The Shaman's Path

The Shaman's Path
Jodi Wetherup

I have often been interested in the differences in methods employed by the shamanic healers. Perhaps the fascination stems from their strong ability to focus while "journeying," or perhaps it's the methods to achieve the altered state required for "journeying." Whatever the reasons, my ears perk up, or my eyes wander during conversations where the topic is brought up.

In my younger years, I always assumed "shaman" was a Native American term for medicine man. Once I was introduced to a broader spectrum of natural healing, earth based religion books, I discovered that many cultures use the term shaman to describe men and women who heal through contact with the spirit world, or "journeying." And although I am meaning this first article to be an introduction of sorts, I'd also like to comment on a few of the books which I have kept over the past while. Each one has added a little something to my research, be it good or not so good.

"The Healing Craft" by Janet & Stewart Farrar and Gavin Bone. As I said in my review, this is an excellent work, and the section on shamanic practice is superb.

"The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom" by John and Caitlin Matthews. A truly stunning work. Another book by the same authors is "A Celtic Shaman's Handbook".

"By Oak, Ash, and Thorn" by DJ Conway. A great piece for the beginner seeking knowledge from various sources. This one is another from the Celtic perspective.

"Celtic Women's Spirituality" by Edain McCoy. I always take this author's works with a grain of salt. Although this book adds a little clarity to the waters, it's not worth purchasing new.

Between these books, talking to others, and various web sites, I've found a fairly common description of shamanic healing practice - healing through ecstasy (trance - like state, or "journeying") with the use of spirit or animal guides. Often, people refer to being called to the shaman's path via a near death experience (in this reality or in alternate realities), serious illness, or dreams in which he/she has died. Also, one may dream an initiatory-like ritual, in which his/her organs are removed and replaced with others.

The shamanism practice is largely that of exploration of alternate realities (as stated in 'Shamanism FAQ's' - "...non-material worlds and states of mind."). Through these explorations, shamans learn ways to help others through various methods of healing - Power Animal / Spirit Guide Connection or Retrieval, Soul Retrieval and Extraction. I will go further into each of these methods in the next Shaman's Path article.

Some believe that shamanic healing is simply helping one to connect with the subconscious desire to be healthy, therefore attaining health by the "mind over matter" ideal. Others view it as a manipulation of energies - pushing out negative energies while infusing positive energies into the etheric body.

Either way, this is achieved in two stages. Attaining an altered state of mind (ecstasy) and maintaining the purpose for which one manifests the desired result.

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© Jodi Wetherup, All Rights Reserved
Single use permission granted for re-prints if this message
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http://www.sacredtriskele.net/
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--
Blessings,
Jodi (ierne)
National Director - WARD Canada
sig-saver ~ http://busywitch.cjb.net
*In digging one's own grave, a mouth is
often a more effective tool than a spade*