#shamanic journey

[shamandrummer]

What is Shamanic Healing?

Shamanic healing is an ancient spiritual practice that has been utilized by various cultures around the world for thousands of years. Rooted in the belief that everything in the universe is interconnected, shamanic healing focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit. It is not confined to a particular religion or cultural group; instead, it draws on universal principles and practices that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. This blog post will delve into what shamanic healing is, its origins, techniques, and the benefits it can offer to those who seek it.

Origins and History of Shamanic Healing

The practice of shamanism is believed to date back to prehistoric times, with evidence suggesting it was practiced by hunter-gatherer societies as early as 40,000 years ago. The word "shaman" itself originates from the Tungus tribe in Siberia and translates to "one who knows" or "healer." However, the role of shamans and shamanic practices can be found in indigenous cultures across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe.

Shamans are considered mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds. They are believed to have the ability to enter altered states of consciousness, which allows them to communicate with spirits, ancestors, and other supernatural entities. This ability is traditionally used to diagnose and treat illness, guide the community, and provide insight into life's challenges.

Core Principles of Shamanic Healing

At the heart of shamanic healing is the belief that all illnesses--whether physical, emotional, or spiritual--are a result of imbalance or disharmony within an individual's life. Shamans view health as a state of balance among the body's energies, the environment, and the spiritual realm. The following principles are fundamental to shamanic healing:

Interconnectedness: Shamans believe that everything in the universe is connected. This includes humans, animals, plants, the earth, and spiritual beings. Disruptions in these connections can lead to health problems, which shamanic healing aims to address.

The Spirit World: Shamans believe in a world beyond the physical, inhabited by spirits that can influence the material world. These spirits can be allies, guides, or even sources of illness. By interacting with these spiritual beings, shamans seek to restore balance.

Soul Retrieval: A common belief in shamanic healing is that part of a person's soul may become fragmented or lost due to trauma or significant emotional events. This soul loss is thought to result in illness or feelings of disconnection. Soul retrieval is a healing practice used to restore these lost fragments.

Energy Healing: Shamans work with the energy fields of individuals, often referred to as the aura or life force, to remove negative energies or blockages that are causing disharmony.

Techniques Used in Shamanic Healing

Shamanic healing encompasses a variety of techniques, each tailored to the needs of the individual seeking help. Some of the most common methods include:

Journeying: Shamanic journeying is a meditative practice that involves entering an altered state of consciousness to connect with the spiritual realm. Shamans use rhythmic drumming, chanting, or other repetitive sounds to achieve this state. During the journey, they seek guidance, healing, and insight from spirit guides or power animals.

Extraction Healing: This technique involves the removal of negative energies or spiritual intrusions that are causing harm. The shaman identifies and extracts these energies, which are often described as dense or dark entities, using their hands, breath, or specialized tools.

Soul Retrieval: As mentioned earlier, soul retrieval is a core practice in shamanic healing. The shaman travels to the spiritual realm to recover lost fragments of a person's soul and reintegrate them into the individual's body, helping them feel more whole and connected.

Power Animal Retrieval: In shamanic belief, each person has spirit animals that provide protection and guidance. If a person feels lost, weak, or unbalanced, it might indicate that they have lost connection with their power animal. A shaman can help retrieve and reconnect an individual with their power animal.

Divination: This practice involves seeking insight and guidance from the spirit world about specific questions or challenges. The shaman acts as a conduit for the messages from the spiritual realm, offering clarity and direction to the individual.

Plant Medicine: In some shamanic traditions, plant medicines such as ayahuasca, peyote, or other entheogens are used to facilitate healing and spiritual experiences. These plants are considered sacred and are used under the guidance of experienced shamans to explore deeper levels of consciousness.

The Benefits of Shamanic Healing

Shamanic healing offers numerous benefits that extend beyond physical health. It provides a holistic approach to well-being by addressing the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual. Some of the reported benefits include:

Emotional Healing: By addressing past traumas and releasing emotional blockages, shamanic healing can bring a sense of peace and emotional stability. It helps individuals confront and release repressed emotions, leading to healing and transformation.

Spiritual Growth: Shamanic practices can enhance one's connection to the spiritual world, offering a greater understanding of life's purpose and a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment.

Enhanced Self-Awareness: Through practices like journeying and soul retrieval, individuals gain insights into their inner selves, discovering hidden aspects of their personality and unlocking their true potential.

Stress Reduction and Mental Clarity: The meditative and grounding techniques used in shamanic healing can reduce stress, anxiety, and mental clutter, leading to improved focus and clarity.

Improved Physical Health: By restoring balance to the body's energy fields and addressing spiritual imbalances, shamanic healing can alleviate physical ailments and promote overall wellness.

Conclusion

Shamanic healing is a profound spiritual practice that offers a pathway to holistic well-being. Its ancient techniques and wisdom provide valuable insights into the interconnected nature of life, encouraging harmony between mind, body, and spirit. While it may not replace conventional medical treatments, shamanic healing can complement them, providing a unique and powerful approach to healing and personal growth. As more people seek alternative methods to improve their health and spiritual well-being, shamanic healing continues to offer a timeless and transformative experience.

[grimoirey]

🔥 The Fire Journey 🔥

Visualization:

Journey to the Realm of Fire

Here’s an immersive journey for you to the elemental realm of fire. Set aside some quiet time, and if possible, light a candle to connect with the energy of flame. Find a comfortable position, close your eyes, and allow your breathing to slow and deepen.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Preparation and Ignition

Begin by taking a few deep, centering breaths. With each inhale, imagine drawing in energy from the core of the earth, feeling its warmth stir within you. On each exhale, release anything that no longer serves, letting it dissolve. As you breathe, visualize a tiny spark in your solar plexus. With each breath, that spark grows, pulsing like a living ember, filling you with a radiant heat. This warmth spreads through your body, igniting your spirit and calling you forward.

Opening the Gateway of Flame

Allow the heat within to expand, filling every cell. As the warmth intensifies, you begin to see a shimmering portal before you, glowing with flames in hues of red, orange, and yellow. It feels ancient and powerful, radiating energy that pulses like a heartbeat. You step forward, crossing the threshold into the realm of fire.

Arrival in the Heart of the Fire Realm

You find yourself on the edge of a volcanic landscape, a fiery, molten world stretching endlessly in every direction. The sky is painted in wild shades of crimson and gold, with swirling clouds of ember. The ground beneath you rumbles, alive with heat and raw power, while rivers of molten lava snake through blackened rock, crackling and shifting. Around you, flames lick at the air, dancing and roaring with life. Each flickering flame seems almost to whisper, to tell stories of power, passion, and primal creation.

Seeking the Heart of the Flame

Guided by instinct, you move deeper into this fiery land, feeling each step resonate through your body, stoking your own inner fire. Soon, you come upon an ancient, roaring fire pit. At its center is an enormous flame, taller than a mountain, flickering and shifting in form, embodying both destructive and creative power. You sense that this is the essence of Fire itself—a spirit as old as the universe, born from the stars.

Meeting the Spirit of Fire

As you approach, the massive flame swirls, coalescing into the shape of a figure: a being of pure fire, blazing and radiant, yet somehow humanoid. The Fire Spirit stands before you, radiating a heat that does not burn but fills you with vitality. It speaks without words, the message arriving in your mind like waves of warmth, carrying an ancient, primal wisdom.

The Wisdom of Fire

The Fire Spirit’s voice echoes through you, fierce yet compassionate. “I am the first spark, the force that transformed chaos into life. Fire is destruction, yet also creation. It clears, purifies, and makes way for the new. To live with fire is to know that endings are but the doorway to beginnings.”

The spirit shifts, flames flickering and reshaping, and continues: “Passion is my gift, but remember: it must be wielded with respect. Passion without control will consume, like an unchecked blaze devouring all in its path. Nurture your passion like a well-tended hearth, and it will give you light, warmth, and power. Let it roam unchecked, and it will consume even what you love.”

You listen, feeling the truth of these words in your bones, the wisdom resonating deeply.

The spirit grows more intense, flames dancing wildly around you. “Fire reveals truth. Just as flames burn away impurity, so too does truth burn through illusion. Be prepared to face the truth within yourself—no matter how it scorches. In truth lies freedom, a liberation as powerful as any flame.”

Finally, the Fire Spirit’s voice softens, the flames dancing slower, pulsing with warmth. “Fire is life itself. It is drive, transformation, the spark of divinity within you. Honor it. Feed it with purpose. Channel it with clarity. Respect it, and it will serve you well.”

The Fire’s Gift

The spirit extends a fiery hand, and within its palm, a blazing red crystal forms. The crystal glows with an inner flame, radiating warmth and wisdom. You reach out, accepting this gift, feeling its energy seep into you. It fills you with courage, clarity, and an unshakable sense of purpose.

“Carry this flame within,” the spirit says, “and let it remind you of the fire that shapes worlds, that drives creation and change. You are part of that eternal flame.”

Returning with the Fire’s Essence

As you bow in gratitude, the Fire Spirit dissipates back into the great flame, merging with the ancient fires of creation. You feel yourself gently pulled back along the path, each step grounding you, yet leaving a trail of warmth and wisdom within. The fiery landscape begins to fade, and you find yourself returning to the familiar, carrying with you the sacred gift of fire’s wisdom.

Grounding the Energy

Feel your body, alive and filled with warmth, and bring your awareness back to your breath. Let each inhale fuel the inner fire you now carry, and with each exhale, ground that energy, anchoring it within. Wiggle your fingers and toes, feeling fully present, fully alive.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

When you open your eyes, let the fire you carry remind you of your own potential to create, transform, and live with purpose and passion.

Other Elemental Journeys:

💫 Spirit Journey

🌬️ Air Journey

🏔️ Earth Journey

🌊 Water Journey

[the-witchy-housewife]

An Introduction to the Path of the Realmwalker

This is an article from my website, The Witchy Housewife. You can read it at the source here or look under the cut to read it here on Tumblr. If you enjoy my work, please consider subscribing (at the bottom of this page) to receive articles as they're posted via e-mail, exploring the shop, leaving a tip, or reblogging this post. I run this all myself, so all support is greatly appreciated. 💜🔮✨

The more I discover about the nature of reality, the less I feel I truly know. I’ve had countless experiences – and read of countless more – that have left me baffled and in awe. Over the past several years, exploring the limits of our human ability to peel back and squeeze between the layers of this reality has become a primary focus in my life. Today, it is that very topic which we will be diving into.

The more I discover about the nature of reality, the more I realize just how much I don’t know. I’ve had countless experiences – and come across countless more – that have left me baffled and in awe, and over the past several years, I’ve become utterly fascinated with exploring the edges of human perception. I’ve been enamored with peeling back the layers of existence and squeezing myself in between them. It is that very exploration which has led to the topic of discussion that we will be diving into today.

What Is Realmwalking?

When I first started toying with the idea of extra-reality exploration, I found myself switching between a lot of varying terminology. It grew tiresome very quickly, and ultimately I felt that I really needed a term that fully encompassed everything I was studying and practicing. I’d considered hedgeriding at first, though that wouldn’t really cover it all, either. I considered psychonautics, but I felt that the connotations associated with mind-altering substances weren’t quite aligned with my journey, either. I needed something more neutral – something more holistic that could serve as a true umbrella term for it all. Thus, I arrived at realmwalking. Realmwalking, then, is the term I use to describe any practice which involves having one foot in this realm and the other in another – and though the term may be “new”, the elements, topics, and practices which fit rather nicely under its vast umbrella are not. They include:

Meditative Trance: A form of deep meditation intended to bring about visions, insights, and information – the person performing it acting as a receiver of sorts. This state of mind is used in plenty of spiritual and occult practices, including as a gateway into other forms of realmwalking.

Shamanic Journeying: A shamanic practice referring to a specific form of meditative trance utilizing rhythm and visualization which grants passage into spiritual realms often referred to as the Upper World, Middle World, and Lower World to commune with the spirits who live there for the purpose of guidance, healing, or soul retrieval. Different traditions may approach this differently.

Past Life Regression: A practice which often utilizes meditative trance coupled with hypnotism in order to gain insight into the other lifetimes which your soul has experienced. As the name suggests, many people consider this practice to be chronologically linear, but I do have to wonder if it really works that way in my own explorations. If the concept of time as we understand it applies only to a physical experience, is it possible that future or alternate lifetimes are also accessible?

Hedge Riding: I’ve seen practitioners of hedge riding use the term in a couple of different ways, often displaying similarities to practices like shamanic journeying or astral travel. The term hedge itself in this context refers to the boundary between realms or worlds. However, one commonality I notice is the frequent incorporation of magick during the practice to influence the physical world.

Astral Projection: The act of intentionally leaving the physical body in a theorized astral form, typically used to explore what is considered an astral plane or realm. Often, the goal of such a practice is purely spiritual curiosity or for exploration of the astral realm.

Astral Travel: Often, this term is used interchangeably with astral projection, but there are some who make the distinction that while projection pertains the conscious act of separation, astral travel pertains to the act of traveling the astral realm after the point of separation, which makes it possible for astral travel to be unintentionally initiated.

Reality Shifting: The practice of moving your awareness from an instance of you in one reality to an instance of you in another, akin to tuning a radio to a different station. This is a wildly debated topic, often dismissed as daydreaming, lucid dreaming, or astral projection. However, I have read of far too many experiences which have piqued my curiosity to dismiss it myself – including experiences which long predate the circulation of the term itself. If this is to be a valid standalone practice, my current theory is that the creative process may possibly give way to new realities and iterations of ourselves within them. This would function similarly to concepts like servitors and egregores and plays off of related ideas of our ability to partake in Divine creation.

Lucid Dreaming: The conscious exploration of your inner world – your dream realm – which may or may not reside within the collective consciousness or be connected to the Akashic Records.

Mediumship: The act of communicating with spirits – typically, human spirits – to serve as a sort of psychic “telephone” between the spiritual and the physical.

Channeling: The act of communicating with spirits to receive information. Often, this includes a process of invocation, and often, the information received is spoken or recorded while the spirit being communicated with uses the channeler as an instrument for their message. This practice, I feel, falls somewhere between ideas like mediumship and divination.

Transdimensional Divination: Depending on how you view the inner workings of divination, this term could encompass all divination. In using the word “transdimensional”, however, I am referring specifically to the act of divination with an intention to communicate with beings across all of existence, including those within our own realm.

Note that this is by no means an exhaustive list. As I continue to study and explore and evolve on this path, so will this list grow to accommodate any undiscovered term which may fit within it. This goes, as well, for anyone who chooses to step onto the path of the realmwalker.

The Goals of the Realmwalking

Realmwalking is a living, open, self-exploratory practice. There are no strict rules or requirements to adhere to. The path of the realmwalker is as curious and unique as the person who walks it. The only requirement to be a “realmwalker” is to study and explore the in-between in any capacity. Curiosity is as good a goal as any, and truthfully, giving the term a code to abide by would feel really counterintuitive to its creation.

That said, in my own practice, the goal is to explore, to learn, to communicate, and to help others do the same. As a Priestess of Hekate, it only feels appropriate to follow dutifully in her footsteps – to bridge the gaps in body, mind, and spirit to the best of my ability. It is my belief that, in doing so, any insight I may obtain has the potential to be of tremendous benefit to us as a species.

A Theory of Realms

In my own explorations, studies, and experiences, I’ve developed a, sort of, working theory of realms. Similarly to the worlds of shamanic journeying, these realms are categorized into three categories: the Overworld, the Physical World, and the Underworld, each category encompassing the three or four realms which exist within it. It includes ideas developed from various mythos and exploratory belief systems, as well, and, ideally, this information may serve as a good jumping off point for those who wish to build on it.

We begin at the Overworld, a concept similar to things like the Upper World, Heaven, or Olympos. It is what some New Age thinkers would consider to be of a “higher” frequency, and the primordial beings of Aitheric Light who inhabit it are those who serve the Divine purposes of creation, growth, and organization. For visualization purposes, I will continue this explanation by referring to my list of realms from “top” to “bottom”, but note that this is perhaps only a tool to aid in comprehension and not quite so descriptive.

At the top of this visualized list of realms, we have the Khaos Realm. This is comparable to the idea of the Apeiron (ἄπειρον) or the Boundless as theorized by Anaximandros of Miletos. The Khaos Realm refers to a space – if it can even be called that – which exists far beyond linear comprehension. It is eternal and ageless, with no beginning and no end. It is from this realm which existence has sprung. It is the Void Womb which cradles All things, and you will notice that it appears again later when we discuss the Underworld. More than a line, my theory of realms views existence as an expansive and unending sphere, a bottomless and incomprehensible bowl of existential soup.

We then have the Kosmic Realm, which I would playfully refer to as reality’s headquarters, where the energies of Khaos are organized. In organizing entities, this is where I would place the Gods or the Divine, the first beings to spring to life from the void of the Khaos Realm. In my theory, there is an innate desire of the Divine to create new things, to grow and develop this existence, and to keep everything organized, just, and in the best possible order to facilitate that growth and development. This, I believe, sets the tone, in general, for the Overworld. It is possible that the majority of beings in the Overworld share these goals.

Just beneath that, we have the Angelic Realm. If the Kosmic Realm is the headquarters of reality, the Angelic Realm is the administrative office space. The beings here seem to have an innate service-to-others attitude and serve as these, sort of, assistants and messengers of the Divine. Part of that assistance includes, as you’d expect, the protection of the Divines and the thing they’ve created.

At the bottom of the Overworld, you’ll find the Astral Realm. In this theory, the Astral Realm is the gooey in-between filled with a multitude of traveling transdimensional energies. As with the Khaos Realm, you will notice that it appears again when we discuss the Underworld, as the Underworld has its own gooey in-between. Again, it may be that this realm is circular in nature, if its nature can even be defined in such a way. Given the energies present within this realm – and the potential purpose it serves – many people find it a particularly useful space for aiding in manifestation and all manners of space/time travel.

Moving on from the Overworld, we arrive in the Physical World, similar to the Middle World, which includes the sensual physical world as well as the spiritual overlays imposed on it. Compared to other realms described within this theory, the Physical World is a relaxed space, as the only goal of the beings who inhabit it is to simply exist and ensure continued existence.

At the top of this section may just be one of the nebulous realms (pun intended), the Galactic Realm. This encompasses the far reaches of the physical universe as we know it. It includes life, both physical and spiritual, which exists beyond Earth and up until the very precipice of the Physical World. The uncertain nature of this realm – with its many stories of “interdimensional” encounters and its consideration as a separate realm in some mythos – is what has earned it its own category within my theory.

Next, we have the Fae Realm, which is the spiritual overlay over our physical reality on Planet Earth – comparable, of course, to concepts like Faierie, Elphame, and Álfheimr. The beings who occupy this space include, in my book, not only things that would traditionally be considered Fae, but all earthbound Gaian-born spirits. Promethean humans, therefore, could be considered connected to this realm.

If you look around you’ll see where we are now – Point 0 – what I call the Gaian Realm. This refers specifically to this physical reality, but my theory does not deny the possibility of alternate physical realities and worlds. Relative to every being in every physical reality is their own Point 0.

Then we enter the mental space of the Dream Realm. Despite its name, my theory does not consider this space exclusive to dreams, but rather, to the subconscious and the mind’s eye. Besides the space where dreams and deep meditative visions occur, it is also the space where thoughtforms are born and, with enough gestation, become servitors. If my theory on the creative process and the birth of new universes has merit, this, as well, is where that process would begin. Additionally, it may be a direct connection to the collective consciousness, given that dream experiences seem to sometimes be shared or prophetic. The only way out is within, so they say, and that “within” space just may be the one I’m referring to here.

At the bottom of the Physical World, we have the Afterlife Realm, the Khthonic (meaning “of the earth”) space where beings go at the end of a linear incarnation. If things like reincarnation hold true, this realm would then function as a, sort of, waystation and rest stop to and between other existences.

Just beneath that, we come into the final section of realms, the Underworld, comparable to – you guessed it – the Lower World. As above, so below; the Underworld sits as an inverted reflection of the Overworld. It is what some New Age thinkers would consider to be of a “lower” frequency, and the primordial beings of Erebosian Darkness who inhabit it are all about primal freedom, discord, and rebellious independence.

Then we are once again in the Astral Realm. I told you we’d be seeing it again. Same deal. Gooey in-between filled with a multitude of traveling transdimensional energies. It is either a separate astral space or connected to the astral space of the Overworld. I’m inclined to believe the latter.

Where we see that rebellious energy most clearly, however, is in the Demonic Realm. People tend to consider the beings that dwell here to be inherently evil, but I think a more accurate descriptor would be a service-to-self attitude that stands opposite to the attitudes present within the Angelic Realm. It just so happens that a self-serving attitude can result in decisions which are harmful to others. In your favor, however, is the theory that these energies are so determined to promote freedom and independence that the result is free will. Though, it’s also possible that the spirits in the story of Pandora’s jar dwell here.

If Kosmic Realm represents the Everything, the Void Realm represents the Nothing. It is a space to simply be outside of our understanding of existence, a space where you are pure consciousness, unbound by any particular incarnation’s identity. It is total freedom, void of responsibility – void of everything. It is the universe’s take on a sensory deprivation chamber. To some, it is peace or an in-between. To others, it is the Tartarean prison where they are doomed to nothingness forever; oblivion.

Finally, as we make our way to the end of the circle before beginning again, we arrive once more in the Khaos Realm, the point where Everything and Nothing meet as one.

Now, keep in mind that this is just a theory – and a working one, at that, subject to change with whatever new insights and information I may be exposed to. Take what you need to explore these spaces for yourself, but do not take my ideas as gospel. There is a great deal out there yet to be discovered.

The Veiled Palace

The Veiled Palace is another fun term I’ve coined for what I consider to be an important part of my realmwalking practice. This is comparable to things like Mind Palaces and Waiting Rooms but assumes it to be as real and physical as possible regardless of whether it is a mental construct, an astral construct, or a space in another reality which we create for ourselves. In this way, it becomes as open a term as the term realmwalking itself. It is a private, highly customizable, heavily protected space which starts within and is built upon with regular meditative visits. For me, it is an actual palace – hence the term I chose for it – on a remote and beautiful Mediterranean-style island. For you, it can be absolutely anything you want it to be, but I’ll highlight just a few recommendations here:

Develop and maintain strong protective wards. You should ensure that this place remains private and protected. The only other beings who should be able to enter this space should be able to do so by invitation only, and you should be able to remove that invitation at will, should you need to. You may also choose to develop a servitor to maintain and protect your Veiled Palace.

Create sealable doorways into other realms. I find that in practices like shamanic journeying, astral travel, and reality shifting, people tend to have a lot of success utilizing visualization methods that implement doorways, archways, or portals. This is a companion tool for a practice of realmwalking, so it only makes sense to have a dedicated area in your Veiled Palace for this. As with a servitor for maintenance and protection, you may also wish to have a servitor to accompany and assist you in your realmwalking journeys.

Create a library or database for tracking knowledge. In my Veiled Palace, I use a combination of the two. I have an office space for creating all records and a library organization.

Create a tool or area for magick work. Magick is often thought to start in the mental or astral space to begin with. In my Veiled Palace, this is simply a candle that I can send my intention into.

Create a tool or area for stirring up energies. I got this idea from Foolish Fish’s Mind Palace teachings, so for me, it’s a fireplace with various color flames representing various emotions and states of mind. This can be to stir up emotional energy or as a trigger to quickly get you into various states of mind just by envisioning the change in the space.

Above all, you want your Veiled Palace to be a place that you really enjoy visiting, and you want to make time to visit it often in order to add a stable stream of energy to its construction. In my Veiled Palace, there are areas to relax, areas to create, and areas to enjoy good food and music. I’ve also created an entire area for my working servitors to occupy and make their own, which allows me to interact with them, get to know them as they develop, and bond with them as they grow more energetically independent. If nothing else, a Veiled Palace can be a private escape from the monotony and doomsaying of modern existence, which we all need from time to time.

Starting on the Path

The terms and practices referenced in this article may be a bit more advanced than what you’d find in the primer articles I’ve been sharing for beginners recently. We’ll dive into and break down all of these topics in my relevant articles to come, but in the meantime, information on all of the facets of realmwalking already exists out there under the many names presented in the first section of this article.

If I had to give a blanket starting-off point, though, it would be the following: First, decide what your goal is in starting your journey with realmwalking, and be sure you have a set-up which can comfortably accompany you on that journey. Remember, this can be as simple as a journey of discovery brought on by curiosity. Second, start meditating regularly today. Consider meditation as important as physical exercise, and get into a good routine with it. Remember: “The only way out is within.” Third, approach all of this through the eyes of the Inner Child. When we meet exploration without the burdens of the cynical adult mind, we may discover far more than we do when we approach it with the subconscious goal of explaining it away.

To close, I’ll leave you with two tastes at hints of what may be: An appetizer on the Astral Projection Subreddit involving someone (and a handful of commentors) who seems to experience projecting into different lives entirely and a rich entrée recalling an assumed lucid dreaming experience which the poster dubs as “persistent realms”. Until our next exploration, I wish you the best on your journey between realms.

[mycelestial001]

A vast, universal library that holds the secrets of your soul's journey. Discover here

[yebreed]

Interacting With Souls and Ghosts in Shamanism: Shaman as Psychopomp

The duties of a shaman involve existence in the borderline states. They also imply crossing the boundaries of the worlds and interacting with the inhabitants of various layers of the universe: shaman both welcomes a new soul that has come into the human world, and accompanies the deceased to the Kingdom of the Dead.

[yanagialnitak]

[jpblom]

Shamanic Journey To Valheim & Meet Freya

Experience FREYA Like Never Before in This Shamanic Journey To Valheim Join us on a shamanic journey to Valheim and experience the power of Freya like never before. This immersive experience will transport you to the world of Norse mythology and connect you with the goddess Freya in a whole new way. You can also follow This Freya Meditation on Spotify:…

[aerikarkadian]

Top 20 Magickal Ways to Use Music - Part 2

In the first installment of this short series, I talked about ten magickal ways to use music — from raising energy to divination and everything in between. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I got carried away and promised you another ten. Well… I’m here to finally fulfill that promise. I have to say it’s been a lot of fun thinking about all of this. It’s kept me up at night quite frequently,…

[starseedpsychics]

Chanting To Enter Shamanic Trance States

Chanting is indeed a potent and effective method for entering shamanic trance states. Chanting along with drumming and rattling serves as a powerful auditory tool to alter consciousness and facilitate the journey into trance. Chanting certainly deserves a highlighted place among the methods used to achieve shamanic trance states. The Power of Chanting Chanting works on several levels to support…

[ascendantevolution]

Spiritual Transformation —> Transmutation: The Purpose of Pain (Copy)

I do a tarot and oracle card reading every morning as a way to connect with Spirit. My card reading this morning was in response to the question, “What do I have left to heal in myself?”

One of the cards that popped up this morning was a Pluto card, which points to 1) darkness being an essential part of balance in the cosmos, and 2) there were things that I needed to resolve in myself that I was not seeing. I was prompted by my Guides to pull tarot for this card to get some clarification and assistance.

Before I could begin pulling tarot cards, Spirit and my Guides began to speak to me: I have wounds, which I thought were healed, still causing me pain. I was shown shadowy fragments lodged in my chakras and light body, fragments of control, fragments of judgment, fragments that have silenced me my whole life. It doesn't matter who the fragments were from. What does matter is that they have been lodged in me since childhood, leaving me feeling disempowered on a very deep level. Of this, I was unaware. Forever will I continue to be humbled.

Eating my words, my feelings, my needs my whole life ultimately led me down a path to self-destruction. I often call this my Great Annihilation. It was my Phoenix moment. The ultimate Tower moment. A complete shattering of the self. The Dark Night of the Soul.

It has been seven years since my rebirthing process began. It has been a period of serious transformation. But, even as I write the word transformation, it no longer accurately describes my process. I had to be re-membered, as in putting the members of myself back together piece-by-piece. However, before that re-membering could happen, I had to stand in a metaphorical fire and let it burn away all of the parts of me that had become necrotic. Let me be clear: The pain I felt in that fire was nothing compared to the pain caused by the necrotic parts that leached self-hate into my system for years. I absolutely loathed who I was.

So, my rebirth was not a transformation as much as a transmutation. I am no longer THAT person - who I was - anymore. Just as our physiology regenerates every so many years at the cellular level, I have regenerated. I am truly a new version of me.

These past years have been a slow building upon the newly forged, re-membered, transmuted me. In that process, my spiritual world, which I had rejected for decades - out of fear of being rejected, called “crazy,” and because some otherworldly beings can be flatout terrifying to deal with - opened up. Spirit is with me everyday now. The Angels work with me everyday. My Guides talk to me all day, every day.

As a result of my card reading this morning, my Spirit Team led me through an amazing energetic healing process. When it was all said and done, before I came out of that space where my energetic healing happened, before I opened my eyes, I was shown in the clearest of terms the purpose of it all.

Why the wounds? Why the pain?

Our open wounds compel us to move somewhere. The pain makes us move. We have free will, though, which means that we get to choose how we want to proceed. Will we face the pain and grow as a result of processing it? Will the intensity of the pain paralyze us at the mouth of our path? Will we take two shots of whiskey and amble down the path with our earbuds blaring gangsta rap so that we are distracted and don’t have to deal with it? (Not advised - I tried this, and it is always THE most losing proposition).

There is no escaping the pain because there is no escaping Earth School. We are here to grow and learn. Period.

Here’s the deal: If we listen to the pain, it becomes one of our greatest guides and teachers. Our open wounds lead us where we need to go. The journey through the pain requires incredible courage because we have to experience it fully as we move through memories and traumas, through all shapes and sizes of the wounds that have been the result.   However, experiencing the pain endlessly, sometimes driven by feelings of shame and guilt, or because we have been taught to be comfortable with these feelings, perhaps even deserving of them, becomes a neverending feedback loop of misery. Self-flagellation forever is not the goal. Integration and gratitude for the learning is the goal.

Remaining in the mire prevents our wounds from closing. I have been shown that, once we land firmly in the learning, after we have fully embraced the suppressed or avoided emotions that needed healing, we must consciously choose to extract ourselves from the mire. We need to let the wounds dry out so that they can scab over and finally heal.

When the pain no longer serves, unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace become our balm. Free will, Baby - we get to choose that for ourselves. Pull out the poison. Cauterize the wound. Call in the Angels to seal it with Light and Love.

Then stand back and look at the scar with love and admiration. Tell yourself, with loving pride, “I DID that. I survived that shit!” That scar is a beautiful reminder of

the sacred journey

. Let it become a source of empowerment and wisdom to guide your future days as well as to benefit others.

Originally written in the Spring of 2021.

[shamandrummer]

What Shamanism Is Not

When people ask me if I can define what shamanism is, I like to begin by defining what it isn't. Sometimes it is easier to contrast something with what it is not than to define exactly what it is. So in that vein, shamanism is not:

Religion. It is important to highlight that shamanism is not a religion, which involves a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural being. In an organized religion, belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established, typically by an official doctrine (or dogma), a hierarchical or bureaucratic leadership structure, and a codification of proper and improper behavior. Unlike religion, shamanism has no dogma, no religious hierarchy, and is a cross-cultural tradition characterized by direct revelation and hands on experience. Shamanism is based on the principle that innate wisdom and guidance can be accessed through the inner senses in ecstatic trance. No intermediary such as the church or priesthood is needed to access personal revelation and spiritual experience. The essence of shamanism is the experience of direct revelation from within. Shamanism is about remembering, exploring, and developing the true self. Shamanism places emphasis on the individual, of breaking free and discovering your own uniqueness in order to bring something new back to the group.

Psychology. Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Psychologists endeavor to understand the motivations and intentions inherent within a person's mental and emotional behaviors. It does so by uncovering the hidden agendas and issues at play in a persons actions and choices. Shamanism acknowledges the value of the psychological perspective, however, it does not seek to understand a person's underlying issues and intentions. That is best left to trained psychologists. Indeed, from the shamanic perspective--which is to say a soul-centered perspective, rather than a mental perspective--it is understood that the inner state of the soul is expressed as thoughts, feelings and emotions in the outer, physical realm. The mental and emotional conditions are but the symptoms or manifestation of the inner state of the soul. Shamanism is a paradigm of self-empowerment, which enables people to engage the soul in ways that foster its growth and evolution.

Metaphysics. Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and being. The perspective of metaphysics is that everything has a function or purpose and its essential nature is to grow and achieve its purpose. It explores abstract concepts such as cause and effect (karma), the nature of time, the existence of God, the meaning of life, the relationship between mind and body, and the existence of free will. Unlike metaphysics, shamanism is based in personal accountability without the imposition of an all-powerful God or theoretical universal laws that dictate the circumstances of our lives. Shamanism is premised on spiritual sovereignty free of karmic reward and punishment. When presented with a situation, shamanism never endeavors to find what the lesson is, understand its purpose, or comprehend the meaning. Instead, practitioners seek to apply their knowledge and skills to resolve the situation. Practitioners employ time-tested methods for altering consciousness to find clarity and solve problems.

What Shamanism Is

Shamanism is a cross-cultural, spiritual path practiced in every continent of the world. It is the most ancient and most enduring spiritual tradition known to humanity. It predates and constitutes the foundation of all known religions, psychologies and philosophies. It originated among nomadic hunting and gathering societies. These ancient shamanic ways have withstood the tests of time, varying little from culture to culture. Over thousands of years of trial and error, primal peoples the world over developed the same basic principles and techniques of shamanic power and healing.

Shamanism represents a universal conceptual framework found among Indigenous tribal humans. It includes the belief that the natural world has two aspects: ordinary everyday awareness, formed by our habitual behaviors, patterns of belief, social norms, and cultural conditioning, and a second non-ordinary awareness accessed through altered states, or ecstatic trance, induced by shamanic practices such as repetitive drumming. The act of entering an ecstatic trance state is called the soul flight or shamanic journey, and it allows the journeyer to view life and life's problems from a detached, spiritual perspective, not easily achieved in a state of ordinary consciousness.

The shamanic practitioner traverses the inner realms in order to mediate between the needs of the spirit world and those of the material world. It is an inward spiritual journey of rapture in which the practitioner interacts with the inner spirit world, thereby influencing the outer material world. From a shamanic perspective, all human experience is self-generated. Experience is shaped from within since the inner world is a microcosm of the outer world. Each human being is a hologram of the universe. Essentially, we are the universe experiencing itself in human form.

[grimoirey]

💫 The Spirit Journey 💫

Visualisation:

Journey to the Realm of Spirit

This journey to the realm of Spirit will be a deeply introspective and connective experience, a path toward unity with the essence of life itself. Through this journey, you’ll encounter the Spirit’s wisdom and discover a deeper sense of purpose, interconnectedness, and harmony.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Centering and Preparing for Connection

Begin by finding a comfortable position and gently closing your eyes. Take a few deep, calming breaths, allowing yourself to sink into a state of peace and presence. Imagine a soft, radiant light surrounding you, warm and comforting. With each inhale, draw this light into your heart, filling yourself with a sense of calm. With each exhale, release anything that does not serve, creating space within for something higher and deeper.

Opening the Gateway of Spirit

As you breathe, a feeling of lightness begins to envelop you. A soft, golden glow appears before you, illuminating a pathway leading upward. The light shimmers and pulses with a gentle energy, as if inviting you to follow. Step onto this path, feeling yourself rise effortlessly, guided by the glow. This path is ethereal, leading you beyond time and space, higher and higher into the vast, infinite realm of Spirit.

Entering the Realm of Spirit

Soon, you find yourself surrounded by an endless, radiant light. There is no up or down, no boundaries—just a vast expanse of pure energy. Colors dance around you, shifting through shades of violet, silver, and gold, and you feel a profound sense of peace and connection. The air is filled with a gentle hum, a frequency that resonates with the core of your being, making you feel truly whole. You are part of this boundless realm, a thread in the vast web of creation.

Finding the Heart of the Spirit Realm

Drifting deeper into this radiant space, you feel drawn toward a powerful energy, a point of light that seems to hold the very essence of Spirit. As you approach, the light shifts and coalesces into a luminous figure. This is the Spirit itself—a presence of pure love and wisdom, shimmering with an aura of peace and compassion. Its form is fluid and light-filled, embodying the essence of all life, all creation.

Meeting the Spirit of All

The Spirit’s gaze meets yours, gentle yet infinitely wise, filled with an understanding beyond words. It does not need to speak aloud; its message arrives directly in your heart, a deep and profound knowing. You feel a warmth, a sense of being completely seen, completely known. The Spirit’s energy feels like a loving embrace, connecting you to all that is.

The Wisdom of Spirit

The Spirit’s message flows into you, a voice that resonates from deep within. “I am the essence of all things, the unity that binds life, creation, and purpose. To connect with Spirit is to connect with the essence of your own soul, to recognize that you are both unique and deeply connected to all that is. You are a part of the greater whole, woven into the fabric of existence.”

Its words flow through you like a river of truth. “Spirit is the force of love, the light that guides, the connection that brings understanding. Just as light touches all it meets, so too does Spirit connect all things. Seek within for peace, for purpose, for clarity, for all answers are within you, as you are within the whole. Honor the journey of your soul, for it is sacred and unique, yet part of the grander path.”

The Spirit’s energy grows warmer, filling you with a sense of purpose and oneness. “Remember, Spirit is always with you. When you seek, simply look within, for Spirit is the spark that lives in your heart, the guide that leads you forward, the love that binds us all. Trust this connection, for it is your truth.”

Receiving a Gift of Spirit

The Spirit extends its hands, offering you a small, glowing crystal—a point of light that pulses with life itself. You take the crystal, feeling its warmth, its boundless energy, and its gentle wisdom. “This crystal holds the essence of Spirit’s light,” it says. “May it remind you of your own divine nature, of the love and wisdom that flows through you and connects you with all beings.”

Returning to the Physical World

The Spirit smiles, and with a gentle wave, its light begins to merge back into the infinite expanse. You feel yourself guided softly down the path you came, the light around you growing softer as you return. Slowly, you feel the familiar sensation of your physical body, grounding you back into the present moment.

Grounding and Reflecting

Take a few deep breaths, feeling the warmth of Spirit’s gift within you. Feel yourself fully present, fully grounded. Wiggle your fingers and toes, and let the feeling of oneness with all life remain as you open your eyes.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hold the Spirit’s crystal close in your heart—a reminder of your own sacred essence, your unique purpose, and the love and unity that connect us all. With Spirit’s wisdom as your guide, know that you carry the light of all creation within you, guiding you, connecting you, and filling you with love.

Other Elemental Journeys:

🔥 Fire Journey

🌊 Water Journey

🏔️ Earth Journey

🌬️ Air Journey

[labryinth11]

what i’ve been looking for. want to keep reading but it’s late and unfortunately, sleep is important. until tomorrow, wondrous world.

[gook54-blog]

[monotheistreal]

Delve into the profound realm of Shamanism with our latest video on Monotheist. Uncover the essence of Shamanic practices, rituals, and spiritual connections in this comprehensive guide for beginners. Whether you're new to the spiritual realm or seeking advanced insights, this video serves as a gateway to the profound wisdom of Shamanic traditions. Join us on a transformative exploration of self-discovery and healing. Subscribe to Monotheist for engaging content on spirituality. Like, share, and hit the bell to stay connected. Embark on a journey of enlightenment with us. #Shamanism #SpiritualJourney #MysticalWisdom #HealingEnergy #SelfDiscovery #AncientRituals #EnlightenmentPath #SpiritualExploration #Monotheist #InnerTransformation #trending #viral #explore #reels

[zuvluguu]