The Encyclopedia of Crystals, Herbs, and New Age Elements: An A to Z Guide to New Age Elements and How to Use Them - Adams Media 2016

Shamanic Journeying
The Power of Insight: Divination Systems, Tools, and Practices

ORIGINS

A shaman is a person who acts as a medium between the visible physical world (ordinary reality) and the invisible spirit world (non-ordinary reality). Shamans have different roles depending on the culture, but in general they perform healing, divination, and other rituals and practices. A shamanic journey is a process in which a shaman enters an altered state of consciousness and then travels to the spirit world for any number of reasons—to heal the sick, locate lost souls, or glean information about the future.

HISTORY/LORE

Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice dating back tens of thousands of years. It has existed in many cultures worldwide, from the Mayan and Aztec people of Mexico and Central and South America to the Hmong people of China. The American anthropologist, educator, and author Michael Harner (born 1929) is a major figure in contemporary Western shamanism. He founded the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and wrote the classic book The Way of the Shaman.

USES

In some cultural traditions, a person must be “called” or born into shamanism, or at least undergo extensive training. Others believe that anyone can attempt to contact the spirits while in an altered state of consciousness. If you’re interested in trying shamanic journeying, there are many methods available. One is to listen to a repetitive sound, such as drumming or rattling, to achieve a meditative, trance-like state. Once this state is achieved, your journey may take any number of forms. It may feel like meditation—a deep exploration of your inner self—or you may have the opportunity to communicate with spirits, who could appear to be people or animals (see the spirit animal appearances entry in this chapter). For assistance with your method and interpreting what you see on your journey, consult some of the many resources available in print or online (such as the Foundation for Shamanic Studies website, www.shamanism.org), or seek the guidance of a shaman, healer, or other specialist.