“Even though shamanism is an ancient practice, it is relevant to all of us today who are seeking ways to live a life filled with harmony, good health, and returning balance and peace back to our lives and to the planet.” ~ Sandra Ingerman
The word ‘shamanism’ evokes an array of memories, feelings, intrigue or imaginative wonderings. Men and women adorned with feathers and animal skins conducting immersive rituals with plants and spirits. The practice seems almost from another world, and in many ways, it is. And as we rise in consciousness, more and more people are accessing these other worlds that they were previously blind to.
Shamanism, Shamans & Shamanic Practitioners – what does it all mean?
Shamanism is an ancient universal spiritual practice that dates back over a hundred thousand years. It is most likely that all of us have at least one ancestor (or many) in our lineage who practised some form of shamanism.
The name Shaman is a Siberian word that holds several meanings including, “to be consumed with fire” and “one who can be a bridge between this world and the spirit world.” Although the word itself is derived from Siberia, in the Western world, it seems to be most commonly associated with the practice of the South American medicine people who graciously share their culture, such as the medicine people of the Q’ero tradition in Peru.
The truth is, all cultures have revered healers who carry ancient knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation: South America, North America, Hawaii, Siberia, all parts of Europe and the United Kingdom, Africa, India, Tibet, Australia, and the islands that surround us. In 1944, Swiss Anthropologist Alfred Metraux considered a shaman to be, “any individual who maintains by profession and in the interest of the community an intermittent commerce with spirits…”
Within indigenous communities, shamans tend to be called or summoned by Spirit and they would go through a series of initiations. It is not as much a choice as a sense of obligation or duty to walk the path of the shaman.
Shamanic practitioners are educated by people, often westerners, who have been trained in the traditional ways. It is more of a personal choice. If you are seeking to become a shamanic practitioner, remember that knowledge of the lineage is important. Question your teachers: who did they learn from and do they have permission to teach the traditional ways? Some communities are open with their teachings and want to share their skills and knowledge with the world. Others are more private or wish to retain the sacredness of their culture within their community. Trust your instincts and always walk with respect and integrity.
Both shamans and shamanic practitioners are gifted healers. Many have a generous heart and purity of spirit so they can dance between the worlds for the purpose of helping others. They are dreaming a sacred dream—a new way of being in the world. Ceremony and rituals are used to honour, bless and celebrate life. Community is valued. The natural world is revered. Plants, animals, and all living things are interconnected.
Nature is an exquisite teacher and readily available to anyone who is open to receive the teachings.
When I was a little girl, I didn’t think too much about the way my grandmother worked with plants in the forest. It was a way of life for us. The magic was in the simplicity and reverence of life, as much as it was within her potions. Nothing was ever wasted and we only took from the earth what we used.
As much as shamanism is gaining popularity in western culture, I truly believe at the heart of it is a deep yearning to connect to our roots—to belong, to remember. We can be guided by these beautiful cultures to awaken to what we already have within us.
Those who have lived with this deep connection across centuries have prophesised this time of remembering. The time has come. Now, our responsibility is to connect with our ancestors, the earth, the nature spirits, and listen to what it is they have to teach us.
Each one of us is a perfect combination of heaven and earth.
Yes… you are essentially a spirit of light condensed into matter with billions of cells interacting to create one human form.
You are an earth body animated by spirit. So, you actually ARE a miracle!
When you look through a shaman’s eyes, every person you meet is truly extraordinary.
I feel honoured and privileged to have this memory and deep wisdom awakening within me. It is a blessing to be able to do the work that I do.
Ase, Ase, Ase
