What is Shamanism?
Ancient wisdom for healing body, mind, and spirit
The Ancient Path
Shamanism is the world's oldest spiritual practice, dating back over 40,000 years. Found in indigenous cultures across every continent, shamanism is not a religion but a way of perceiving and working with the sacred dimensions of reality that exist beyond our ordinary awareness.
The word "shaman" comes from the Tungus people of Siberia and means "one who sees in the dark" or "one who knows." A shaman is a spiritual practitioner who serves as a bridge between the physical world and the spirit world, accessing non-ordinary states of consciousness to bring healing, wisdom, and balance to individuals and communities.
Core Principles of Shamanism
Everything is Alive
Shamanism recognizes that all things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, mountains—possess spirit and consciousness. We are all interconnected through the web of life.
Multiple Realities
Beyond our ordinary reality exists the spirit world—realms where we can commune with spirit guides, power animals, ancestors, and helping spirits who offer wisdom and healing.
Direct Revelation
Shamanic practitioners journey directly to the spirit world to receive guidance, healing, and wisdom. This direct spiritual experience is available to all who seek with sincere intention.
Healing Through Balance
Illness is seen as a spiritual imbalance or disconnection. Shamanic healing works to restore harmony between body, mind, spirit, and the natural world.
Nature as Teacher
The natural world is our greatest teacher and healer. Through deep relationship with earth, water, fire, air, and all living beings, we remember our place in the sacred web of creation.
Shamanic Practices
Shamanic Journeying
Entering altered states of consciousness through drumming, rattling, or meditation to access spiritual guidance and healing.
Soul Retrieval
Recovering lost soul parts that may have separated due to trauma, bringing wholeness and vitality back to the individual.
Power Animal Retrieval
Connecting individuals with their spirit animal guides who offer protection, strength, and wisdom.
Extraction Healing
Removing spiritual intrusions or energies that don't belong, restoring balance and well-being.
Divination
Seeking guidance from the spirit world about life decisions, relationships, and soul purpose.
Ceremony & Ritual
Sacred practices that honor transitions, seasons, and the cycles of life while creating connection with spirit.
Spirit Helpers
In shamanic practice, we work with compassionate helping spirits who guide and support our healing work:
- • Power Animals: Spirit guides in animal form who lend their medicine, strength, and wisdom.
- • Ancestors: Lineage spirits who offer guidance, protection, and ancestral healing.
- • Teachers & Guides: Spiritual beings in human or other forms who share wisdom and healing.
- • Nature Spirits: Spirits of plants, stones, waters, and sacred places who hold ancient knowledge.
Shamanism Today
While rooted in ancient traditions, shamanism remains profoundly relevant in our modern world. As we face the challenges of disconnection from nature, spiritual emptiness, and collective trauma, shamanic practices offer pathways back to wholeness, meaning, and right relationship with all life.
Contemporary shamanic practitioners honor the wisdom of indigenous cultures while adapting these timeless practices to serve the healing needs of today. Through shamanic work, people find relief from depression and anxiety, heal from trauma, discover their life purpose, and reconnect with the sacred dimensions of existence.
Shamanism reminds us that we are not separate from nature but part of an interconnected web of life. It teaches us that healing is possible, that guidance is available, and that we each have the capacity to walk in balance with all our relations.
To be SHAMAN…
Is to discover the power of
FEARLESSNESS!
Shamans recognize that our job is to use Love to vanquish its opposite, and accept the challenge to exorcise fear and the darkness within by embracing love and its light.
As SHAMANS we become Love, and practice
FEARLESSNESS
Experience Shamanic Healing
If you feel called to explore shamanic healing and ceremony, I welcome you with an open heart. Together, we can walk the path of healing, transformation, and sacred connection.