The first basic shamanism course I attended
My first introduction to shamanism came in 2001 when I visited a shamanic healer for a soul retrieval. I was curious and wanted to learn more. Shortly after that initial session, the practitioner offered a two-day basic shamanism workshop. I attended and almost immediately felt like I had come home. The religion of my childhood left me with many questions. In shamanism and its direct connection to divine wisdom and energy, I found answers. Suddenly spiritual concepts and beliefs I had held my whole life but never had words for made sense....
The calm of Steinke Basin in late summer
I woke up this morning with anxiety, so I took myself out to Steinke Basin for a walk. The nature spirits there always calm me. I watched for bottle gentian along the trail and was not disappointed. Its gentle energy is soothing, and its purple flowers bring a smile to my face. Like daffodils in the spring, this is a friendly plant. I also got scolded by a blue jay for stopping to take a picture of a wildflower close to where he was sitting. In the marshy areas, there was the sweet scent of decaying vegetation. As my walk ended, I felt much...
Not everything you feel is yours
Empaths, not everything you feel is yours. Because we soak up the emotions of those around us like a sponge, we tend to assume everything we experience is our energy, but that’s not the case. Imagine a scenario where you’re going about your day, feeling settled and cheerful. Then a dear friend calls. She’s struggling with a difficult situation and shares with you what she’s going through. You listen to her and feel yourself getting heavier, more tired, and maybe even developing a headache. You were fine before the phone call. As you ponder...
Entry point for journeys
Students at the two-day basic shamanism workshop learn to journey, a trance-like state used to connect with divine wisdom. In shamanic journeys, we travel into the spirit realms and seek guidance and healing from compassionate helping spirits. We go on Lower World journeys to connect with the wisdom and support of Mother Earth and to gain insight into our subconscious. Lower World journeys begin by traveling down, usually through some kind of opening in the ground. For example, we might step into a hollow space in a tree trunk and use that to...
Healing can be messy
When I first stepped out onto my spiritual path, I thought healing was all unicorns and rainbows. Time proved otherwise. Sometimes healing is downright messy. Recently I felt off. There was nothing specific I could identify, I just didn’t feel quite right. I couldn’t even tell if it was physical or emotional. I was a bit ungrounded, and my mind was slightly foggy. There was a general heaviness in my body, and my energy felt scattered. So I held space for myself and trusted that whatever was affecting me would either pass or show itself. A...
Tools for life
A friend who has taken the “Energy Essentials for Empaths” class multiple times used to work in a school system. She believes these tools should be taught first to teachers and then all elementary-age children. She calls them “really good skills for life.” You don’t need to be an empath to find this class helpful. All are welcome. The abilities to ground, have healthy boundaries, and energetically protect ourselves are important for everyone right now. These skills also help to manage fear and anxiety. This work is real, and it matters....