The word “shaman” means “one who sees in the dark,” or “healer.” In indigenous cultures, a shaman would be the medicine man or woman of the tribe, who uses different techniques and ceremonies to help individuals in the tribe, and the tribe as a whole. These could include: getting in touch with the earth, and the energy and spirits of the earth and nature; sometimes natural healing methods like herbalism; and also spiritual or energy healing. Soul retrieval, which we will talk more about, falls into the last category of spiritual or energy healing.

In short, a shaman is someone who heals and/or divines information from Spirit for the community.

Shamans, and shamanic practitioners, get in touch with Spirit to acquire knowledge and wisdom to help the tribe, and, to help people to live in right relationship with:

• Each Other
• Themselves
• The Earth, and other living beings on the Earth
• Spirit

A big part of shamanic practice is to help people heal. It is said that shamans and shamanic practitioners are the “hollow bone” or “open pipe” for healing energy to flow through them to a person or situation who needs it.

Why do I distinguish between “shamans” and “shamanic practitioners”?

When I say “shaman,” I mean someone who is practicing native shamanism, as a part of an indigenous culture.

A shamanic practitioner is someone like me, who has been trained in shamanic techniques, but is not a shaman in an indigenous culture. The training of modern people in shamanism started, mainly due to Michael Harner, and his book The Way of the Shaman (1980, subsequent editions, 1990, etc).

Before we go any further, who am I?  Learn more about me here.

Introduction to Trauma and Soul Loss

It is said that when we experience trauma, a piece of our soul is lost. This is a common belief among indigenous people the world over. If you have ever said, “I haven’t been the same since….,” then there’s a good chance you have experienced soul loss.  Learn more about Soul Loss and Soul Retrieval here.