Mary Calvert at Well Well Well
For a Healthy Body, Mind & Spirit

 

Shamanic Healing

What is shamanism?
The word "shaman" (pronounced SHAH-MAN) has become a catchword, which has been used by many but understood by few, and literally means "the one who knows." There are many misconceptions about modern shamanism in the western world, as it so often brings to mind some kind of native medicine man or woman with a fancy headdress and dubious herbal concoctions. In fact, a shaman is quite simply, someone who can deliberately change from one state of consciousness to another, much like we do when we dream. This is done in the form of a “journey” or waking dream, where the Shaman can gain insights to help their clients understand what is out of balance in their lives. Without balance we become ill, mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually.

Shamanic Healing
In shamanism illness is very simply seen to be caused by one of two things, either something is missing that should be part of us, or something is in us that should not be there, and very often the two go together.

What is missing?
Most of us have gone through periods in our life that have been traumatic or at least very difficult to handle. During these times we often loose some part of ourselves and we become more serious, less spontaneous, more angry or harder and it becomes very difficult for us to show our more sensitive side because that can hurt and open old wounds, so we close our hearts down and become more controlled. Our hearts feel this pain so we start to live our lives from a more mental perspective. This is a painful experience that most of us have been through several times until we feel that something is missing in our lives and we feel numbed or dead on the inside. This part that is missing is our childlike innocence and joy that left us when life got too difficult to handle and is, what the Shaman calls “soul loss”.

A shaman can journey to contact this “soul” part and communicate with it to bring back important messages about why it left and what conditions it needs to feel safe to return back to the client. It can then be re-integrated into the client’s life bringing with it the love, lightness and joy that was lost. The shaman calls this process “soul retrieval”.

To have a part of your lost “soul part” returned is a great gift and the client needs to be willing to work with this energy once it has returned and take notice of its messages about different aspects of their life style. In other words this is only the start of the process and if the client wants lasting changes to take place, they will need to be willing to make the appropriate changes to their life style so this “soul part” will stay with them permanently.

What have we taken on?
Often when this “soul part” leaves, a space is formed that we fill with other things e.g. if we are hurt from the experience of “soul loss” we may fill this space with anger or resentment. This can then be fed when we become angry or resentful again until these energies build up in our energy field and become stuck there. The more this happens the more we take on this attitude in life and the larger this toxic energy becomes, attracting more things towards it, in other words we can find ourselves becoming more and more angry or resentful as time goes on. In shamanic terms this is called an “intrusion”. The shaman's job is to remove the intrusion (a process known as “extraction”) and to make it harmless. We instinctively understand this when we say things like “I feel as if I have been stabbed in the back” when we feel betrayed by someone who we trusted. This can be a temporary intrusion if we forgive it and move on but if it was particularly hurtful and we hold onto it, then it can act rather like a virus in a computer program and cause problems.

What happens at a consultation?
Each shaman has their own way of working so consultations can vary from shaman to shaman.

I will talk to you about your problems and then, decide if you need an “extraction” or “soul retrieval” or some other form of treatment. I usually do “extractions” with a quartz crystal which I place close to the client’s body or in their hand. If you need a “soul retrieval”, I will journey for you by using either rhythmic drumming or rattling to help me to get into an altered state of consciousness and connect to your “soul parts”. I will then re-connect them to you and tell you what I information I have been given about the problem. We will then work together to discuss some of the changes you would like to make in light of the experience.

In some cases the client may wish to experience a shamanic journey for themselves to gain personal insights into a problem, and in this case I will give them instructions and drum for them, then give them the opportunity to discuss the journey afterwards. (see also a shamanic experience in the Courses information for learning how to do this for yourself).

Who can benefit?
Shamanic Healing works on the deepest spiritual levels and is very helpful when dealing with patterns of behaviour that no longer serve you. It can also be useful in treating irrational fears that don't seem to relate to any particular events or traumas that the person can remember.
I would recommend it for those who are already committed to a spiritual path and may be experiencing blocks to moving forward. The effects can be both subtle and gentle but also very powerful and, if you are ready, it may change the way you see things permanently, like it did for me.

My Fees?
Range from £30.00 to £40.00 depending on the time involved.
There may be an additional charge of £5.00 for any homeopathic or flower essence prescriptions.

 

• Anxiety and stress related problems
• Depression and SAD. syndrome
• Panic attacks, phobias and nightmares
• Self Confidence issues
• Grief, loss or loneliness
• Issues arising from being bullied or abused.
• Trauma from accidents.
• IBS, food sensitivities.
• Headaches and migraines.
• Hormonal problems e.g. PMT
• Psoriasis, boils, rashes, etc.