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NoonehaschartedtheshamanicjourneymorecompellinglythanMichaelHarnerandCaveandCosmosishismasterwork.Atreasuretroveofinformationaboutshamanicthoughtandpractice.MichaelF.BrownWilliamsCollegeHarnershowsuswithstartlingclaritytheentirespiritualcosmosofshamanism.EdithTurnerUniversityofVirginiaCaveandCosmosisanimportantbookbytheworldsforemostscholarandpractitionerofcoreshamanismTebackgroundandcross-culturalmaterialsprovidedwillbeofgreatusetoallseriousstudentsofshamanism.TesectiondirectedtowardphysiciansandhealthprofessionalsisanespeciallywelcomeadditionbecauseitmakescrystalclearthevalueofshamanismaspartofanintegrativeapproachtohealthandhealingWesternersexperiencesofUpperWorldjourneysandtheremarkablesimilaritiesoftheirexperiencestothoseofshamanicjourneyerscrossculturallycastdoubtonthenotionthatthecontentsofthesejourneysarejustculturalprojectionsTisbookisamust-have.AnthropologyofConsciousnessajournaloftheAmericanAnthropologicalAssociationCAVEANDCOSMOSShamanicEncounterswithAnotherRealitybyMICHAELHARNERwww.shamanism.org Contents3EDITORIALWHATISSHAMANISM4MEMORIALAiloGaupSandraIngerman5ESSAYAnAgonizingReappraisalToughtsontheNewSpiritualtyDanielMoler8SHAMANICPRACTICEHorseDoctorCarlyHillier10ESSAYShamanicAsceticismAncientPracticesforEnhancingtheCraftDavidKowalewskiPh.D.14SHAMANICPRACTICEKachinaVisionsandtheExpansionofCulturalIdentityGabrielHartley22SHAMANICPRACTICERememberingOurSoulPartsEmbracingWholenessMegBeeler26ESSAYWuChineseShamanismbyMasterZhongxianWu29SHAMANICPRACTICEWomanasVisionaryPlantShamanShonaghHome32SHAMANICPRACTICEOneRoadManyBranchesLewisMehl-MadronaMDPh.D.37SHAMANICPRACTICEDeathofHummingbirdbyCecileCarsonMD39REVIEWSASpiritWalkersGudetoShamanicoolsByEvelynC.RysdykReviewbyTomCowanPh.D.41RESOURCEDIRECTORYwww.shamanicsociety.org1CoverPhotographybyAmandaMcCarthyOdaAJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014 2AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014ProgramsClassesRemoteHealingIndividualSessionsWildernessSoloswww.thepowerpath.comadminthepowerpath.com505-982-8732GoingDeeperWithYourInnerWorkNeedsupportorskillsSupportduringspiritualemergencySupportduringlifetransitionsShadowworkforspiritualseekersPreparingforandintegratingdeeptransformativeexperiencesGrofHolotropicBreathworkGuidedFocusingsessionsKevinSachsPhD646-415-6721SafeJourneysHomegmail.comSafeJourneysHomeLLCfacilitationsupporteducationforyourtransformationServicesOfferedEDITORSomCowanPh.D.Editor-in-ChieJonathanHorwitzMAEuropeanBureauKayKamalaMaryPatLynchNitaRenrewARTDESIGNAllegraMarketingPrintMailwww.allegrasantae.comCREATIVEDIRECTORAmandaMcCarthyOdawww.visualanthropologist.comPUBLISHERSaraJohnstonSocietyorShamanicPractitionersADVERTISINGSALESSaraJohnstonForinormationaboutadvertisingsalespleasecontactsarashamansociety.org303-726-2922.AJournalofContemporaryShamanismispublishedtwiceayearSpringandFallbytheSo-cietyorShamanicPractitioners2004.AllRightsReserved.NopartothisjournalmaybereproducedorcopiedwithoutthepermissionotheSociety.Non-proitpostagepaidatSantaFeNM.PermitNo.173.POSMASERSendaddresschangestotheSocietyorShamanicPractitionersPOBox100007DenverCO80250.SubscriptionSocietymembersreceivethejournalasabeneitomembership.ojointhesocietypleasevisitwww.shamansociety.orgorsendyourchecktotheSocietyorShamanicPractitionersP.O.Box100007DenverCO80250.heSocietyorShamanicPractitionersanonproit501c3isaninternationalallianceopeoplededi-catedtothere-emergenceoshamanicpracticesinmodernsocietyespeciallythosethatpromotehealthyindividualsandviablecommunities.Emailadminshamansociety.org.Websitewww.shamansociety.org.TeopinionsexpressedinAJournaloContempo-raryShamanismarethoseotheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyreectthoseotheeditorsnorthoseotheBoardmembersotheSocietyorShamanicPracti-tioners.Wemakeeveryeforttobeaccuratebutwecannotbeheldresponsibleoranyerrorsomissionsandinaccuracies.SSPBOARDOFDIRECTORSomCowanPh.D.AlanDavisMDGenieHobbsLCSWAnnaHarringtonJaimeMeyerJosLuisStevensPh.D.LenaStevensSaraJohnstonExecutiveDirectorKarrieCooperAdministration www.shamansociety.org3EditorialAJournalofContemporaryShamanismaddressesthequestionWhatisshaman-ismOneoitspurposesistoexploreanddemonstratehowpeopletodayunderstandandpracticeshamanism.Tisraisesanunderlyingquestion.IstheresuchathingasshamanismoraretheresimplyshamansCertainlyshamanismisnotthesamekindoismasCatholicismorMarxism.PerhapsitwouldbemoreuseultoaskWhatisashamanandthennotethequalitiestraitsattitudesbeliesandorpracticesandwaysolivingthatmakeamanorwomanashaman.Ourauthorswrestlewiththesequestionsandtheeditorsalsodebatethequestionohowwideornarrowourdefnitionsoshamanismshouldbe.Terearemanywaystounderstandandappreciateshamanismandwehopeourjournalcontributestothepracticeandacceptanceoshamanisminthemodernworld.Inthisissuewehaveselectedarticlesthatpushthedefnitionoshamanismintobroaderratherthannarrowerrangessinceweareawarethatintraditionalsocietiestherearemanywaystodescribehowashamaninteractswiththeinvisibleworld.Alsowewishtohonortheactthatshamanicpracticesandexperienceschangeandadapttocontemporarytimesandneeds.Butwealsobelieveinstayingtruetothebasicelementsthatseemtohavebeenpartandparceloshamanicexperiencesinceancienttimes.AsweseethemtheseareAcallingorsummonsromthespiritstopursuethewaysotheshaman.Initiatoryexperiencestoacquaintthenewshamanwiththerealmsospirits.Practicalmethodsojourneyingintothoserealmstodeveloprelationshipswithpar-ticularandpersonalspirits.Avarietyovisionarymethodstoseeandhearspiritactivitiesbothinordinaryandnon-ordinaryreality.Acommitmenttousetheseskillstomaintainbalancebetweenthehumancommuni-tiesandthespiritworldbyrestoringpowerandhealingtopeopleplacesandthelandscapeswiththeirmagnifcentvarietiesolie.Terearealsodegreesoshamansthatreecttheirnaturaltalentsandabilitiesandtheircommitmentstousingtheirknowledgeorgoodorill.Teshamanscommunityotenbestowsthestatusoshamanonsomeonedependingonhowcommittedandeectivethepersonisinperormingshamanicservices.Andsointhisissuewearehappytooerawidevarietyoarticlesonshaman-ismandshamanictopicsshamanicpracticeswithinaChinesecosmologyhealingworkwithhorsesinconservativeIrelandteachingsromthespiritsotheAmericanSouthwestthatbroadenourunderstandingokachinasacalltotoughenourshaman-icpracticealongtraditionallinesospiritualasceticismachallengetowomenwhopracticeplantmedicinetobemorepublicareminderthatweneedtoviewthenewspiritualcounterculturewithacriticaleyethepossibilityohybridshamanstrainedinbothtraditionalandmorecontemporarydisciplinesandsomecasestudiesontheneedtoremembersoulparts.Wehopethesearticleswillstimulatecreativethinkingaboutthemanywaysthatshamanismisbeingusedtodayandthatreaderswillsharewithusthroughletterstotheeditororinoriginalarticlestheirownunderstandingandpracticesotheshamansroleinthecontemporaryworld.TeEditors 4AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014InMemoryofAiloGaup19442014bySandraIngermanOnSeptember242014AiloGaupdiedinNorwayattheageoseventyateralong-termillness.Hewasalovingcaringatherandariendtomany.Hewasalsoagreatshamanhealerteacherandaverygitedpoetandstoryteller.Hehadaverylovingcommunitytovisithimovermanymonthsinthehospitalandtosharenewsohishealthandhismessageswithriendsandstudentsthatwereprayingorhimallovertheworld.IfrstmetAiloGaupinthe1980s.Withhisgreatenthusiasmandamazingenergyhecouldraisetheenergyinanyworkshophewasparticipatinginorteaching.HisintenseandecstaticdrummingdancingjoikingtraditionalSamiormosongandstorytellingwouldwakeupanycirclehewasinHisjoikingalonewouldacilitateandinspirepoweruljourneysintothenon-ordinaryrealms.Butinaddi-tionhealsotaughtthedeeppowerogroupsilence.Intheearly1990sAilostartedteachingtheSamitraditionintheUnitedStatesandinEuropetoulfllhisdreamokeepingalivethepowerulworkotheSamishamans.InthemonthsbeorehisdeathAilosharedthathewasnotreadytodieorheeltthathestillhadsomuchworktodohere.IbelievethatAilostillhasalotoworktodoandtosharewithus.AndIknowhewillcontinuetobeagreatteacherwhoguidesmanyandhelpstoconrontthemanychallengesoccurringintheworld.IwouldsaythatthespiritsagreedthatAilostillhasworktodohereandtheybroughthimtothetranscendentrealmswherehecouldcontinuethatwork.MayAilorestinpeaceknowinghowmanypeoplehetouchedonsomanylevels.MEMORIALTreeStaracallforreconciliation7thAnnualResidentialAnimistShamanicGatheringConferenceSquamishBritishColumbiaCanada4th8thMay2015TheTreeandStarGatheringistocallthecommunitytogetherintheimpossibleandimprobableloveinwhichwemaydreamsomethingmorebeautifulandwonderfulthanbefore.ToreachfortheDivinewemustfirstreachforeachother.ThisGatheringisoneofreconciliationalesseningareducingabridgingorfillingofthevoidbetweenonetoanotherbetweenhumansandtheEarthbetweenthemundaneandthespiritMorningMeditationsHealingCirclesShamanicSmythingSacredCeremoniesTeachingsShamansMarketPrePostconferenceeventsTeachersfromCanadaUSUKEuropeIncludingRobbieHolzKathleenMurrayGuyBarringtonEllaHopeDr.EveBruceJeffStocktonPeterBrownAnnieSpencerMichaelDunningChristianaHarleJohn-LukeEdwardsRosemaryOTooleRobMurphyLauriShainskyJaneStruverMoniqueWilsonKatNaslasForfulldetailsandinformationonthegatheringpreviousgatheringsandtoregisterPleaseviewhttpcircleofgreatmystery.orgconferencesbc-conferencestree-staroremailgeneralscgmssgmail.comWhoareweaswalkersofshamanicpathsintheworldoftoday..ifwecannotreconciletoourselvesandeachother www.shamansociety.org5Rememberintheyear2012wheneveryonethoughttheworldwaseitherendingorascendingtosometypeohigherhumanconsciousnessTeworldturnedwarsstillrageandmyrentstillneedstobepaid.TatsameyearauthorJonathanalatPhilipswroteablogorTeHufngtonPostcalledTeRiseotheNewSpiritualCounterculture.InitPhilipspinpointsacoterieohip-stersmadeupotheWholeFoodssustainabilitycrewYogaJournalafcionadosorNewAgehealersasarisingplanetaryawarenesswithradicallypracticalsolutionstoaddressglobalchallenges.PhilipsisassociatedwiththeEvolverSocialMove-mentamovementthatIhavebeeninvolvedwithmyselovertheyears.Teyhavepublishedmanyomyarticlesaswellasmye-bookabouterenceMcKennahimselaprophetothepsychedelicneo-shamanicspiritualcounterculturethatseemstobegrowingexponentiallyontheringesoordinarysociety.WhereasPhilipsdubsthismovementasacollectiveopioneersengagedinspiritualactivismIhaveovertheyearscometodisagree.Althoughmanygoodthingshavesprungoutothisculturalmemelikeenvironmentalactivismandpromotionosustainablepracticesthereisadangerinthespiritualcomponentattachedtoit...particularlythehypeandpopularpromotionoshamanictrancestatesandsha-manicplantmedicinesotherwiseknownaspsychedelicsasamodernpanacea.InterestinglyenoughIamastrongproponentotheseparticularspiritualtraditions.HoweverIbrowsethisnewspiritualcounterculturewhichclaimstopromotetheconceptsoshamanicpracticeandIseeagreatdistortionoinormation.HavesomepractitionersturnedtheshamanicwayolieintoaadItsfnethatitispopular.Tereistruthullyaneedorareconnectionwiththenaturalpowersotheworld.Butwhatisbeingoeredardiersromthephilosophyandpracticeoanauthenticshamaniclie-walk.akealookaroundatmuchowhatthenewspiritualcounterculturehastooermusicestivalsayahuascaretreatsandworkshopspromisingtohealyourwoundsexpandyourconsciousnessandraiseyourkundalini.Wecannotassumethatwearespurringarevivaloarchaictheosophythroughourtribaltattoosanddrumcircles.Yetthereisamoietyamonguswhobelievethemselvestobethenextevolutiononeo-shamanusingtechnologyandhippsychologytomovehumanitytowardsspiritualprogressoneseminaratatime.SowhereistheutilityinallthisTHEISSUEShamanismcomprisestwointrinsicelementsthatmakeitorlackoabetteranthropologicaltermshamanic.WhatmakesshamanismdierentthanotherspiritualpathsOneomyavoritedefnitionsoshamanismcomesromDr.RogerWalshromtheUniversityoCaliorniaShamanismcanbedefnedasaamilyotraditionswhosepractitionersocusonvoluntarilyenteringalteredstatesoconsciousnessinwhichtheyexperiencethemselvesortheirspiritsinteractingwithotherentitiesotenbytravelingtootherrealmsinordertoservetheircommunity.1IhavepareddownthisdefnitionintotwopartsinordertopinpointtheintegrityowhatshamanismreallyisCommunioninteractingwithotherentitiesHealinginordertoservetheircommunityCommunionconsistsohavingacommunicationbetweenSelandOthertheOtherbeingthepowersandentitiesthatexistinNature.Healingconsistsousingthiscommuniononbehaloothersbetteringthecommunityswayolie.Com-munionandhealingmustexistsimultaneouslyinorderorapersonsactiontobetermedshamanic.Teproblemishealinghasbecomeseparatedromcom-munion.Healinghasbecomesynonymouswithalternativepsychologyalternativepsychologyhasbeennarroweddowntotheuseopsychedelictrancestates.Workshopsandhealersareoeringtosendpeopleintothesestatesomindorhealing.Andthisistheproblem.Apsychedelictrancestatewithoutcommunionisanunpro-ductiveandincompleteexperience.THEEXPLANATIONWhenMichaelHarnerpublishedTeWayotheSha-manandestablishedtheFoundationorShamanicStudiesitspawnedaresurgenceoshamanicpracticewithinspirituallyalternativecommunitiesspeakingtothosewhowerethirstyorknowledgeoindigenoushealingandreligion.TebeneftoHarnersworkwasprovidingacommonterminologyorsha-manicmethodologiesparticularlythedierentiationbetweenordinaryandnon-ordinaryrealitystates.TisisimportantasperWalshsdefnitionbecauseinordertoserveotherswithhealingashamanmusttraveltoESSAYANAGONIZINGREAPPRAISALThoughtsontheNewSpiritualityByDanielMoler 6AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014otherrealmsromordinaryrealitytoanon-ordinaryreality.HarnerdesignatestheseasanOrdinaryStateoConscious-nessOSCandaShamanicStateoConsciousnessSSC.TeOSCisthehereandnowthisworldotheairwebreathetheoorwearestandingonthemembersoouramilyetc.TeSSCistheplaceshamansgotodotheirworktoimplementhealingTeSSCnotonlyinvolvesatranceoratranscendentstateoawarenessbutalsoalearnedawarenessoshamanicmethodsandassumptionswhileinsuchanalteredstate.2Havinglearnedawarenessisavitalkeytoventureintothesestatesoconsciousnesscarelesslycanleadtoanunsuccessulhealingendeavor.WehavetobecomeourownshamansproclaimsDanielPinchbeckco-ounderoEvolverWeneedthecouragetoconrontwhatliesbehindtheopendoorsoourownminds.3PinchbeckencouragesasocietyoreeexplorationintothepsychedelicSSCrealms.Whatisalarminginhisandothersneo-shamanicphilosophyisthelackoinormationorpromotionotheprimecurrencyotheSSCritual.RitualasexplainedbyoneotheoremostmysticsothetwentiethcenturyDionFortuneisatechnicalmethodinthepsychologyosuper-consciousness.4Itisacoordinatedwaythroughtheuseospecializedsymbolsandgestureinwhichoneisabletocommuneandinteractwiththenaturalpowersotheworld.RitualestablishesarhythmoparticipationbetweenSelandOthersothatrelationshipcanensue.PeruviancuranderodonOscarMiro-QuesadaexplainsthisnaturalsystemotheUniverseclearly.Ritualactionbegetsrelationshipandthisrightactionhealseventhedeepestwounds.5Inthisworldwhereonecanattendaclassonhowtohealyourtraumathroughexpandingyourconsciousnessitiseasilyorgottenthathealingdoesnotworkinasilo.Healingisapartoandinactdependentuponritualizedcommunionwiththenaturalworld.TePeruvianshamanicpeoplescallthisaynisacredre-lationship.Ineveryundertakingitistheseminaloperativeprincipleobehaviorandobeingwhichoperateswithinamoralandpersonalcodeoconduct.6oengageinahealingenterpriseandnothonorthissacredcommunionwiththenaturalorderishubris.Disintegra-tionothemindaccordingtoesotericscholarW.E.Butlerresultsromthehabitualuncontrolledevocationothesubconscious.7Teproblemistherearemanysel-describedshamanichealersoutthereoeringservicebuthavelittletonoknowledgeothesacredreciprocityrequiredincommunion.RitualbeingtheprimecurrencyotheShamanicStateoConsciousnessguidestheexperi-enceoneencounterswhenengaginginhealingworkinnon-ordinaryreality.AsDagaramedicinemanMalidomaSomesaysritualisakindolanguagethatisinterpretedbythesupernaturalworldasacalltointerveneinastabilizingwayinaparticularlie.8BeingalanguageitprovidesaninteraceoexperiencebetweentheSelandthenaturalpowersoUnseenRealms.Itallowscontextorasituationthewakingconsciousnessothemindisnormallyunabletoprocessandaccountor.Asthisrameworkisbuiltupandnurturedarapportisgainedbetweentheoneenactingtheritualandtheorceswhicharebeingharnessed.Withrapportcomesrelationshipthuscommunionlikeanyrelationshiptrustisearnedonbothsides.Ritualascom-munionensurespurposeandoutcomethusacilitatessuccess.THEWORKChippewamedicinemanSunBearsaysOtenpeoplewhocometoworkshopslookingorpowerareactuallysouvenircollectors.TeysayWellthisweekImgoingtoseeSunBearnextweekImgoingtoseeGuruChiChi.Teygetnothingromanyworkshopbecausetheydontknowhowtodiscrim-inateandfndtheirownpath.9Weliveinacultureascinatedwiththeprospectoinstantenlightenment.Tenewspiritualcountercultureisamarketplacewheresel-proclaimedhealersandmediumspromisetohelpyoureleasepainovercomeobstaclesandmaniestthelieoyourdreams.Somepreachthatallyouhavetodoisthinkpositiveandyouwillgetyourseloutoliessham.Inactsomeothelatestdevelopmentscomingoutontothespiri-tuallyalternativesceneisthatyoudonthavetodoanythingtobetteryourselatallotherthanattendthisseminar...youareperectlyfnejustasyouare.WesternersDionFortunesaysotencomeseekinginitiationatastageospiritualdevelopmentwhichanEasternguruwouldconsiderexceedinglyimmature.10EventhoughwemaybeabletowatchanymoviewewantonourphoneswhichcanftinourpocketswearegettingaheadoourselveswhenitcomestoknowingtheGreatMysteryotheUniverse.Agreeingwithaphilosophythatyouvereadonaseriesointernetmemesdoesntmakeyouspiritual.Healingaccordingtotheshamanicdefnitionhappensthroughcommu-nionaninteractionoreciprocalrespectwiththenaturalpowersotheUniverse.Tisisaspiritualeortnotaadorculturalmeme.Spiritualityisnotawork-shopseries.Itisnotaclassoraretreattoaar-oland.Itisdefnitelynotapill.Spiritualityisawayolie.Likemarriageparentingoranyotherrelationship.Teserelationshipsareacommunionthatwedonotgetawaywithignoringorslackingo.Teserelationshipsareaconsistentdailyhourlymeditationonsel-improvementandhumility.Andthatiswhatcommu-nionintheshamanicsenseis.WhetherweconsidertheOthertobeGodtheDivineNatureoreventherelationshipsaroundyouaspirituallieisacontinualcommunionbetweenSelandOtherwhichneedstobenurtureddevelopedimprovedandtendedtoalways.TisrelationshipiswhatWesternmysticshavecalledTeGreatWork.Itisatwenty-ourhoursadaysevendaysaweekbusinessasitisortheEasternguru.11TeydontcallitTeGreatRe-treatorTeGreatRelie...itiscalledTeWorkanditindeedtakesgreatworktohaveanauthenticcommunionwithintegrity.AgainDionFortuneexplainsthepersonwhotriestodispenseotheceremonialritualcommunioniswork-ingatagreatdisadvantage.DevelopmentbymeditationaloneisaslowprocessintheWestbecausethemind-stuuponwhichithastoworkandthementalatmosphereinwhichtheworkhastobedoneareveryresistant.12Itisawonderulthingtobecalledtotheserviceohealing.Terearemanygreatheartsouttherestrivingtosupport www.shamansociety.org7othersinthisEarth-walk.Butletsnotorgetthathealingisaprocessthatcannotbeisolatedromtheritualswhichacili-tatecommunionwiththenaturalworld.Inthisworldwhereanti-religioussentimentishighwithpopularmindssuchassciencegurusBillNyeandNeildeGrasseTysonletsnotbetooaraidobeingsoeagertoridourselvesothereligiousaspectospirituality.Religionhasbeencorruptedbymanyoverthecen-turies.Howevertruereligionisnothingmorethanaligningtheprinciplesotheheartwithrightactiononthematerialplane.Dontbearaidtopray.Dontbearaidtogiveoerings.Adailypracticeisjustapracticenotadogma.Whileperusingthespiritualmarketplaceomethodsandideasweneedtobesuretoacknowledgetheintegrationohealingandcommuniontoprovideaneectivecontextortheauthenticexperienceoourownindividualspiritualwalk.AsdonOscarreafrmsInallshamanicculturesgraceulritualshelpustorememberourplaceinthesacredhoopolie.13FOOTNOTES1WalshRoger.TheWorldofShamanismNewViewsofanAncientTraditionWoodburyMinnesotaLlewellynPublications200715-16.2HarnerMichael.TheWayoftheShamanNewYorkHarperCollinsPublishers199021.3PinchbeckDaniel.BreakingOpentheHeadAPsychedelicJourneyintotheHeartofContemporaryShamanismNewYorkBroadwayBooks2002297.4FortuneDionGarethKnight.AnIntroductiontoRitualMagicLoughboroughLeicestershireThothPublications200648.5Glass-CoinPh.D.BonniedonOscarMiro-Quesada.LessonsinCouragePeruvianShamanicWisdomforEverydayLifeFaberVirginiaRainbowRidgeBooks201362.6WilcoxJoanParisi.MastersoftheLivingEnergyTheMysticalWorldoftheQeroofPeruRochesterVermontInnerTraditions200426-27.7ButlerW.E.MagicItsRitualPowerandPurposeLoughboroughLeicestershireThothPublications200146.8SomeMalidomaPatrice.RitualPowerHealingandCommunityPortlandOregonSwanRavenCompany199350.9SunBearCrysalisMulliganPeterNuerWabun.WalkinBalanceThePathtoHealthyHappyHarmoniousLivingNewYorkPrenticeHallPress198937.10FortuneDion.TheMysticalQabalahYorkBeachMinnesotaWeiserBooks20009.11KnightGareth.APracticalGuidetoQabalisticSymbolismBostonMassachusettsWeiserBooks200117.12FortuneMysticalQabalah11.13Glass-CoinLessonsinCourage15.ABOUTTHEAUTHORDanielMolerisawriterartisteducatorandshamanicpractitioner.HehaspublishedfctionandnonfctionworksaroundtheworldinmagazinesjournalsgamingmodulesandonlineaswellastheauthorotwobooksREDMassandMachineElves101.DanielisaTHOTH-endorsedteacherothePachakutiMesaTraditionaormoPeruvianshamanism.YoucanreadotherworksbyDanielatwww.danielmoler.com.Celebrating20YearsofserviCeinthebaYareaandbeYondIndigenousLifewaysProgram-PathoftheHumanBeingWayoftheAwakenedWarriorTraditionalNativeHealingandCeremoniesRitesofPassagePlantMedicineCounselingBodyworkInstructioninTaiChiChuanNativeDrumFluteDidgeridooPhillipScottFounderDirectorisofmixedAncestryincludingOklahomaTsalagiandaCeremonialLeaderintheLakotaTradition.HehaswalkedtheNativePathforover30yearslearningfromMedicineHolyPeopleTribalSpiritualLeadersEldersandShamansfromvariouscultures.PhillipAncestralVoice.orgwww.AncestralVoice.org415897-7991 8AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014SHAMANICPRACTICETereissomethinggoodabouttheoutsideofahorsethatisgoodfortheinsideofman.WinstonChurchillIhavealwayslovedbeingaroundhorsestheireeltheirverypresenceandmostespeciallytheiruniquesmell.WhenIburymynoseintoahorsesneckandsmellthatpungentsmelliteedsapartomethatnothingelsecan.SoitsnowonderthatwhenIfrststartinglearninghowtojourneythatIwasdrawntowardshelp-inghorseshealtheirwoundsandregaintheirpower.Whatisthedierencebe-tweenworkingwithahumanasopposedtoahorseinashamaniccontextAsIsatandpondereditdidnttaketoolongtoseethattheanswerwasprettyglaringlyobviousverylittleianyinmyexperience.Ahorsesphysicalandemotionalneedsorsurvivalareinessencethesameasoursoodshelterloveandsecurity.Althoughthepackagingmaybedierentintheequineworlditiswhentheseneedsareunmetthatproblemsmayarise.Aswithpeopleitisnotsomuchtheeventthatleavesitsmarkmoretheemotionsandeelingsthatareletasaresultotheexperience.Inshorthorsesexperiencelossgrieangerresentmentsadnessdepressionhappinessunexpectationhopeaithjoyandlovejustaswedo.TerewasonesmalldierencethatIcouldsurmisebetweenworkingwithhorsesandworkingwithpeople.Sometimesthehumanegowillputupresistancethatyourarelyfndwithhorses.HavingsaidthattherewasonecaseIhadwhenwork-ingwithahorsecalledDerrywherehisearowalkingthroughthedoortoreceivethehealingwasnotdissimilartoahumansearochange.Hehadadevastatingexperienceinbattle.Hewashoweverpersuadedbyspiritandembracedthehealingoered.DerrywastheexceptionratherthanthenormasIfndmosthorsesverykeenandopentoreceivethehealingandwelcomeanyreturningsoulpartswhole-heartedly.Teexperiencesandlearningthatliethrowsuporthesefnesentientbeingscancreatesimilartraumaandassociatedwoundsastheywouldorpeople.Soullossisntnecessarilycausedjustbywhatweashumanswouldconsidertraumaticallinginbattleetc.butalsoatregulareventsinadomesticsettingsuchaswean-ingandbeingtakentothestalliontomate.Inthewildamarewillweantheoalherselbypush-inghimherawaywiththetworemaininginclearviewoeachother.Teoalremainsintheherdsurroundedbyitsamilyuntiliteitherbecomesamareitselorispushedoutasayoungstallionbythedominantstallion.Commonlyintodaysdomesticsituationtheoalisotentakenawayabruptlywithnogradualseparationleavingthemareberetandthebewilderedoalotenshippedotostrangesurroundingsamongstastrangeherd.akingamaretoastallionthatsheisunamiliarwithandisorcedtostandorcanleaveeelingsoangerandresentment.AswithhumansthereisnohardandastruleastowhicheventsinitiatepowerlosseachhorseisuniqueastohowithandleswhatlierevealsTeveryfrsttimethatIrattledorahorseinmycarespiritshowedmethatthesoullosswasduetothehorseasayoungoalgettingcaughtunderaence.Temoststrikingchangeinthisparticularcasewasthatthehorsescoatcolorliterallychangedromamuddybrowntoabrightred.WhentheownercamealongaewdayslaterandexcitedlysaidWhathaveyoudonetohimCarlyIknewthenthatitwasntalwaysnecessarytobephysicallystandingrightnexttothehorsetoinitiatehealing.SincethatrevelationIhavebeenabletohelphorsesanddogsbyconnectingwiththemthroughapictureandtakingthemtomyspirithelpersorhelp.TishascreatedsomeinterestingjourneysandonmorethanoneoccasionIhavebeentakentoacaveohorsesoul-partswaitingtobereclaimed.Iamalwaysleteelinghumbledandhonoredbytheseexperiences.oHorseDoctorCarlyHillierCarlyHillier www.shamansociety.org9CarlyHilliertouchasoulthemostintimatepartoanybeingtobetrustedatthislevelisjustsuchanhonorandIeelsoluckyandblessedtobeabletohelpinthismanner.InmyworkIhaveoundthatpastlieexperiencesaswellascurrentlieexperiencescanwoundthesoulbringingtheemo-tionsintothislietoberesolved.Anownerapproachedmewithageldingthathadseparationanxiety.Whilstitisnotusualoranyhorsetobehappywhenseparatedromtheherdtheownereltthatthisparticularguyneededsoulhelp.AterconsultingwithspiritIgotthegoaheadandtookLegendonajourney.Ittranspiredthathissoulrequiredhealingoamemorythatincludedhimasaperormingmareinacircusrememberingheroalbeingedtothelionsbyheroalskeepers.IliveinIrelandwherethemainstreamapproachtoequinesisprettytraditional.AhorseissickCallthevet.Diagnoseandthenputthehorsethroughaairlystiregimeopharmaceuti-caldrugs.ChiropracticandotheralternativeswhilstbecomingmoreknownarestillrelativelyrareandwiththerecessionhittingIrelandprettyhardtherearenotundstodeviateromthenorm.Alsothecurrentmainstreamreligiondoesntacknowledgetheexistenceosoulswithinanimals.RealizingthatinthisverytraditionalmarketIwasnotgoingtobeabletoreachmanyhorsesthroughtheshamanicapproachIthenlookedoramoremainstreamsciencebasedapproachthatthemarketwouldbeabletorelatetoarontmaniyoulike.FlippingthroughahorsemagazineIwasdrawntoanarticleonherbsanduponspyingthewordZoopharmacognosyIcouldnttakemyeyesoit.TewordjumpedoutatmeandgrabbedmeandIjustsimplyhadtofndoutmore.AsaresultItrainedwiththeIngrahamAcademyintheUKandqualifedin2011.Zoopharmacognosyroughlytranslatedasanimaldrugknowingisaconceptthatisasoldaslieitseltheabilityoananimaltosel-selecttheplantsneededtorestorehealthroutinelypracticedbynon-domesticatedanimalsandbirdsonadailybasis.Tisapproachallowsthehorsetosel-selectandsel-dosewithessentialoilsmaceratedherbsandplantextractsthatarese-lectedortheirsecondarymedicinalcompounds.Plantsproducethesethemselvesaspartotheirowndeensesystemandbecomeconcentratedwhenextractedthroughdistillationandmacera-tion.Tisapproachappealstomeasiteectivelygivesthepowerbacktotheanimaltochoosetheremedyandthedosage.Ital-lowstheanimaltogetbackintouchwithitsownabilitytosel-medicate.Andonceahorserealizesyouareworkingalongsideasopposedtoahierarchicalpositionmagichappens.Empoweringstu-justlikeshamanism.Tiscombinedapproachusingherbstogetherwithsha-manismhasmeantwecanworkromtheoutsideinandtheinsideout.Askingthespiritsotheplantsaswellasthespiritothehorseaddsanotherdimensiontothehealing.Aswithallshamanicworkintentionisimportantasisdroppingtheegoandexpectations.EasiersaidthandoneandsomethingIstillstrugglewithromtimetotime.ButmyhelpersinalltheirdierentgloriousormsarealwaystheretokeepmeontrackeveniIdogocrosscountryeverysootenHorseownersthatseekoutapersonwithashamanicconnec-tionwouldbethosethatwouldseekashamanthemselvesandwhilstthisnumberisgrowingitstillisairlysmall.Allomyworkcomesthroughwordomouth.Irelandisasmallcountryandyoucantgoanywhereinthehorseworldwithoutmeet-ingsomeonethatyouareconnectedtoinsomewayoranother.Managingexpectationscanbearealchallengewhenworkingwithhorsesthatareownedbypeoplethathavelittleornoconceptothewaysospirit.IamotenaskedCanyoumakemyhorseperormbetterWhatatrickyquestionthatoneis.IwanttosayYesbutwithacompletesetodisclaimersattheready.Yesitislikelythatasaresultoshamanicworkyourhorsewillimproveinaholisticsense.YesitispossiblethatyourhorsesperormancewillimprovebutwillitwintheGrandNationalnextweekPossiblybutdontputyourliesavingsonit.Andiyoudoanditdoesdrinksareonyou.Overcenturieshorseshaveservedusinsomanywaysortransportationinbattleascompanionsandevenasood.Teybringqualitiesohonestystrengthandhearttoourlives.Andnowitismyhonortoservethem.YesMr.ChurchillIconcedetheoutsideoahorseisgoodortheinsideomanasistheinsideoahorsegoodortheinsideothiswomanABOUTTHEAUTHORCarlyHillierborninEnglandmovedwithheramilytoHongKongattheageo12.Herinitialinterestinthehealingartswaswithengshuiandspaceclearingwhichlateropenedthedoortohomeopathykinesiologyreikiandothertherapeuticmethods.HavingalwayshadaconnectionwithhorsesCarlyboughtasmallarmintheWestoIrelandtobringupherchildrenandbreedhorseswhileearninganhonorsdiplomainEquineScienceatLimerickUniversity.Aterstartinghershamanictrainingin2005shethenbecamequalifedinEquineZoopharmacognosytocomplimenthershamanicwork.CurrentlyshelivesandworksatWhitethornEquineHealthintheNorthWestoIreland.www.whitethornequinehealth.com 10AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014ESSAYManyarecalledbutewwanttochoosemightbethemottooclassicalshamanismwhichinmanyculturesde-mandedarduouseortsbypractitioners-to-be.Tisiswhythecallwasotenresistedusuallywithoutsuccess.Terewaslittlemoneyinthepracticeyouwereoncall247yourpersonalliewasturnedupsidedownyouwereattackedbydarkorcesslimedevenandtenurewasoutothequestionsincethepowercouldleaveyouatanytime.IwouldntwishthislieonanyonesaidmyfrstteacherandnowIunderstandwhy.Butinmanytraditionsithecallwerereusedbadthingscouldensuesuchasinsanitydementiaweaknessterriblelucksicknessandevendeath.1Iyouacceptedthecallyouwerelikelynotallowedeventopracticethecratwithoutalongandarduousapprentice-shiplastinganywhereromsixmonthstotwoyearsandinsomeculturesevenlongerthreeyearsamongtheAsanteandseveralyearsamongtheMongoliansuntiltheninthlevelwasreached.Tetrainingwasacrashcourseinasceticismhighlydisciplinedausteritieswithasacredpurposeotenmeaningcoldnightsintheorestlittleornooodmemorizationohundredsolinesopowersongsandsoon.TowardsaNewNewAgeButdowehavetorepeatthepastIliketoputitthiswayMythreemostimpressiveteachersthosewiththemostjujurepeatedlyemphasizedtheimportanceoatleastonehourostrenuousphysicalexerciseeverydaynoexceptions.JustacoincidenceNotlikely.Accordingtotheclassicalviewtheabilitiesoshamansderiveatleastinpartromtheirarduoustrainingregimen.Butsomeotodaysshamanicpractitionersappeartohavelittleinterestinasceticismandormanyunderstandablereasons.Historicallytheshamanicrenewalthatstartedinthe1960swaspartoalargersuper-movementthatreactedagainstmilitarismandtheexcessesobureaucraticreligionespeciallypuritanicalsexualrepressionwhichinturnosteredaNewAgeaccordingtosomeasel-indulgentone.Asceticismhadlittleplace.Inactoverallmodernculturehasmoreandmoreavoredcomortoverexertion.PhilosophicallytheEnlightenmentthrewoutthespiritualitybabywiththereligiousbathwaterandwithitthrewouttheasceticpracticesthatinormedthatspirituality.Sel-denialhasseemedillogical.otheutilitar-iansandpragmatistsorexamplehowcansueringpossiblybringthegreatesthappinesstothegreatestnumberBiologi-callyasceticismappearstocontradicttheevolutionarysurvivaldrivestoeatdrinkandsleepinwarmshelters.Sociologicallysolitudehasbeensuspectashumansaresupposedtoactlikesocializedcreatures.Economicallyeverylabor-savingdeviceandprogramisseenasprogresswhilethecostsoasedentaryliestylehavebeenignored.Psychologicallyasceticismmightwellbeseenasmasochismorsel-loathing.Buttimesarechangingandwecandetectarenewedrespectortraditionalways.TeNewAgehasbecomeOldAge.Lethalsexuallytransmitteddiseasestheobesityepidemictheprovenvalueomeditationresearchfndingsonthehealthbeneftsovoluntarilyworkingorothersandthelikeareorc-ingareshlookatthehardlie.ShamanicBootCampOld-timebasictrainingorshamanapprenticeswasanordealtowhichtheyweresubjectedoracquiringpowerandwisdomtoservetheirpeople.2IntheJapaneseshugendotraditionorexamplethemostimportantpracticesaremoun-tainausterities.Teshugenjagouptothemountainspracticeausteritiesthencomebackdownwithparanormalabilitiespsiorhelpingtheirpeople.3TeBuryatshamanwillinglysuersinordertoreturntohistruesoul-selandhispurposeorliving.4Tatsthegistoitallsel-denialorthesakeoempoweredandenlightenedservice.OnecaneasilyfndaBigSevensetoausteritiesacrosstheworldandthemillennia.Fastingromoodalcoholandotheringestivepleasuresismostcommon.Tepracticeoinedieliterallynoteatingbutinsteadlivingorawearthenergyhasbeenassociatedwithparanormalabilitiesasseeninthemedi-evalEuropeanholyanorexicmysticsnotanorexianervosabutanorexiamirabilisormiraculousanorexia.5ExtremeShamanicAsceticismAncientPracticesforEnhancingtheCraftByDavidKowalewskiPh.D. www.shamansociety.org11heatandcoldsuchasstandingunderreezingwaterallsinthemountainsisrequentlyseen.Sotooissleepdepriva-tionandabstentionromsex.Medita-tionisalmostuniversalnamelydeephearteltprayerorthesingle-mindedocusonthepresentmomentstaskospiritualempowermentandenlighten-ment.Socialisolationusuallyinwilder-nessandespeciallyinharshenviron-mentslikedesertsandmountainsiswidespreadsuchasthesix-monthseclu-sionenduredbyCandombltraineesinBrazil.6raineesamongtheMenangka-bauonSumatragotoamountainandthoseamongtheAndamanIslandersgototherainorestbythemselvestoaskorvisionsospirits.Prolongedsittingincavesorsleepingonorneargravesiscommon.7DeepdarkcavesitsbyshamanswereinacttherstGanzeldexperiments.SomeSouthAmericanshamanswillnotprophesybeorespend-ingninedaysinsolitude.8Pilgrimagesonoottosacredsitesnallyareoundalmosteverywhereanddonotmerelyrepresenttheshamansjourneyromproanetospiritualbutinactactualizeit.Huicholapprenticesorexamplemustmakemanytrekstogatherpeyoteandvisitsacredplaces.Tesesevenpracticeswhileperhapsappearingastrivialoptionsinanumberoculturesareimportantrequirements.otheJapaneseshugenjaorexampleausteritiesarethemostimportantritu-als.9WhatsthePointButcantIjustgotoaworkshopSureyoucanorsoIusedtothinkbeoremyearlyteachersdisabusedmeothenotion.IwasstartingtothinkthatthespiritsregardedmeassospecialthatIdidntneedanyausterities.ButIeventuallyguredoutthatIwasmortalandneededtodotheworkiIwantedtobeallthatIcouldbeshamanicallyspeaking.HowsoFirstshamansthemselvesbenetspirituallyromausterities.Asceticismovercomesatendencytolazinesstheheavygravityoordinaryphysicalreality.Despitebeingarecover-ingCatholicIvecometoappreciatesomeotheteachingsthatthenunswhackedintomylittlehead.Oneinparticularisthespiritualdangeroslothacapitalsinnamelyonethatrotsoursoulsasterthanjustaboutany-thing.AsamartialartisttooIcametorealizethatthehardestpartotrainingwasovercomingslothhaulingmyinertbodyothecouchandintothedojotherestwasunandalmosteasy.Abstentionromoodanddrinkandsexandthelikethenwakensthebodytheepitomeoordinaryrealitytoaccessspiritnonordinaryreality.Wesurpasstheordinarybydiscipliningitother-wiseitwilllikelydisciplineus.Shamanscontrolordinaryrealitybynotlettingitcontrolthem.Astrongbodyinturncanhandlethehigh-voltageenergyotheotherside.Deprivationelicitsgratitudeornaturesgits.Returningtoordinaryreal-itysdeliciousoodinvigoratingwatercoolbreezeswarmsunandrereshingsleepreconnectstheshamantolie-giv-ingnatureatadeeperlevelthanbeore.Asceticismgetstherespectoourownspirit.Byovercomingourearsothedarkdehydrationstarvationhypo-andhyperthermiaandsocialabandonmentweenhanceoursel-esteemandrealisti-callyso.Austeritiesbuildsoulpower.ae-kwondopractitionerstraditionallystoodundericywaterallstobuildkitheuni-versalenergyorce.Asceticismpowersupthepractitioner.Itgivesstaminaenduranceorthelonghaulespeciallyorthedrytimeswhenthepathitselisquestioned.Sel-disciplinegivesocuspoweroverthemonkeymind.Teshamanicjourneyisdifcultespeciallyinthemoderneraoexponentiallyincreasingdistractions.Modernpeopleitalmostseemswelcomeinterruptionssotheycanmulti-taskandavoiddeepsoulsearching.Controloveronesattentionviasingle-mindedocusincontrastacilitatespowerultripstothearthestreachesotheotherside.Andasceticismenhancestherelationshipbetweenpractitionersandtheirhelpingspirits.Austeritieshumbleus.ByexposingtheweaknessandthedependenceotheshamanonSourcetheyoerauseulcorrectiontothemostdangerouspitallonthepathpridealsothegreatestothecapitalsins.Assuchtheyprovideimmunityagainstlossopower.Tespiritsseemtolikenothingbetterthanpullingthepowerplugonanarrogantshamanbutseemunlikelytodosoononehumbledbyasceticism.Austeritiesgettheattentionandrespectothespiritsshowingthemoursincerityaboutrelievingthesuferingsoothers.InsomeNativeAmericantraditionsvisionquestersandboundshamansinactintendakindospiritualblack-mail.TeideaisthisYouspiritsarecompassionateandnowyouseemesueringsonowyouhavetopitymeandhelpmypracticeInshortwevoluntarilysuerinordertogetthehelpothespiritsorthosewhoinvoluntarilysuer.Wewillinglysuersothepeoplewillnot.Tishappensbecauseweproveourcommitmenttothebusyhealingspiritswholetsaceitdonthavetopayattentiontousatall.Youhavetheamazingabilitytoalterthecourseofyourlife.AsashamanicpractitionerandpsychotherapistGeniewillhelpyouconnecttoyourheartyourinnerwisdomandyourpersonalpower.Bethepersonyouwereborntobe...powerfulpreciousbeautifulfreeahotheShamanicWayACCESSINGANSWERSWITHINGenieHobbslcswshamanicpractitionerpsychotherapistcoach720-940-3395genietheshamanicway.comhttpwww.theshamanicway.com 12AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014Austeritypreservesthetraditionsotheancientshamanswhoarenowpotentialhelpingspirits.Surevoluntarysueringisnoteveryonesideaoun.Butthereisalotopowerinthehistoricalenergygroovesdugbythousandsogenerationsoshamans.Ihavetothinkthatthevisitationswhichdeceasedshamanshavemadetomyselandotherpractitionersindreamsapparitionsandthelikehavemuchtodowithhavinghonoredthetraditionalwaythatworkedormillen-nia.Ocoursetheoldwayisnotalwaysthebestway.Butiyouknowabetterwaythantheonethathasproducedastoundingmiraclesormillenniapleaseletmeknow.Finallyasceticismenhancestheprac-titionerspowertoheal.Sel-disciplineenhancesmasteryordealingwithdicultclients.Studiesshowthatimpulsecontrolpredictslieachieve-ment.Asceticismenablestheshamantorespondratherthanreacttostaycool.WhenIseemyclientscaringmoreabouttheiriPhonesthantheirsoulsIrealizethattheunderstandingandpatienceImabletomusterowesalottopastausteri-ties.Tisisnotsurprising.Intheirjour-neystothespiritworldshamansmeetobstaclesthatbeareveryresemblancetotheirinitiatoryordeals.10Successullywithstandingausteritiesen-genderssel-confdencewhichasweknowincreasestheconfdenceopatientsinthehealer.Asaresulttheshamanengagesthepowerulplaceboeect.Shamanswhohaveovercometheirownweaknessescanbesthelpclientsovercometheirs.Austerityshowsauthenticity.WhenpeopleseeshamanswalkingtheirtalklivingahealthyliestylethentheyknowthatthehealeristakingseriouslytheadagePhysicianhealthysel.Clientconfdenceinthehealeragainenhancestheplaceboeect.Asceticismbuildspsiorservingthepeople.Teshugenjaasceticorexamplegoesintothemountainstoengagethespiritworldortheexpressedpurposeosharinginitsparanormalpowersthencomesbacktousethemorperormingmiraclesonbehalotheirpeople.Medi-tationtooiswellknownorunleashingpsisuchastelepathywhichisinvalu-ableorcommunicatingwithspiritstheshamanstaskparexcellence.11InIndiaasceticismisseenascreatinginnerheatwhichallowstheshamantoabrogatephysicallaws.12Ocoursepsimaycomespontaneouslytosomebutormostousortuneavorsthepreparedpsyche.Asceticismincreasessel-assuranceaboutmiracle-working.Successulausterepracticeconvincestheshamanthatlimitsarelargelysel-imposed.DuringmyfrstvisionquestwhenIwasabletothinkoonlyonethingagrandslambreakastIkeptsayingtomyselIcanttakeanotherhourothis.WellIcouldanddid.Tehungerlimitwasinmyheadmakingmewonderlateritherewereanylimitsatallasquantumphysicistsseemtobewonderingthemselves.MiraclesarenotonlypossibleIstartedthinkingmaybetheyshouldbeexpected.Austerityseemsalmostnecessaryorhealingdark-sidemaladies.Insometraditionsshamansdonotevenconsiderperorminganexorcismuntiltheyvespentdaysaloneinthewildernessastingandpraying.Likewiseinsomesha-manicculturesitisalmostaxiomaticthatshamansnotonlybecomesoul-magnetsorbutwillpersonallybevisitedbythedarksidethediabolicaltempta-tionsoJesusinthedesertareacaseinpoint.Shamansaresaidtobeullolightwhichinturnattractsthedarksideorattacksorhealings.Tebrighterthelightsaidoneomyteachersthelongertheshadow.Assuchtheshamanneedstobeulloawarenessandpowersincemalevolentspiritsareinactspiritualgangstaspreyingontheweakaweakshamancangetjumpedbyapossess-ingspiritunlessflledwithpower.Notsurprisinglythenoneomostimportantservicesotheshugenjatotheirpeopleisexorcism.Voluntarysueringengenderscompas-sionorthesueringoothers.Byknowingsueringwellinourownbodieswecanliterallywalkintheirmoccasinsandeeltheirpainandsoenhanceourservice.Asceticismtoughensusorhealingser-viceinthecomingglobalcrisis.Someoneaskedmerecentlyitheearthisreallyheadedoveracli.IsaidWhenallthescientistsandalltheshamansintheworldstartsayingexactlythesamethingsaboutexactlythesamethingatexactlythesametimeormeitsahugewake-upcall.Tecollectivedreadweareeelingisreal.Shamanswillbeolittleusetothesueringotheirpeopleitheyarewhiningabouttheirown.Inawordtheshamanicasceticgivesupthingsbutonlyalittletogainalotwhichisjustgoodspiritualeconomy.Dues-PayingMembersoftheCraftTemodernworldthenhasbeenunkindtoasceticismleadingtoaneglectoopportunitiesoratrulyawesomeshamanicpractice.Ocourseithegodswantustobecomeamazingshamanswithoutausteritiesblessinguswiththeirmiraculousinterventionswhilewesitinthecomortoourwarmshelterswemayluckout.Someortunatesoulsgetshamanicabilitiesthroughgracenotgrit.ButIvediscoveredthatshamanicpracticeisnormallyatripodpartnershiposhamanspiritsandclientcommu-nitythatyieldsbestresultswheneachlegEmaciatedSiddharthaPhotoAkuppa www.shamansociety.org13istotallycommittedtoexpendingmaximumenergyduringtheworkoragreatergood.SoaskyourselCouldShakyamunihavebecometheBud-dhawithoutthoseaustereyearsCouldJesushavebecometheChristwithoutthosetemptationsinthedesertCouldMoham-medhavebecometheProphetwithoutthattimeinthemoun-taincavesEveryoneothegreatteachersitseemshadtopaytheirasceticdues.WhiletheremaybeareelunchImhedgingmybetsbyworkingormine.InhisclassicShamanismMirceaEliaderepeatedlysaidthattheshamansooldwerearmorepowerulthanthedecadentonesohisday.13WasasceticismthediferenceTryitthendecide.Endnotes1EliadeM.Shamanism.PrincetonNJPrincetonUniversityPress19921964.2Ibid.p.131.3MiyakiH.ShugendoEssaysontheStructureofJapaneseFolkReligion.AnnArborMICenterorJapaneseStudiesUniversityoMichigan2001.4TurnerK.WhenShamansClimbTreesII.ShamanismAnnual262-92013p.7.5RadinD.SupernormalScienceYogaandtheEvidenceforExtraordinaryPsychicAbilities.NewYorkNYDeepakChopraBooks2013.6GieslerP.Dierentialmicro-PKeectsamongAro-BrazilianCultists.JournalofParapsychology49December1985pp329-366.7HarnerM.CaveandCosmos.BerkeleyCANorthAtlantic2013.8Eliadeop.cit.9Miyakiop.cit.p.78.10Eliadeop.cit.p.29.11Radinop.cit.12Eliadeop.cit.13Ibid.ABOUTTHEAUTHORDavidKowalewskiPh.D.twiceaFulbrightscholarandtwiceaNationalEndowmentfortheHumanitiesgranteeisProfessorEmeritusofAlfredUniversitywherehehastaughtcoursesinpsychologyphilosophydeepecologyandvisionquesting.HisworksonshamanismandrelatedtopicshaveappearedinJournalortheScientifcStudyoReligionJournaloTranspersonalPsychologyJournaloShamanicPracticeReviewoReligiousResearchJournalorSpiritualandConsciousnessStudiesandelsewhere.HeisagraduateoftheFoundationforShamanicStudiesThree-YearPrograminAdvancedShamanicInitiation. 14AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014SHAMANICPRACTICEStupid____ingwhitemanTislineutteredre-quentlybythecharacterNobodyplayedbyCayugaactorGaryFarmeranddirectedatthenaveEuroamericanClevelander-turned-SouthwesternerWilliamBlakeJohnnyDeppinthemovieDeadManunctionsasacueorviewerstoidentiywiththeindigenousperspectiveoNobodythatpermeatesmuchothelmshumorousatmosphere.Inasimilarwaymixed-raceLagunawriterPaulaGunnAllenelicitsreadersympathywhenshearguesinherbookOftheReservationthatsomeAnglo--AmericansperceivetheSouthwest...asamajorloiteringplaceorspiritualtrekkerseaturing...clidwellingsinexoticlocaleswhereUFOsNativegodsandspiritsstillsingandweepamongthemagnicentruinsoChacoMesaVerdeBandelierandCanyondeChelly228-29.Asitturnsoutaterseveralyearsworkingasanacademic-activistornativecausesandconceptsduringwhichtimeIhavechallengedandcontinuetotheappropriationoculturalritu-alsandartiactsInowndmyselevokingandotherwisecom-muningwithUFOsNativegodsandspiritsastheystillsingamongthemagnicentruinsoChacoMesaVerdeBandelierandCanyondeChelly.SobeoreelaboratingonthedetailsconcerningpopularizednotionsaboutKachinasandthenmyownrevelationsinexoticlocalessuchasChacoCanyonandAthensOhioIshouldrstaddressthequestionthatimmedi-atelycametomymindwhenIwascontactedbyKachinasHowcanIpresentthismaterialtothepublicwithoutappearingtobeparticipatinginve-hundredyearsogenocideandcolonialerasureoNorthAmericanindigenousculturesGiventhatKachinaisaHopiwordhowmightIavoidtheimpressionthatIamstealingsomethingromtheHopiandotherPuebloculturesandplayingIndianwhenIreportonmyowninterac-tionswithbeingsidentiyingthemselvestomeasKachinasAndasitturnsouttheKachinaswhohavecontactedmehaveindeedhadmuchtosayregardingtheseissuesandcon-cerns.Inacttheirprimarymessagetomeisthatthetimehascomeorhumanityatlargetorecognizeitsafliationwithallnaturalandextra-naturalspiritsothisplanetandbeyond.Inacthumansurvivaldependsonjustsucharecognitionoourplaceintheecosphereandthelargercosmos.TeKachinasIwillwritetheKachinasthroughoutthisworkinreerencetothespecicgroupoKachinaspiritswhohaveaddressedmewhileIrecognizethatgenerallythetermreerstoamuchwiderrangeospiritentitiestheKachinasinsistthattheiroriginalintentionwastocometoworkwithhumanityingeneralandthattheyhaveappearedtomanydierentpeoplesandhavegonebymanydierentnamesthroughouttheexistenceothehumanexperimentonthisplanetoverthecourseothepastourworldsorerasoevolutionarydevelopment.AndnowasweenterthetransitionintotheFithWorldtobeexplainedmoreullybelowweasaspeciesmustsimultaneouslyrecog-nizeourkinshipwithallbeingsincludingallhumans.TeirmissiontheKachinassayisecumenicalanduniversal.Terecognitionthatallhumanityisonedoesnotinanywayerasetheactthatthecolonialpracticesodominationandextinctioncontinuetothisday.Andsuchpracticesstillneedtobeidentiedandrecognizedaswetravelalongsuchempire-buildingroutesastheLewisandClarkrailinourcommunionwiththespiritsothiscontinentandbeyond.TatIhavesucheasyaccesstoancientsitessuchasChacoCanyonandMesaVerdeisduetotheactthatthesesacredsitesarenowunderthecontrolotheverygovernmentthathasledtheprocessesonativegenocideorseveralcenturiesnow.ButinthesamegestureImustacknowledgethatentitiessuchasKachinascameandcontinuetocometoworkwithallhumansnotjustcertaingroupsohumans.Tespiritsthemselvesdonotdiscriminateaccordingtohumansocialcategories.ForwhattheKachinasaretalkingaboutistheunicationoplanetaryconsciousnessandintentionastheprimarytaskinthisperiodotransition.Tisconsciousnessmustincluderespectorindividualdierencesaswellasuniversalties.SotheshortandstraightansweristhatIoronehavenointerestinplayingIndian.NordoIhaveanyinterestinplayingCeltdespitemybiologicalandculturalIrish-AmericanancestryandmyresonancewiththespiritsmostotenassociatedwiththeIrishlandscapeahtheHilloaraalthoughIdondmyselresonatingwithcertainthemesdevelopedbyearth-spirit-centeredculturessuchasAmericanIndiansCeltsSamiandmore.WhenseenromthedistanceothestarssuchculturalKachinaVisionsandtheExpansionofCulturalIdentityByGabrielHartley www.shamansociety.org15dierencesamonghumansonthisplanetshrinkinsignifcance.Whenseenromtheperspectiveointer-speciesandinter-entitycommunitywhereinhumansinteractwithelvesandwaterspiritsandArcturansandKachinastheconventionaldistinctionsamonghumansrecederomtheorerontalthoughtheydonottherebydisappearintermsohumanpracticeandconscious-ness.Ihavebeencapableoosteringmyowncosmicplanetaryawarenesswithouthavingtoappropriateanyoneelsescultureorpractices.IntheendasdeensiveasitsoundsitistheKachinaswhocametomeandnotthereverse.Andwhilemyfrstcon-sciousinteractionwithKachinasoccurredatChacoCanyonorwhateversymbolicreasonstheycontinueonadailybasishereatmyhomeinOhioanotherancientsacredspiritlandscape.InthewordsotheKachinasatermyKachinaChristVisiondescribedbelowjustasChristexceedsChristianitytheKachinaexceedsindigenousexpressionsoit.TeactthatIollownospecifcculturaltraditionatallbutratherworkairlyidiosyncraticallyunderthesupervisionospiritguidesraisesthequestionnotwhetherIamtoocloselyalignedtoanotherculturestraditionsbutratherwhetherIamalignedwithanyrecognizabletraditionatall.CansuchaspontaneousarisingopracticeevenbecalledshamanicWhereaterallaremyeldersUnderwhosetutelagewasIinitiatedHowmightmymeditativeandspirit-channelingpracticesbeconceivedincon-ventionalcontemporaryortraditionalshamanictermsButiwedefneshamanicpracticegenerallyasthevisionarytravelingtotheImaginalRealmorUnderworldwhichormemostotenappearsasaglowingethericdoubleoourusualthree-dimen-sionalworldtoengagewithspiritentitieswhomightprovidethetravelerwithwisdomandmedicinetocarrybacktohisorhercommunitythenmyexperiencesothepastyearsareindeedshamanicdespitetheirhavingoccurredaccordingtospontane-ousratherthanculturalimpulses.InmyKachinaChristVisionbeloworexampleIwasledbyspiritguidesthoseKachinasonajourneyoinitiationthroughtheportaloChristswoundstoadimensionbeyondordinaryexperienceandunderstandingwhereIwasgivencertaintruthsthatIdespitemynotbeingaChristianinanyrecognizablesensethenbroughtbacktosharewiththemultitudeohumansandotherentitieswithwhomIconstantlyengage.Tisessayitselispartothatquestaquestthatinvolvesexpandingourcategoriesounderstandingsothatwemightseethelargerimplicationsorweavings-togetheroourterminologywhetherthosetermsreertoentitiesorculturesorpractices.ConventionalDefnitionsoKachinasandRelatedTopicsFortheHopioArizonaaswellasmanyPuebloculturesoNewMexicotheKachinasarespiritrepresentativeswhoamongotherthingsserveasguidesorhumansastheyundergotheirevolutionarydramasodevelopmentasaspecieslearningthroughpracticalandvisionaryexperienceshowbesttoembracethehumanandextra-humanrelationshipsonthisplanet.TeKachinadancesinwhichmaskedceremonialdancersareinhab-itedbyparticularKachinasandKachinadollswhichreportedlyLESSONSinCOURAGELESSONSinCOURAGELESSONSinCOURAGENEWBOOKPeruvianShamanicWisdomforEverydayLifePeruvianShamanicWisdomforEverydayLifePeruvianShamanicWisdomforEverydayLifeRespectedKamasqaCuranderofromPeruAvailableatAmazon.comShamansMarket.comdonOscarMiro-QuesadadonOscarMiro-QuesadaWalkapathofancestralhealingwisdominthemodernworld.LearnthePachakutiMesaTraditionofcuranderismofromdonOscarssanctionedteachers.SHAMANICAPPRENTICESHIPwww.heartofhehealer.orgPMTheartofhehealer.org 16AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014serveaseducationaltoolstoaccustomchildrentotheparticularaspectsothespiritworldarethemostcommonpublicexpressionsohumanandKachinaexchanges.ManyothesespiritualexchangesinindigenousceremoniestakeplaceoutopublicandespeciallynonindigenousviewsothetruenatureotheKachinasisgenerallyenvelopedinanairomystery.AkeyparalleltothestoryoPlan-etaryEvolutionbeingoeredtomeisthePuebloanaccountoEmergence.AnextendedpopularaccountotheHopiunderstandingothevariousstagesoEmergenceisFrankWaterssBookoftheHopi.Whenhumanswereoriginallycre-atedintheFirstWorldtheyweregrantedapristinewisdombywhichtheyunder-stoodthattheearthwasalivingentitylikethemselves7.ButgraduallytherewerethosewhoorgotthecommandsoStuknangandtheSpiderWomantorespecttheirCreator.Moreandmoretheyusedthevibratorycenterssolelyorearthlypurposesorgettingthattheirpri-marypurposewastocarryouttheplanoCreation12andasaresultothisandothersignsovisionarydegenerationStuknangdecidedtodestroytheworldandcreateanewoneoncecertainchosenpeoplewereledundergroundtolivewiththeAntPeople15.TeEmergencestoryisalsoakeyelementoDinorNavajocosmology.AccordingtotheDincreationmythseeDinBahanewecurrentlyexistintheFithWorldatertheearthanditsinhabitantsaboveandbelowhadundergoneourpreviousmaniestations.AnimportantadditionalaspectotheDindescriptionocreationandthesubsequentstagesoEmergenceisthatitbeganwiththecreationotheHolyWindanotionIelaborateoninmyvisionaryexperiencesbelow.JamesKaleMcNeleyinHolyWindinNavajoPhi-losophyexplainsthatHolyWindgivesliethoughtspeechandthepoweromotiontoalllivingthingsandservesasthemeansocommunicationbetweenallelementsothelivingworld1.DefnitionsOeredtoMeTesignifcanceomyownKachinaexperiencesIhavecometolearninvolvestherecognitionthatKachinasaswithotherspiritentitiesareheretoguidehumansuniversallydespitetheactthattheyhavehistoricallyonlybeenrec-ognizedbycertainindigenouscultures.Iwishtostressherethatmyownexperi-encedidnotinvolveanydirectconnec-tiontoindigenousceremoniesandthatIknowonootherrecordsoexperiencesotheKachinasintheirChristaspectalthoughIassumethishasoccurredpreviouslyandthatIamsimplyignorantosuchstories.TeparticularKachinasIhavebeenintroducedtorepresentaparticularclassodevahybridswhoseparticulartaskonthisplanetistooverseetheevolutionothePlanetaryBeingintermsotherelationshipsbetweenhighlyconsciousbeingssuchashumansandtheirkinintheirenvironmenttoorchestrateentityenergiesintermsothePlanetaryEvolution.Tisinitselcoversavastareaoexistenceandactivity.ItisimportantorhumanstograspthattheirownroleonthisplanetisoneoaidinginthePlanetaryEvolution.Tisiswhythesoulswhohavetakenhumanormhaveagreedtobehereduringthisperiodthatinhu-mantermscoversvastaeonsotime.OneexistingculturetohavesomesenseothetemporalscopeinvolvedhereistheVedicculture.TetraditionalHopihaveasenseothisaswell.TeseKachinashaveplayedaroleinoverseeingthedevelopmentohumansinparticularastheymakeoneattemptateranothertoadaptthemselvespsychicallyandenergeticallytothetaskbeorethem.TisprocesshasbeenrecordedinHopimythologyorexampleintermsothevariousWorldsohumandevelopmenttheshitsromtheFirstWorldthroughtheFourthWorldandnowontotheFithWorld.FourKachinaEngagements1ChacoCanyonMyconsciousengagementwiththeseKachinaspiritsbeganonAugust252013whenmywieAnnaandIjourneyedtogetherinasecludedroomoPuebloBonitoatChacoCanyon.AsIenteredtheethericdimensionothesiteaspiritidentifedhimorherselasaKachinaandthenledmeonaantasticvisionaryjourneythroughthestructureandunctionsothekiva.Tevisionpri-marilyconcernedrelationshipsbetweeninnerandouterdimensionsandtheim-portanceothecircularkivastructuresinmaintainingthespiralowotheHolyWind.TeelementsothisvisionlaterbecamecrucialormyKachinaChristvisionatChimaydiscussedbelow.WhilevisuallyIexperiencedhalluci-natoryenergeticecstaticowspunctu-atedbyspokenmessagesconceptuallyIexperiencedtheollowingOneotheprimarylessonstaughttotheearlierinhabitantsoChacoinvolvedtheuniver-salsacredormulaorunderstandingtherelationshipsbetweeninterdimensionalrealmsAsAboveSoBelowAsWithinSoWithout.AswiththeancientGreeksandEgyptiansthepeopleswhoinhab-itedtheChacoregionwereinstructedintheseprincipleswhichcametoguidetheirwayolieanditsmaniestationsespeciallytheceremonialstructuresreerredtoaskivas.Tefrststructuralelementotheancientkivatoattendtoisitscircular-ity.TecircleprovidesortheoptimalowoHolyWindandConsciousnessseeMcNeley.TeSacredBreathonemaniestationotheHolyWindentersthecircularchamberthroughtheventthatopensbehindthestonedeector.TedeectordistributestheSacredBreathinclockwiseandcounter-clock-wisedirectionsthroughouttheroom.TisrepresentstheSacredBreathromtheHeavensasitdropsdownromaboveandprovidestheinhabitantsotheroomwithoxygenandothernecessitiesoliemostowhichremainunacknowledgedinwesternculturesconceptualizationsotheunctionobreathing.TefthchakraothehumanthenundergoesatransormativechargeromtheSkyBeingsthroughthiscirculationoHolyWind. www.shamansociety.org17TesipapualternativelyunctionsastheEarthlyDoorwaytheobverseotheHeavenlyDoorwayrepresentingtheEmergenceohumansandotherentitiesromtheUnderworlds.Tespiritcur-rentsrisingromthesipapuemanateacreativedisturbanceinthecirculationotheHolyWindexhaledbytheSkyBe-ings.InotherwordsacircularhorizontalchanneloWindsisdisturbedbytheverticalemergenceotheEarthSpiritsthroughthesipapu.TecirculationswithinthekivachamberthenengageanduniytheelementalorcesromAboveandBelowAsAboveSoBelow.ButthisormulaalsoappliestothemoreractalnatureotheserelationshipstotheextentthatthiscircularswirlingdisturbanceisreproducedthroughoutalldimensionsotheCosmos.Teskiesabovetheplanetexhibitsimilarprocessesospiralcircula-tionsoHolyWind.JustsuchaprocessalsooccursintheUnderworlds.TelessonalsoinvolvestheprincipleoAsWithinSoWithout.Tisnotionismaniestintheactthatthehumanheadisitselanotherkivachamber.Troughbreathingandotherphysicalandethericprocessesoexchangethehumanheadunctionsasakivachamberwithinwhichtheidenticalmagicalprocessestakeplaceasinthephysicalstoneanddirtstructures.EachhumancarriesinhisorherownphysicalbodyaSacredem-plethehead.Teheartalsoservesthispurposebutthispointwaselaboratedonintheuture.TismeansthateveryhumanheadservesasthechamberorengagingwithKachinaandotherspiritentities.TeHolyWindcirculateswithinthehumanheadjustasitdoeswithinthestonekivachamber.AtthispointthespiritshadactivatedmyvisionarypotentialswhatsomepeoplereertoasDMactivation.TestuccowallsthatconvergedinthecornerinwhichAnnasatbegantoswirlandtobreathe.Iwastoldthatthiswasnomerevisualillusion.Tewallsaroundustwowereinactmovinginandoutinbreathingmotions.TeentirecosmosparticipatesintheSacredBreathascanbeseeninvisionaryengagementwithanynaturalobjectsuchastreesstonesskiesandbodiesowater.Annasacewasalsoundergoingthesamekindovisualalterationsandhallucinatoryowocolorsshadowsandlightsandbreathingmotions.HeracelitupwiththeSacredLightalightthatgreweverbrighteraseachsecondpasseduntilherentirebodyemittedabrilliantyellow-whitelightwithaninnerbluishglowalightwithinalight.ShewasimmersedintheHolyWinditselenvelopedbytheSacredBreathotheCosmos.Ithenrecognizedjusthowconsciousshewasothisphenomenonherselasshelatercorroboratedverballywhenwesharedourvisionaryexperi-ences.Havingrecognizedthateachouswastravelingonparallelpathsduringthisvisionwebegantoningchant-ing.Iwaslatertoldthatthisinvolvedarecalibrationoourfthchakras.Wewerere-acquaintingourselveswithpast-lieexperiencesothemechanicsotheSacredBreathandthemaniestingcapacitiesotheSacredone.TisishowKokopellicametoenterintoourlessonastheconductorothesacredVibrationoSongManiestation.2KachinaChristVisionOntheollowingdayAugust26stillverymuchundertheinuenceothepreviousshamanicKachinaencounterIwasaskedtoparticipateinanothervisionaryandenergeticexperiencewiththemanexperiencethattheyreerredtoasmyKachinaChristVision.ItwastheyexplainedanimportantelaborationonthesevisionarylessonsomydayatChaco.TeSantuarioatChimayanearly-nineteenthcenturySpanishchapelisbuiltoverasacredhealingspringnestledingorgeouscanyonterrain.SoonaterarrivingthereIbegantosenseanover-whelminggriecomingoverme.IwasremindedotheextremesenseogrieIeltthedaybeoreatChacoCanyonagrieexpressingtheemotionalresidueosometragedypredatingtheSpanishinva-sion.InyearspastIhadeltgrieatChi-maybuthadalwaystakenthistobeinresponsetothedeathsomysonsDylanandJessetenyearsago.ButthistimethegrieatChimayeltveryanonymousunattachedtomeasiitwerepartotheAstralPlaneothesite.Tewholecomplexcontainsastoreounprocessedgriegoingbacktoearlyindigenoustime.Italsoexpressesthegrieothosewhoseprayersappeartohavegoneunanswered.AtervisitingtheamousHolyDirtShrineweenteredtheChapelromtherontdoor.TepilgrimswerechantingHailMarystheLordsPrayerandsongsinSpanishandEnglish.Stillmovedbythesitessorrow-eectAnnaandIsatinamovingemotionalswirlaswelistenedtothesingers.Ieltmyselgoingethe-ricasmyspiritguidescallitandthenSantuariodeChimay 18AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014realizedthattheKachinaswereaddressingmeagaintoelaborateonthelessonothedaybeoreatPuebloBonitoconcerningtheconsciousnessotheroleanddynamicsotheHolyWind.TeKachinasbegananewlessonatChimayexplainingthattheimagesoChristbehindthealtaralsounctionedasapicto-rialembodimentothisHolyWind.HowisthatIaskedandtheysaidLookathiswounds.AsIdidsoIbegantoseelongbeamsobrightlightshootingromeachoChristswoundsfrstromtheabdomenthentherighthandthenthelethandtheeettogetherandfnallytheringoheadwoundscausedbythecrownothorns.Isuddenlyeltmyselcapturedbyandsuckedintothelightstreamingromtherighthandwound.MyentireenergybodywasitsellitupandenergizedasIwasslowlydrawncloserandclosertothewoundopeningoutromtheeshothehand.IwasthensuddenlysuckedrightthroughthewoundandoutintoanotherdimensionontheothersideoChristshand.Ihadpassedthroughthewoundandintoanotherleveloexistence.Tisdimensionopenedoutontoalandscapeolightwithrichorange-yellowglowsastheatmosphericmedium.IthensawaspiralobrightwhitelightthesamelightthatIhadseenshootingromthewoundsasitwounditselaroundandaroundChristsbodywhichIsawasiIwerestandingjustslightlybehindhisrightarmacingthebackwarddirectionapointromwhichIcouldseeChristsribscurveroundtohisback.TelightspiralormedthesamespiralimagethathassocaughtmyattentioninIrelandandintheU.S.Southwesternin-digenoussacredsites.IcouldseethatinthisdimensionthelightcurvingromonehandwoundintotheotherormingaringolightaroundChristsbodyandmyownnowthatIwasstandingathissidewhereasinournormaleverydaydimensionthelightshootsoutinstraightlines.IwastoldthatthisspiralingenergywastheprimaryenergeticnatureotheKachinaChrist.ForaCelticramingothespiralenergiesseeMacEowen.AtthispointIbelieveIthensawtheraysolightthatwerestreamingromhisheadwoundsastheyormedraysothesolardiskthatisrepresentedinsomuchsacredartthehalocirclingChristsheadasanimageotheSonssunsbrilliance.Tisthenbecameathree-dimensionalsphereointertwiningrayswithChristsheadandmybodyencircledwithinthelightsphere.Wewerewrappeduptogetherbythespiralolight.Christthenbeganyingthroughtheskieswithmestillboundupinhislightrays.IeltthemostbeautiulintenselymovingwarmthshootingthroughmybodyandIrealizedthatintheeverydaydimensionwhereIwasstillsittingintheSantuarioChapelIwascryingtearsstreamingdownmyaceasIsatlook-ingattheChristimageinutterecstasy.LateraswedroppeddownromthemountainsintoRanchodeaoswedecidedtogoseetheamousSanFranciscodeAssMissionChurch.UnexpectedlyIoundmyselsweptawayinvisionaryervoryetagainasIsawtheretablosoChristandtheSaintsandAn-gels.MyKachinaChristvisionkickedbackingearasIwashear-ingarehearsalosomeothethemesromtheoriginalvisioninChimay.Inevercouldhaveimaginedhowsurprisedwewouldbethoughwhenweturnedaroundandstartedwalkingbackoutside.AswewalkedtowardsthemaindoorwesawaboveitamuralothestigmatizationoSt.Francis.ItturnedoutthathisvisionwasalmostidenticaltomineTerewastheyingChristwithbeamsshootingromhiswoundsbutinhiscasethebeamswerebroadcastingthebloodratherthanthespirallightoChrist.Eachbloodraypenetratedthehandseetetc.oSt.Francisasheelltohiskneesinawe.Ihadneverseenorheardothisim-agebeoreinmylieandnowinlessthanthreehoursIhadmyownvisioninChimayandthenitsstigmaticrepetitionhereinRanchodeaos.Istartedcryingonthespotthisbeingabouttheourthorfthtimeortheday.LaterthateveningtheKachinasreturnedtoexplainthatjustasinIrelandtheimageothespiralunctionsintheU.S.Southwestasapowerultalismanandlearningkeyorhumanconsciousnesscapturingonmanylevelsatoncethemultilay-eredandmultidimensionallevelsoexistence.IwejointheSpiralandtheSacredWindwethenhaveatoolorunravelingtheinfnitelayersoexistenceorcognitiveunderstandingandexperientialknowledge.IwastoldthatthetermKachinaasitiscurrentlyusedissimultaneouslyovergeneralizedinthatitcoversawiderangeoentitieswiththespecifcgroupthatfrstidenti-fedthemselvesasKachinalongagonowlumpedinwithallsortsospiritentitiesandyetnotgeneralizedenoughtoincludetherealitythatmanyothercultureshaveencounteredthisoriginalspecifcgroupbutinverydierentterms.Eachothosecultureshasitsownwayoimaginingandrepresentingwhatandwhothesespiritsareorthem.AndonekeyexampleothisistheKachinaChrist.TeprimarypointomyvisionaryexperienceinChimaywastherecognitionthatChristgoesarbeyondChristinwaysverysimilartothoseexaminedbyMatthewFoxinhisworkssuchasTeComingoftheCosmicChrist.InotherwordsthespiritualexperiencereerredtoasChristbymostChristiansandnon-ChristiansalikeisidenticalinpotentialtocertainKachinaexperiences.MyexperienceotheChristyesterdaywasotheChristinitsKachinaaspect.IhadbeenledbyspiritguidesonajourneyoinitiationthroughtheportaloChristswoundstothedimensionbeyondordinaryexperienceandunderstandingwhereIwasgivencertaintruthsconcerningtheuniversallypotentialexperienceothespiralenergiesotheSacredWindsandLightsenergiesthatinaractalwaymaniestthemselvesonmanylayersandinmanydimensionssimultaneously.Teyclarifedtheirearlierpointonthehumanheadasthethekivachamberbyaddingthatthroughthiskiva-headtheSacredWindsbringorththeexperiencecalledKachinatheexperiencecalledChristwhentheChristexperienceisullyunderstoodinitsdepthsbeyondChristianity.AsexpressedearlierChristexceedsChristian-itytheKachinaexceedsindigenousexpressionsoit.Teseculturally-specifcexperiencesweaveinandoutothemselvesandeachotherorminganintricatewebohumanandextra-humanrelationships.TisisthewholepointotheSacredWindKachinaexperiencetoengagetheinfniteWeboExistenceinitsuniversalimmediacy.LikesomeKachinastheChristBeinghasalwaysbeencon-ceivedasanagentoaeonicchangeasanavataroDivineBeing www.shamansociety.org19whoseroleistoprovidehumanswiththeincentivetoundergoanalpsychicandenergeticshitasthisAgecomestoaclose.InwesterntermsthischangeinvolvestheshitromthePisceantotheAquarianAgetheshitromthePisceanwaterbeingtotheAquarianwaterbearer.TisisanimportantsymbolicshitintermsopreparingtheconsciousnessothehumansotheFourthWorldtotakeontheirnewroleasthebearersothewomboexistence.TisinsistenceonreconceivingtheChristBeingintermsoitsKachinanatureservesmanypurposesrsttheChristBeingisaKachinainthissenseastheguideortheongoingevolutionothehumanspeciesastheyshitromoneagetoanother.TetermKachinapresentscertaindifcultieswhentakeninitsgeneralsenseastheHopitermorspiritentity.YettheKachinasemphasizethatwhentheyrstpresentedthemselvestotheearlierormsotheHopiculturestheycalledthemselvesKachinathen.Overtimethetermbecameuniversalizedtoreertospiritingen-eral.Inthiswaytheyasaspecicsubgroupothedevickingdombecameassociat-edwiththespiritworldgenerally.Tishappenedwithmanydier-ententitieswhoatrstappearedtohumansasparticularspeciesunderaspecicnameonlytobecomegeneral-izedwithotherlikeentities.TetermairyisagoodexampleothisorthetermSdheElvesonttuHiisietc.IwasdrawnthroughthewoundoChristintotheinniteecstaticjoyothelightbeyondallsueringthelightojoythatistheothersideosuering.WeallsuertheKachinasexplainedandtherebyweallareone.InthisOne-nessweareallunited.InthisUnityweexperiencethejoyoexistence.WeourselvesaretheparticularpointwheresorrowandjoybecomemaniestandexpressthemselvesthroughtheInniteUniversalParticularityoExistence.3TeLamineValleySubterraneanPeoplefromBelowIrstlearnedaboutthePeopleBelowjustbeoreTanksgiv-ing2013duringadriveromKansastoOhioatripItakeeachmonththatoteninvolvesspontaneousvisitstovariousancientmoundsitessuchasCahokiainIllinoisorChillicotheinOhio.IwascarcampinginabeautiulspotincentralMissourineartheclisotheMissouriRiverwhenIwastoldbyagroupospiritguidesIrequentlycommunicatewithespeciallyduringthislonelyourteen-hourdrivethroughthesacredheartlandoNorthAmericatoexpectsomenewinormationduringmydriveeastonthenextday.SureenoughbeoreIhadevengonevemilesmyspiritguidesannouncedthatthespotIwasdrivingacrossoneoseveralplaceswheretheMissouriRivercrossesInterstateHigh-way70wasaboveamassivesubterraneanhyper-dimensionalsystemocavernsandtunnels.BeingavisualdowserIcanseevariouspowerpointsandenergyormationsinthelandscapeIsuddenlywasabletomakesenseothemassenergyphenomenonthatIhadalwaysknownlaybeneaththesuraceothispartothecontinent.Asithisdiscoverywerentmind-alteringenoughIwasthentoldthatthesesubterraneancavernsareinhabitedbyaraceohumanoidsthatIwouldbeinteractingwith.AtthismomentIwassimplytoldthattheyexistonadimensionalplanethathumansonthesuraceotheplanetrarelyexperiencegiventheirhabitoexistinginthree-dimensionalspaceandtime.Never-thelesswiththerighttrainingandenergetictransormationsuracehumanscouldbegintotravelandengagewiththesesubterraneanhumanoids.TeUnderworldistrulytheUnderworldIlearnedandwearecurrentlycomingintocontactwithBeingswhocontinuetoliveunderthesuraceintheSubterraneanchambersinadierentdimensionalexistencethatisreachedviavariousportals.WhiletheseBeingsareoadierentdimensionthansuracehumanstheyareneverthelesscapableopassingthroughportalslocatedatspecicpointsonthesuraceotheglobe.SuracehumansarehelpingintheearlystagesothisnewEmergenceintowhattheHopiamongothersreertoastheFithWorld.Aoundationalprincipleorimaginingsuchaprocessisthatcommunicationisitselanenergeticeventtheproductionandmaintenanceoparticularrequenciesthatalloworspecicmodesocommunicationacts.AsubsequentprincipleisthatoncehumansbecomeullyconsciousothisactandthenmoreversatileintheirabilitiestoactonsuchprinciplestheycanserveasthenecessaryenergeticportalsthatallowortheEmergenceSanFranciscodeAssMissionChurchTaosNewMexico 20AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014processtotakeplace.TehumansonthesuraceotheEarthcanserveasthebridgeinotherwordsorthetrans-ormationothosehumanoidsrombelowastheyenterintothenewEarthconfgurationreerredtoastheFithWorld.Myownexperienceandeduca-tiononsuchmattersinvolvestelepathicmodesocontact.GiventhatIhavenotyetoundotherhumansparticipatinginthisprojectalthoughIamassuredthatsuchotherhumansexistouttheremyaccountthatollowswillnecessarilybebasedonmyownexperiencesandinves-tigations.IwascaughtquiteoguardwhenImyselwasfrstapproachedtoprovidesuchatelepathicbridgingrequencyocommunication.YetIoundmyselcommunicatingwithaconerenceoextra-humanentitiesthroughanener-geticmodethatshotthroughmyentirebodyandsentmyconsciousnessointospacenotonlyointospacebutdownintotheEarthintothehiddensubter-raneanpassagewaysthatserveastheprimarymeansotravelorthisspeciesohumanoidsnowpreparingortheirprophesizedEmergenceintoourworld.Intoaworldthatwillitselbedramati-callysotransormedastobeineectanewworldaltogethertheFithWorldthatwillbetheresultothetransorma-tionothisourFourthWorldateritstransitionismadepossibleinpartbythisEmergenceothesePeopleBelow.EachdayIamfndingmyselinvolvedinsomenewunexpectedormoenergetictransmissionwherebymyentirebeingislitupincommunicativeresponse.Inowfndmyselspeakingthroughimagesmusicalsoundslightstreamsandenergyowsinmodesthatcarryarmorecontentandprecisionthanany-thingIcouldwritetoyourighthereonthispage.AndInowfndmyselrealizingthatthisnew-oundmeansocommu-nicationservesanew-oundpurposetospeakasatranslatorosortsoraclassohumanoidswhothemselvesareunaccus-tomedtosucharelationshipexceptwithaveryewindividualsacrossavaststretchohumantimethroughoutwhattheHopireertoastheFourthWorld.4TeKachinaPortalinAthensOhioTeKachinasIhavelearnedhavealong-standingpresenceinandrelation-shiptowhatisnowcalledOhioandthesurroundingOhioValleyregion.OnDecember62013IwascontactedbytheseKachinas.TeynormallyvisitmywieandmeatwhatwereertoastheTirdPortalonourproperty.OnthisdaytheKachinascontactedustointroduceustoyetanotherclassobeingstheAntPeoplewhomIhadjustreadaboutthenightbeoreintheBookoftheHopi.TeBookoftheHopitheKachinashaveex-plainedisaruitulsourcebutonethatmustbereadsymbolicallyandcautiouslymoreasanexpressionoenergeticalign-mentratherthansimpleact.TeAntPeopleledusthroughastun-ningenergeticintroductiontothePeopleBelowasweenteredintotherequen-ciesotheirethericandmentalbodiesjustastheydidours.Tisexperienceophantasmagoricvisionsandenergyrushesthroughoutourbeinglastedoraboutfveminutes.TreenightslaterwhilemeditatingIoundmyseladdressedtelepathicallybythePeopleBelowthemselves.TeysaidthattheychosetoremainbelowwiththeAntPeopleinordertomaintainahumanpresenceonasubterraneanlevelsothattheycouldmonitorthestagesothePlanetaryEvolutionromanInnerDimension.TeythenexplainedthatamassiveshitintheEarthsundamentalenergeticstructureisnowoccurringthatexpressesitselonthephysicalplaneintheormotectonicshitsandincreasedvolcanicactivity.Currenthumanpracticessuchasrackingandnucleartechnologiesareproducingsuchaprooundenergeticshitintheplanetthatthebalanceothingsisnowatgreatrisk.Teenergeticrequencythathumansoperatewithininordertoengageinsuchsel-destructiveactivitiesstandstothrowtherequen-ciesotheplanetoutoalignment.Inotherwordshumansaregivingonotsomuchunhealthytoxinsbutunstablevibrations.AndsuchastateobeingsignalstheonsetothepassageromtheFourthWorldtotheFith.TisisonereasonwhythePeopleBelowareemerg-ingnow.AnditisthejobosomeousFourthWorldhumanstoserveastravelguidesoasortinordertoacilitatethisEmergence.Moreoveritisourtaskashumansrightnowtolearnhowtoharmonizeourrequencieswiththoseotheplanetasourpartinthistransition.Tiskindoenergeticshitprovidestheotherconcernedentitiesthroughoutthemultiversewithevidenceohumanitysabilityandwillingnesstocontributeintheliteralchangingoourworld.ConclusionSpiralVisionsandUniversalityOnthemorningoDecember162013asmywieAnnaandIweredoingourusualpranayamabreathsequenceIgottothesecondstageotheverbalinstructionswhereInormallysaythatitstimeortheSpiralBreath.Tismorn-ingIeltinspiredtoaddspecifcdetailsandendedupsayingSpiralBreathocusingontheCelticandHopiSpirals.AssoonasIsaidthisoneomyspiritYogaDreamsDreamingSivanandaAshramBahamasJan25302015HealingtheAncestralLinesPortlandORMar13152015LASTMASKCENTERFORSHAMANICHEALINGExplorethemedicineoftheHealerandDeathintimacywithspiritandfaithinyourcalling.YearOneprogressesfromlearningshamanicskillstotheirdirectapplicationinactualenergyclearingworkingeffectivelywithpowerobjectsandsacredspaceandtrueintimacywithyourhelpingspirits.TheCyclegivesyouaccesstomentorshipteleseminarsandayni-basedmembershipinLastMaskCommunity.July5102015CODRanchoutsideTucsonAZpresentsTheCycleTeachingsShamanismfortheNewWorldwithshamanauthorteacherChristinaPrattForregistrationandmoreinformationvisitlastmaskcenter.orgcalendar www.shamansociety.org21guidescorrectedmesayingItsnotsimplytheCelticorHopiSpiral.TeSpiralsymbolisuniversalandhasbeengrantedtoculturesoalltimesandplacesTisisinlinewiththemes-sageIhavebeenreceivingsincemyinitialcommunicationwiththeKachinas.AtthetimeoourtravelsintheU.S.SouthwestmentionedaboveIwasstruckbythecoincidenceothepresenceotheSpiralsymboletchedinstonesthereandthoseIhadseeninIrelandjusttwomonthsbeoreinJune.Iwasgettingtheclearsensethatthiswasnotatallaccidentalbutatruecoincidenceintherootsenseoincidentshappeningindirectrelationtooneanotherthingsthatwereco-incident.TelargerpointconcerningtheSpiralthatmyspiritguidewishedtoemphasizebeyondwhattheSpiralsymbolizeswastheactthatvarioushumangroupsatdierenttimesandplaceshavebeenreceivingtheexactsamesymbolicimagesandneitherwasthisacoincidenceinthepopularsense.AnnaandIwerebeingdrawntotheimageitselorveryspecifcreasons.AstheKachinashadmadeclearinAugusttheSpiralrepre-sentsamongotherthingsthecirculationothesacredwindsincludingthebreath.TeceremonialkivasIwastoldareintendedtotakeadvantageoandeventostagetheexpressionothesesacredwinds.Andthissymbolicrelationshipbetweentheconcept-experienceothesacredwindsandtheSpiralim-ageisauniversalexpressionthatgoesbeyondthelimitsoanyspecifcculturalsymbolicsystem.AgaintheKachinasandelveshavestressedthatcertainsymbolictermsandeaturesshouldnotbestrictlyassociatedwithaspecifcculture.Noindividualpersonorculturecanclaimownershipoaparticularimage.Tisactisimportantnotjustintermsouniversaltransculturalaccessbutalsointermsoanexpansivenotionoidentity.Tisexpansivenotionoidentityisrelatedtotheideaouniversalsymbolsinthatweneedtostopimaginingthatoneparticularthingiswhatitisbecauseithassomestableanduniquecoreidentitybasedonspecifcattributes.InactallthingsarearmoremobileandplasticthanwenormallyassumeasBuddhistshavebeencontendingorcenturies.Eachthingisatanymomenttheresultoaspecifcconstellationorequenciesandenergies.Soournotionoidentityshouldbemuchmoremobileandex-ibleinordertotakethisrangeoconstellationsintoaccount.Tereisgreatpowerinnamesandsosuchnamesshouldbeapproachedwithgreatexibility.WhatthesebeingswhocallthemselvesKachinasarecallingonustodonowistolistentotheirmessagesandrespondtotheirenergieswithanopenmindandanopenheart.WorksCitedAllenPaulaGunn.OfftheReservation.BostonMass.Beacon1999.FoxMatthew.TheComingoftheCosmicChristTheHealingofMotherEarthandtheBirthofaGlobalRenaissance.SanFranciscoHarper1988.MacEowenFrank.TheSpiralofMemoryandBelongingACelticPathofSoulandKinship.NovatoCaliorniaNewWorldLibrary2004.McNeleyJamesKale.HolyWindinNavajoPhilosophy.ucsonUoArizonaP1981.WatersFrank.BookoftheHopi.NewYorkPenguin1972.ZolbrodPaulG.DinBahaneTheNavajoCreationStory.AlbuquerqueUoNewMexicoP1984.KivaAkivaisatraditionalceremonialroomcommontothePuebloculturesotheU.S.Southwest.Teprimaryelementinvolvesthealignmentoenergiesromheavenandearththroughthespaceohumaninteractionandbeing.Tisisemphasizedbythestructuresliteralizationoourpositioninrelationtotheworldsaboveandbelow.TeprimaryeaturestonoticearetheventilationshatwhichdrawsairintothecircularspacethroughthetunnelthedeectorwhichdirectsthecirculationoHolyWindromaboveoutalongthewallsinadoublelet-rightspiralashionthesipapuwhichrepresentstheemergencepointromthepreviousWorldaswellastheconstantinuxoHolyWindrombelowintohumanspaceandtheladder-smokeholeinthecenterotheroowhichallowsortheritualizedre-enactmentoemergenceromthesubterraneanrealmsotheAntPeopletotheSuraceWorld.Tekivathusinitsverystructureallowsortheperpetualrepetitionothemomentocreationandrenewal.ABOUTTHEAUTHORGabrielHartleyisashamanicpractitionerandEnglishProfessorinAthensOhiowhereheandhiswifeAnnaOksanenspendagooddealoftimejourneyingwiththenaturespiritsandotherentitiesintheirwoodsandatsacredsitesaroundtheworld.Hartleysblogcanbefoundathttpwww.sacredsitesproject.comwelcome. 22AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014SHAMANICPRACTICEIntheclassicshamanichealingpracticeosoulretrievalashamanicpractitionerworkswithherhelpingspiritstotrackandreturnapersonslostessence.TeretrievalreplaceswhatbelongsinthepersontheessencethatSandraIngermande-scribesascomingintothislietohaveadventuresgrowandevolve.1Whetherweusecoreshamanicorculturally-specifcmethodsoretrievaltheollow-upworktherememberingatersoulpartsarereturnediscrucialtothepersonsullhealing.Whetheryouareapractitionersupportingsomeonessoulrememberingorapersonconsideringsoulretrievaltheseexamplesootherpeoplesprocesswillhelpyoudeepenyourown.Re-memberingTeprocessore-memberingputtingthepiecesbacktogethermakingwholehelpsaclientkeepandrootthesoulpartsembracethequalitiesthathavebeenreturnedalongwiththeiressencediscoverhowtousetheenergythatscomebackandreleaseattitudesthatcontinuetoblockwholeness.Itisajourneyodiscoverylikelearningaloverorlong-lostriendamiliarandmysteriousatonce.Whenweconsiderthedepthotraumaabuseandyearsonot-coping-wellthatunderlieourclientsdesperationwhentheycometousorretrievalitmakessensethattheydneedmorethanaone-stopheres-your-partssession.OverthelasttenyearssomanyclientscametomesayingYesIhadasoulretrieval.IteltgreatbutIdontrememberwhatthepartswerethatIbecameverystrictinemphasizingollow-upinmyownpractice.Itsthisre-memberingIencourageyoutoincorporateinyourownpracticeorlookoritwhenyouseekaretrieval.ThePractitionersPointofViewForashamanicpractitionertherememberingprocessisavehicleorsupportingandacilitatingaclientsdiscoveryotheirstrengthpowerandsoulspurposeintheworld.Tispro-cessocompassionateempowermentisoneothemostsatisy-ingaspectsomyshamanicpractice.UsingshamanicmethodsandprinciplesitinvolvesCreatingaresonantfeldolovehealingandcompassionandholdingtheimagesandpositivevisiongivenbyspiritinthehealingfeldsotheclientcanseewhilere-absorbingwhattheyhadlost.Usingshamanicjourneyorguidedvisualizationasawayoraclienttoinquireaboutpatternsandattitudesthatarekeep-ingthemromembracingwholeness.Creatingceremonyortransormingstuckenergyandreleas-ingwhatstandsintheway.Rememberingthatwordshavepower.Byocusingonthegitstalentsandstrengthsthathavebeenreturnedalongwithsoulpartsthebeautyandvitalityinthecli-entandbysidesteppingtherepetitiononegativesto-rieswesupportpeopleinshitingtheirlong-heldperspec-tivesobeingisolatednotgoodenoughorpowerless.TiscanstartromourfrstconversationIdiscourageanyretellingostoryanddetailsotraumabyapotentialcli-entfndingthatretrievalsaremuchmorepowerulorpeoplewhentheyknowIdidntknowtheirbackstory.Soulretrievalandrememberingreturnustowholeness.Itisnotatimeorrehashingthepast.Terecipientalreadyknowsthestoryandthepractitionerdoesnotneedtoknowittore-trievelostpartsandsupporttheremembering.AcaveatNorulesareabsolute.Somepractitionersfndthattheretellingbyaclientcanbeveryhealing.Letspiritguideyouinthisasinallhealing.eachingthroughouttheshamanicprinciplesoreciproc-ityinterrelationshipwithhelperselementsandthenatu-ralworldseeingromtheheartnotthemindandspiritualtransormation.Inotherwordswearehelpingaclienttoembracemakespaceorlearnhowtonurtureanddrawonthestrengthsoherreturnedessences.RememberingOurSoulPartsEmbracingWholenessMegBeeler www.shamansociety.org23TheClientsPointofViewSoulretrievalandrememberingaredeepandintimateprocessesduringwhichaclientneedstoeeltotallysaeandsupported.Iencouragepeopletoollowtheirheartsandintuitionwhenchoosingapractitioner.Itellclientsthatinmyinitialdivina-tionpre-retrievalusuallyatourrstmeetingIwillaskourquestionsWhatdoesthisclientneedandinwhatorderAmItherightpersonIsthistherighttimeArethereanyprescriptionsortheclienttodoinpreparationHearingtheseques-tionsotenallaystheveryrealconcernthatsomeoneisjustouttogetmoneyromthem.Andtheprescriptionsgenerallygivethepersonawaytoprepareemotionallyandspiritually.Teyaremetaphoricalhomeworkthatgetstheclientmorereadyortheretrievalitselandengagesherinthehealingprocessromthebeginning.Teclientspartintheprocessbothretrievalandrememberingistohaveaclearintentandbereadytoreceivewelcomeandmakeriendswithherreturnedessences.Temoretheclientiswillingtoollowspiritguidanceinprescriptionsandceremonyinotherwordstoexperienceandperceivedier-entlythemoretheclientgainsromtheprocess.Justasthecureoahipreplacementrequiresphysicaltherapytostrengthenandhealmusclessodoessoulrememberingnecessitateaclientsdirectengagementwithherhealing.TheImportanceofSoulStoryJoanWhenwebringbacksoulpartsthemoreweemphasizethepowergitsandtalentsbeingreturnedtotheclientthemoretheclientisenabledtostepintoadierentwayobeing.AsSandraIngermantheprimaryteacherocoreshamanicsoulretrievalormanyoussuggestsourjobistoshitocusrompainwhathasntworkedtojoyandwhatispossiblewithourreturnedessence.Weaskmanyinormationalques-tionsinjourneydialoguewithasoulpartduringaretrievalincludingWhathappenedWhydidyouleaveWhatisyourpurposeWhatarethegitstalentsandstrengthsyouarebringingbackAreyouwillingtocomebacktohelpWhateverweseeandaretoldduringthisjourneythehealingstorywetelltheclientisacareullycratedversionowhatwemighthaveseen.Itsocusistobeinspirationaltohelpthepersonmoveorwardratherthanrelivingoldtraumaorabuse.Iwevebeenshowndifcultsituationsandeelaneedtomentiontheminthetellingtheyarereerredtoasmetaphornotact.Tisocoursecanbeachallengeoruswhenwevebeenshownvividimagesoabuseortraumaorthingswedonotunderstand.ItsuseulallalongtoaskHowcanItellthisstorytotheclientHowcanIexplainthisHowmuchshouldIshareMyretrievaljourneyorJoanisagoodexampleMyigertakesmetoadarkcavewhereave-yearoldhides.ShewonttalktomeoracknowledgethatsheispartoJoansessence.Insteadshecurlsupwithmyigerandgoestosleepseemingtoignoreus.Somyigertakesmeoutothecaveandintoabeautiulwildfower-lledmeadow.Weseeanexuberantjoyulve-year-oldchasingbutterfies.ShearmsthatsheisJoanssoulpart.ShetellsmeshebringsocuscompassionandtheabilitytocontainthedarkandthelightbacktoJoan.Sheclimbsonigersback.igertheexuberantveyearoldandIreturntothecave.Tetwove-year-oldsmergebecom-ingthedarkandthelighttheawarenessobothinall.Temergedve-year-oldislessjoyulbutclimbsonigersbackandwecontinueonourjourneyndinga15-year-oldsoulpartwhoispissysmokingandrebellious.Believeinmeembracemeshesays.ShetellsusthatshebringscouragetheabilitytosaynoandtheabilitytoactoutbacktoJoan.WealsoseeaButterfyametaphornotpoweranimalortransor-mationromoneormtoanother.Aterbringingthepartsbackblow-ingthemintoJoangivinghertimetosoakuptheenergiesandsendingheroutsidetoatreetoaskoradviceaboutrootingherreturnedpartsItoldherthestoryyouvejustread.AtergivinghersometimetotakeitinIexplainthatIdonotunderstandtherstve-yearold.JoanimmediatelyrepliesTatismytwin.HediedinanaccidentjustbeoreIwasbornandnooneintheamilyeverspokeohim.PhotoAmandaMcCarthy-Oda 24AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014Tiswasanamazingexampleotheinscrutablegitsandvisionsthatspiritbringstous.Itwasnotimportanttotheclientthathershamanicpractitionerwasbeuddleditwasimportantandempow-eringthathertwinwasseen.Acknowl-edgmentoJoanstwinenabledhertomoveorwardandtomakepeace.InalatersessionJoantoldmeshehadallherliesaidtohertwinIfonlyIcouldshowyouandIamtheonlyoneinthefamilywhocancarryyourmemoryforward.Intherememberingprocessweworkedtohelpherreleasehissoulhonorhismemoryletgooherguiltandembraceherpower.IntegratingReturnedSoulPartsSamSamspost-retrievalrememberingsessionsweremarkedbysee-sawsobehaviorsomeweekshewashighwithhowhedbeenabletousehispowerandotherweeksnervousdespairinganddisregulated.Heounditeasytotalktohisreturnedsoulpartsaour-yearoldandtwelveyear-oldaskingthemoradviceandhangingoutwiththemthiscon-nectionworkedtobalancetheisolationhedeltinhisamilyooriginandtheconictshehadbetweenbeingnotenoughandtoomuch.Hisour-yearoldtoldSamhehadeltunprotectedSamreassuredhimthatIwillprotectyounow.GuidingSaminexperiencingandperceivingthedierencebetweenegoicsel-centeredpowerandpowercomingrominternalbalancewhatwedcallshamanicpowerhelpedhimtofndadierentbalanceopower.TeelementscameuprequentlyinconversationandjourneysoeachweekIdteachhimanewpracticetoconnectandalignhimsel.Findingtoolstore-mindandre-centerhimselwascentral.SamwantedtoknowWhatdoIdowhenIwanttoleavedissociateSoonejourneyIhadhimdowastoaskspiritoraprescriptionorthatsituation.Oneaspectorememberinghastodowiththeclientdiscoveringhowtousetherenewedenergyandpassiongenerallyexperiencedateraretrieval.Teaimistohelpclientsfndsmallmanageablestepsratherthangrandioseplanswhichwillailanddiscouragethemandtoavoidcreatinganewillnessorproblemtofllthemselvesupwith.InhisjourneySamreportedIwenttothemoonwhichwascoldandlonely.TenIwenttothesunwhichwaswarmandnurturing.Tisisametaphorformychoices.ocounterbalanceSamssee-sawbehaviorandjourneyperceptionsweworkedonwaystolistenwithhiswholeselandonwaysasheputittobecomethepeaceulmountain.Whilelong-heldhabitsoresponseareachallengeoreveryonetochangethecombinationopracticesupportandjourneyingskillsgaveSamthetoolsandimpetustokeepgoing.IdentifyingandReleasingBlockagesCarolOneotheissuesCarolbroughttohersessionswasahabitocoveringuphereelingstryingtobelogicalandgoingtoherheadratherthanherheart.Teseturnedouttobeadirectresultomultipletraumas.Hertwenty-year-oldsoulpartreportedleavingtopreserveherheartandtoldusshewascarryingtheheartinasquareboxwrappedwithribbon.ShewantedCaroltoopentheboxstudyherheartandtakeitindaily.Carolwasabletoembraceherseven-year-oldbutreportedthatthetwenty-yearoldeltdistantandshedidntwanttoopenthebox.Whenshedidherownrememberingjourneytomeetandtalkwithherreturnedpartsandtoheartheirgitsdirectlyromthemshewasabletoeelthembothinsideshecommentedthatthisexperiencewasremarkable.Forsomeclientsthewordsandimageswebringbackworkwell.Foroth-ersespeciallydoubtersthisjourneytodialoguewithandgettoknowtheirsoulpartsisosignifcanthelp.Tesoulpartsbecomevividspeakinwordstheclientunderstandsandprovideadeepersenseoconnection.InmanydierentwaysCarolsamilyhaddismissedandreusedtolistentohersoweworkedwithvariousprotec-tionandreleasingpracticesaspracticalwaysoholdingherown.Releasingthenegativestoryandshitingperspectiveisespeciallyimpor-tantwithPSDsuerersuntiltheyes-tablishanewidentityPSDsymptomsdominate.Simpleenergeticreleasingotoxicthoughtsoseldoubtoearorwhateverimpedesapersoncanbedonerepetitivelyandwithintentiontomakespaceorthenew.TisworkedbetterorCarolthanceremonybecauseshecoulddrawonherlogicalbraintoencourageherselwiththetoolsshewaslearning.InmyjourneyorhertofndaprescriptionorbreakingherpatternliethemeonotbeingenoughIwasshownhercollectingstonesandmakingacircleothejewelsthatareyourselthendancingandsingingaroundthem.Carolcollectedherstonesbutoundherselunabletodanceandsingevenwhenalone.Sheusedthejewelsmeta-phorinaphysicalwaybyfndingshinynecklacestoreplaceherratherplain www.shamansociety.org25attirebutremainedstuckinresistancetocompletingtheceremony.Teprincipleofnon-judgmentcameintoplaynomatterhowguiltyshefeltIjustkeptencouragingherandremindinghertousehertoolsofprotectionandreleasingbeforeattemptingtodoaprescriptionordanceordoaritual.CarolwasverydeterminedamonthafterwehadcompletedourrememberingworkshewrotemealongletterabouthereventualsuccessIbeganturningandtwistingmybody.wirling.Iexperimentedwithexpandingopeningupintomyspaceusingallomyspace.IreallybegantoeelinanalteredstateIeltjoyousstrongeuphoric.Iwasandamproudomyselorpersistingthroughmydiscomortwiththeritualandhavingsucharichexperience.TecombinationofCarolscom-mitmentandmysupportduringtherememberinghelpedhertonourishandreharmonizeherdissonantexperiences.AdviceFromtheSpiritofSoulRememberingWhenIbeganworkingonthisarticleIjourneyedtotheSpiritofSoulRemem-bering.TespiritadvisedTeimportanceorememberingistoinuseeverythingwithlightyourheartyourwordsandthestoryyoubringtotheclientyourresponsetotheclient.Bringlighttothewholeprocesssotheclientcaneelwhatitsliketobeacceptedlovedandseeninherdivineperection.Teprocessyouusehelpsherex-periencethisandtheenergyyoubringreinorcesherexperienceitcreatesafeldolove.Itisinthisfeldthatpeopleeelsaeenoughtoreceiveandexploretheiressencecourageousenoughtolookatwhatstandsintheway.Teintensityotheprocesscreatesacontainerandfeldtohelpaclientshitoutowheretheywere.Everyactivityandjourneyyoudotogetherromreleasingstolensoulstooeringahabittothefreteachesthemcompassion.Yourcommitmenttothemhelpsthemexperiencetheirvaluewhichtheyareotennotintouchwith.Evenyourcompassionwhentheycannotacechangewhentheydonotollowthroughwithspirit-givenpre-scriptionsorhomeworkorwhentheydropoutisimportanttotheirprocess.Yourjobaspractitioneristomaximizepossibilityholdspacebelieveinaclientsessenceandguideyourclientintodierentknowing.Tatsallyoucandoiyoufndyourseltryingtofxaclientortryingtooharditistimetotakestockandlookatyourownattachment.Youcancurebringbacksoulpartsandacilitatehealing.Andanyhealingisareciprocalengagedprocess.Itwillnotullyhappenwithouttheclientsparticipation.Endnotes1SandraIngermanhaswrittenextensivelyaboutsoulretrievalandrememberinginSoulRetrievalMendingtheFragmentedSelHarperOne2006revisedandWelcomeHomeFollowingYourSoulsJourneyHomeHarperOne1994.ABOUTTHEAUTHORMegBeelerMATisthefounderofEarthCaretakers.AshamanicpractitionerandhealerinNorthernCaliforniaMegsforthcomingbookisCreatingFromtheHeartoftheUniverseConnectingwithLivingEnergyFieldsandOurFuture.SheweavesAndeancosmologyandhealingpracticescoreshamanismandanintimaterelationshipwiththenaturalworldintoallherwork.WebpageandShiftingConsciousnessblogathttpwww.earthcaretakers.net. 26AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014ESSAYWuandShamanAllclassicalChineseculturefromDaoismtoConfucianismtotraditionalChinesemedicinemartialartsChinesemusicChineseastrologyandcosmologyandChinesecalligraphyisbasedonWu.Thischaractercanbeusedaseitheranounoranadjectiveandisoftentranslatedasshamanshamanismorshamanicasomewhatincompleteinterpretation.AsdiscussedinmyarticleDrummingandDancingFeelingtheRhythmofQigongCalligraphyandWuShamanism2thewordshamancomesfromtheTungusu-ManchurianlanguageandtechnicallydescribesshamanswhoarelocatedprimarilyinSiberiahaveacustomoftravellinginalternativerealitiesandareknowntopartakeinfrighteningseemingrituals.IntrancebutstillinfullpossessionoftheirfacultiestheseshamansmayclimbtheWorldTreetoreachtheHeavenoftheAncestorsordescendtoanunderworldinsearchoflostortrappedsouls.Theyundergodifficultandpainfulinitiationsincludingritualdeathandrebirth.IncontrastancientWupracticesonlydistantlyresemblethoseoftheSiberianshaman.ThroughnaturalabilitytrainingandritualpreparationtheWuawak-enedandcultivatedthespiritualbrightnesswithin.Thisbrightconsciousnesswasthehallmarkofanenlightenedbeing.InmoderntimestheconceptofWuhasnarrowedreferringtopeoplewhoarespecialistsinritualandactasintermediariesbetweenhumansandtheshadowyworldofspiritsandthesupernaturalandwhomaychanneltransmis-sionsfromspiritbodieswithoutnecessarilybeingabletorecallthecommunication.InancientChinahowevertheWuwerefewandfarbetween.Theywerespecialindividualswhowereconsciouslyawareofbeingabletohelpotherstranscendthephysicalplaneandwerealsoconsideredomniscientandmadegreatcontributionstosociety.TheWuwereshaman-kingswhonotonlygovernedthenationbutalsofunctionedasdoctorstaughtdiseasepreventionandwerethepeacekeepersthrough-outtheland.Theirkeenobservationofandcloserelationshipwiththeuniverseenabledthemtoorganizepeopletoprepareforandneutralizetheeffectsofnaturaldisasters.IndeedtheWupossessedShenMingliterallySpiritualClarityorSpiritualBrightnessorSpiritualEnlightenment.TheywereenlightenedbeingswhomanifestedTianRenHeYitheunionofManandNatureandthroughthisritualconnec-tionwithHeaventheysustainedbothYinandYangstillnessandmovementadeepandfullyembodiedunderstandingoftheUniversalWay3XiWangMuandWuTraditionIntheancientDaoistandWutraditionswebelievethatXiWangMutheQueenMotheroftheWestwasfirstpersontopassdownWuandDaoistteachingstootherhumanbeings.TheoldestdocumentationfoundtomentionherexistenceistheShanHaiJingTheCanonofMountainsandSeasfromtheWarringStateperiod476221BCE.TheWesternGreatRemoteDaHuangSi-JingvolumeofTheCanonofMountainsandSeassaysInthesouthoftheWestSeaonthebankoftheSandyRiverinbackoftheRedWaterandinfrontoftheBlackWaterthereisagreatmountainnamedKunlun.Thereisadeitywithahumanfaceandatigerbodyandthebodyhaswhitestripesandatail.ThisdeitywearsaXingjadeflowerandhastigerteethandaleopardtail.ShedwellsinacaveandhernameisXiWangMu.Thereiseverythinginthismountain.4Thefigureofahumanbodywithtigerteethawhiteti-gerbodyandaleopardtaildescribedinthisbookwasanenvoyoftheQueenMotheroftheWestandtheWhiteTigerspiritofWuChineseShamanism1byMasterZhongxianWu www.shamansociety.org27theWest.ItisoftentakentobesymbolicofherWupowerthantobethephysicaldescriptionofQueenMotheroftheWest.FrommyteacherWangJiaYousaDaoistscholarandarcheologistpointofviewXiWangMulivedinama-triarchalsocietyandwasherselfthepoliticalleaderoreldermedicinewomanastronomerandenlightenedbeing.DuringYellowEmperorstime27172599BCEpatriarchalsocietiesbecamemoredominantandmanyofXiWangMusteachingswerelaterascribedtotheYellowEmperor.Howeverherteach-ingscontinuedtocarryherspiritandstressedtheimportanceofcultivatingthepowerofYinorfemininity.OverathousandyearslaterthemostfamousDaoistmasterLaoZiexpressedtheessenceofherteachingsinhisDaoDeJingwhichlaterbroughtDaoismtotheWesternworld.InChinaalthoughweconsiderDaoismtobebasedontheteachingsoftheYellowEmperorandLaoZithebedrockofDaoismisancientWutradition.ModernarcheologicaldiscoveriessuchasthoseofthePeiLiGangHongShanandYangShaocultures5000-3000BCEshowthatWucultureexistedforover8000yearsofChinesehistory.Thelevelofknowledgeandmasteryoverthematerialandnon-materialelementsoftheworldachievedbytheancientWuwereprofoundandhighlyregardedthroughoutmostofancientChina.AllofthelegendarysagesandculturalheroesofChinasproto-histori-calpastpossessedtheremarkablesuperhu-manattributesoftheWu.Thetrea-sureofunearthedoraclebonesandotherartifactsrevealthattheWuweremostesteemedduringChinasThreeAncientDynastiesperiodtheXiaShangandZhouDynastiesfrom2100256BCE.SimilartoXiWangMuthepatriar-chalkingsoftheThreeAncientDynastiesactedasancientWu.InhisresearchintotheShangDynastysWuShangWuarchaeologicalscholarChenMengJiaidentifiesthekingasashamanIntheoracleboneinscriptionsusedinritualdivinationareoftenencounteredinscriptionsstatingthatthekingdivinedorthatthekinginquiredinconnectionwithwind--orrainstormsritualsconquestsorhunts.Therearealsostatementsthatthekingmadetheprognosticationthatper-tainingtoweathertheborderregionsormisfortunesanddiseasestheonlyprognosticatoreverrecordedintheoracleboneinscriptionswastheking.Thereareinadditioninscriptionsdescribingthekingdancingtoprayforrainandthekingprognosticatingaboutadream.Allofthesewereactivitiesofbothkingandshamanwhichindicateineffectthatthekingwasashaman.5TheFunctionofWuThecharacterWucarriesagreatdealofmeaning.ItcontainstheradicalGongworkandRenperson.To-getheritisanimageoftwopeopleworkingtogetheroroftwoshamansdoingtheirritualdance.ThesyllableWuwrittenandintoneddifferentlyalsomeansdancing.ItisnocoincidencethatdancingconnectstheWutotheuniverseandhelpsdeveloptheirShenMing.AccordingtoXiCiaswritteninoneoftheTenWingsoftheYijing6throughdancinganddrummingonecanachieveafullunderstandingofonesownShenspiritandcanalsocommunicatewithhigh-levelbeings.DancinganddrummingaremethodstohelppeopleunderstandtheShen.Eventheshamansoftodayusetheritualofdancingtofacilitateuniversalconnectionssuchasbringingraintodryfarmland.TheancientWuwereabletoelevatetheirspiritstobecomeonewithallotherspirits.SimilarlyintheShangoraclebonestyletheChinesechar-acterWuiswrittenasinFig.1madeoftwointersectingGongradicalsandmeanswork.Literallythisradicalstandsforacarpenterssquareusedformeasuringperfectangles.Thisissig-nificantbecauseinancientWutimeGongacarpenterssquarewasatoolformeasuringtheuniverseanditalsorepresentedordercorrectbehaviorandthelawsofnature.IntheYellowEmperorsClassicofMedicineHuangDiNeiJingGongisusedtomeandoctor.AncientChinesemedicinedoctorswerenodifferentfromWu.Theyhadtheabilitytohelpthebodyhealbecausetheyunderstoodthewayoftheuniverseandthetruthoflife.WuisalsotherepresentationofSiFangthefourdirectionsorfourquadrates.SiFangcanbetranslatedasthefourcardinaldirectionsnorthsoutheastandwest.ThisisthepatternthattheancientWuappliedtothemselvesreferenc-ingtheselfasthecenterthebodywasusedasahigh-techequipmenttoconnectwithandcommunicatewiththeenergiesofthefourdirectionsandoftimeandspace.ItwasthroughthispracticethattheyunderstoodandembodiedtheUniversalWay.TheoriginalfunctionofWuistoconnectwithuniversalenergyorliveinflowoftheDaoandpassuniversalknowledgetoothers.ItisimportanttorememberthatthisWumethodofabody-centereduniverseisthecornerstoneofallourtraditionalcultivationpracticeswhethertheybeDaoistQigongYijing 28AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014FengShuiChinesemedicinetraditionalmartialartsmusicorpaintingitisthroughthistechniquethatweareabletomasterourart.WuisthesourceofallclassicalChinesetraditions.ThroughtheirabilitytocommunicatewithnaturetheancientWutheenlightenedbeingscreatedthephilosophyoftheancientChinesecosmosthatthenaffectedthewholeofChinesehistoryandculture.ThiscosmologybecamethefundamentalelementsofClassicalChinesemedicineandQigong.QigongandtheEssentialWucultivationThroughstudyandobservationoftheuniversalwaytheancientChinesesagesrealizedthatachievingharmonyinthebodyispossiblewhenapersonfollowsthebalancingprinciplesoftheuniverseineverydayliving.TheWudiscoveredthattheenergeticpatternsofnaturearereproducedinalllevelsofthecosmosfromthelargestmacrocosmicUniversallevelscaletothesmallestmicrocosmichumancellsandtheorganelleswithinthemscalethroughtheirbodiestheydeducedthattheflowofQiinthebodyisjustliketheceaselessrotationsofthesunmoonandstars.Theirfundamentalexperienceofbalanceisthatwewillmaintainhealthandexperiencewellbe-ingifQiisfreeflowinginourbody.ToachievethisendtheancientChineseshamanscreatedanancientlifesciencesystemdesignedtokeepthephysicalbodythemindandthespirithealthy.TodayweknowthisancientlifesciencesystemasQigong.IngeneralQigongmeansQicultivation.Anymove-mentsposturesoractivitydoneinaconsciousrelationshipwithQicanbecalledQigong.ThreeoftheessentialpracticesofWuQigongtraditionaretheFutalismansJuemantrasandYinmudras.Talismanmudraandmantraarespecificritualscommontoancientshamanism.Inmytraditionwestillpreserveandutilizemanyspecialtalismansmantrasandmudrasasspecifictechniquesforcultivationandhealingself-healing.FutalismansareQivitallifeenergyenergizeddiagramssymbolsorChinesecharactersusedtochannelavitalenergyinordertocreateaharmoniousQifieldforhealingorliving.JuemantrasarespecialsyllablesspellsorsoundsusedspontaneouslytoresonatewithuniversalQiandtocirculatetheenergynetworkthroughthevibrations.Yinmudrasareancienthandpositionsusedsymbolicallytocon-nectwithuniversalenergiesandactasavehicletoaccesstime-honoredwisdom.PracticingQigongfromthisWutradi-tionisawayofcultivatingancientknowledgeintodirectbodilyexperience.Throughthedeliberatedancebetweenmovementandstillnesswelearntoliveinharmonywithnatureandmovethroughlifewithbrightnessofspirit.Endnotes1ThisarticleisbasedontheinformationfromauthorsVitalBreathoftheDaobook.2SeeWuZhongxianDancingandDrummingFeelingtheRhythmofQigongCalligraphyandWuShamanism.Qi-JournalWinter2003-200425.3LiZehouJimaoWuShuo.BeijingZhongguoDianyingChubanshe199968.4Yuanke.ShanhaijingJiaozhu.ChengduBashuShushe.1996466.5ChangK.C.ArtMythandRitualThePathtoPoliticalAuthorityinAncientChina.CambridgeHarvardUniversityPress.198345-47.6TherearetencommentariestotheYijing.ItiscommonlybelievedthatConfuciuswrotethesecommentariestoassistmodernpeopleinunderstandingtheterseandcrypticlanguageoftheoriginaltext.TodaytheseareincludedwiththeYijingandreferredtoastheTenWingsbecausetheyassistourmindsinunderstandingdeepermeaningsandthushelpusachievegreaterheights.ABOUTTHEAUTHORMasterZhongxianWualielongDaoistpractitioneristhelineageholderoourdierentschoolsoQigongandmartialarts.Since1988MasterWuhasinstructedthousandsostudentsbothEasternandWesterninhisuniqueandproessionallydesignedcoursesandtrainingprograms.Hehasauthored12booksfveinChineseonChinesewisdomtraditions.HeandhiswieDr.KarinTaylorWuoundedBlueWillowWorldHealingCenterandQinJianAkademintopreserveandpromotetheclassicalChineseartsthroughoutEuropeNorthAmericaandChina.Formoreinormationpleasevisitwww.masterwu.net.ChinesecharacterWUShangoraclebonestyleFigure1 www.shamansociety.org29SHAMANICPRACTICEInmyendeavortosharemyworkandmybookLoveandSpiritMedicinewhichchroniclesmyprooundunoldingthroughtheshamanicuseothesacredmushroomIhavenot-edthelackowomensvoicesintheareaoentheogenicplantmedicineresearch.Tesubjectoentheogenicplantmedicinehaslongbeentabooinourculture.Tesesubstanceshavebeenegregiouslyabusedandresulantlymisunderstood.Teyarealsoillegalwhichurtherstigmatizestheirusemakingitverydifcultormedicinewomentocomeorwardandsharetheirwisdomonthesubject.Troughtheagesnumerouscultureshaveworkedwithplantandungiteachersinasacredmanner.Plantmedicineitselhaslongbeenthedomainowomenandcertainwomenwerenostrangerstothehealingpowersothevisionaryselections.Itistimetowelcomebackthewomanasvisionaryplantmedicineshaman.Wehavemuchtolearnromtheeminineperspectiveregardingthespiritualapplicationothesemedicines.Womenthroughouttimehavehadanintimaterelation-shipwiththeplantkingdom.Teysoughtplantsnotonlyorsustenancebutalsoortheirspecichealingpropertieswhichincludedtheeasingochildbirth.Inadditionplantswereusedorritual.Specicplantsorresinssuchassageorcopalwereusedtoclearspaceandremovenegativeorces.Otherplantswereandstillareusedspecicallyasaportaltothespiritrealms.Manyawomanshamanhasusedtheseplantscalledentheogenstoaccessextra-dimensionalintelligencesknownasplantteachers.Tesewomenotentookontheshamanicroleooracleortheircommunityallowingthespiritstotemporar-ilypossessthemenablingwisdomsecretknowledgeandheal-ingtopourthrough.TiswasonceahighlyrespectedpracticeamongculturesliketheancientGreeksandtheNorsewhotreasuredthesewomen.Sadlytheemalevisionaryshamanshavebeenhistori-callyignoredormarginalizedlargelyduetotheactthatthemajorityoarcheologistsandanthropologistsrompre-1950havebeenpredominantlymale.Tesemenhadtheirreligiousandculturalbiaseswhichinuencedtheirstudiesosha-maniccultures.TepriestsbeorethemwhoaccompaniedtheSpanishandEnglishconquerorstotheAmericasviewedtheshamanswithsuspicionandrevulsionparticularlythewomen.Tenotoriouslycruelbishopromthe1500sDiegodeLandareerredtotheMayamedicinewomenoCozumelasthoseinamousidolaters.BarbaraedlockPh.D.speakstothisinherbookTeWomanintheShamansBody.1ShesaysTatresponseowedromtheirreligiousheritage.Peoplewhoworkedwithspiritshadlongbeeninterpretedaswitchesshamansmagicianssorcerersanddivinersinleaguewiththedevil.AnypersonwhoinvokedspiritswascallingupontheservantsoSatan.Tisprooundmisunderstandingoshamanicspiritualityledtotheinamoussixteenth-centuryEuropeanwitchhuntsthatresultedinthedeathsothousandsoinnocentpeopleespeciallywomen.Dr.edlockexplainsthatthewordwitchstemsromtheoldEnglishwordwitanwhichisthepluralowitamean-ingonewhoknows.Shamansthroughtheageshavealwaysknownthattheingestionosacredvisionaryplantsgivesaccesstoathousandyearsolivingrolledintoasingleday.Womenvisionaryshamanshavebeenespeciallyadeptasoraclesinadditiontotheirskillsindiagnosisandhealing.Otenthesewomenwereolderinyearstheirlieexperiencecontributingtotheirstatusasseerhealers.Inadditionitwasunderstoodinmatrilinealcirclesthatthewomenwhowerenolongermenstruatingwerenowholdingthewisdombloodinsideoeringyetmorepotencytotheirmedicine.Itwastheoldermedicinewomenwhoweretargetedbythechurchduringthemadnessothewitch-huntspreciselybecauseotheency-clopedicknowledgemanyothesewomenpossessed.WomanAsVisionaryPlantShamanByShonaghHomeDreamoftheShamanPhotoAlicePopkorn 30AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014Duringthe1760sascholarlytravelernamedJohannGotlliebGeorgibeganstudyinganindigenouscultureinaremoteregionoRussia.HecomparedthewomenshamansothatcommunitytotheancientGreekoraclesnotingtheconnectionbetweenshamanismandthesacredarts.TeseartswerepracticedwithintheancientpriestesshoodsoGreece.Johannobservedthesimilari-tiesbetweenthecontemporaryshamansandtheirancientsisterswhospokeinaoweryunclearlanguage.Heopenedthedoororlatertravellerstostudytheseculturesanddiscovertherichhistoryoshamanismasaemininetradition.RositaArvigodoesnotworkwiththevisionaryplants.SheisanherbalistandMayamedicineteacherwellknownorherhealingworkwithMayaabdominalmassage.ShewrotearecentarticleontheMayanpriestessesothegoddessIxChelmotherotheearthertilitymid-wieryplantmedicinethesacredwatersandthemoon.2TesepriestesseslivedatasanctuaryinCozumelwheretheystudiedandpracticedtheseartsindevo-tiontothegoddess.TissanctuarywasalsohometotheoracleoIxChel.Tiswasashamanicwomanwhomostlikelyworkedwithvisionaryplantmedicineslikepsilocybinmushroomsenteringatrancestatetocommunewiththegod-dessandbringorthhermessages.MushroomsasTeacherHealerMyownshamanicworkhasevolvedconsiderablythroughmyreverentuseothesacredmushroom.Iellintotheseexplorationsveryorganicallyasmyshamanicpracticedeepened.WithnowomanshamantoguidemeIhavehadtoopentothisancientplantteacherandhumblymakemyselavailabletoitswisdom.Itwasthroughmyconcertede-ortstoplumbthedepthsothemysterythatIbegantoexperiencethetemporaryspiritpossessionthathaslongbeenacomponentothiswork.TesebeingsasIcallthemcommunicatewithmeandthroughmeandtheyoerwisecounselorthepeopleIworkwith.InOaxacaMexicoashamannamedJulietaCasimiroworkswiththesacredmushroomtohealthepeoplewhocometoher.Sheisoneothe13IndigenousGrandmothersandhasbeenverycandidaboutherworkwiththeplantmedi-cine.Duringahealingsheingeststhemushroomsalongwithherclient.Shesaysthatthemushroomsreadthebloodotheclientandcommunicatetohertheimbalancesinthebody.Temush-roomsthentellherwhatmustbedonetorestorehealth.3Ifndthisascinatingrommyownexperiencewiththemushroom.Inmyworktheemphasisisonthepsychologi-calstateomyclients.Temushroomexplainedtomethatateritisingesteditstudiesthequalityotheheartandthemind.TeplantintelligenceisinakindohyperspaceandreadstheanalysislikeadoctorsnoteaskingHowcanwehelpHowcanwehelpHowcanwehelpItthengivestheseekeranexperienceorawarenessthatwillassistthemtoshittheirparadigm.Myroleistomidwiethemthroughtheexperienceasneedbeandtohelpthemintegratetheteachingsaterwards.InroadstoUnderstandingandAcceptanceTisissacredworkandalthoughitisnotsupportedtodaybyourmodernwesternculturetherearegrowingnum-bersopeopleendeavoringtoeducatethepublicabouttheprooundhealingpoten-tialstheplantsandungioer.NumerousconerenceshavecroppedupoverthelastewyearssuchasM.A.P.S.theMulti-DisciplinaryAssociationoPsychedelicStudieswhichgatherstogetheroverahundredresearchersromcountriesaroundtheworldtodiscusstheirfndingsonthesubject.OtherplantmedicineconerencesaretakingplaceinCanadaEuropeandtheU.S.Terehasbeendiscussioninthepsychedeliccommunityaboutthedearthowomenspeakersattheseevents.OnewomanAnnieOaknoticedthisseveralyearsago.Shetoldmeshegrewtiredoattendingconer-encesomostlymalespeakerswithaewtokenwomen.WithgreatcreativespiritandtenacityAnniecreatedTeWomensVisionaryCongress4whichhasoeredwomentheopportunitytosharetheirplantmedicineresearchorthepasteightyears.Menareinvitedtospeakaswellbutwomenpredominateandshareasart-istsactivistsresearchersandpracticingshamans.Itiswithinthissaesupportiveenvironmentthatmedicinewomenhavebeenabletospeakopenlyabouttheirsacredworkwithentheogens.Itistrulyinspiringtohearromwomenwhohavebeenquietlyconductingsacredplantmedicineritualsandinitiatingprooundtransormationinthemselvesandothers.ItisasadactthatmodernsocietyhasPhotoSrinivasanG www.shamansociety.org31notouchstonewhatsoeverorthiskindopotenttransormativeexploration.Tereisacollectivedisassociationromeelingthatisallpervasiveinthecurrentculture.Tesueringasaresultothisisclearlyobservableasmorethan70millionAmericansarenowtakingsomekindoantidepressant.IevertherewasacallorthereturnotheemaleshamananddareIaddtheemaleplantmedi-cineshamanthetimeisnigh.IhaveexperiencedmyowndeeptransormationworkingwiththemushroomteacherandIhavewitnessednumerouspeoplewhohaveoundtheirwaybacktothemselvesthroughtheshamanicuseothemedi-cine.Whenthesemedicinesareusedinareverentmannerwithawiseguidethehealinggitsarereadilyavailable.Womenarenaturallywiredtoulflltheroleoguidewithourinnatenurturingcapacitiesandourprotectivemother-inginstincts.WithsomanystoriesomaleshamanssexuallyabusingwomenonthemedicineespeciallyayahuascaIencourageinterestedexplorerstoseekoutawomanshamanipossible.Teyareelusivebuttheyareoutthereoperatingwithdevotionandintegrity.TherapistasMushroomShamanIknowawomanwhoisbothaprac-ticingtherapistandashamanicpracti-tioner.Withcertainclientssheunctionsasmushroomshamanprovidingasaeandnurturingenvironmentorherclientastheyjourneyonthemushroom.Shehassharedstorieswithmeoclientswhowereutterlystuckuntiltheywereabletoexperienceabreakthroughthatonlythemushroomteacherscouldprovide.Likemyselsheactsasmidwieandguideandlaterassistsherclientintheintegra-tionotheexperience.Everypersonshehasworkedwithhasturnedacornerintheirhealingorthebetter.Sheknowstherisksbutsaysthatthepsychologicalhealingshehaswitnessedinpeopleistooprooundtoignore.Shethinksoherselasnotonlyinservicetoherclientsbutalsothemushroomitsel.Tissentimentisnotunusualinpeoplewhoworkwiththeplantmedi-cines.Asthoseouswhoengagenatureknowthereisanintelligencethatpermeateseverylivingthing.Teshamanshitsstatesoconsciousnesstoengagetheseintelligenceswhichisotendonebyingestingorsmokingoneonaturesoerings.Teseplantsandungiareactualbeingswhicharerevealedtotheshamanwhoengagesthem.Teshamanormsarelationshipwiththeanimatingintelligenceotheplantorungi.TewomenIhavepersonallymetwhoworkwiththesesubstancesallhaveadeeploveandreverenceortheplantteachers.Teyallseethemselvesinservicetothatteacherandeveryoneothemishelpingpeopletohealandgrowthroughtheuseothesemedicines.Tereisahumilityinthesewomenandapalpableintegritythatcomesromthedevotedengagementwiththeseplantteachers.Teshamanworkswiththespiritsinordertonavigateboththeethericrealmsandthephysicalworld.Hereinthe21stcenturyoursocietalillsclearlydisplayamissingbridgetotheethericguidesthatoccupytheouterrealms.Wewillnotsolveourproblemswiththesamemind-setthathascreatedthem.Iourdysunc-tionalcultureistostandachanceoheal-ingitselinthisnewcenturyaparadigmshitmustoccur.Wewoulddowelltowelcomebacktheancienteminineartsotheshamanicmedicinewomen.Tesearethewisewomenwhodetlytraversetheetherssotheircommunitiescanbehealed.Tesearethewomenwhodaretopassthroughtheveilsthatseparatetheworldothemundaneromtheworldothenuminous.Tesearethewomenwhoriskalltoworkwithillegalplantstohealtheirpeople.Tesearethewomenwhomidwiethebirthnotonlyothebabebutalsotheinfniteshimmeringpoten-tialothegreattribeohumanity.InLakEchIamanotheryouReferences1edlockBarbaraPhDTheWomanIntheShamansBodyRandomHousePublishingGroup2009.2ArvigoRositaMidwieryOnAncientCozumelIsland2014.Viewarticleatwww.birth-institute.com3InterviewwithGrandmotherJulietaJanuary2007.Viewarticleatwww.nativevillage.org4www.visionarycongress.orgABOUTTHEAUTHORShonaghHomeisanauthorteacherandshamanicpractitioner.Shetakesherstudentsbeyondthewatereddownnewagetrendsandintotheterritoryofthesacred.Herofferingsfocusonthecultivationofourintrinsicabilities-intuitioncreativityandmulti-dimensionalawareness.Hershamanicworkwiththesacredmushroominformsbothherteachingandherprivatepractice.SheisauthorofthebooksIxChelWisdom7TeachingsfromtheMayanSacredFeminineLoveandSpiritMedicineandtheupcomingHoneybeeWisdomAModernMelissaeSpeaks.Visitwebsiteatwww.shonaghhome.com 32AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014SHAMANICPRACTICEAtensionhaslongexistedbetweenthecontemporarysha-manismmovementandtraditionalNativeAmericanhealers.Ihaveexperiencedthistensionrombothsides.InmytimewithtraditionalNorthAmericanhealersIlearnedthatcallingsome-oneashamanwasastronginsult.Phrasessuchasurbanshamanweresynonymouswithplasticmedicineman.Teyweretermsoderision.FrommycontemporaryshamansideIdeeplyrespectedtraditionalhealersbutknewIcouldneverbeoneatleastwithinthedefnitionIhadlearnedtouse.Ioundmyselinthequandaryoneverbeingatraditionalhealerbuthavinglearnedtheirdistasteorthewordshaman.IwantedtosaythatIwasahealthpractitionerwhowasinspiredandin-ormedbytraditionalhealersandtheirpracticesbutthatdidntfteasilyonabusinesscard.SowhatwasIomeatraditionalhealerhaslivedhisorherentirelieinareservationsettingandisullyimmersedinthelieothecom-munity.Heorshehasbeenahelpertoanolderhealeroryearsusuallyatleast20andhascomeintohisorherownrecogni-tionuponthedeathothehealerwhomheorshewashelping.IcouldnotbeatraditionalhealerbecauseIhadnotgrownuponareservationthoughsomehavearguedthatsoutheasternKentuckythelandomychildhoodisonebigreservationoormercoalminingtownsandtheircompanystoresuntilcoalminingdisappearedleavingabjectpovertyinitswake.AlsoIbelievethathighereducationchangesuspermanently.MostothetraditionalhealersIknowdidnotventurepasthighschoolandmanydidnotmakeitthatar.Highereducationchangesusorbetterandworse.Itmakesithardertoreturntothecommunityandunctionintheroleotraditionalhealer.Howeverthereisapotentialawinmythinking.Givenmydefnitiontraditionalhealerswilleventuallyceasetoexistaspeoplebecomemoreeducated.Wewillalldevelopintohy-brids.Perhapswhenthathappenswewillhavetochangeourdefnitiontoencompassanewbreedohybridswhoareabletooperateinbothworlds.AreweclosetothattimenowIwouldconsidermyselahybrid.Ihavespenttimewithhealersmyentirelie.Igrewuparoundhealersthoughnotonareservation.Mygreat-grandmotherwasahealer.HoweverasachildIwasntconsciouslyawareohealing.InactItookmyculturerelativelyorgrantedasmanychildrendo.ItwasnotuntilIarrivedatStanordMedicalSchoolthatIrealizedthatIcameromadierentworldrommostomyellowstudents.Ihavebeenintentionallyspendingtimewithhealerssince1973.Ihavelearnedhowtoconductsometraditionalcer-emoniesandhaveworkedalongsidetraditionalhealerstoassistthemthroughoutthoseyears.IhavetakenwhatIobservedandhaveapplieditinmyownworld.Ihavetakenwhatthehealerscalleddoctoringandhavecalleditenergymedicine.IhavedrawnintellectualparallelsbetweenNativeAmericanhealingandchigongChineseenergyhealingReikiaJapaneseormoenergyhealingandTerapeuticouch.Ihaverelatedthemethodsohands-on-the-bodyosteopathichealingthatIlearnedromCherokeepractitionersothatarttotuinanaChineseormomanipulativemedicinetoTaimassageandtoAmericanosteopathicpracticewhichmanyNativescholarsbelieveounderAndrewaylorStilllearnedromthePawneeNationwithwhomhespentmanyyearsbeoreinventingosteopathy.Myworkisinspiredbytraditionalhealingandsomeoitlooksliketraditionalhealingbutitremainsahybrid.IamhopelesslyinuencedbyallthetraditionsIhavestudiedincludingReikitraditionalChinesemedicinechigongaswellasNativeAmericanhealing.NativeAmericanhealershavehelpedmetounderstandthatspiritmovesthroughmyhandsasIworkandinuenceswhatIdoincreasingbothmyrecep-tivityandmyeectiveness.TathavingbeensaidwhyamIuncomortablecallingmyselacontemporaryshamanIaskedoneomyeldersthisquestionandthisiswhathesaid.ShamanisawordromSiberia.1Itmeanshealerinonetribeslanguage.Youshouldntuseotherpeopleslanguageiyoudontknowtheirculturehesaid.Youshouldusethelanguageothecultureyoucomerom.FromollowingtheworkoMichaelHarnerandSandraIngermanIknowthattheiroriginalmodelorhealingcameromtheseSiberianhealers.Whatdiersisthestyleolearning.InSiberiapeoplespendtwentyormoreyearslearningtheircrat.IncontemporaryNorthAmericaitisdoneinaseriesoweekendworkshopsoraone-to-two-yearcourse.TisiswhytraditionalNorthAmericanhealersdismisscontemporarysha-manstheydontbelievethemedicinecanbelearnedinthiswaythisquickly.HoweverIhaveseenpeoplebeneftromtheirworkwithcontemporaryshamanism.Ihavealsoseenitusedasatoolorgeneratingincomewithlittleeectiveness.Ihavealsoseentraditionalhealerstakeadvantageosomeothepeoplewhocometoseethem.AsNewAgeascontemporaryOneRoadManyBranchesbyLewisMehl-MadronaMDPh.D. www.shamansociety.org33shamanismmightappeartotraditionalwisdomkeeperssomepeoplehavemiraculousresults.HowdowedismissapracticethathelpspeopleWhataboutrehabilitatingthewordshamanorNorthAmericanhealersShamanismisapracticethatinvolvesapractitionerencounteringandinteractingwiththespiritworldandchannelingtheseenergiesintothisworld.1Ashamanisapersonregardedashavingaccesstoandinuenceinthespiritworldwhotypicallyentersintoatrancestateduringceremonypracticingdivinationandhealing.2NorthAmericanhealersdonotnecessarilyseethemselvesasenteringatrancestateduringceremony.Noteveryonepracticesdivination.Howevertheydoseethemselvesascultivatingrelationshipswithspiritbeingsandmakingrequestsothesespiritstointerveneinhumanaairs.IamnotawareoanyNorthAmericanhealerswhojourneyonbehaloothersintothespiritworldmakenegotia-tionsandreturn.HoweverIamnotamiliarwithInuitpracticesorthoseoAlaskans.InNorthAmericaorthemostpartthespiritworldisherecoincidingwithourworld.Oneomyelderssaidthatitisaootupandsixinchestothelet.TeeldersIknowdonotjourneytheysimplyopentheirawarenesstothespiritrealm.ShamanisminpopularculturehascometobeassociatedwithjourneyingasinSiberia.TispreventsNorthAmericanhealersromwantingtobelabeledasshamansnottomentiontheiradversitytopopularityandrecognition.Inmanytribeshealershavenonameatallbeingreerredtosimplyasthatmanorbyname.PeoplesaygoseeJoeinresponsetoaneedorhealing.Healershavereputationsorbeingmoreorlesssuccessulwithparticulartypesoprob-lems.Teyeschewlabelsorrecognition.AneldertoldmeIsomeonetellsyoutheyareahealerruntheotherway.TeproblembecomestheculturalgapbetweenNorthAmericantraditionalhealersinwhichrecognitionisavoidedandproftisnotsoughtandcontemporaryshamanisminwhicheesareotensetsometimesquitehighlyandrecognitionissought.SomecontemporaryshamanspromotethemselvesactivelythroughadvertisingandmakeclaimsthatwouldembarrasstraditionalNorthAmericanhealers.Idontknowhowweinte-gratetheseworldsbutIthinkthedialogueneedstobegin.TisisespeciallyimportantbecausearegressivemovementagainstspiritualityandhealingisgrowinginNorthAmerica.Speakingevenomicronutrientscancreatetroubleorphysi-cians.TeNorthAmericanhealerssolutionistoremaininvisiblewhichworksorthembutpreventstheintegrationomainstreammedicalserviceswithtraditionalhealingwhichIbelievemusthappen.OneuponatimeIdidaworkshoponhealingoralocalUnitarian-UniversalistChurch.IoundastridentprotesterraisingahueandcryaboutmybeingaNewAgeIndianwhiteshamanandsellinghiscultureorpersonalgain.Io-eredhimanhourintheworkshoptopresenthispointoviewandoeredhimaplaceortheentireweekendbuthedidntcomeoreitheropportunity.HoweverIunderstoodhispointoview.HewasangryattheculturalgenocidethathasbeenperpetrateduponNorthAmericanpeopleoveratleastthepastGeralBlanchardhaswrittenamarvelousbookabouthowtobringtheunder-standingsoftheworldsancientculturesintoourcontemporaryhealthcarepractices.IthinkitisimportantthateveryprofessionalinpracticeandeverystudentofthehealingprofessionslearntheseideasandAncientEthicsisanexcellentwayforthemtoexploretheseimportantconcepts.LewisMehl-MadronaM.D.PhDauthoroNarrativeMedicineandCoyoteHealingMiraclesinNativeMedicine.AncientEthicsisopenaccessibleandbornoftheauthorsfearlessself-explora-tion.TisisanimportantbookespeciallytothoseofustrainedinEuro-Americanclinicalperspectives.IamseldomsocertainaboutanythingasIamaboutthisbook.Iurgeyoutoreadit.MikeLewauthoroVictimsNoLongerTisisagentleinspiringexaminationofthemanywaysthatWesterntherapiesmightbeimprovedbyincorporatingancientapproaches.IlovedthebookespeciallylearningofBlanchardsexperiencesandhiswayofwritingaboutthem.Highlyrecommended.RupertRossauthoroReturningtotheeachingsandIndigenousHealing.24.00231pagesNeariPressaddressnearipress.org888-632-7412sequeltoAncientWaysIndigenousHealingInnovationsforthe21stCentury2011LinktoreeNeariPressyoutubewebinar 34AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014200years.Hewasangryatnon-indigenouspeoplesproftingromNorthAmericanculture.Byrightsheshouldbeangrierwithmethanwithcontemporaryshamanswhomadethedeci-siontoavoidNorthAmericanhealingandtoocusonSiberianpractice.Teyaremoreexemptromcriticismduetotherela-tivelackoSiberianhealershere.MycriticdidnotcarethatIhadsomeindigenouslineageonbothsidesandthatIwastalkingaboutlessonsromNorthAmericanindigenouspracticesorcontemporaryhealing.Teseweresubtlepointsthatdidntimpresshim.NordidhecarethatIdonatetheproceedsrommyhealingpracticetoournot-or-proft.Forhimthesewereslight-o-handmaneuverstohidemythetohisculturethoughactuallyhewasOjib-wayacultureaboutwhichIknowverylittle.InoureveningdiscussionsthisyeararoundthefreattheSunDancecampseveraloushelpersanddancerscametosomeconclusionsaboutthesematters.Priorto1975orin-stanceallNativeAmericanceremonywasillegalsotherewasanecessarysecrecyandexclusivitylestonebearrested.IwroteinCoyoteMedicineaboutFatherStonethelocalpriestwhoattendedmyfrstsweatlodgeceremonybeore1978whowasreadytodeclaretheceremonyaRomanCatholicriteithepoliceappeared.Heactuallybroughthiscollarintothelodgetoputonirequired.Ater19751960inCanadawiththepassageotheAmericanIndianFreedomoReligionActonecanimaginethatconsiderableangerremained.TiswastheheydayotheAmericanIndianMovementandIndianpoliticalactivism.Non-IndianswerentwelcomenecessarilyatSunDanceorotherceremonies.TisledMannywoFeathersorex-ampletostarthisownmixed-bloodsundance.BeorehediedMannywroteawonderulbookcalledTeRoadtotheSundance.JustasHarnerandIngermanavoidedreerencetoNorthAmericanpracticeMannycratedsongsinEnglishtoavoidanycriticismoco-optingLakotaandotherindigenouspractice.Hereswhatwethoughthappened.Inthe1980sculturebecameincorporatedintoalcoholanddrugtreatmentpro-grams.ToseprogramsservingalargepercentageoNativepeoplebegantooerpurifcationinipiceremonies.Teybegantowelcometheinvolvementotraditionalelders.SinceFederalreimbursementguidelinespreventedthemromtreat-ingonlyNativeAmericansthisprogrammingbecameavail-abletopeopleoallethnicities.PeopleoEuropeandescentdiscoveredthattheRedRoadtheinipiceremonyandtheSunDancetonameaewceremonieswerebetteratpreventingre-lapseintoalcoholanddrugusethantheconventionalmodali-tiestheyhadpreviouslybeenoered.Indiansandnon-Indiansormedlastingbondsintreatmentprogramsthroughceremo-niesconductedtherethatcontinuedintothelargerworld.Webelievethattreatmentprogramschangedtheexclusivitypolicyintoinclusivity.Oneothedancerssaidhehadreadthattherewouldbealmost400sundancesthisseasonacrosstheUnitedStatesover40inSouthDakotaalone.Isuspectthatisanunder-estimate.Canadacouldaddseveralhundredmore.Ceremonyisourishing.ManyothepeopleIhavemetatSunDanceproclaimtheRedRoadandallitsceremonieshavekeptthemaliveandsober.TesearepeopleromallethnicitiesnotjustNativeAmerican.TemajorityosundancesnowwelcomeallcomersincludingthisyearorthefrsttimetheAmericanIndianMovementsSunDance.Discriminationbyethnicityhasstopped.OneOnandagaeldertoldmeTesewaysareoreveryone.CreatorgavethemtothepeopletosharewitheveryonenotjustIndians.TatswhyIwelcomeanyonewithloveorweareallone.Hismottowasoneroadmanybranches.HealsosaidinexplainingthedierencesoundateachSunDanceceremonyonetheologymanypractices.WhatisapparentatSunDanceevenbytheseconddayopurifcationwithsevendaysremainingistheincredibleloveandsupportthatexistsoreveryone.Hatredandangerhavenotenteredthesesacredgrounds.Weworktogethertoproduceadanceorthehealingoallpeople.Wearechoos-ingtosueronpurposewithapurposesothatthepeoplewhocomeheremaybehealedsothatthepeopleorwhomweareprayingcangetwell.IwillbringpeopletothetreeorhealingmyriendwhosuersromnewlydiagnosedovariancancermyriendswhoaresueringromseverementalandphysicalillnessesmynewpatientsorwhomIwishtodomorethananyonepreviouslyhaseverdoneorthem.Troughoursacrifcesandourprayersthesepeoplewillbehelped.Perhapsitstimeorthecontemporaryshamanismmove-menttoreconnectwiththeRedRoad.PerhapsitwasonceuponatimeastuteandpoliticallycorrecttolearnromSiberiansandtoavoidthepitallonon-IndianslearningromIndians.Perhapsthosedaysareoverandwecanseekriendlycamaraderiewitheachother.Perhapswemighthavetoex-ploreothertermsthanshamanismlikespirit-inspiredenergymedicinetoolongorspirit-guidedhealingorindigenousenergymedicineorjusthealing.OrmaybetheNativeworldembracesthewordshamanismthoughIdoubtthatwillhap-pensoon.IbelieveintheprophecyoHisCrazyHorsetheLakotavisionarythatwearecomingtoatimewhenwewillbeonepeoplejoinedtogetherbytheseways.Itstimeorsharingandunity.Exclusivityisathingothepast.OurSunDanceleadersaidhewassometimescriticizedorservingallbutthatsthewayotheuturehesaid.Itsthewayoloveandcompas-sionandthatswhatSunDanceisabout. www.shamansociety.org35HereismypoemaboutSunDanceTefeldisfllingwithtentsandcampers.Onceuponatimeitwasalltipisbutthosedaysaregonewedontlivethatwayanymore.odaywehearthenoiseotheelectricgeneratororthecookstovethesoundsocarscomingandgoingthevacuumromthetruckpumpingoutthelatrinesandthesoundsothechainsawthatchopsupthewood.Feelthespiritsthough.Fortheyarehere.Teyarecoming.TeyarecomingromtheWesttheyarecoming.TeyarecomingromtheNorththeyarecoming.TeyarecomingromtheEasttheyarecoming.TeyarecomingromtheSouththeyarecoming.TeyarecomingromtheSkyandtheEarth.Teyarecomingromwithineachous.Spiritsarecoming.Whentheycomethesignsothetimesdisappear.GonearetheRVstheWinnebagostheruckcampersthecolemantents.GonearethepropanegascookstovesandtheLEDlanterns.Goneareallsignsomodernlieorwecannolongerseethem.OureyesareuponthetreeUponthedance.onightisthefrstpurifcationlodge.Treemorewillollowaswepreparetostepintotheworldbetweentheworldstheportaltothespiritworldthatisthearbour.Temosquitosarestillhere--Justastheywerein1840.TeSpiritsarestillhere--EvenmoretruetodayBecauseweneedthemsomuchmore.Teworldhaschangedandweneedthem.Weneedtopraywithonevoiceasonepeoplelikeweneverdidbeore.Weneedtojoinarmsandembraceeachothercrossingthedivideslikegenderreligionskincolorallthechasmsthatkeepusapart.TatstheSunDancethechancetobringthePeopleogetherorhealingorweareOneOneRoadManyBranchesOneCreatorManyprotocolsOneWorldmanywaystoembraceeachother. 36AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014FOOTNOTES1hewordshamanoriginatesromtheungusicEvenkilanguageoNorthAsiaandwasintroducedtothewestaterRussianorcesconqueredtheshamanisticKhanateoKazanin1552.2HopplM.2007.Eco-AnimismoSiberianShamanhoodinShamansandraditionsB.Shamanistica.Editor.BudapestAkadmiaiKiadp.17-26.3Wikipedia.2014.Shamanism.Lastaccessed6July2014Availableromhttpen.wikipedia.orgwikiShamanismCoyoteMedicineMymusehasbeenCoyotewhoisrapidlybecomingaworldwidesymbolochangeandtransormation.SheisoneothemostrapidlyexpandingspeciesontheplanetexiblyintegratingherselintodiverseenvironmentsromthewildsoLabradortoCentralParkinthemiddleoManhattan.Amarvelousstoryexistsoacoyotebeingscoopedupbytherontbumperoacargoingullspeedonaninterstatehighwayandhourslaterwalkingawayunscathedwhenreleasedromthegrillothecar.Coyotehasgrabbedourattentionexactlybecausesheisasurvivorandwithpanachetoboot.Coyoteembodiesexibilityhumorandadaptability.Tismakeshertheidealsymbolorourtimes.PerhapsCoyoteistheonewhocanhelpusurtherthisdialogue.Coyoteisanequalop-portunistwhenitcomestopokingunateveryone.WetakeourselvestooseriouslyandCoyotecanhelpwiththat.Weneedtobeabletolaughatourselvesandateachotherinordertohavegenuinedialogue.Coyotehasalsobecomeasymbolorthoseousonthemarginsothemainstream.ByhernatureCoyotelivesoutsidetheboxinthemarginsoacceptabilityandrespectability.Ocoursethosewholiveoutsidetheboxhaveperspectivesthatarenotpossiblerominsidethebox.Insideissaeandcomortable.Outsideiswherechangehappens.Changehappensatthemargins.Changeinvolvesdoingthingsdierentlythantheyhavealwaysbeendonewhentheyarenotworking.Coyotesarearenoughontheedgetosaywhatwillworkandwhatwillnotthoughrarelydoesanyonelisten.Everysocietyneedsitscoyotesitscourtjestersitssatiristsanditssacredclowns.SocialsurvivalrequiressomeonetobeabletosaywhentheEmperorisnaked.Weareatthemarginsathomeandabroadaskingiotherstorieswillworkbetterandiwecanrecoverandre-examinethosepre-conqueststories.PerhapsCoyotecanhelpuslovinglyandhumorouslyexploreourdierencesandfndwaysorcross-culturalcommunication.ABOUTTHEAUTHORLewisMehl-MadronaMDworkswithaboriginalcommunitiestodevelopuniquelyaboriginalstylesofhealingandhealthcareforuseinthosecommunities.HeistheauthorofCoyoteMedicineCoyoteHealingandCoyoteWisdomatrilogyofbooksonwhatNativeculturehastoofferthemodernworld.LewiscurrentlyteachesintheClinicalPsychologyProgramatUnionInstituteUniversityinBrattleboroVermont.Hemaintainsapart-timeprivatepracticeoffamilymedicineandpsychiatryandservesontheBoardofDirectorsoftheCoyoteInstituteforStudiesofChangeandTransformation.Contactinformationathttpwww.mehl-madrona.com www.shamansociety.org37Iheardutteringandoppingsoundsonthesunporchomyriendslakecottage.Itsthehummingbirdshesaidasshegentlypickeditupromtheoorandcradleditinherpalm.Tebirdquietedtoliestillagainstthewarmthitsminusculeclawsgrippingherskinssurace.Tetinyemalehadownintothehouseinthelateater-noonothepreviousdaythroughtheproppeddoorasmyriendunloadedhergroceries.Withthechillintheairpromis-ingaverycoldnightallmyriendmadeasmalleedingsta-tionoritindoorsromared-drapedeyedropperthenplacedthebirdonacottonclothandcovereditwithacardboardboxorcomortandsecurityovernight.Itwasmid-Septemberanditscompanionshadalreadybeguntheirlongjourneysouth.Toughweakeneditmadesmallintermittentefortstobatteragainstthesolidwallotheroomintheoppositedirectionothewindow.Strugglingtostayuprightittiltedandtumbledeventhoughittightlyclaspedthesmallbranchlaidoverthecloth.WhattodoHowwerewetounderstandthismiraculousmomentointimacyasweheldandtendedthistinyPerec-tionWesatquietlywithitinmeditationandaskedthebirdtocomeintoourheartstotelluswhatitsiridescentwingsandsharpdarkeyeshadcometosay.TemessagecameloudandclearFindthesweetnessthenectaroeverymomentnomatterhowitmayappeartoyou.Tatistheessenceoyourhealing.Temessagealsotoldustotakeitoutsidetodieasitwasclearlyailingquickly.Webroughtittothegardenwallnexttothesturdyzinniasandlaiditinthesun.Whenwecheckedonitanhourlateritwasdead.MyriendbroughtitinsideandwelookedatitinamazementstillholdingtightlytoitsbranchonthewhitecottoncloththesmallbodyhadullyextendeditswingsandtaileathersasiinightanditsincrediblytinytonguewasprotrudingromitsbeaktastingDeathinallitssweetnessTereisaibetanBuddhistpracticeoChdinwhichthepractitionervisitscharnelgroundsorburialsitestoberiendDeathandtoaceonesearotheinevitablelossothephysicalbody.InthisimaginalpracticeoneistransportedinthemindtomergewiththeChddeityMachigLapdronandromhervantagepointtolookdownwithgreatcompassionatonesphysicalormsuspendedbelowwhilesimultaneouslychoppingitintopiecestomakeaeastorthehungryghostswhowandertheEarth.Teeastisoferedunconditionallyastheimaginalpracticecontinuesonesbodypartsareplacedintooneseverexpandingskullcaptobecomeagreatstewthattransormsintothenectarowhatevereachothehungryghostsmayneedmost.AteralltheghostsaresatedtheChdpractitionerreturnstohisphysicalbodyawaitinghiminordinaryreality.Tisseeminglygruesomeprocessisconsideredanactogreatspiritualservice.Notonlyisnothingheldbackrombeingoferedintheeastbutalsothegruesomenessitseltrans-SHAMANICPRACTICETheDeathofHummingbirdbyCecileCarsonMD 38AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014ormsintoexactlythenectarneededtohealeachhungryghostandallowittomoveonintotheLight.JustasHummingbirdtolduseverythinghasaseedosweetnessaseedotransormationwithinitnothingistoogoodortoopreciousortooawultobeheldbackromtheofering.LikethehungryghostseachouscanpartakeothenectaroLieandDeathtonourishoursouls.Westrugglesomuchinourhumanconditiontryingtosepa-rateoutthebadromthegood.YetweallknowothealchemythathardshipcanprovidetoourspiritthattakesthebasemetaloourpainandgrieandgreedandangerandchangesittothegoldobeingpurelywhoweareorasZorbatheGreekputsittheullcatastropheobeinghumanandremindsusthatunderneathsuraceappearancesAllisWell.HummingbirdewintoourlivesthisdaytoteachusthatmiracletohelpusbewithDeathandourearsinagentleway.Aterwardwewalkedtothewatersedge.TerewiththeearlyallwindsharpandcrisponouraceswesangHummingbirdsdeathsongingratitudecarryingitsblessingtoallhungrysoulsinneed.ABOUTTHEAUTHORCecileCarsonMDisaninternistalsotrainedinpsychiatrywhoor30yearsocusedmuchoherworkonhelpingpeopledealwithlie-threateningillnesssuchasHIVandcancer.ShewasClinicalAssociateProessoroMedicineandPsychiatryattheUniversityoRochesterMedicalCenterinRochesterNYrom1988to2006.Sinceherfrstdaysinmedicalschoolshehaslookedorwaystoaddressthewholepersonandherascinationhasbeenthemanyormsthatthehealingprocesscantake.Recognizingthatillnessotenrequiressoul-levelworkshehasshitedherocustospiritualcoachingandhealing.FollowingextensivetrainingthroughtheFoundationorShamanicStudiesinshamanicmethodsoraddressingthespiritualaspectoillnessshebeganintegratingthismodalityintoherownpracticeaswellasteachingittoothers.CecileisaFoundingBoardMemberotheSocietyorShamanicPractitionersaninternationalorganizationoindividualsdeeplycommittedtousingshamanicskillstohealthespiritualaspectsoillnessinpeoplecommunitiesbusinessandtheenvironment.www.cecilecarson.com www.shamansociety.org39REVIEWSShamanicpractitionersalwayshavealotostuf.Comparedtosomeotherhealersandpractitionersomeditativeorvisionarydisciplineswhoareknownorthesimplicityandmaterialauster-ityotheirpracticesweseemtobepackrats.Inourtrainingweencountertoolscostumesandsacredobjectsthattraditionalshamansuseintheirworkanddependingonthesetraditionsweareencouragedtocreateorcollectsimilarimplements.Tesecollectionsoobjectsarenotjustorshowandtoimpressoth-erswiththeshamanspoweralthoughthatisoneothewaystheydounction.Tesetoolsandimplementsactuallycontainpower.Inmanycasestheyaretheshamansdirectlinkwithhisorherspiritsthatarethesourceopower.Teyareindispensable.InASpiritWalkersGuidetoShamanicToolsEvelynRysdykdrawsuponhermanytalentsasspiritwalkerteachershamanhealerartistscholarandauthortocontributeamuch-neededandvalu-ablesourcebookthatliketheshamanictraditionsshediscusseswillstandthetestotime.Likethedrumtherattlethemaskthemselvesherbookistime-less.BeingateacheroartanddesignRysdyksinstructionsormakingtheseitemsareclearunderstandableandeasytovisualize.Herchoiceovocabularyandphraseswillhelpeventhemostcrat-challengedtoeelcomortableandcompetent.Andinadditionmostotheobjectssheincludesareaccompaniedbyherexcellentpen-and-inkdrawingsoroccasionalphotographsthatshowexactlywhatsheisexplaining.ButRysdykdoesntleaveyouwithjustthenutsandboltsocratingsacredobjects.Shealsoincludesjourneysuggestionstomeetthespiritsotheobjectsandlearnromthemhowtousethem.Tensheofersritualstoempowertheimplementsorpersonaluse.Lastlyeachchapterhasprocessquestionstoencouragepractitionerstoreectandrecordchangeswithinthemselvesastheymadeoroundtheirsacredtoolsandwhatinuencetheprocesshadontheirshamaniclives.woeaturesothisbookreallyde-lightedme.Firstisthewidespreadselec-tionoobjectsRysdykincludedboththeobviousandnotsoobvious.Secondisthedetaileddescriptionohowthesesa-credtoolsvaryamongindigenouspeopleacrossthecontinents.ForShamanicToolsisnotjustacratershandbook.Itdoublesasauniquecompendiumoshamaniccratandartandthevarietiesohumaningenuitythatourancestorsandcontemporaryshamansputintotheirlivesandshamanicpractices.Inactthebookisaremarkablesourcebookorshamanicpracticesandtraditionsandtheculturesthatproducedthemandworthreadingorthatalone.Buttheheartothebookiscreatingandcollectingthesacredobjectsthatempowerourpracticesandourlives.Tereareseparatechaptersorthestan-dardobjectslikedrumsrattlesmasksandcostumes.ButRysdykalsodevoteschapterstosubjectsthatmightbelesswell-knowntosomereaders.Teseincludetheshamanictreeutesandwhistlesmirrorsprayerbeadsandmalaseathersandansstafsandwandsbagsandcontainerstoholdsacredtoolsandsuggestionsorcreatingadiagramormapotheshamansspiritualconnectionsacrossandbetweentheworlds.TehandbookendswithaglossaryoindigenousandEnglishtermsaresourceASpiritWalkersGuidetoShamanicToolsEvelynC.RysdykWeiserBooks 40AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014listoshamanicorganizationsandsuppliersocratsmaterialsandseveralvideolinks.Iwasremindedwhilereadingthisbookthatwhenallissaidanddonewhenalliscratedstitchedcarvedandpaintedtheshamanstoolkitisnothingotherthanthephysicalele-mentsocreationselectedandempoweredtoprovidespiritualhelp.Novicestoshamanismareinclinedtoholdshamanicobjectsingreataweandwonderintriguedbyhowasimpleeatherorstonecancontaindeephealingpower.Tenovicemightthinkthatsurelytheseobjectsarerarepreciousmysteri-ousmaybeevenexpensive.ButIrecallhearingyearsagothestoryoananthropolo-gistwhowasworkingwithatraditionalshamansomewhereinAricaashamanwidelyrespectedandhonoredorhisabilitytofndwisdomknowledgeandhealingadvicebygazingintoaspecialmagicmirrorthatheusedordivination.Teanthropologisthopedtheshamanwouldlethimseethismirroratsomepointsohemightdeterminehowandwhythismirrorcouldbesopowerul.Eventuallytheshamanagreedtolethimseeitandwasnttheanthropologistshockedtodiscoverthatitwasacrackedrear-viewmirrorromanoldFordpickuptruckIendwiththisstorybecauseinitsownquirkywayitre-ectswhatEvelynRysdykswonderulbookisaskingustodofndcreateempowertheelementsoourownlivesandreleasethespiritineach.Tereisnobetterbookthanthisonetoinspireyoutotryyourhandatcreatingthesacredimplementsthatwillenhanceyourshamanicpracticeorsimplytolearnmoreabuttheiroriginsanduses.Rysdykisawiseandgitedteacherartistandshaman.Youwilllearnalotromher.SoIendwiththisstoryothemagicmirrortostretchyourvisionowhathaspowerwhatcanjoinustotheworldoSpiritwhatdeservesourrespectwhatisvaluable.Forallthingshavespiritarevaluableandaresacred.Andyoucanfndthemormakethem.ASpiritWalkersGuidetoShamanicToolsispublishedbyWeiserBooks.ReviewbyomCowan.AJournalofContemporaryShamanismSubmitanarticleandbecomeamemberwithawebsitelistingTheSocietyforShamanicPractitionersDedicatedtothereemergenceofshamanicpracticesinmodernsocietyespeciallythosethatpromotehealthyindividualsandviablecommunities...Weareartistseducatorshealersinmultipledisciplinestherapy-dogownersnonprofitprofessionalseditorsandmanymore.WeliveinItalyIdahotheUKCaliforniaCanadaandIceland.Whatbindsusisourbeliefinthepracticeofshamanismasoneofhealingthatremindsusofandsupportsourconnectionwithallthatis.Ifyouwouldliketosubmitanarticlejoinasamemberwithawebsitelistingorderbackissuesorcometooneofourinternationalconferencespleasevisitusatwww.shamansociety.orgPleasejoinusaswemakeshamanicpracticesandwisdommoreavailabletoall www.shamansociety.org41ARTTOOLSSUPPLIESCEDARMOUNTAINDRUMSDrumsdrumkitsrattlesandrattlekitstalkingsticksshieldsaccessoriesherbsflutesdrumframesandmore.www.cedarmountaindrums.com503-235-6345CICADACREATIONSJewelrycreatedwith4themesPowerIntuitionGroundingProtectionusingGemstonesAustinTexaskarenkarencicada.comRONSHORTSTUDIOSRonaldAllenShortMA-ArtTherapyBFAShamanicArtIllustrationBookDesignEditingProductionSantaFeNM505-954-1050coyoteronshortstudios.comwww.ronshortstudios.comORGANIZATIONSTHEPOWERPATHSCHOOLOFSHAMANISMProvidingpracticaltoolsforconsciouslivingProgramsclasseswildernesssolosSantaFeNMadminthepowerpath.com505-982-8732www.thepowerpath.comSeeadonpage2SHAMANPORTAL.ORGTheglobalshamaniccommunitysmostcomprehensivewebsite.FindhealersteachersworkshopstripsshareknowledgeandkeepupwiththeShamanicNews.Getinvolved.Seeadonpage31SOCIETYFORSHAMANICPRACTITIONERSAnallianceofpeoplecommittedtothere-emergenceofshamanism.www.shamansociety.orgSeeadonpage40PUBLICATIONSBOOKSANCESTRALLINESCLEARINGMaryphyllisHornTeachesaspiritualenergyprocessthatclearsdysfunctionalpsychologicalandspiritualtraitsfromyourDNA.Seeadonpage13ANCIENTETHICSFORTODAYSHEALERSIlluminatingbestpracticeguidelinesforcontemporarypsychotherapiststraversingmodernandancienthealingpaths.GeralT.BlanchardLPChttpbookstore.nearipress.orgindex.phpancient-ethics.htmlSeeadonpage33ANENCYCLOPEDIAOFSHAMANISM2VolsetessaysshamanicconceptsandpeoplesAvailableineBookpaperbackhardcoverwww.lastmaskcenter.orgSeeadonpage20AJOURNALOFCONTEMPORARYSHAMANISMadminshamansociety.orgSeeadonpage40LESSONSINCOURAGEPeruvianShamanWisdomforEverydayLifeDonOscarMiro-QuesadaSeeadpage15MICHAELMURPHYAuthorof-MurphysLawsoftheInnerLife-WhattheAnimalsSaidtoMe-ShamansAnimalsandStarPeople641-472-2598michaeldawnhawk.comwww.dawnhawk.comSACREDHOOPMAGAZINEAleadinginternationalmagazineofshamanicwisdomwww.sacredhoop.orgSeeadonpage38SHAMANISMWITHOUTBORDERSAGuidetoShamanicTendingforTraumaandDisastersASocietyforShamanicPractitionersHandbookExperiencedpractitionersexplaintechniquesandprinciplesusedthroughouttimetodealwithtraumaanddisastersandhowthesepracticesarestillappliedtoday.httpwww.shamansociety.orgswb.htmlSeeadoninsidebackcoverSPIRITWALKERSGUIDETOSHAMANICTOOLSEvelynC.RysdykSeeReviewonpage39TRAVELRETREATCENTERSSPIRITWALKERSRETREATOntheslopesofMountShastahidellaaol.comwww.spiritwalkersretreat.comEVENTSANDCONFERENCESSOCIETYFORSHAMANICPRACTITIONERSInternationalWildernessRetreatAugust12-162015SeeadoninsidebackcoverTREEANDSTARResidentialAnimistShamanicGatheringSquamishBritishColumbiaCanadaMay4-82015Seeadonpage4SHAMANICSERVICESANCESTRIALVOICECenterforIndigenousLifewaysPhillipScottFounderDirector415-897-7991www.AncestrialVoice.orgSeeadonpage7FALL2014RESOURCES 42AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014CANADIANCENTERFORSHAMANICSTUDIESWhereShamanicPractitionersgatherintheWayoftheCircleco-creatinganewdreamfortheEarth.shamanismcanadagmail.comwww.shamanismcanada.com888-383-8320Seeadonpage25PETERCLARKpeterclark13gmail.comHealingCounselingEducationDistanceworkviatelephoneandSkypeInpersonVermontStrugglingwithdivergentfocusboundariesrelationshipsdisempoweredstatesTryasessionwithPeter.www.shamansflame.com802-456-8735Seeadonpage36PAULADENHAMCSCShamanicHealingCounselingSpiritualSupport916-863-1383www.sacshamanic.orgAMANDAFOULGERHeartMedicineWorkshopsPrivateClientsFSSFacultyMemberTopangaCAafoulgeraol.comamandafoulger.comMARIAGHARAKHANIANShamanichealingextractionsoulretrievalcompassionatedepossessioncurseunravelingandenergyhealing.Reikiattunementsandmonthlydrummingcircles.RichmondVA804-971-6575sunsmoonswithingmail.comsites.google.comsitesunsandmoonswithinSUSANGRIMALDIM.Ed.Treatmentforhealthconcernsrelationshipissuesemotionaltraumagriefanxietyanger.InofficeorbytelephoneMontpelierVT802-223-2972www.susangrimaldi.comHEALINGWITHSPIRITSoffersHSCShamanicCounselingDivinationEnergyHealingSpaceClearingExtractionSoulRetrieval.OnsiteManhattanandBrooklynlocationhomevisitsandlongdistancehealingMonthlyDrummingCirclelifehealingwithspirits.comhealingwithspirits.comSeeadonpage24GENIEHOBBSTheShamanicWayAccessingAnswersWithinBethepersonyouwereborntobe...powerfulpreciousbeautifulandfreeaho720-940-3395genietheshamanicway.comhttpwww.theshamanicway.comSeeadonpage11MARYPHYLLISHORNM.EdMetaphysicalInterfaithMinisterCT.AncestrialLinesClearingKarmicMatrixClearingSoulRetrievalAuraCleansingShamanicHealingPast-LivesPittsboroNCwww.soulshaman.comSeeadonpage13JOURNEYWORKSJennieKristelMichaelWatsonShamanicHealingReikiPsychotherapyTrainingInofficeorLongDistanceBurlingtonVermont802-860-6203httpwww.journeyworksvt.comLASTMASKCENTERShamanicHealingDistancehealingandIntegrationBasicAdvancedClasses4-YearTrainingProgramCommunitywww.lastmaskcenter.org800-927-2527ext02586Seeadonpage20GAELAMORRISONForcersofNatureDesignGeomancyFengShuiClearingsSacredSitesToursArtCommissionsGaelaForcesofNatureDesign.comForcesofNatureDesign.comTHEPOWERPATHSCHOOLOFSHAMANISMProvidingpracticaltoolsforconsciouslivingIndividualsessionsandremotehealingsSantaFeNMadminthepowerpath.com505-982-8732www.thepowerpath.comSeeadonpage2KEVINSACHSPhDSafeJourneysHomeLLCTranspersonalExperientialSpiritualCounselorspecializinginnon-ordinarystatesworklifetransitionpsycho-spiritualcrisisandshadowworkforspiritualpractitioners.HolotropicBreathworkguidedfocusingsessionsandshamaniccounseling.646-415-6721SafeJourneysHomegmail.comSeeadonpage2SACREDHOOPMINISTRYHelpingPeopleHealThemselvesUsingTheAncientTechniquesoftheShamansIndigenousCultures.ForPersonalEmpowermentThroughTheSpiritualAspectsofHealing.WoodlandParkCO719687-4335www.SacredHoopMinistry.orgFALL2014RESOURCES www.shamansociety.org43LYNDASKEENSoulRetrievalSpiritReleaseExtractionPowerAnimalRetrievalJourneyworkReikiLosAngeles323-363-2040lyndalyndaskeen.comwww.lyndaskeen.comSOULRETRIEVALEXTRACTIONDEPOSSESSIONRecoveryourlostsoulpartsRestoreyourtrueselfintheenergeticpresenceofMt.Shasta530-859-3499www.shastashaman.comLORRAINESTERNLiveLoveLaughHealingLearntoliveloveandreclaimthelaughterinyourlifethroughshamanicworkandhomeopathy.Pleasevisitwww.livelovelaughhealing.comformoreinformation.SantaCruzCA95062831-206-9291sternlorrainegmail.comJANETSTRAIGHTARROWProfoundHealingLearningRetreatsMentoring-Apprenticeshipforpractitionersandeveryone973-647-2500JanetBethemedicine.comwww.BeTheMedicine.comEMILYTOWNSENDEnvironmentalShamanismworkstohealbuiltandnaturalplaces.AsaformerarchitectIcanhelpyoucreateahealthysupportivemoresustainableenvironment.RemoteSkypeorInPersonsessions.httpwww.etstudio.netshamanism.htmlemily.townsendatgmail.comWHOLEBEINGWELLNESSCOUNSELINGSubsidiaryofOrendaHealingInternationalwww.orenda-arts.orgIndividualsFamiliesDistanceCounselingShamanicTrainingsValentineMcKay-RiddellPhDMACP505-780-5990or510-277-2518wholebeingorenda-arts.orghttpwholebeingupdates.wordpress.comWHYSHAMANISMNOW.COMPracticalapplicationofshamanicskillsLiveInternetRadioandPodcastArchivewww.whyshamanismnow.comTRAININGFOUNDATIONFORSHAMANICSTUDIESMichaelHarnerTrainingincoreshamanismandadvancedshamanichealinginfoshamanism.orgwww.shamanism.orgSeeadoninsidefrontcoverTHEHOLLOWBONEShamanicHealingShamanicWorkshopsEarthHealingApprenticeshipsPeruvianExpeditionswww.thehollowbone.comAnaLarramendiLASTMASKCENTER4-YearTraininginshamanicpracticefortheNewWorld.AdvclassesAncestralHealingandClearingwww.lastmaskcenter.orgSeeadonpage20POWERPATHSCHOOLOFSHAMANISMProvidingPracticalToolsforConsciousLivingSantaFeNMwww.thepowerpath.comSeeadonpage2RIVERDRUMTomCowanCelticvisionaryhealingtechniqueswww.riverdrum.comSeeadoninsidefrontcoverSHAMANICTEACHERSShamanicteachersandpractitionerstrainedbySandraIngermanwww.shamanicteachers.comSeeadonpage3SPIRITPASSAGESEvelynRysdykAllieKnowltonInitiatoryApprenticeshipBeginsApril2015Seeadpage39WOLFINDARKDr.John-LukeEdwardsLionsBayBCCanadawww.wolfindark.comSeeadonpage4FALL2014RESOURCES 44AJournalofContemporaryShamanismVOLUME7ISSUE2FALL2014JeanneAchterbergPhDSaybrookGraduateSchoolResearchInstituteSanFranciscoCADavidJ.BakerMDProfessorEmeritusofMedicineCanadianCollegeofAcupunctureandOrientalMedicineVictoriaBCCanadaStephanV.BeyerPhDJDPeacemakerServicesChicagoILPatrickCurryPhDLecturerReligiousStudiesUniversityofKentLondonUKJeannineDavis-KimballPhDCenterfortheStudyofEurasianNomadsVenturaCAStuartR.HarropPhDDurrellInstituteofConservationandEcologyDepartmentofAnthropologyUniversityofKentCanterburyUKRobinJuneHoodPhDAdjunctProfessorSchoolofEnvironmentalEducationandCommunicationsRoyalRoadsUniversityVictoriaBCMihalyHoppalPhDDirectorofInstituteofEthnologyHungarianAcademyofSciencesBudapestHungarySandraIngermanwww.SandraIngerman.comSantaFeNMStanleyKrippnerPhDSaybrookGraduateSchoolSanFranciscoCAMaryPatLynchPhDBloomingtonINMarjorieMandelstamBalzerPhDResearchProfessorDepartmentofSociologyAnthropologyInterculturalCenterGeorgetownUniversityWashingtonDCRobertMossMAFounderTheSchoolofActiveDreamingAlbanyNYDavidMussinaMAMedfordMAPhilipM.PeekPhDProfessorEmeritusDept.ofAnthropologyDrewUniversitySanborntonNHLarryPetersPhDNepalSpiritualExcursionsTopangaCAStephenProskauerMDSanctuaryforHealingandIntegrationSaltLakeCityUTEvelynC.RysdykSpiritPassagesYarmouthMEPatriciaShawPhDPhoenixPsychologicalGroupInc.St.LouisMOSarahSifersPhDLCSWIndigenousLensesSaltLakeCityUTFarrellSilverbergPhDNCPsyAPsychologistPhiladelphiaPASharonVanRaalteMAMississippiStationONCanadaAlbertoVilloldoPhDFounderandCEOTheFourWindsSocietyParkCityUTMarilynWalkerPhDAssociateProfessorofAnthropologyMountAllisonUniversitySackvilleNewBrunswickCanadaRobertJ.WallisFRAIFSAProfessorofVisualCultureDirectorofMAinArtHistoryVisualCultureRichmondTheAmericanInternationalUniversityinLondonUKKyoimYunPhDAssistantProfessorDepartmentofEastAsianLanguagesandCulturesUniversityofKansasLawrenceKSEDITORIALBOARD www.shamansociety.org45SOCIETYFORSHAMANICPRACTITIONERSThiswillbeauniquegatheringwithshamanicartistshealerseducatorsandpractitioners.Experienceoutdoorclassroomspowerfulpracticesstorytellingprayercreativeexpressionandceremoniesallwithinthecontainerofasupportivecommunity.OnenightoptionalsoloincludedSAVETHEDATEAUGUST121620152015InternationalWildernessGatheringintheSangredeCristoMountainsofNorthernNewMexico AJournalofContemporaryShamanismSocietyforShamanicPractitionersP.O.Box100007DenverCO80250RETURNSERVICEREQUESTEDSHAMANISMWITHOUTBORDERSAGuidetoShamanicTendingforTraumaandDisastersASOCIETYFORSHAMANICPRACTITIONERSHANDBOOKInthisbookexperiencedpractitionersexplaintechniquesandprinciplesusedbyshamansthroughouttimetodealwithtraumaanddisastersandhowthesepracticesarestillappliedtoday.ORDERTODAYUS15.5012plus3.50shippingCanada16.5012plus4.50shippingOverseas20.5012plus8.50shippingwww.shamansociety.org