In many indigenous cultures and traditions, everything that exists is seen to be alive, aware and has the ability to communicate. An energetic web connects all life and spirit lives in all things. Humans, animals, plants, stones, mountains, and the elements, Earth, the Stars: each is Spirit. Everything is Sacred. Since all is interconnected, respectful relationship is essential for the health of the community and the individual. Each facet has its own thread in this web of life and light. Humans are seen as part of nature’s tapestry, not separate or superior to it.

This ancient paradigm is analogous to the Quantum view of energy and light. Nothing is separate and any action affects the whole. Time and space are relative, subjective and our “consensual” reality is but one of infinite possibilities.

These spiritual paths are thousands of years old, and if we traced our ancestral lineage far enough, we would find that we each emerged from a culture holding a shamanic heritage. Studying the wisdom of our own ancestors as well as honoring the teachings of other indigenous cultures creates the groundwork for respectful and empowering healing for the whole.

In the past half-century, there has been a reawakening and interest in these ancient healing paths. I believe this modern revival of Spirit Path Medicines, Mysticism and Shamanism has been accelerated by the deep-rooted need or even urgency many are experiencing to return balance and healing to our relationship with each other and with the Earth. As we are part of nature, we have a deep need to reconnect with nature’s cycles and rhythms. In truth, many of us have disconnected from the cycles and rhythms of the both the outer world and our own inner resources. When we isolate and separate ourselves in this way, we lose perspective and connection and can no longer feel ourselves as part of whole tapestry of life.

The Shaman

Early writings about Shamanism used the Tungus Siberian peoples’ word “Saman” to describe an individual who has become a healer or seer through initiation, visions or intensive training. Often the person was “called by the spirits” to engage in this work and might have suffered through illness or near death experiences before accepting their role. Woundedness often provides a doorway into power and healing. But while “woundedness” may be a doorway, ultimately it is the Spirits who choose or not, to come into relationship with the healer. In addition to the necessary relationship with Helping Spirits, a “Shaman” must embody self-discipline, be deeply grounded, and live their life in a respectful, humble and reverent manner.

Another descriptor for the Shaman is “one who sees with the strong eye/spirit eye” and also one who at will, has learned to “walk between the worlds,” or to “journey.” This is an intentional and altered state of awareness, often facilitated through the sound of a rapid and monotonous drumbeat, rattle, other percussive device, movement or dance.

During this journey the Shaman travels outside of normal time and space to work in partnership with Helping Spirits, Ancestors, other Compassionate Beings, and to receive guidance about what is in need of healing. Most often, the Shaman observes the healing that is provided in spiritual reality and then bridges this, and other information back to the client. The actual healing takes place in the Spiritual Realms of “non-ordinary reality.” While other kinds of healers and modalities, literally work in the “physical realm,” Shamanic Healers or Practitioners, “work” in the Spiritual Realms on the Spiritual Roots of disease, disharmony or disempowerment.

In ancient times, the shaman’s ability to see the unseen and receive visions helped heal the sick, identify medicinal plants, resolve conflicts, find herds of animals to hunt, find lost people, help the dying transition out of life and provide safe travels for the tribe. The title “Shaman” was given by the community to one who was skilled in these various forms of healing and guidance. Each community may have had a number of “Shamans” with their own areas of expertise.

Just as indigenous Shamans have provided practical guidance for the needs of the community, Spirit Path Medicines and Shamanic practices continue to be relevant and powerful because the practice continues to evolve to meet our changing needs. Dis-empowerment, disharmony, soul loss, continue to exist and our current culture continues to struggle with how to heal these ills. Spirit Path Medicines~Shamanic Practices continue as viable complementary approaches to aid these struggles.

The Shamanic and Spirit Path View of Illness

In our modern times, a “Shamanic Practitioner” uses their intention, gifts, training and knowledge of visioning to diagnose and facilitate healing of the spiritual aspects of physical and psychological illness. This supports the restoration of Sacred Balance to the client.

From the Shamanic perspective, the main causes of illness are Dis-empowerment and Soul Loss. These states appear within us in response to negative or traumatic life experiences, or when we make significant choices that are not in alignment with our wisest self. We may also carry the imprint of these woundings via our ancestral lineages.

Either of these disharmonious states affects our energetic matrix rendering us more vulnerable to physical illness, psychological and emotional struggles. Illness is viewed holistically and assessment is tracked via the alignment of Mind, Body, Emotions and Spirit. Ultimately, the origin of illness is spiritual and this is the rift that is healed via Spirit Path Medicines and Shamanic practices.

Cross culturally, most Shamanic healing focuses on the following aspects: Power Loss, Soul Loss and Soul Retrieval, Intrusions, Spirit Releasing, Ancestral Work and other methods particular to culture, or tradition or given to the practitioner by his or her guides and teachers for use in healing.

Spirit Path Medicines and Shamanic Healing Modalities

Power Augmentation

Many cultures and traditions believe we are either born with one or more helping spirits who accompany us throughout our life, or before adulthood, we are led to engage in vision quest or other rite of initiation to seek personal connection with a spirit helper. These helping spirits may be called Power Animals, Guardian Spirits or even Angels, and they offer and provide power, protection and support for our physical and spiritual vitality. Each of these helping spirits has certain gifts/medicines that support, inform and inspire.

Sometimes a helping spirit will enter our life to aid in particular way and then leave again. At least one helping spirit is meant to accompany us throughout our life, but sometimes that connection is broken.

Soul Loss

One might describe “soul” as that essence which provides the energy and vitality to support and empower our lives. Soul Loss is an adaptive mechanism. During a traumatic event, a part of our essence, our light, may split off so that we can utilize our remaining resources to survive the trauma. In our modern society, trauma and emotional splitting can come in many forms including emotional, physical, sexual abuse, assault, divorce separation, loss, accidents, illness, surgery, wartime experiences, natural disasters, loss of job, status, life cycle transitions…the list goes on.

Sometimes we experience soul loss because we give part of our vital essence to someone else or allow them to take it from us. This may happen because we believe if “I give myself away” it will somehow help the other or “make them” love or care for us.

The “other” may steal or hold onto someone else’s essence out of desire to control or disempower in some way. The result of soul theft is an unhealthy connection to another person that can feel uncomfortable and stuck.

Trauma and its results are subjective. Someone suffering from Soul Loss, may describe themselves as feeling “not all here” or having “lost part of myself” or “never feeling put back right, or not quite the same” since any event described as traumatic or a deep loss.

Soul Retrieval, Soul Essence Integration, Soul Remembering

During some traumatic experiences when the Soul Essence fragments, the Soul Part seeks a safe haven somewhere in the spirit worlds. A young soul part is sometimes cared for by a spirit helper, ancestor or guide. Since the spirit worlds are outside of relative time, the soul part may not know the trauma has passed and so not return to the individual.

At times, soul fragments do naturally return and there are practices I may offer you to connect to and call these parts to your self. But when traumatic events or their aftermath are still ongoing, “parts” tend not integrate and may not remain. One important role of the Shaman has always been to go in search of where the soul essence has fled and return it to the soul matrix of the client. Once the soul essence has been retrieved, it is the client’s task to integrate the soul essence into their self. This is accomplished in part, by the client committing to those changes and life choices that support healing and empowerment. A spirit helper may return with the soul essence providing additional support and to ease the integration process.

As part of this healing, I request of the Helping Spirits, that specific information, practices or ceremony may be given so that you can lovingly welcome the soul part home and to support integration and healing.

Over many years of bridging this modality, I find that the soul essence that had fragmented always returns with gifts, including access to talents and creativity. Some individuals feel an immediate beneficial change; for others the shift in awareness dawns more slowly.

During Soul Retrieval or at another time, “Soul Remembering” may be offered to the client along with the returned Soul Essence. Soul Remembering often includes a visual image provided by the “High Soul” to present to the client as a reminder of who “they are,” the life tasks they have set for themselves, and the gifts they carry at their Core-Soul level.

After Soul Retrieval, people report feeling more whole, grounded in their bodies and more at home in the world. They often discover it is easier to access their creativity and innate gifts, to feel hopeful, peaceful, strong and empowered. They often express more willingness and ease in letting go of unhelpful patterns and making choices from an awareness of personal integrity and authenticity.

I have bridged the return of Soul Essence for individual adults, teens, children, and infants and for “places” that have been injured by manmade or natural disaster. It is a great gift to see the changes that ensue when one self or place becomes inspirited: full of spirit again.

Other Spirit Path Medicines

Spiritual Extraction, Curse Unraveling, Attachment Release.

When a person experiences Soul Loss or Power Loss, the integrity of the individual life energy matrix may be compromised, creating openings though which misplaced energy has taken root. This can include self-defeating thoughts, and acceptance of other’s negative beliefs, blame, shame, psychic darts and arrows. The expression of “being stabbed in the back,” is more than a simple metaphor. An intrusion can manifest as a localized pain or strong, negative belief about one self. Other Intrusions that also impact our energy, wellbeing and choices, may be related to Curses or Spiritual Attachments. Each form of Spiritual Extraction, including Curse Unraveling, Attachment Release/Compassionate Depossession involves removing and releasing the intrusion, clearing the affected area and is generally followed by a power retrieval or soul retrieval. .

Ancestral Work and Healing:

Our blood lineage has woven through our own bodies the lives of our ancestors. This includes their joys and talents, as well as patterns of abuse, addiction, ill health, debilitating family beliefs or emotions. We are often unconscious of how the energy of old family wounds informs how we think and act. This is why we see patterns of abuse, incest, addiction, poor health and other traits passed down through generations. Sometimes “themes” are observed such as health problems or accidents appearing along the male or female lineage. Examples include many men of the family experiencing the same kind of illness at a similar age, or many of the women experiencing a back injury, also when reaching a particular decade.

From a Shamanic perspective these traits are seen as energetic imprints woven into the spiritual matrix that supports our personal life. Many people with traumatic family histories benefit from ancestral healing to support ongoing personal healing. A number of Spirit Path Medicine Modalities may be utilized in this healing including Spiritual Extraction, Soul Retrieval and Compassionate Releasing of deceased relatives.

Sacred Art of Dying Consciously and Psychopomp:

Spirit Path Medicines is a natural and time-honored way of helping the individual prepare for the death transition. Fear of the dying process is lessened when the individual is gently assisted into relationship with their own sources of spiritual guidance and wisdom and when these resources then guide the passage from life to death. Shamanic traditions also include practices that can support the individual and the family in psychological and emotional closure.

The word “Psychopomp” originates from the Greek words, pompos (conductor or guide) and psyche (breath, life, soul or mind). The term, “Psychopomp” is generally used to describe a guide who escorts souls to the afterlife. It can also relate to guiding the healing transition in other ways and for this reason, I may also refer to this work as Spiritual Transition Midwifery.

For a variety of reasons, some individuals remain earthbound after death. Sometimes a traumatic death, a deep attachment to a person, or strong desire to complete unfinished business may interfere with the soul’s ability to cross over to the Light where they can then continue their soul’s journey. In many traditions, the shaman, medicine man or woman, and sometimes the entire tribal group are called upon to help the soul move forward.

There are ethical guidelines that inform the ability of the Shaman to provide Psychopomp services. These guidelines provide respectful support to one who might be unconscious, in coma, and to an individual’s family. As an Ordained Minister and Interfaith Chaplain, I have provided these services in Hospital and Hospice Settings, in person and “Long Distance.”

Spirit Path Medicines and Psychotherapy

My professional orientation as Transpersonal Psychotherapist and my personal healing experiences in practicing Spirit Path and Shamanic practices, has created a natural interest in how these modalities might intersect and support the other. Spirit Path and the Shamanic world view is ultimately about empowerment, humility, taking responsibility in a reverent and respectful way with our own life and maintaining harmony and balance within our self and in relation to the web of life of which we are part. The Transpersonal perspective of beneficial psychotherapy seeks a similar outcome. While there are some shared similarities, Shamanic Healing and Psychotherapy are not the same.

Regardless of how it manifests, Shamanic healing addresses the spiritual aspects of disease. It doesn’t matter if symptoms are manifesting emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually. Everything is tied together.

Though beneficial results can manifest on any level, Shamanic Healing is performed on the Spirit level of reality, thus bypassing the critical, analytical mind and moving directly into the greater landscape of the soul. As a Clinical Hypnotherapist, I know that once the “critical function” of the brain is set aside, the more spacious view of who we are can be accessed, nourished and accepting of healing and change. Ultimately “Soul Healing,” is about expanding, evolving, accepting and Re~Membering we are more expansive than we might imagine we are.

Also consider: Psychotherapy and Counseling can only interact with “who” is in the room. In particular, Soul Essence Retrieval can bring “more” of the individual into the room; present and able to engage in the therapeutic work.

Clients often request Spirit Path Medicines when they are feeling stuck in their symptoms and other approaches have not been effective: or other modalities have helped for a time and then symptoms returned. As a Licensed Psychotherapist, I am also approached by other practitioners who are interested in exploring if Shamanic Healing may be a beneficial adjunctive to the work they are already providing to their client. Ultimately, the Client must request the healing as this opens the path for connection to Spiritual Resources who will guide what is provided.

In most cases, Shamanic Healing can jumpstart and empower the overall healing process. It is important to commit to daily use of any tools or gifts provided via the healing session to support the momentum of the integration provided in the session. The effects of the healing will be short lived if you do not take responsibility for your own work.

If clients are interested, I will teach personal Shamanic Journeying practices. Journey and psychotherapy can be integrated in many ways such as facilitating connection with one’s own guide or teacher, gaining information to aid positive decision making, and working with troublesome dreams or individuals in the safe landscape of the spirit worlds.

In-Person Healing Session ---What to Expect in My Office

A healing session typically lasts two to two and a half hours. I schedule our session for two and a half hours long in case that time is needed. You may attend alone or bring friends, family members or a supportive therapist or practitioner to your session. What is important is that you bring only, those people with whom you feel nurtured, safe and who are respectful of Spirit Path Medicines and Shamanic healing. If you have any questions about who might be an appropriate support for you, please contact me before hand to determine the best ways to support your needs.

We begin by exploring current goals for healing and other questions you might have arisen since our initial phone contact, or if dreams or other intuitive messages have presented themselves to you. During this conversation, I may be guided to ask specific questions related to what has prompted your request for this healing, “now.” What feels stuck or blocked in your life; in what ways might you feel disempowered, weak or less than whole?

Compassionate Helping Spirits perform the actual work; my role is to invite them into the Sacred Space and serve as the bridge connecting the spiritual and physical realms. I use drumming, rattling, singing, chanting, invocation to alter my level of consciousness in order to serve as the needed bridge. As I am not permitted to utilize smudge or fire in my current office, I often use a very lightly scented Rose Water mist to aid the bridging and enhance clarity for the healing. Please let me know if you are not comfortable with scents and prefer I use Blessed Water instead of Rose Mist.

Some Shamanic or Sprit Medicine Practices involve light touch over clothing such as gently placing my hands on your shoulders, chest, head or touching “arm to arm,” utilizing feathers or rattles to release attachments or intrusions. If you are uncomfortable with physical touch, please let me know and I will use other means.

At the end of this work, the healing energy is channeled, most often by blowing it into the heart and crown of your head. When the drumming and rattling ends, I will encourage you to breath deeply and gently hold a receptive awareness to help absorb the healing that has been bridged into your human form.

If guided to do so, I will share the story of the healing information I have received for you. I suggest you bring a journal to record this story, or if you have brought someone to accompany you, allow that person to take notes while you simply close your eyes, breathe and listen. (No Recording Devices Please!).

At times I am provided with information that encourages you to simply be with the healing for some days before the “story” is revealed. If this information is given, the information will be shared in a follow-up phone call following the session. We will schedule this prior to your departure from the office.

After the healing ceremony, I will offer any “homework” or recommended lifestyle changes suggested to support your healing process. We will also discuss self-nurturing awareness for the remainder of the day. A special blessing may be offered or other gifting provided by the Helping Spirits.

Remember to utilize no drugs (except those for which you have a prescription), alcohol or sacramental medicines for at least twenty-four hours before and after the healing session. Please ask before your session if you have questions about this. The healing modalities provided are one step: the remainder of the work is your birthright and responsibility in collaboration with your own positive choices and spiritual resources.

If we did not schedule a 30 minute follow- up phone call at end of session, I encourage you contact me within two weeks to arrange this. The follow-up call allows us to discuss any effects or questions you are noticing from your healing session. If you are working with other practitioners, please continue to work with them per your agreements.

Remember that Spirit Path Medicine and Shamanic Journey Work occurs in the “dreamtime” and so what I am shown is most often symbolic in nature and the information I provide may mirror that. It your task and privilege to become fluent with your own internal language and “unpack” this information in order to apply it to your own life.

As we converse, I will be listening to ‘intuitive and spirit helpers’ guidance to glean preliminary information about the issues you present, the potential Shamanic Practices that may be of benefit, and if “I” am called via experience, skill and “match” to be of service to you.

We are each in different places in our life journey and sometimes other healing modalities are first suggested to build a foundation upon which future healing can rest. If it is clear that we are not “match,” I will do my best to provide you with names of other Shamanic Practitioners who may be helpful for you.

After our conversation, if we each feel called to work together, we will tentatively schedule the Healing Session. I allow about 2 and 1/2 Hours for the session. I will email or postal mail you a Brief Questionnaire; please respond to the questions as soon as possible, adding any other information you feel may be helpful. Then mail or email back to me, also as soon as possible so I have sufficient time to journey on your behalf and request any pre-session information or practice that is important to pass onto you. Just like “prep” that is needed prior to some medical labs or tests, at times your preparation prior to the Spirit Work, insures that “Medicine,” will be as effective as possible.

The Questionnaire will also include “Before” and “After-Care” Suggestions for the Session. Depending upon the kind of healing your receive, I may also provide additional aftercare guidelines and other instructions.

Fee Includes Three to Four Hours of Healing Services:

One Free Initial 20-30 Minute Phone Consultation

Divination Journey: (approximately 20-30 Minutes) After receiving your Completed Questionnaire, I engage in this prior to our appointment. This Journey time focuses on exploring concerns, gathering information, establishing preliminary connection with the team of compassionate spirit helpers who will be of assistance and receiving any specific directions needed to prepare the healing space or myself for our session.

In-Office or Long Distance Healing Session: Lasting on “average” of Two Hours

One Follow Up, Scheduled 20 Minute Phone Call

One Follow Up Email

“Long Distance Healing Sessions”

There are times when it is not necessary or not possible to attend an in-person healing session in my office. There is no loss of energetic support and presence through long distance Shamanic healing work. Sometimes I find the work can be even more powerful because the interaction via voice and energy is often stronger without the distraction of physical appearance.

Shamanic work is done in the Spirit Worlds, the Dreamtime or if you will, the Holographic-Energetic Field of the Universe. Energy does not require touch to be effective. If we agree that Long Distance Healing Session is appropriate, we will discuss how best to prepare in order for you to be most receptive to the healing session.

There are some Spirit Healing Modalities that are more effective when offered “in person,” and sometimes the Compassionate Helping Spirits request that the work be completed within a shared physical space.

This information will be explored during the initial 20 Minute Complimentary Consult. If an “in person” session will be of most benefit to you and you are not able to attend in my office, we can explore if I might be able to travel to your location ($25 per hour of travel time is added to the Service Fee) or I may be able to provide you with suggestions for other Spirit Path Practitioners who may be able to provide the work for you.

About Willow, Spirit Path Medicines and Shamanic Healing

I was born into a rich blood heritage liberally blended with a patchwork of Eastern European pieces, Roma/Gypsy, a sprinkling of Scottish, Mongolian, Siberian, English and French. Especially important were my maternal grandmother, who communicated with birds and they with her; and my paternal grandmother, a Romani-Gypsy, who had held close the family secret that she carried some apprenticeship in the Romani Chovibhani (shamanic) tradition. She became my first teacher and the beginning of my apprenticeship in these Spirit ways. Both grandmothers and my maternal grandfather considered themselves “people of the earth” and since a small child, I have also found myself deeply moved, comforted and connected to the portals of nature, and the natural world. During my first death (NDE) experience at the age of five, I become aware of compassionate spirits aiding me, including those beings of Nature and the Stars. As a teenager, I first heard the word “Shamanic” in a chance encounter with a self-described “Irish follower of the Old Ways.” Moving a few years later to the Big Island of Hawai’i, I was given the opportunity to study Hawai’ian energetic healing practices with an elder in the community. He also offered me teachings from the Hawai’ian mystical tradition: respect, humility and self-discipline, the awareness of how all is connected, including our human responsibility and place in the tapestry of creation.

Hawai’ian teachings have intersected with opportunities to sit in circle with Native American, First Nations teachers of North and South America, Tibetan, Celtic and African elders and healers. While I have studied with many teachers and traditions, my inner guidance has primarily returned me to apprenticeship with my own Spiritual Voices, the Celtic and the Hawaiian mystical traditions.

These paths, rooted in Humility, Reverence and Self-Discipline, foster conscious responsibility for oneself and active acceptance of one’s part in caring for the greater family of creation. It teaches and strengthens direct personal pathways for obtaining wisdom and guidance in support of our personal and collective soul journey.

I was called to this path and apprenticeship early in life and I continue to feel humble and grateful for the opportunity to share these healings with others. I offer thanks and reverence for the gifts and teachings from Guides, Ancestors and Elders, in spirit or embodied forms, of all clans, nations and lands.

“E ola mau ka honua	“May the Earth continue to live
E ola loa au I ke Akua	may the spirits grant you long life
Ho’ iki a mai I ke ola.	and may these blessings be manifested.
Amana,	The Prayer has lifted,
Ua noa.”	It is free.”
Used with Permission: Hank Wesselman, Ph.D. Visionseeker: Shared Wisdom from the Place of Refuge, 2001.

Willow Rose is Licensed Transpersonal Psychotherapist and Transpersonal Hypnotherapist specializing ”honoring our human embodiment and the healing and evolution of the human soul”. Willow holds degrees in Interdisciplinary Religious Studies, is an Ordained Minister in The Circle of the Sacred Earth and has worked as an Interfaith Chaplain in Hospital and Hospice settings. She brings to her practice nearly five decades of apprenticeship, education, and personal exploration with teachers of Eastern and Western Meditation, Spirituality, Mysticism and with Elders of many Indigenous Wisdom Healing Traditions. She offers Individual Spirit Path Medicines~Shamanic Healing Sessions via “Long Distance” and onsite in her Eugene, Oregon office. Willow also offers individual Shamanic Journey instruction, facilitates Seasonal Journey Circles and Workshops.

In addition to early apprenticeship already noted, over the past 25 years, Willow has studied with Hank Wesselman PhD and Jill Kuykendall, RPT (Hawai’ian Tradition), Tom Cowan and others (Celtic Tradition), Michael Harner PhD and other teachers (Core Shamanism), Sandra Ingerman (Soul Retrieval Training), Claude Poncelet, PhD.

Willow is listed as a Shamanic Practitioner on Sandra Ingerman’s Site: www.shamanicteachers.com
and
Member of the Society for Shamanic Practitioners

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