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What can I expect? 

Shamanic practice is holy work and must be approached and treated as such.  The Shaman performs preliminary rituals which may include bathing for cleansing, burning incense, prayer, smudging (sage or cedar burned usually in an Abalone shell) offerings such as bundles, prayer ties, tobacco or whatever the cultural training requires. 

There is no way to predict what will happen in a journey but take comfort in knowing that Spirit knows all and will not bring you anything you are unable to know or cope with.  Spirit has been there for you and will continue to be there throughout your life.

After working with a Shaman and soul work: Some people feel a shift in energy, some a sense of relief, renewed hope, some an immediate and miraculous healing, for some an insight or aha occurs, some feel more whole, more present, and many experience the relief of symptoms causing distress.

The Shaman may or may not have the client present, and will decide how, when and where to perform and debrief clients and provide follow up if required according to prompts from Spirit.  

Shaman's Role:  The Shaman begins the ritual by calling in the Spirit/s which may include the four directions, Mother Earth, Father Sky, the benevolent spirit beings, compassionate spirits, light masters, Ascended Masters such as the Christ, Buddah, Krishna, Mohammed, angels, alternate dimensional beings such as fairies, plant spirits, nature in many forms, power animals, the Shaman's teachers in the 3 worlds, elements of various ecosystems,  well as all the client's guiding and healing spirits or those who show up to assist in the healing.

An evocative prayer or ritual is voiced and drumming, music, chant, sounds, instruments, or similar methods are used to produce an altered state of consciousness so that the Shaman can slip into a trance-like state and access other worlds and realities.

The Shaman then "journies" or travels to other realms to retrieve soul parts, information, advice and so on designed specifically by the Spirit/s for that client.

The Shaman does as the Spirit directs and the journey is completed by a change in drum beat or other sound or indicator that calls the Shaman back.

The Shaman then recounts the journey and relevant information to the client.  Modern or urban Shamans tape record or chronicle the journey in writing.

Spirit knows no limitation... not distance, time, location or anything of this world.  The Shaman is the liaison between worlds but Spirit is in charge.  

Client's Role:  Clients must agree to hold this work sacred and follow through with the guidance from Spirit.

Clients will be required to build a special altar for this work that will be consecrated and held as holy space.  The contents will be chosen carefully.  Guidance for this work will be specific and provided during consultation.

Clients are expected to report problems, mood swings, difficulties, sleep problems and so on.  These problems rarely occur but if they do, they must be reported.  Tearful remembering and release is not unusual.  Sleeplessness and suicidal thoughts  must be addressed via medical intervention.  Serious physical illnesses may be addressed shamanically in conjunction with medical ntervention. 

In the case of Soul Retrieval, the client must work with the retrieved pieces and welcome them back daily with communication and ritual.  Pieces that were traumatized do not feel safe leaving their environment and the Shaman will attempt to get agreement for their return.  The client's job is to make them feel safe and welcome.  Working with the newly return pieces is essential to their remaining reunited with the soul.

How to Prepare:  Use discernment.  Choose your Shaman wisely.  A Shaman is not made in a weekend seminar.  Ask how much training your Shaman has and if he or she has worked with a Shaman mentor/s.  There is no such thing as a "shaman school." This information is passed from Shaman teacher to Shaman student.

Core shamanism is taught at the Institute for Shamanic Studies.  Some graduates of that program go on to teach students.

Prepare by using prayer, meditation and discernement.  When interviewing a potential practitioner, check how you feel and what your breath is doing.  Your body will tell you what to do.

Think about what kind of altar you wish to make.  It can be as simple as a cardboard box or as elaborate as an elegant table.  Whatever calls to you.  Think about the altar cloth.  It must be special-- a scarf, piece of fabric, lace or whatever feels right to you.  Building your altar and adding items requires preparation, careful consideration and ritual.

If you are still here at this point, you are not just curious. 

You will be doing soul work soon if you are not already.  Choose someone and move forward.

Your soul is calling...