Shamanic Terms and Explanations

As promised, here is part two of .. getting to know me. I have recently come into contact with some new acquaintances and I am posting in my blog some frequently asked questions, and maybe some that you have thought of but have not asked.

I will start with some basic terms in shamanism.I mentioned in my  last blog that I call myself a shamanic practitioner but I would like to add that I am not really fond of labels. It is similar to calling yourself Baptist or Catholic or Hindu or Buddhist. There are many different beliefs within a particular label and sometimes those beliefs can be interchangeable. I believe that whatever belief system you feel most comfortable associating with, as long as it fulfills you and does not hurt people or animals, then it is what is right for you. In this blog I will talk about some common terms within the shamanic practice, how they are similar to other terms we are more familiar with, and how I use them in my practice.

What is "journeying?"

Journeying is a term in shamanism for the ritual of going into an altered state of consciousness and taking travels into the world of spirit. It is not unlike my experiences in my former belief system of Christianity in which I would have extended periods of prayer in which I would receive guidance and messages from the Holy Spirit. In Christianity I would reach this level of consciousness through the use of worship music and in the sect I was in, through movement and dance (yes, I guess you could say I was a holy roller..) , and in shamanism we achieve this state through drumming. It is also not unlike the experience of meditation, in which this state of consciousness is reached through meditation music. As I have stated before, the means by which we achieve this state is different, the terms or labels are different, the end result is basically the same. We achieve connection with our Higher Source through whatever means we are comfortable and familiar with.

What is a "soul retrieval?"

During our lifetimes, we leave behind pieces of our "energy" or "soul" in time periods and places where there was a high degree of emotion attached to an event or place. Many times when there is a traumatic event, we experience a rush of emotion and a piece of our "soul" or " life force" or "energy" gets stuck. A shaman or, as I call myself, a shamanic practitioner, will go into a "journey" for their client and go into the past or into the place where the pieces of their client's energy has gotten stuck and retrieve those pieces and bring them back to their client. While in the altered state of consciousness, the shamanic practitioner will receive images or indications of where the pieces of the clients soul have been lost and, with the help of their Spirit Guides, bring those pieces back to the client.

What about good and evil? Are you ever worried that you will run into an evil spirit or that you are connecting with Spirits that are not of the light?

In my former belief system, I was taught that whatever was not in line with the belief in Jesus was from the devil and that we could only access God through Jesus. This has not been my experience since I left that belief system. I will say that whatever is from "God" or our Higher Source will make us feel better, and whatever is not in our best interests will make us feel bad.  I have experienced nothing but joy from being released from the bondage of thinking that everyone else was wrong except for me and my particular beliefs. My current belief is that if I feel good, my emotional guidance system is telling me that I am connected with God or the Higher Source or Higher Power. Being connected with our Highest Power will always make us feel good. I still connect with Jesus and He still gives me messages. He is not mad at me for accessing other Dieties. Sometimes when I connect to Him He is in the company of some of these other Dieties. He has come to me while in a shamanic journey and while meditating. Belief systems do not have to be exclusive. Yes I believe that there is evil in the world. However my life has only improved since releasing myself from the belief that every other belief system was wrong or evil. And I have never once come into contact with a demon or the devil since I have started on this path.

Let me say that if your belief system makes you happy and fulfilled and serves to help you be a better person, then by all means, continue on your current path. I stayed on one path for the first thirty five years of my life, until it ceased to fulfill me. When I began to be discontented and depressed, then I knew it was time to find out why and correct my path. Always use your internal guidance system as your compass to help you find your way through this life. If you are happy and fulfilled, then there is no reason to change course. When you cease to be happy, then it is time to make a course correction.

So, what do I do?

I connect with Spirit and give messages, individually and sometimes, via my blog, to whomever is out there reading. Yes, I can use cards, such as tarot and other divination tools. Sometimes I am able to access information through numerology and other tools. Sometimes I may connect with loved one who have passed. I also convey healing energy via the practice of Reiki. I teach spiritual principles in monthly classes at my home in Winchester, Virginia. Recently I have begun joining couples in marriage. You do not have to be any particular religion or belief system for me to officiate your wedding.

Those who have been following my blog for years may already know most of this information, but for the new arrivals to my blog, this is who I am. This is what I do. I hope for future connections. Blessings to you on your individual path.