#shamaniclife

[katherinegenet]

The world doesn't revolve around us. We must go into the world prepared for reciprocity. We must be prepared to give as much as take, to heal and much as be healed. .

.

We are blessed. .

.

.

Art by Dawid Planeta (look him up, his work is wondrous)

[victoriaviveskhuong]

The beauty of life resides in the small moments that we treasure. What is it that you treasure? • #PreciousMoments #Shamanism #ShamanicLife #WhatYouTreasure #LifeTreasures #TimeForReflection #BeautifulLife #BeautyOfLife #Reflection #Snake #Ra #Serpent #BallPython #Python #FirePython #SnakeLove #ComfortAnimal #ComfortSnake #SpiritAnimal #PowerAnimal #VictoriaVives #VictoriaVivesKhuong #Zen #Spirituality #VictoriasAnimalSanctuary #ESPAnimalSanctuary #LakeBath #Gaia #MotherEarth

[shamanflavio]

It's ok to get annoyed, but quickly choose to improve your mood the moment you realize it. #manifestnow #createyourlife #shamaniclife #shamanicliving #empath #shamanflavio www.HealerShaman.com (at Healershaman.com) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV220rur0YW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[otheunstoppable]

Regrann from @the_wisdom_of_the_shamans - #thewisdomoftheshamans #themasteryofself #donjoseruiz #donmiguelruizjr #hierophantpublishing #bestsellingauthor #newbook #toltec #wisdom #everyone #people #suffering #love #selfreflection #acceptance #selflove #selfrespect #relationship #life #shaman #shamanism #earth #dreamoftheplanet #happiness #donttakeitpersonal #peace #honesty #relationship #meditation #truth #ShamansOfInstagram #ShamanicLife

[kelleysoularts]

Where, "Hey baby, what's your sign?" was the esoteric pick up line, now it's, "So, what's your spirit animal?" for the soul seekers. You know that never set well with me, mostly because it was an opening to a BINABM pissing contest, though largely because I just never worked with many animal allies. Trees and herbs have always been a stronger presence for me. When I first began my shamanic path in the 1990s, that wasn't a popular relationship to have. In some circles it was flat-out demonized, and definitely not understood by the general modern shamanism community (there actually wasn't such a community, now that I think about it). Now, it's more prevalent to work with spirit plants and trees, elementals, stone spirits, etc. And it's about time, dammit. They've always been an important part of the spiritual community. For me, copper beeches have a special place. I remember seeing one for the first time when I was about 12 years old, way up in the far reaches of the NC mountains. It was dazzling purple, framed in golden sunlight. I have never been back to that tree in person, though I've visited her in the dreaming, many times. That copper beech wasn't my first experience with a tree spirit, though she was the first point that I accepted I was tree-kindred. That realization allowed me to understand why that pecan tree in the front yard was so important to my childhood, why that spot under the hedge was so sweet for star-gazing, and why I feel so in perfect company among rosemary and lavender plants. Now, plants are the center of my home cosmology and soul work. Do you work with plants/trees in your cosmology? How do they show up amongst your spiritual allies? How do you work with them? #treespirits #plantspirits #Shamanism #animism #copperbeech #trees #shamaniclife #spiritguides #thedreaming

[haydenskreamz]

#Mandala closet curtain!:) #psychedelicart #tapestry #iloveshrooms #sacredgeometry #nature #abstract #enamelpin #beautiful #iloveit #hippyshit #hippy #hippylife #lightwarriors #spiritguide #peace #love #shamaniclife #shaman #healer #energyworker

[eco-evolve]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Coyote Call (@angelamelton123)

#coyotecall #rewild #shamaniclife via @RiplApp

[catherineathenalouise-blog]

Sky Kachina winging in on a Summertime breeze #medicinesign #shamaniclife #catathenalouisestudio

[katherinegenet]

There is something about being in this physical world that makes us forgetful - of who we are, of why we are here. Our task is to remember that we are here to explore, learn, love, find joy, and to remember too, that we are not alone - we retain our ties to our spirit-kin.

.

.

.

.

Art by Alexandra dikaia

[katherinegenet]

Develop a habit of calmness. Become so deeply rooted in your self that you can more easily withstand the upsets that come along.

.

.

.

.

Illustration - allyouneediswall

[katherinegenet]

#soulwork and living an awakened, soul-led life depends every day on the decisions you make.

You can choose connection - to your highest ideals, to the path your soul wants for you, to kindness and compassion.

The choice is yours, every day.

Why would you choose otherwise?

.

.

.

Art by Edward J. Detmold (1911)

[katherinegenet]

Not Your Average Ambition

When I was young - around 11 or 12, my ambition in life was to be an exorcist. I read the one lonely but graphic book my local library had on the subject (no Internet in those days, folks) and was even more convinced. Being an exorcist was what I wanted to do. I could be a priest too; that would be fine if it was necessary, and I brought up in a spiritual but secular household, thought from my reading that it probably was.

I was quite devastated when my mother explained gently to me that you could only be a priest if you were a man, and since we weren't Catholic, the whole thing looked a little tough to break into.

I considered being a nun, next, as seemed logical, although since they didn't get to do exorcisms, I wasn't sure of the total benefits. I was drawn, despite my lack of practice, or anything resembling knowledge, to a life of dedication to the spiritual, but I really did want to serve in more adventurous ways.

My raging desire to be an exorcist persisted for quite a while, despite the technical difficulties I was encountering. In fact, it continued unabated until I was home alone one evening, with unfettered access to the Sunday Night Horror movie on TV. I watched The Exorcist wide-eyed, horrified and appalled. Apparently reading about it didn't do it enough justice, and I decided that maybe being an exorcist was a bit beyond me. I didn't want to encounter things that damned scary.

So, it's almost amusing to sit here today, and realise all of a sudden, that I am actually fulfilling that vision 12 year old me had.

Fortunately, not being either male or Catholic has made any difference in the end, and like most shamanic healers, I call this aspect of service depossession, rather than exorcism. Moving on spirits who have latched on where they don't belong is an important part of things.

I think it was on reading about Daskalos that I first came across one of the most important points about possession. This was long before I began working as a healer, but it has never left my mind.

'Possession, Daskalos said, could be of three types: by ill-disposed himan spirits, by demons and by elementals. However possession can only take place if the vibration of the victim is identical with its own.' (Colin Wilson, Beyond the Occult)

Interestingly, Daskalos goes on to explain that elementals are 'throughts and desires of human beings which have come to have a life of their own. This may be either subconsciously of consciously. When human beings brood on any strong desire, 'psychic (or noetic) matter' is created, and this is the basic stuff of the universe. The 'elemental' is an inner mental picture. If the thought-desire is a negative emotion, like envy or hatred, it takes on a life of its own and moves towards the person at whom it is directed: but sooner or later it returns to its creator.' (Colin Wilson, https://amzn.to/2xdKaJ3 Beyond the Occult).

This brings up all sorts of incredibly interesting things, but for right now, we'll just concentrate on the one. Most of the depossessions I do in the course of healing, are detaching and moving on these elementals. It makes perfect sense to me that they are psychic manifestations of thoughts, because I see them most often on those who are suffering from mental illness, and who have turned their distress, disappointment, and loathing inwards. These feelings, which can be both very profound and very dark, do take form, a life of their own, and they cling to their hosts in a self-perpetuating misery.

I had an unexpected encounter of this sort once, on a visit to help someone with protection in the middle world. She was feeling threatened by her neighbour, who was in a violent state of distress, a frequent occurrence for him, fueled unfortunately, by alcohol.

On my way to help her, I had to walk right past this man's flat (apartment) and I stopped a moment to place my hands on the walls of his place and surround it in the golden light of compassionate energy. Here's how the journey went, from my journal:

I looked in his window and saw him sitting at the table, his head surrounded by a mass of black scribbles.

As Snake and Bear and I went to walk past his flat to our destination, the soul essence of the man bolted out of his door and into my arms. He was young, and blond, and somehow golden. He was also sobbing, falling to his knees. I sank down with him, arms around him, listening to him babble. He was feeling terribly guilty about something, although I couldn't quite make out what. How badly he was doing, I think, and some family matter.

We talked for a while, and his tears died a little. We talked about forgiveness and other things, I think, me still cradling him like a child. He said there was something wrong with his heart, that he couldn't forgive himself for. I laid my hand against his chest, my hand of gold. He marvelled over it. I pulled a tiny piece of coal from his heart and held it in my palm for him to see. Then I squeezed it and held it out again - a diamond.

This provoked quite the reaction, and he was on his feet, attention directed back at the part of himself still inside. Bear went into his flat and slapped a huge paw at the man's head, then came back out again. The man went in and slipped back into his body, and the scribbles writhed and seemed almost to explode. Something, a small dark entity, went flying past us and out into the night. I swear I heart it mutter as I went. When I looked in the window again, he was lying down, tired, with a headache. But I knew he would feel better for a while at least."

As you can see, this poor fella's mental state had produced an elemental attachment, which served only to make things worse. Unfortunately, our healthcare services do little to alleviate both the suffering that can give rise to such attachments, and the elementals and possessions themselves.

That's one type of depossession I do that my 12 year old self would be proud of. Perhaps I'll talk more about the spirit possessions I've seen in another post. In the meantime, realise that your thoughts and mental health are of paramount importance, and that what you think and brood upon, can and does take on a life of its own. Seek help, if you need it, and as all of us need to do no matter who we are, take care of your thoughts - sort them with care, only giving space and energy to those that really serve you to your highest ideals.

Be blessed, everyone.

.

.

Photograph is by Camadian artist Stev'nn Hall

[katherinegenet]

We hold running conversations with ourselves in our heads and we do this pretty much all the time. That’s why meditation is so popular – because when we are meditating we are trying to take a break from all that noise. 

The world outside our heads is busy enough that we don’t need the racket going on between our own ears too. We long for quiet, for peace, for a single strong, calm voice that knows what it is talking about. 

Who’s talking in your head?

The good news is that we have that one  calm voice amongst all the others. The good news is too, that we can step back from our own thoughts and observe them – we don’t have to be swept along inside all our own noise. We can take a breath, listen to those conversations and those stories going on inside our heads – and decide if they are serving us. 

If it’s fairly quiet in there and you’re telling yourself good, kind things, things that nourish and encourage – excellent. Carry on. 

If it’s a bit chaotic inside your mind, if you’re beating yourself up, telling yourself hurtful things, telling stories about what other people might be doing and thinking, then realise this. Those thoughts aren’t real. You don’t have to listen to them. Sit back and observe them – yes! You can think about your own thinking! (We are just that awesome). 

Think about what you’re thinking…

When you’ve sorted out which thoughts aren’t really working for you,  you’ll be able to recognize them whenever they do a drive-by. Send them packing. Don’t give them any air space. Turn the volume down on them so low they have to quit because you’re not listening to them. Shift them out and tell yourself something nice instead. 

‘You never finish anything,’ says that voice in your head. ‘Yes I do,’ you tell it instead. ‘I often finish what I start and I have excellent ideas.’ 

‘You’re useless. You cant cope with your own life,’ it says, ignoring the fact that you got up and put on clean clothes today. ‘I’m making progress every day,’ you say in reply. ‘I work hard to get better.’ 

Don’t let your own mind sabotage yourself. Listen only to your kind voice and actively turn away from any voice in your own head that isn’t being kind to yourself. 

Because you are a marvellous thing, and don’t let yourself say otherwise. 

Want to learn more? Here’s a couple excellent resources to help you get the best of your own mind: The Little Book of Big Change by Dr. Amy Johnson. In fact, you wouldn’t go wrong looking up Amy’s YouTube channel and website either.

Help yourself to some of Dan Siegel’s work, as well. I recommend beginning with Mindsight, and, if you’re between the age of 12 and 24, Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenaged Brain is excellent.

Don’t forget – the first person who should benefit from your good thoughts is yourself.

Be blessed.

.

.

Image is by kevron2002 on depositphotos.com

[katherinegenet]

Why are you afraid?

Press your hand to your chest

- even broken, a heart

goes on beating.

Every tear can be mended

and death

is only something from which

wild-eyed daisies grow.

.

.

.

.

Painting by Mark Briscoe

Poem by me.

[katherinegenet]

There are fairies at the bottom of my garden. 

Wander past the blooming foxgloves (long associated with the fae) and through the brambles of wild blackberries and raspberries and into the woods, and there in the forest lives a troop of fairies. 

How sweet that sounds, a troop of fairies, and I'm glad my Good Neighbours aren't reading this. Eyebrows would indeed be raised. My Good Neighbours aren't cute wee things with gossamer wings sipping tea from blossom cups. They are as tall as myself, have a sense of humour sharp enough to cut, and before even considering me as worthy of their notice they required me to prove myself. 

The Fair Folk are not human. Their point of view is not ours. My relationship with my Neighbours has become one fueled with good will, and I will be continuing my efforts to keep it that way. 

For I would not like to get on their bad side. 

.

.

.

.

.

Illustration by Kay Nielsen (1914)

[katherinegenet]

The Epidemic of Fear

A few days ago I finished reading the book The Water Will Come – Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World by Jeff Goodell. I can’t recommend it enough for its clear look at the way the world is changing, and the impact it is going to have by larger and larger degrees on us all. It wasn’t easy reading, but it says things that need to be said.

Yesterday, I read a post by someone I follow online, who was telling us that she is paralysed by fear and anxiety over the climate crisis. The comment section was full of women feeling the same way. 

The world as we know it is on the way out. Our lives, and the way we live them won’t be the same. If there is any greater anxiety-inducing scenario, then I can’t think of it. Change is always hard for humans to deal with. We instinctively don’t like it. This sort of change is hard for us to even fathom, let alone navigate. 

But putting aside that for now, let’s just talk about fear, because fear is a virus that has reached epidemic proportions. It has infected huge swaths of the population. We are all afraid, and have been for a long time, sometimes with cause, sometimes with none. Fear is the canker that has ruined lives, taken lives, denied lives. Fear is what keeps us from knowing the joy that we are here to experience, it is what keeps us from looking at our neighbour and seeing someone no different from ourselves, it is what closes us off from love, from happiness, from meaning. It has entered our bloodstream and is infecting every part of our lives. 

But, you might interrupt me to say now – fear is justified! Especially now! The world is a terrible place, the sea is rising, soon there will be climate refugees everywhere, there will be pandemics and violence and terrible wildfires and droughts and storms and things will never be the same, and it is terrifying. 

It is terrifying. I agree. Thinking about some of the things that might happen makes us want to curl up under the blankets and stay there. It is too much to bear. 

It is hard enough worrying about where the next paycheck is going to come from. What to do with our aging parents when they finally need more care than we could give them. Whether we are going to spend the rest of our life alone because try as we might we can’t seem to meet the right person. It is hard enough worrying about whether we get to travel at all, let alone considering the carbon footprint of getting on a plane. It is hard enough worrying about whether our children are going to be safe crossing the road, or sitting at their school desks, let alone trying to comprehend what it will be like for them in forty years time when the world is a changing and disrupted place. 

You can feel the fear inside you right now. It feels like something physical, clogging your veins and blocking your airways. That worry. That constant worry. That nagging, gnawing, ever-hungry anxiety. 

We worry about things that aren’t even real, and can barely cope with that. About those wrinkles we saw in the mirror in the morning, about the couple extra kilos around our waists, about whether we are nice enough, lovable enough. How the hell do we manage when there are things going wrong? Things that are wrong, things that hurt? 

If ever there was a time that we as individuals and as a species needed to evolve, that time is now. It’s time to evolve. To wake up. To step out of fear, to breathe, to be, to act. We need to stop being afraid. We have to cure ourselves of fear, depression, anxiety. 

Where are you right now, as you’re reading this? Are you in physical danger, right in this moment? Pause, look up, see where you are. Are you okay? 

Good. You are. Breathe then. Breathe deeply and slowly, to the count of four. One…two…three…four. Hold it. One…two…three…four. Breathe out, slowly, smoothly. One…two…three…four. 

I’m glad you’re okay, right here in this slow-breathing moment. I’m glad that where you’re sitting or standing reading this right now, right in this very small moment, that you’re okay. It’s good to be here right now with you, right here, right now, with everything okay. 

Let’s breathe together again. Nice and slowly. One…two…three…four. Thank goodness. Everything at this moment is all right with you and with me. Let’s just breathe and feel okay, here together, right now. You and me. 

Everything is okay. 

.

.

We’re going to talk about fear over the next few weeks. Months, if necessary. We’re going to talk about it in different ways, from different angles, but most of all, we’re going to learn ways to step outside our fear and live fully. In the meantime, look up again. Are you okay right now? 

You are? Good. Breathe. 

.

.

.

.

Art by Tanielle Childers

Published in The Spiritworker's Journal

Tagged with A Shamanic Life Fear



Kate

Hi, I'm Kate - a spiritworker, writer, and storyteller, living a life touched with magick - and maybe a bit of fae-induced madness too. I'm a pagan polytheist who walks every day between the worlds.