This brief article is aimed at those who have a basic grounding in shamanism but have not yet taken a ‘shamanic journey’. Before attempting any of the exercises below it is adviseable to be prepared both academically (by learning about the cosmology of the shamanic world and having a clear idea of what journeying is) and energetically (cleansing the aura, creating sacred space, etc).
Sami shamanic drum (image provided by Zouavman Le Zouave under Creative Commons Attribution Sharearound v 3.0 Licence)
All of the presentations have been paraphrased to fit the required space but I have taken care not to omit anything important or add anything not originally present.
Version 1: Michael Harner (The Way of the Shaman)
I thought it fitting to present Michael Harner’s procedure first since he is the figure most widely regarded as making shamanic traditions comprehensive and popular to a western audience:
First, remove your shoes and ensure you are wearing loose fitting clothes. Lie on the floor without a pillow, take a few deep breaths, relax your arms and legs and contemplate the journey.
Close your eyes and place your forearm to block out additional light. Visualise an opening into the ground, somewhere that exists in the everyday world, and spend a couple of minutes looking around and noting the details of the surroundings.
The ten-minute drumming session begins. Enter the tunnel which may descend at a slight angle or be quite steep. The tunnel might twist and turn and may be ribbed. Find away around or through any obstacles without trying too hard.
After exiting the tunnel examine the landscape and travel around, noting any features. when you hear the recall beat, return without bringing anything back with you. Write or dictate a record of your experiences.
You may see images or symbols on the cave walls (Image copyright of Ferkelparade, released under GFDL Licence)
Version 2: Katie Weatherup (Practical Shamanism)
NB: Katie recommends that a shamanic journey is not adviseable for those experiencing crisis.
Get comfortable and begin the drumming when ready. Vocalise any necessary affirmations once (e.g. I will remember my experiences). Take one or two minutes to adjust to the drumming and then relax. Repeat your intention (the journey’s purpose) over and over.
Imagine a real opening in nature where you can descend (e.g. a tree root or a staircase). Move through the tunnel. If you come across obstacles try to keep moving to pass them. At one point you should feel yourself arriving or ‘popping out’ into the lower world.
Look around. Imagination should move towards perception as the journey progresses. You may meet ordinary or fantastic creatures or spirits. Trust your experiences.
When you hear the recall beat, return the way you came (you will probably return faster than when you arrived). Bring awareness back to your body and take time to adjust to normal consciousness before opening your eyes or moving. Write down a record of your experiences (optional).
Version 3: Tom Cowan (Shamanism as a Spiritual Practice for Daily Life)
Tom mentions that the balance between what is imagined and what is perceived can vary with each journey and the ratio between them bears no reflection on the success of the journey. I generally use Tom’s method.
Lie on the floor with a pillow if necessary to support your head and/or knees. Wear a bandanna or scarf around your eyes, relax and breathe deeply.
Visualise your opening in nature, preferably a real place which feels powerful to you. As the drumming starts look around and engage your senses.
Enter the tunnel through your opening and visualise a lighted area which will be the opening to the lower world. Emerge from the opening and call your power animal to show you around.
On the recall beat your power animal will return you to the tunnel opening. Follow the tunnel back, adjust to normal consciousness and open your eyes.
Version 4: Kenneth Meadows (Shamanic Experience)
Meadows suggests clutching any objects you find to your solar plexus
Kenneth’s version differs from the other three in that it relies more on perceptual experience rather than visualization. The copy of his book that I own also includes a drumming CD. Note, the advice to collect an object contradicts that given by Harner.
Lie on the floor with a cushion or pillow if required. Consciously relax each part of the body from head to toe. Tell the body part to relax on the inbreath and release all tension on the outbreath. Consider the purpose of your journey and repeat this to yourself three or four times.
When the drumming starts, relax into the sound. Visualise an opening into the earth and step inside. Let the drumbeat carry you along the tunnel and note any features and images. Eventually you should perceive a pinpoint of light which is the entrance to the lower world. As you near the entrance the tunnel should get lighter. Look through the opening to the landscape beyond.
Step through the opening and look back towards the tunnel. Note the details of the entrance and the landscape and then find an object to take back with you. When hearing the recall beat say farewell and hold the object to your solar plexus as you return through the tunnel (the return will be faster than your arrival).
Relax, stretch and take deep breaths before opening your eyes. Take time to return to normal consciousness. Writing about your experiences both serves you in remembering your journey and grounding yourself.
Coming next: The Astrological Signs: Taurus
Do you have any personal experiences with or opinions on Shamanism that you would like to share? If so, please leave a comment below.
Hello,
I found your website on Facebook, in an application titled “what kind of Pagan are you”. The results stated “Shaman” with a link to your website listed.
Being both curious and ecclectic in nature, I am responding to the invitation to review your site. For what reason do you ask persons gifted or inclined to Shamanism to contact you?
I have found your site to be interesting and informative. Thank you for sharing it.
Sincerely,
Simone
Hello Simone and thanks for visiting my blog.
In answer to your question I began this project with two aims in mind. First, as a pantheist with a preference for shamanic practices, I wanted to contact others, such as yourself, to share in our unique experiences and beliefs and develop them. Second, and more ambitiously, I intend to improve and expand on this site to become a trusted source of information, healing and support.
In light of this, please feel free to bring up anything you want to share with others, whether it’s a question, an experience or an idea for a post
Blessings
Neil
Results of my first journey. Any input would be great.
I stared at the door for so long.
Lying flat on the green.
Such a strange place.
The handle caught the attention of my eye.
Curiosity took over.
Is there something beyond.
I pulled up.
Very Heavy.
Water dripped from the aging wood.
I peered inside.
A Staircase and black.
The descent began.
Very difficult.
The fear began to take over my spirit.
Could feel it numb my physical shell.
I called upon the wolf to help guide me.
He answered the plea quickly.
“come”
I have heard his voice before.
Hesitant and still fearful.
I followed…..
The wolf began to sprint.
“We must hurry time is running out.”
I started to rush.
Finally reached the bottom.
The wolf continued down the tunnel.
A very bright white at the end.
The wolf spoke to me.
“The distortion will clear”
“It is Okay it will subside”
We reached the end.
Nothing and white.
I looked behind me the tunnel was gone.
Where are we? I asked.
“I must leave we will meet again very soon”
He slowly disappeared into the emptiness.
“Onoki”
The white walls began to crumble.
Eyes Open.
End Journey.
Hi Anthony
Thanks for that. Do you have any idea what ‘onoki’ might mean? There is a place in Japan called Onoki and there is also a tree called ‘enoki’, a type of elm (Hackberry in English). That’s all I could find out for now. I have also recently come across the work of John Luke-Edwards whose shamanic name is wolf-who-walks-in-the-dark (see http://www.wolfindark.com/about.html).
Hello Neil,
Actually yes after the experience I had no idea what that word was, so I googled it. Turns out that the correct spelling is Anoki, and is a name that originates from Native American culture. The meaning of the name is Actor. I figure that he must be an old Indian spirit that manifests himself as a wolf, At least in my mind, and takes on the role of a psychopomp or spirit guide. Also, I live in the Midwest of America in a part that once thrived with the Native American culture, which added to the surreal feeling. I guess he was just being polite in a very short way.
I have done these type of things but I always thought is was astral-projection. I dont use drums but the beat of my heart or of someone close by to center my consentration.
I am originally from SE Texas. My spirit guide changes between a pure white wolf (kotoacha) and a a golden eagle (serifrea). Why would a spirit guide change?
Any thing that could help explain wold be great.
As far as I am aware, astral projection is similar to shamanic journeying (especially middle world journeys) but comes from a different belief system (e.g. belief in an ‘astral plane’, as taught by the Theosophists and Rosicrucians among others). I have read that the construction of vortices (e.g. tunnels), which shamans use to travel between worlds is a safer way to travel in ‘non-ordinary reality’ as it avoids the messy lower levels of the ‘astral plane’. My experiences tend to corrspond with that.
As for changing spirit guides, that is a normal part of shamanic experience. Some shamans have multiple guides and some are more transitory than others. Your wolf would help you with different issues to the eagle (just as you may call a builder friend to fix your house but an IT friend to fix your computer). I have worked with an owl and a tiger and I think a wolf is coming into the picture now.
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Thank you for sharing I wish I could go somwhere.
“Love is not a thing to understand.
Love is not a thing to feel.
Love is not a thing to give and receive.
Love is a thing only to become
And eternally be. .”