Although traditional shamanism is seen mostly as a cultural practice in the mainstream, seekers understand that shamanism has much to teach us in terms of spiritual practices and natural living.
Today, shamanism is practiced as a spiritual lifestyle and shamanic wisdom is sought as a means of connecting with the Earth, strengthening our minds, and even exploring other worlds.
This guide will provide an overview of shamanic practices and how you can find this ancient wisdom for your Self.
What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice that involves communion with nature and the spirit world. Shamans are believed to possess mystical powers that allow them to heal the sick, commune with the dead, and foretell the future.
Shamanic wisdom is considered to be a source of great insight and power, offering a unique perspective on the nature of reality and the spiritual realm.
The History of Shamanic Wisdom
Shamans have been practicing their craft for thousands of years, and traditional shamanism is thought to have originated in Siberia and North Asia. The first shamans were likely hunters and gatherers who relied on their shamanic powers to help them survive in the harsh Arctic climate.
Over time, shamanism spread throughout the world, and today there are many different forms of shamanism practiced in different cultures around the globe.
One of the key features of shamanism is its ability to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of the community it serves. Shamanic practices have changed and evolved over time in response to new cultural influences and technologies. For example, in modern times shamanism has adapted to include using shamanic techniques within the context of modern medicine and psychology.
Technically, there were shamans in every ancient culture – those who practiced natural medicine, who understood the cycles of life and death and who would commune with the Gods, plants, or animals. Across the world, ritual healers, tribal magickians, temple priests, and animists all believed in much the same things and practiced similar rituals.
Spiritual wisdom has never been restricted to one singular culture, country, or group. It has always been available for anyone with the eyes to see.
The Role of The Shaman
In simple terms, shamans are people who have specialized special spiritual powers. They use these powers to heal sick people, talk to the dead, and know the future. They also use shamanic wisdom to help their community in other ways.
Shamans often play an important role in traditional societies and their wisdom is greatly respected. They are often referred to as elders and fathers.
In some cultures, it was the shaman’s responsibility to see that departed souls could pass on to the next life.
From a hermetic point of view, these rituals served as energy cleansing ceremonies that would help the living grieve while also wiping the area of lingering etheric residue caused by the death in question.
Astral facilitation and “coming of age” ceremonies were also the purview of the shaman. They would use their abilities to see or travel in the astral plane to guide others on visualization meditations, especially at important moments in one’s life.
An Overview on Shamanic Practices
Shamans use a variety of techniques to connect with the spirit world and gain shamanic wisdom. Some of the most common shamanic practices include drumming, chanting, and trance states.
Drumming is one of the most commonly used techniques in shamanism. Shamanic drums are often made from animal skins, and they are often decorated with magick symbols that represent shamanic power.
Drumming, like other forms of ritual music, is meant to help shamans enter into a trance state, which allows them to commune with the spirit world.
Similarly, chanting is another common shamanic practice that is used to induce trance states and connect with the spiritual realm. Chanting is often used in conjunction with drumming, and it can be used to call forth spirits or to provide healing energy to people or places.
Trance states are another key element of shamanism. In order to access the spiritual realm, shamans often need to enter into a trance state where they can more easily communicate with the spirits. There are many different ways to achieve a trance state, but some of the most common methods include drumming, chanting, and using psychedelic plants and herbs.
Benefits of Shamanic Wisdom
Shamans use a variety of techniques to connect with the spirit world and gain shamanic wisdom. Some of the most common shamanic practices include drumming, chanting, and trance states.
There are many benefits to studying shamanism and incorporating shamanic wisdom into your life. Some of the key benefits include:
- gaining a deeper understanding of reality and the spiritual realm
- developing mystical powers and abilities
- gaining insight into your own life and purpose
- acquiring healing skills that can be used to help others
- connecting with nature and developing a closer relationship spiritual forces.
How to Access Shamanic Wisdom For Yourself
There are many ways to access shamanic wisdom, and the best way to access it depends on your individual needs and preferences. One of the best ways to gain shamanic wisdom is to find a shamanic practitioner who can teach you about shamanism and help you connect with the spirit world.
Another great way to learn about shamanism is to study different shamanic practices and techniques on your own. There are many books and websites that offer information about shamanism, and you can also attend workshops and retreats where you can learn from experienced shamans.
Finally, another way to access shamanic wisdom is by incorporating shamanic practices into your own life. You can start by experimenting with different shamanic techniques such as drumming, chanting, and trance states. You can also connect with nature more often and explore different meditation techniques that can help you connect with the spiritual realm.
Spiritual Practices and Rituals of the Shaman
The life of the modern shaman is as it was in ancient times: full of ritual, magick, and a connection with our inner world.
Like any branch of the Path, a recurring theme of shamanic practice is the death of the ego in favor of a more transparent, joyful, and primal way of living.
Fewer inhibitions but more compassion. Animal instincts. A higher calling. Traits shared by sages the world over.
However, certain traditions of shamanism stand out. Here are just a few:
Shamanic Initiation
Shamanic initiation is a ritual or process by which an individual becomes a shaman. In traditional shamanic cultures, the role of the shaman is typically passed down from one generation to the next, and the initiation process is often seen as a rite of passage into adulthood.
Initiation may involve a variety of different practices, such as fasting, meditation, and the use of psychoactive substances. It may also involve a spiritual crisis or a near-death experience, in which the initiate experiences a shamanic death and is reborn as a shaman.
The initiation process is often very intense and can take several days or even weeks to complete. It is considered a crucial step in the shaman’s development, as it allows them to access the spiritual realm and gain the knowledge and powers necessary to fulfill their role as a shaman.
Modern shaman often undergo initiations that do not resemble the rituals of the past, however the theme of there being a rite of passage remains intact. This passage from one state of spiritual awareness to another is referred to by sages as illumination.
Shamanic Shaking
Shamanic shaking is a practice used by some shamanic traditions to induce a state of altered consciousness and facilitate spiritual healing. It involves the shaman rapidly shaking their body, often with their eyes closed, while making vocalizations such as chanting or singing.
The shaking can be intense and can last for several minutes or longer. The goal of shamanic shaking is to release physical and emotional tension, cleanse the body and mind, and connect with spiritual energies.
Some shamans believe that the shaking helps to release negative energies or blockages that are causing illness or emotional distress. Shamanic shaking is often used in conjunction with other shamanic practices, such as drumming, chanting, and visualization.
Shamanic Reiki
This is just another way of describing the practice of healing with the hands, or “laying on of the hands.”
Reiki, or healing through the hands, is simply a means of conveying healing energy (energy with healing intent) through the chakras located in our hands. There are many specialized rituals surrounding the ways in which shamans heal – such rituals are often accompanied by chanting and drumming in order to encourage an altered state of consciousness.
Like many spiritual cultures or ritual systems, shamanic healing sessions can be quite complex. In part, the intent is to foster an atmosphere of spiritual significance, which trains the subconscious to perform a certain way. Some aspects of shamanic rituals involve energy correspondences, such as the presence of elements (fire, salt, blessed water, etc), herbs, effigies, and other items.
Shamanic Death
Shamanic death is a term used to describe the practice of inducing a deep trance state in which the shaman experiences a death-like state and travels to the spirit world. This is often done as part of a shamanic ritual or healing ceremony.
In the shamanic death experience, the shaman typically undergoes a spiritual transformation and emerges with new insights, knowledge, and powers.
The exact nature and meaning of shamanic death varies among different shamanic traditions and cultures. Some view it as a way to access hidden knowledge or to communicate with the spirits, while others see it as a powerful healing experience or a rite of passage.
Shamanic Medicine
One of the hallmarks of shamanism is its intimate relationship with the natural world and its bounty of healing treasures.
Every piece of bark, every root, every leaf, is a healing tool in the hands of a shaman.
There are many examples of traditional medicine practices that are commonly associated with shamans. Some examples include the use of herbs and plants for healing, divination and spiritual communication. Other common practices include sweat lodges, vision quests, and the use of spiritual objects, such as crystals and totems, for healing and protection.
Since one of the shaman’s primary roles is to be a healer, they are tasked with the cultivation, curation, and proper usage of a wide range of various natural substances and materials. Compared to other spiritual traditions, shamans are highly adept at this kind of healing and magick.
Anyone Can Become a Shaman
It is important to note that becoming a shaman is not something that can be learned completely from a book or a class. Shamanism is a deeply personal and spiritual process that requires dedication, commitment, and a willingness to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and transformation.
That being said, as with any spiritual knowledge, shamanism is open to anyone. It is just another branch of the Path, albeit one interlaced with more culture-specific imagery and practices.
I recommend spending time in nature and embracing the magickal side to life. The shaman is one who walks between worlds, a sage adept not only in healing but in communication with the spiritual realm
To get to this point, you must let go of the trappings of the ego and allow your Self to connect with the natural world, as well as others.
Learning the finer points of shamanism, such as healing with the hands, herbal medicine, and trance, starts with dedication and a willingness to explore something greater than the “same old same old” lifestyle fed to us in the mainstream.
The founder of Digital Sages, Matt has an extensive background in self-mastery and has authored several books on the subject. His goal is to demystify important esoteric subjects and help people transform their lives through self-awareness and personal empowerment.