needs to be returned to the person.
Often after receiving shamanic healing, which works on the soul/spirit level of our being, other healing work can then be more successful. This is because the root cause has been treated, which then opens the way for the physical work to be carried out successfully. For example, someone can be in therapy for years, unable to get past a certain block. This may be because of soul loss and once the soul essence has been returned by shamanic means, the block can then be moved beyond because the part that was needed is back home, the person is more fully present.
Often after receiving shamanic healing, which works on the soul/spirit level of our being, other healing work can then be more successful. This is because the root cause has been treated, which then opens the way for the physical work to be carried out successfully. For example, someone can be in therapy for years, unable to get past a certain block. This may be because of soul loss and once the soul essence has been returned by shamanic means, the block can then be moved beyond because the part that was needed is back home, the person is more fully present.
what is soul retrieval?
From the shamanic view, when trauma occurs part of our soul essence leaves our body and goes to reside in different realms. This is a clever coping mechanism that enables us to live through trauma and loss, often memory loss can occur around the time of the traumatic event. The psychological term for this is dissociation. Soul loss can leave us feeling incomplete and may lead to suffering on spiritual, physical and psychological levels.
Upon receiving our soul essence back, we can often feel more positive and creative. We become more present, grounded and whole. Life becomes more colourful and moving ahead appears easier. Great healing can occur. I highly recommend Sandra Ingerman's book 'Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self' for further reading.
Upon receiving our soul essence back, we can often feel more positive and creative. We become more present, grounded and whole. Life becomes more colourful and moving ahead appears easier. Great healing can occur. I highly recommend Sandra Ingerman's book 'Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self' for further reading.
who can benefit from shamanic healing?
Most of us in our modern culture can benefit from Shamanic Healing. We encounter trauma on a daily basis especially if we do things like watch the news on television. Our lives are busy and hectic and often we don’t give ourselves the same care and attention that we do to our cars or to our pets. We also have ancestral lines that need healing and bringing back in to balance for the sake of ourselves and our descendants. We can make great improvements in our lives as we heal and empower ourselves.
Shamanic Healing is effective with many ailments, working on the spiritual/soul level that then allows changes to happen on the physical, mental and emotional levels. This includes some of the following but not exclusive to:
Shamanic Healing is effective with many ailments, working on the spiritual/soul level that then allows changes to happen on the physical, mental and emotional levels. This includes some of the following but not exclusive to:
- Depression, anxiety, low self esteem
- Not feeling fully present in life
- Lack of vitality
- Fatigue
- Guilt
- Feeling out of control
- Lack of fitting in
- Survivors of abuse
- Survivors of Accidents
- People who have undergone surgery
- Localised pain
- Emotional traumas
- Physical traumas
- Mental Health problems
- Addictions
- People recovering from addictions, including substance and alcohol abuse
- Chronic bad luck
- PTSD
can I be healed in one session?
Most of us have many layers of conditioning and Ancestral patterns. For the most part this spiritual work has not been getting done in our culture for 2000+ years. Orthodox medicine looks mainly at the symptoms and not the underlying root causes of illness. Whilst shamanic healing can provide cure for some ailments, we may have several layers to move through. Whilst you may feel much better after one session, you may find later other things presenting to be looked at.
I do not prescribe how many sessions you should have. I complete a lot of work in one session, but then you need time for integration, to allow things to settle down. I always recommend coming back when you feel called to.
I do not prescribe how many sessions you should have. I complete a lot of work in one session, but then you need time for integration, to allow things to settle down. I always recommend coming back when you feel called to.
can everone learn to Journey?
With a clear intention and certain things in place we can all learn to journey. We can visit other realms by learning to use the Shaman’s Map. We go there to gain insight and receive information and healing from our spirit teachers directly. How do we get there? By shifting our consciousness. We use a repetitive percussive beat to change our brainwaves to theta which puts us in to a trance state. The drum has traditionally been the Shaman’s horse, his transport to the non-ordinary realms. Rattles, bells and other percussive instruments are also great tools to the shamanic practitioner. The aboriginals of Australia use the didgeridoo. Some cultures have used singing and chanting to have the same affect. Dancing can also help us to get there.