Shamanism is the most time honoured system for healing on earth, having been practiced for over 40,000 years.
It continues to be used today by indigenous peoples of all continents and has seen a huge resurgence in practice and profile in the west
over the last 40 years which seems to go hand in hand with the growing awareness of our need for global responsibility, eco-consciousness
and sustainability alongside our need to heal ourselves.
"Shamanism goes far beyond a primary self-concerned transcendence of ordinary reality. It is transcendence for a broader purpose,
the helping of humankind. The enlightenment of shamanism is the ability to light up what others perceive as darkness, and thereby to
see and to journey on behalf of humanity that is perilously close to losing its spiritual connectedness with all its relatives, the plants
and animals of this good earth”
Dr Michael Harner (Way of the Shaman 1980)
Who is The Shaman?
A Shamanic Healer is a person who can change their state of consciousness by using the beat of the drum and heart led intention to come into
contact with another reality, non ordinary reality, which they often refer to as the world of the spirits. They come to know this spirit world
and journey there on behalf of their community in order to retrieve information for the benefit of that community for problem solving or healing.
The Shamanic Healer works in consort with the spirit world to effect change and healing in the physical world, the non-physical world and
the mysterious in-between places. This healing can be personal, inter-personal (and is particularly effective in this respect, healing
negative patterns within a family line), it can be for an animal (perhaps a beloved animal companion), it can be environmental
(restoring a piece of land or a building to a place of harmony and balance) or global (healing the wounded relationship between
people and the planet and the planet herself) in its scope.
How does it work?
From their contact with the world of the spirits the Shamanic Healer receives guidance on what is required for each particular
circumstance. There are three main ways in which Shamanic Healing operates for individuals - these are known as 'Soul Retrieval', 'Extraction' and
'Power Essence Retrieval'. In any one healing session one, two or all three of these powerful and effective methods may be used,
depending on what is necessary.
Soul Retrieval
What is soul-loss or soul fragmentation?
Through shock or trauma some of our 'soul' or 'essence/energy' can leave our body and thus
deprive us of our full power. Soul-loss can be seen as a built-in survival mechanism; the human psyche will fragment when it perceives itself
to be in danger of harm, the part of our essence which is most affected at the point of trauma will leave the body in order to go somewhere 'safe'.
The body will survive without this part and If we are lucky the part will quickly return and all will be well. If the trauma is too big, or
we do not know how to call ourselves back then we are left open to dis-ease and dis-harmony which can eventually become physical illness.
The first signs are often felt as loss of connection to one's surroundings. Soon it becomes a feeling of loss of connection with one's self,
the inability to function as we once did. Feeling empty, feeling numb, memory loss, anxiety, depression, addictive behaviour; all these and
more are signs that we are not at full power.
Soul Retrieval is a deep and life enhancing experience which brings us back to full power. The shamanic healer retrieves the missing
soul or essence and brings it back to the body, this does not return any of the original trauma but instead brings wholeness and relief.
Extraction
Sometimes we can have energy in or around us that does not belong to us which can lead to dis-ease or dis-harmony within us.
Just like a spider in the bath there is nothing intrinsicly bad about this energy, it is just in the wrong place. Working under the guidance
of the spirits the shamanic healer gently removes this energy, releasing any blockages it may have caused.
Power Essence Retrieval
Power loss is a daily occurence to some degree, we 'use' our energy in our lives and if we are connected properly to the cosmic web
then our essence will be constantly replenished just as our physical energy is replenished by sleep and food. Sadly our Twenty-first Century
lifestyle encourages us to give away our power to a certain degree and when this is not replenished we need to return to the sources of our power and
re-acknowledge and reactivate them. Power Essence is most usually retrieved in the shape of an animal, it's particular form being a
message for the client about the nature of their power.
If you are interested in receiving a shamanic healing for a particular physical or emotional issue in your life,
please feel free to contact me to discuss your situation in confidence, and to arrange an appointment.
I live on Dartmoor; between Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead but am quite willing to travel to see clients
if access to me is difficult. I can be contacted through this website by e-mailing sue at dartmoordrums.co.uk
or alternatively you could phone me on 01647 277164.