Shamanism, as a spiritual practice, seeks to bridge the realms of Earth and Sky by connecting the physical world (Earth) with the spiritual world (Sky) through rituals, ceremonies, and healing practices. Central to this is the shaman, a healer, and guide, who acts as an intermediary between these realms to restore balance, heal the soul, and bring wisdom from the spiritual plane to the earthly plane. Two key concepts within this tradition are the idea of Bridging Earth and Sky and Soul Recovery.
Bridging Earth and Sky in Shamanism:
Shamans believe in the interconnectedness of all life forms, nature, spirits, and cosmic forces. The phrase “Bridging Earth and Sky” refers to the shaman’s role as a link between the physical and spiritual worlds. Through the use of altered states of consciousness (often achieved by drumming, chanting, or using entheogenic plants), shamans journey into non-ordinary reality to seek guidance from spirit helpers, ancestors, or animal totems. This journey is seen as traveling vertically between three realms:
- The Lower World (Earth): Connected to nature, ancestors, and animal spirits, this world contains wisdom about physical survival, grounding, and primal energies.
- The Middle World: This is the world we inhabit but also includes its energetic and spiritual layers. Shamans use this world to work with plants, land spirits, or perform healing for individuals in real-time.
- The Upper World (Sky): Often associated with celestial beings, higher consciousness, and the divine, it is the realm where guidance, inspiration, and spiritual wisdom reside.
Through this bridging process, the shaman brings healing, messages, and knowledge to their community or the individual they are working with. They help maintain harmony between the physical and spiritual realms, ensuring that human life stays in balance with nature and the cosmos.
Soul Recovery in Shamanism:
Soul loss is a core concept in shamanism. It is believed that traumatic events, emotional distress, or prolonged suffering can cause parts of the soul to fragment or become disconnected from the person. These missing parts of the soul leave the individual feeling incomplete, leading to issues such as depression, illness, a sense of disconnection, or recurring patterns of misfortune.
Soul recovery (or soul retrieval) is a healing technique where the shaman, through a spiritual journey, seeks to recover and reintegrate these lost fragments of the soul. The process typically follows several steps:
- Journeying to Find the Lost Soul Fragment: The shaman enters a trance state and journeys to the realm where the lost part of the soul resides. This can be the Lower World, the Upper World, or other spiritual realms, depending on the situation.
- Negotiating the Return: Sometimes the soul fragment is held in a specific place, trapped by past trauma, entities, or emotional baggage. The shaman may need to heal or negotiate the release of the soul piece.
- Reintegration: Once the fragment is retrieved, the shaman returns it to the person, often blowing it back into their body through breath or through the heart and crown chakras.
- Healing and Aftercare: After a soul retrieval, individuals may need time to process and reintegrate the aspects of themselves that were lost. This often involves making lifestyle changes, letting go of unhealthy relationships, or embracing new perspectives.
The Healing Power of Shamanic Practices:
Shamanism emphasizes balance—both within the individual and between the person and the greater cosmos. The practices of Bridging Earth and Sky and Soul Recovery are methods of aligning the individual with their deeper soul purpose and ensuring harmony between their physical existence and spiritual essence. Healing through shamanism is holistic, addressing not just the body and mind but the soul, making it deeply transformative for those who participate in it.
In this way, shamanism offers both a profound connection to the natural and spiritual worlds and practical techniques for healing trauma, finding guidance, and experiencing a deeper sense of unity with all life.