Many people experience anxiety or trepidation when they embark on a new approach to healing. My client Craig admitted to many fears when we began working together. He worried about what might be uncovered, how he would react, what the experience would feel like—and the list went on in a way that’s very familiar to all of us.
From a shamanic perspective, the fear of the unknown is like standing on the edge of a cliff and not knowing if you’re going to fall or fly. Shamanism draws from the traditions of indigenous peoples by approaching healing through the use of natural elements and symbols, animal spirits, percussion, and singing. It is beautifully supportive work that gives us the courage to jump into the unknown, realizing that the only way to experience something new is to clear away old patterns of fear and resistance.
My role as shamanic healer is to guide my clients through their fears and help them identify clear goals and intentions. With Craig, I was able to sense the fear in his energy field, offer words of recognition and encouragement, and help him embrace the challenges of healing.
Whether you, like Craig, are experiencing a fear of the unknown or, like many others, want to release stress while remaining powerful, here’s what a typical shamanic healing might look like:
A shamanic session begins with setting an intention. I simply ask, “What would be helpful?” knowing that all healing comes from within. It empowers my clients to be actively involved in their own healing.
I then spend a few minutes settling my mind and visualizing them in their perfection as a beautiful spark of the Divine.
The next step is to intuitively scan where there might be energetic imbalances and then welcome in the shamanic allies to support the healing. Feathers are used as a tangible representation of various bird allies, perhaps Owl, or Raven, or Turkey. The feather helps me focus the healing energy for alignment and clearing.
When energy is feeling stuck, I use a rattle to help break up the congestion. If clients feel as if they are “missing” parts of themselves from past experiences or traumas, I might incorporate drumming to induce a more deeply relaxed state as I voice guide a soul retrieval.
I never know exactly what tools I’ll be using until we get into the session, but it always involves the use of singing healing songs called icaros. I invite Spirit to sing through me as a way to open up my clients to connecting with their own essence, or “song.”
I end with a final clearing and a blessing of protection. Using agua florida is a wonderful way to raise the energetic vibration and fill the energy field with light. Tobacco is a powerful ally for clearing out any remaining “hucha” and providing good protection.
Read more about shamanic healing HERE.
