New Clients, before your first appointment, please read the Client Information sheet.
| Client Information Sheet |
Shamanic Session
One of the primary ceremonies or jobs of a shamanic practitioner is to perform a journey. What is a journey? It is to go into an altered state of consciousness, a form of meditation, using repetitive sound (drumming or rattling) to help the practitioner enter the journey state. While in this subconscious state the practitioner can access the “unconscious” of another person (client) or “hidden realm,” find information, or “track the soul” and then return the lost essence to the client, known as a “soul retrieval.” This access allows the shamanic practitioner to find where a person had disconnected from themselves or their power and by drawing attention and understanding to it, enables them to reconnect. The information that comes through in the journey may contain both literal information and metaphors.
Before any of our work together begins, it is important for you to know that I will never work without your permission, and, because it is my intention, I will only "see" in the journey what is pertinent to your healing with regard to the issue of the session. Everything that transpires is confidential and I honor your privacy and safety.
At the beginning of our session we will be discussing your intent or purpose for this particular shamanic session. Usually at this time we will formulate a specific question or intent for our journey work and with that, we will also determine under what conditions you might like to receive and utilize information found in the journey (in other words, your bottom line.) For example: Let's say Richard feels like he needs to provide more income for his family and he would like to understand what it is that is blocking him. The bottom line might be, "given that Richard wants to live in joy, ease, love, abundance, good health and continue in loving relationship with his family." Then the question for journey might be, "what does Richard need to know, do, or heal in order to better provide for his family?
Sometimes even before we have formulated our question and bottom line, I will ask you several questions regarding your issue or intent and perhaps talk about any patterns or past experiences that pertain to your concerns. After this discussion and after having determined your intent and bottom line, I will do a journey for you. As you sit back and relax, I will be listening to a drumming CD and will narrate all that I sense, feel, hear, see, taste, touch etc. within the journey. You will hear me, call out for Power Animals and Helping Spirits (see below), gather soul parts (see Soul Retrieval tab) and do whatever spiritual work is in your best interest at this time. When the journey is complete I will ceremoniously deliver the soul parts to you and end the journey.
After the journey, we will integrate the information we received and briefly interpret any metaphors that may have occurred in the journey, as it pertains to your intent and question. For the most part the interpretation of the metaphors is a personal understanding of what it might mean for you. To assist with integration we may utilize, essential oils, crystals and stones, flower essences, and other gifts from nature that feel right for you.
For those of you who have done a lot of personal work, a single soul retrieval may be all you need to heal your concerns. However in most cases the soul retrieval would probably be the beginning of ones processing. After the session, you can listen to the recording and or review your notes, follow any suggestions, and journal your process for further integration. I have found that one of the best ways to assist the integration is listening to your recording more then once and then writing in your journal as you process the information. "This journey and healing arrives like a dream from deep in the subconscious and tends to slip back into the subconscious if we do not take the steps to hold it into our reality" (Gwilda Wiyaka, 2010). Your effort to truly integrate what has been brought back in journey is key to your long term healing.
Before any of our work together begins, it is important for you to know that I will never work without your permission, and, because it is my intention, I will only "see" in the journey what is pertinent to your healing with regard to the issue of the session. Everything that transpires is confidential and I honor your privacy and safety.
At the beginning of our session we will be discussing your intent or purpose for this particular shamanic session. Usually at this time we will formulate a specific question or intent for our journey work and with that, we will also determine under what conditions you might like to receive and utilize information found in the journey (in other words, your bottom line.) For example: Let's say Richard feels like he needs to provide more income for his family and he would like to understand what it is that is blocking him. The bottom line might be, "given that Richard wants to live in joy, ease, love, abundance, good health and continue in loving relationship with his family." Then the question for journey might be, "what does Richard need to know, do, or heal in order to better provide for his family?
Sometimes even before we have formulated our question and bottom line, I will ask you several questions regarding your issue or intent and perhaps talk about any patterns or past experiences that pertain to your concerns. After this discussion and after having determined your intent and bottom line, I will do a journey for you. As you sit back and relax, I will be listening to a drumming CD and will narrate all that I sense, feel, hear, see, taste, touch etc. within the journey. You will hear me, call out for Power Animals and Helping Spirits (see below), gather soul parts (see Soul Retrieval tab) and do whatever spiritual work is in your best interest at this time. When the journey is complete I will ceremoniously deliver the soul parts to you and end the journey.
After the journey, we will integrate the information we received and briefly interpret any metaphors that may have occurred in the journey, as it pertains to your intent and question. For the most part the interpretation of the metaphors is a personal understanding of what it might mean for you. To assist with integration we may utilize, essential oils, crystals and stones, flower essences, and other gifts from nature that feel right for you.
For those of you who have done a lot of personal work, a single soul retrieval may be all you need to heal your concerns. However in most cases the soul retrieval would probably be the beginning of ones processing. After the session, you can listen to the recording and or review your notes, follow any suggestions, and journal your process for further integration. I have found that one of the best ways to assist the integration is listening to your recording more then once and then writing in your journal as you process the information. "This journey and healing arrives like a dream from deep in the subconscious and tends to slip back into the subconscious if we do not take the steps to hold it into our reality" (Gwilda Wiyaka, 2010). Your effort to truly integrate what has been brought back in journey is key to your long term healing.
Power Animals and Helping Spirits
Shamans would say that within the hidden realm or spirit world, there are helping spirits, who are compassionate spirits who offer their healing help and guidance on behalf of all life, throughout our daily life. Shamans also say that we are born with one or more "power animals” that are available to help us. Energetically, power animals could be considered to provide particular energy frequencies to us, which help keep our energy field protected and help us operate optimally. Because we each come into life with certain gifts, personality characteristics, and tasks to accomplish, we each have a different combination of animals. At various times during our lives, a new power animal may join us to help with what we are dealing with at the time.
Individual power animals are said to carry the energy signature of the faculties and gifts most portrayed by the species to which they belong. So, for instance, an armadillo is known for its protective shell and would be good protection. An elk has great strength and stamina which it could bring to us. A goat offers us surefootedness, actually or metaphorically.
Animals may come and go during our life, depending on what we most need at the time. But if an animal leaves, and is not replaced by another one, we may suffer power loss and be vulnerable energetically. So we begin life with this intact energetic field around us, protected by the energy signature of our various power animals. All power animals are equal in power and in their gifts and they share their gifts willingly - all we need to do is ask.
These are some examples:
ALLIGATOR AND CROCODILES: Primal energies of birth, motherhood, and initiation
ARMADILLO: Personal protection, discrimination, and empathy
BADGER: Bold self expression and reliance - keeper of stories
BAT: Transition and initiation
BEAR: Introspection, vision, awakening the power of the unconscious
BEAVER: Building of dreams
BEE: Pursue your dreams and reap the honey of life
BOBCAT: Silence and secrets
BUFFALO (BISON): Manifesting abundance through right action
BUTTERFLY: Transformation, change, growth, joy
CAT (domestic): Mystery, The unity of the physical and the spiritual world, magic, and independence
CRANE: Creation through focus, longevity
CROW: Secret magic of creation, spiritual strength
COYOTE: Wisdom and folly
DOG (domestic): Faithfulness, unconditional love, and protection
DOVE: feminine energy of peace, maternity, prophecy
DUCK: Emotional comfort and protection
DEER: Love, gentleness, and innocence
DOLPHIN: The power of breath and sound, peaceful communication, harmony
DRAGONFLY: Power of light, seeing through your illusions, allowing your own light to shine forth
EAGLE: Illumination of Spirit, freedom, honor, higher perspective for new birth and creativity
ELEPHANT: Commitment, family, nurturing, patience, ancient power, royalty and strength
ELK: Strength, endurance, and nobility
FOX: Feminine magic of camouflage, shapeshifting and invisibility
FROG: Cleansing, healing through water and sound
GIRAFFE: Farsightedness, grounded higher vision
GOAT: Sure footed, ability to land on your feet, reach for higher goals
GRASSHOPPER: Uncanny leaps forward or upward
HAWK: Visionary power, observation, guardianship
HERON: Aggressive self determination and self reliance
HORSE: Travel, grounded power, freedom
HUMMINGBIRD: Unbounded joy, lightness, beauty, and magic
KESTRAL (FALCON): Mental speed, agility and grace
LEOPARD: Overcoming our demons and haunts and renewal of vision and vitality,
LION: Assertion of the feminine, courage, leadership, strength that come from the heart
LYNX: Vision of the unseen and hidden
MOOSE: Primal feminine energies and awakening depths of awareness and sensitivity
MOUNTAIN LION (COUGAR): Coming into your own power
MOUSE: Teaches attentiveness to detail
MULE: Wisdom and humility
OTTER: Joy, playfulness, sharing
OWL: Mystery of magic, omens, silent wisdom, and vision in the dark
PANTHER: Reclaiming one's true power, ability to develop clairaudience
PORCUPINE: Protection of negative energy, maintain a sense of wonder about life
RAVEN: Magic, shapeshifting, and creation through bringing light out of the dark
OWL: Wisdom, at home in the spiritual worlds
OPPOSUM: The right use of appearances
RABBIT: Abundance, new life, fertility
RACCOON: Dexterity, disguise for transformation
RHINOCEROS: Ancient wisdom
SEALS & SEA LION: Active imagination, creativity, lucid dreaming
SKUNK: Respect, self esteem
SNAKE: Transmutation, rebirth, resurrection, initiation and wisdom
SPIDER: Creativity and the weaving of fate, keepers of the mysteries of the past and how it affects the future.
SQUIRREL: Activity and preparedness balanced with sociability
STORK: Birth and unspoken communication, sacred dance
SWAN: Awakening true beauty and power of the self
TIGER: Passion, power, devotion, new adventures
TURTLE: Motherhood, longevity, awakening to opportunities
VULTURE: Purification - death and rebirth - new vision
WEASEL: Silent secret observation, circumvention of trouble, and pursuit of goals
WHALE: Creation, power of song, awakening inner depths
WOLF: Teacher, guardianship, social skills, loyalty
Individual power animals are said to carry the energy signature of the faculties and gifts most portrayed by the species to which they belong. So, for instance, an armadillo is known for its protective shell and would be good protection. An elk has great strength and stamina which it could bring to us. A goat offers us surefootedness, actually or metaphorically.
Animals may come and go during our life, depending on what we most need at the time. But if an animal leaves, and is not replaced by another one, we may suffer power loss and be vulnerable energetically. So we begin life with this intact energetic field around us, protected by the energy signature of our various power animals. All power animals are equal in power and in their gifts and they share their gifts willingly - all we need to do is ask.
These are some examples:
ALLIGATOR AND CROCODILES: Primal energies of birth, motherhood, and initiation
ARMADILLO: Personal protection, discrimination, and empathy
BADGER: Bold self expression and reliance - keeper of stories
BAT: Transition and initiation
BEAR: Introspection, vision, awakening the power of the unconscious
BEAVER: Building of dreams
BEE: Pursue your dreams and reap the honey of life
BOBCAT: Silence and secrets
BUFFALO (BISON): Manifesting abundance through right action
BUTTERFLY: Transformation, change, growth, joy
CAT (domestic): Mystery, The unity of the physical and the spiritual world, magic, and independence
CRANE: Creation through focus, longevity
CROW: Secret magic of creation, spiritual strength
COYOTE: Wisdom and folly
DOG (domestic): Faithfulness, unconditional love, and protection
DOVE: feminine energy of peace, maternity, prophecy
DUCK: Emotional comfort and protection
DEER: Love, gentleness, and innocence
DOLPHIN: The power of breath and sound, peaceful communication, harmony
DRAGONFLY: Power of light, seeing through your illusions, allowing your own light to shine forth
EAGLE: Illumination of Spirit, freedom, honor, higher perspective for new birth and creativity
ELEPHANT: Commitment, family, nurturing, patience, ancient power, royalty and strength
ELK: Strength, endurance, and nobility
FOX: Feminine magic of camouflage, shapeshifting and invisibility
FROG: Cleansing, healing through water and sound
GIRAFFE: Farsightedness, grounded higher vision
GOAT: Sure footed, ability to land on your feet, reach for higher goals
GRASSHOPPER: Uncanny leaps forward or upward
HAWK: Visionary power, observation, guardianship
HERON: Aggressive self determination and self reliance
HORSE: Travel, grounded power, freedom
HUMMINGBIRD: Unbounded joy, lightness, beauty, and magic
KESTRAL (FALCON): Mental speed, agility and grace
LEOPARD: Overcoming our demons and haunts and renewal of vision and vitality,
LION: Assertion of the feminine, courage, leadership, strength that come from the heart
LYNX: Vision of the unseen and hidden
MOOSE: Primal feminine energies and awakening depths of awareness and sensitivity
MOUNTAIN LION (COUGAR): Coming into your own power
MOUSE: Teaches attentiveness to detail
MULE: Wisdom and humility
OTTER: Joy, playfulness, sharing
OWL: Mystery of magic, omens, silent wisdom, and vision in the dark
PANTHER: Reclaiming one's true power, ability to develop clairaudience
PORCUPINE: Protection of negative energy, maintain a sense of wonder about life
RAVEN: Magic, shapeshifting, and creation through bringing light out of the dark
OWL: Wisdom, at home in the spiritual worlds
OPPOSUM: The right use of appearances
RABBIT: Abundance, new life, fertility
RACCOON: Dexterity, disguise for transformation
RHINOCEROS: Ancient wisdom
SEALS & SEA LION: Active imagination, creativity, lucid dreaming
SKUNK: Respect, self esteem
SNAKE: Transmutation, rebirth, resurrection, initiation and wisdom
SPIDER: Creativity and the weaving of fate, keepers of the mysteries of the past and how it affects the future.
SQUIRREL: Activity and preparedness balanced with sociability
STORK: Birth and unspoken communication, sacred dance
SWAN: Awakening true beauty and power of the self
TIGER: Passion, power, devotion, new adventures
TURTLE: Motherhood, longevity, awakening to opportunities
VULTURE: Purification - death and rebirth - new vision
WEASEL: Silent secret observation, circumvention of trouble, and pursuit of goals
WHALE: Creation, power of song, awakening inner depths
WOLF: Teacher, guardianship, social skills, loyalty
"Knowing yourself, is the beginning of all wisdom." - Aristotle
Wolf- Teacher.
Though the moon rises every night Wolf always discovers something new to learn from it. We too, in exploring the secreted paths of consciousness, may discover new truths and gifts, then share those insights with the rest of our human race.
