#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. .

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We are blessed. .

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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

[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]

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[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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Illustration by Kay Nielsen (1914)

[katherinegenet]

There is a dark and deep well that goes through the realms of the Otherworld. I first came across it in the centre of a large, stone maze, and got down on my belly to wriggle towards it, staring into it black-marble depths.

The water was dark and deep. I knew it was deep without being able to even see past the surface. It was ass black as Indian ink. The surface rippled gently with a silent breeze and I stared into it, wondering those eternal questions - why was I there? What was I supposed to learn?

Here was a well, what was I supposed to do with it? (These are the questions one is constantly asking when journeying in the other realms).

I am not especially keen on water. I especially am not keen on deep dark holes full of it. You'd never pay me enough to go underwater caving. Ever. But the me who journeys is a lot braver than the me who sits here typing this. That me shrugged, and slipped into those dark depths, and dove straight down into that narrow well.

Down and down and down through the inky blackness. Down and down, bubbles streaming unseen from my nose, fingers reaching out to touch the sides of the well every now and then as I went deeper and deeper, and still deeper.

Until I reached the bottom of the well and discovered there was no bottom to it. I spilled out from a watery darkness into another sort - the great, silent womb of the cosmos. Floating on my back, I gazed up, able to see, to discern, and all around me was the feeling of space, and I smiled, floating there under the worlds, under everything, unborn.

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Photograph by UroshPetrovic on Getty images

[katherinegenet]

There's a river just on the other side of our wee volcano with a path running along its ambling banks that once was a railway for what must have been steam locomotives - judging by the size and age of the tunnel that burrows through the flank of a hill. Long gone the tracks have been. 

Apple trees grow where passengers, lost in thought, minds wondering on their journey, once tossed cores out their windows. Close on the river bank there are magnificent trees reaching far and wide, trunks - not limbs - in every direction, some hanging low over the river, dipping in an elbow here and there, sprouting streams of coral-coloured roots into the steady rush of water and drinking knowledge from the sky and the mountain's top, feeding the river billions of years of star light. 

We walk the path, mushrooms littering our way from where cows have grazed. 

How sage and old our world is as it spins and spins. 

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Photograph by Nordhaug-photography on 500px.com

[katherinegenet]

When would a healing session be beneficial?

A spirit (shamanic) healing session is beneficial when you’re experiencing any of the following:

• Suffering from having experienced trauma in your life.

• Feeling disconnected from your deepest self.

• Feeling like you've lost an essential part of who you are.

• Difficulty in releasing yourself from things and relationships which are no longer serving you.

• Being weighed down by old 'baggage'.

• Feeling blocked in your life.

• Uncertainty about your path.

• Wanting to connect with your spirit guides and animal allies.

• Feeling like there's negative energy draining you.

• Feeling depressed, anxious, and unworthy.

• Feeling irritable and destructive.

How does a healing session help?

• Reintegrates lost pieces of your soul to make you feel whole or more like yourself again.

• Connects you with your deepest self.

• Connects you with your animal allies and spirit guides so that you do not feel alone.

• Clears blockages in your life.

• Cuts cords to unhealthy attachments to people, things, addictions.

• Improves your mental state and helps you feel a clear path in life again.

• Heals old wounds that you have been carrying.

• Releases you from the grip of negative energies that may be attached to you.

• Helps you to heal unresolved parts of yourself.

• Gives you more clarity and joy in your life.

• Reconnects you to your spirit guides and animals.

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Visit our shop on Etsy to book a full or mini healing, or a reading 💜

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(Art is stock photography)