Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice rooted in the belief that the material world is deeply interconnected with the spiritual realm. Practiced in various forms across many cultures worldwide, shamanism predates organised religion and serves as a bridge between humanity and the divine, nature, and unseen energies. At its heart, shamanism is a way of engaging with the natural and spiritual worlds to promote healing, gain wisdom, and restore balance within individuals and communities.
Shamanic beliefs
Shamanism is built on several foundational beliefs. Central to shamanic practice is the understanding that everything in the universe is alive and possesses a spirit. This concept, known as animism, sees no separation between humans, animals, plants, and the natural environment. Shamans, the practitioners of shamanism, act as mediators between these interconnected realms.
Shamanic realms
Shamanic traditions typically divide existence into three primary worlds: the Lower World, the Upper World, and the Middle World. The Lower World is often associated with ancestral spirits, animal guides, and the wisdom of the earth. The Upper World is a realm of higher spiritual beings and cosmic truths. The Middle World corresponds to the physical plane and the spiritual forces that interact with it. Shamans journey between these worlds to gather knowledge, heal the sick, or seek guidance.
The Hidden Secrets of Shamanic Initiation
A shaman is a spiritual practitioner who serves as a healer, guide, and intermediary between the spiritual and physical worlds. The term “shaman” originates from the Tungus people of Siberia, but similar practices exist in indigenous cultures across the globe, including Native American, Australian Aboriginal, African, and Amazonian traditions.
Shamans are chosen in various ways. Some are believed to inherit their role through family lineage, while others are “called” through a spiritual awakening, often marked by a personal crisis or illness. This initiation process typically involves training under an elder shaman or through direct experiences with the spiritual realm.
Shamanic Practices
Once initiated, shamans fulfill many roles within their communities. They may perform rituals to heal individuals, interpret dreams, provide guidance during rites of passage, or protect their people from harmful spiritual influences. Shamans often work with spirit guides, ancestors, and animal totems to aid them in their practice. These helpers are considered allies who provide wisdom, energy, and support in the shaman’s work.
Shamanic practices vary greatly depending on the cultural and regional context but share common elements:
- Shamanic Journeying: A central practice in shamanism, journeying involves entering an altered state of consciousness to access spiritual realms. Shamans use tools such as drumming, rattling, chanting, or plant medicines to achieve this state, enabling them to interact with spirits and gather insights.
- Healing: Shamans address physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances by identifying and resolving the root causes of illness. This may involve soul retrieval (returning lost fragments of a person’s spirit), energy cleansing, or removing negative influences.
- Rituals and Ceremonies: Rituals mark significant life events, honor spirits, or restore harmony within a community. Examples include sweat lodges, vision quests, and sacred dances.
- Divination: Shamans interpret signs, symbols, or visions to provide guidance and predict future events. Divination tools may include bones, stones, or natural elements like fire and water.
- Connection with Nature: Shamans cultivate a deep relationship with nature, often seeing it as a source of wisdom and healing. They honour the spirits of the earth, sky, water, and animals through offerings and rituals.
Healing the Spirit
Healing is a cornerstone of shamanic work. Shamans believe that illness often originates from spiritual imbalances, such as loss of personal power, soul fragmentation, or intrusion of harmful energies. By addressing these underlying causes, they aim to restore wholeness and well-being. Healing sessions often involve chanting, energy work, or extracting harmful spiritual entities.
The Dark Side of Shamanic Revival
In recent years, shamanism has gained popularity beyond its indigenous roots, with people around the world turning to it for spiritual growth and healing. Modern practitioners adapt traditional practices to suit contemporary contexts, offering workshops, guided journeys, and therapeutic sessions. Some integrate shamanic principles into psychotherapy and holistic health practices.
However, the growing interest in shamanism also raises ethical concerns about cultural appropriation. Many indigenous communities emphasise the importance of respecting the cultural and spiritual integrity of their practices and warn against commodifying or oversimplifying shamanic traditions.