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Over tens of thousands of years, our ancient ancestors worldwide
discovered how to maximise our human abilities for healing and problem-solving.
The remarkable system of knowledge they developed is today known
as shamanism. It is the earliest spiritual practice known to humankind,
dating back possibly 100,000 years, and the word ‘Shaman’
comes from the Tung tribe of Siberia, meaning ‘healer’,
or ‘one who sees in the dark’. Practices are based on
certain knowledge and beliefs, from which all modern forms of healing
have originated:
• All things have a spirit, a blueprint, or creative force,
which animates them, and their own consciousness, which can be communicated
with (animistic belief).
• Everything consists of energy which can be moved and transformed.
• In the web of life, all things are interconnected and affect
one other, and should be respected.
• All dis-ease has spiritual origins, so by identifying the
problem, and putting right the flow of energy, healing can be facilitated.
In indigenous cultures the shaman is the doctor, counsellor, herbalist,
and oracle for the tribe, getting guidance about where to hunt or
to find food or water, and talking to the plant spirits about how
to use them for medicine. The shaman conducts ceremonies for birth,
death, weddings, and rites of passage; space clearing for buildings
and land; helps the souls of the dead, stuck in this dimension,
to pass over; reads signs, omens, and the cycles of nature to choose
auspicious timings; and interprets dreams for guidance. The fact
that shamanic methods are still in use after many thousands of years
is testimony to their effectiveness – they produce practical
results.
Shamanic techniques all over the world are based on a few basic
practices, and modern ‘core shamanism’ brings together
these key elements, without any particular cultural slant, although
many practitioners still use ethnic techniques. Shamanism carries
no dogma, requires no religious belief, and is non-judgmental. The
most common practice is the shamanic journey, in which the shaman
uses a monotonous drum beat, rattle, or chant, to enter a trance
state, and travels into the realms of spirit to consult with guides
for healing or divination. These invisible realms are what the Celts
referred to as the Otherworld, Aborigines the Dreamtime, the Norse
Nine Worlds, and the pagans Summerlands. Many traditions talk of
three worlds, connected by the World Tree, – the Lower world,
a beautiful, earthy dimension, where one connects with power animals;
the Upper world, an ethereal, bright place where one connects with
guides in human or angelic form; and the Middle world, the spiritual
dimension of our physical world, with all its beauty, trickery,
and indeed, strangeness and horror.
The journey is a controlled visionary experience, which can be
learned by anyone, to meet with their guides and power animals,
for guidance and healing. The imagination, often dismissed in our
culture as unimportant, even problematic, is the tool – in
truth it is our greatest asset, allowing us to see into the invisible
realms, to work with helping spirits and energies, to heal the past
and create the future. A power animal is the spirit of an animal,
which protects and guides us through life – and we all have
at least one. Spirit guides, usually first encountered in the upper
world, are teachers in human form, angels, deities, historical figures,
or ancestors. The shaman has a strong relationship with his or her
animal and spirit guides, who do the healing work and give guidance
on journeys.
A shamanic healer typically uses a repertoire of healing methods,
such as energy healing, body work, crystals, and sound, as well
as healings done using the shamanic journey, which most commonly
include power and soul retrieval, and extraction. The healer must
also work on healing themselves, to become like a ‘hollow
bone’, free from ego and projections, so that they can give
their complete attention and be fully present with the client, without
becoming judgmental or energetically drained. This is an important
and ongoing part of the shamanic training.
Sarah Howcroft-Lane
Sarah is a trained and very experienced Shamanic Practitioner based
near Brecon. In addition to her healing practice she runs introductory
and advanced workshops in Shamanism and Journeying, and makes beautiful
deerskin drums, rattles and beadwork. She spends time every year
on training, personal growth and healing, and last year trained
as a Trance Dance facilitator in Hawaii. Sarah can be contacted
on 01874 665740 or via her web site www.shamanism-wales.co.uk.
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