Author: A Solitary Pagan

The roots of shamanism are lost in antiquity. However we do know,that given the similarities between shamanistic practices in the new world and Europe, that the fundamental elements of shamanism had been established as the first Paleo-Americans began to move across the Bering land bridge which connected Siberia to Alaska. This bridge disappeared about 12,000 years ago, as the Artic glaciers melted...

You’ve always felt like you don’t quite belong anywhere, because you are a bridge. Shamans tend to live on the outskirts of the village for a reason. They are not like the others – and this is a blessing! In village life, this is understood and recognized. But in the modern world, it may leave those with the shamanic archetype feeling like they don’t ever fit in. But don’t despair. You DO fit in. ...

You may discover unusual spiritual superpowers, or what the yogis call “siddhis.” You might be psychic. You might get healing visions like the one in my previous post about the meeting of Western medicine and Shamanism. You might realize that you can heal people with your hands or that you can telepathically communicate with animals, people, or even inanimate objects.

You tend to have vivid dreams. The unseen realm may be communicating with you through your dreams, so try analyzing your dreams. Pay particular attention to any animal totems that may appear in your dreams. Google search the animal and “spirit totem” and see if you can find any messages from the animals in your dreams. Or try a Jungian analysis, like the one described here.

You are an introvert. Shamans are multi-dimensional beings who dance between the realms of the seen and unseen worlds, so if you’re of the shamanic archetype, you may have a hard time navigating the 3D realms of this dimension, which may cause you to withdraw into yourself so you can visit the realms of consciousness where you feel most at home.

You’ve been through a difficult initiation, which has prepared you for this leadership role. In indigenous cultures, the village knew who the shaman was because he or she was struck by lightning and survived. In modern culture, you may not literally be struck by lightning, but you may have survived some other life or heart-threatening ordeal. You may have experienced childhood abuse, sexual violen...

ENTERING AN ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS is key to many spiritual and wellness practices, including but definitely not limited to Shamanism. Alpha states are the doorway to shamanic journeying. When we enter this state, we are more open and receptive to energies outside of ourselves. But what exactly does this mean? Our brain activity is measured in waves, and the frequency of these waves change...

SHAMANISM IS INHERENTLY ANIMISTIC. THIS means it is based on the belief that everything in nature—all creatures, plants, and landscapes—have a life force or vital essence. Closely tied to this is also the belief in two realities, commonly referred to as ordinary reality and non-ordinary reality. Ordinary reality is the reality most of us experience in our daily lives. It is the incarnate world, th...

For all of us, becoming indigenous to a place means living as if your children’s future mattered, to take care of the land as if our lives, both material and spiritual, depended on it. —ROBIN WALL KIMMERER, BRAIDING SWEETGRASS AS SHAMANIC PRACTITIONERS, WE HAVE A responsibility to care for our land in the same way we care for ourselves. In the previous section, we discussed the importance of under...

This is an easy way to start developing a relationship with and offering healing to the neighborhood you live in. Crystals are great allies for shamanic work and can be used very effectively for environmental Shamanism. All crystals have their own energy or spirit, and we can work with them to shift the vibrations around us. Gather a few small pieces of clear quartz crystal that you can leave as o...

The Festival Of Wisdom Time: Sunset 31 October-sunset 2 November (30 April-2 May in the southern hemisphere) Focus: Ancient wisdom, moving between the dimensions, the intersection between past and future and so a present that is not limited by time and space; welcoming the ancestors, confronting and overcoming fears of ageing and mortality. This festival recalled in the modern world as Hallowe’en,...

We have discussed the importance of gratitude, and this is truly a cornerstone of integrating Shamanism into your daily life. This is a quick and simple exercise that you can practice on a regular basis to engage in intentional gratitude. It will help you shift your perceptions and recognize the gifts that are offered to you on a daily basis. Find a quiet place where you can be undisturbed for 10 ...