It was late into the night that I drank a mixture of what appeared to be pulverized herbs.
The haunting sounds of a song suddenly appeared around me, intensifying my feelings of being utterly lost in an alien universe. The sounds that kept drawing me in, had a pleading quality that made me want to weep with sorrow.
As I started singing, I realized my song was inviting the spirit of the herb to move into my body. I wanted it to stop, to be over but in that moment I knew it was too late, I had left this reality.
I was canoeing through the infinite stream of the unconscious mind, and the song was my solitary paddle. It was up to me to avoid the rapids and control the currents by making the song more beautiful, by begging the Spirit of the herb to guide and heal me.
This was my initiation into shamanism. But before this experience, I had to first understand and identify the signs of my shamanic calling.
What is a Shaman?
At its most basic level, shamanism can be understood as a collection of ancient techniques that help to awaken and expand consciousness, as well as heal humanity’s inner wounds.
Shamanic practice is the earliest known form of religion that our ancestors experienced. The different number of spiritual techniques used to expand our conscious and provoke mystical experiences was astonishing. These techniques ranged from chanting, fasting, and nature immersion, to incessant trance dancing and ingesting hallucinogenic plants.
Unlike most religions where the main concern is finding answers, the Shaman is more interested in provoking you to ask the right questions that will lead you to experience truth. The Shaman doesn’t pursue meaning: he or she creates it by bringing the sacred to an otherwise mundane reality.
The word “Shaman” first originated in Siberia as the word “samarambi” meaning “to excite oneself,” and “sam-dambi” meaning to dance. The shaman, therefore, excites himself into a divine frenzy or ecstasy through drum beating and dancing, until he passes into a trance when his spirit leaves his body.
The scholar of comparative religion and anthropologist Mirca Eliade gave us the most simple shaman definition as “specialists in ecstasy,” with an impressive list of abilities including thought-reading, clairvoyance, firewalking, and spirit interaction, just to name a few.
It’s these moments of ecstasy, of ego death, that provide an experience of reality that is larger, deeper, and infinitely more exquisitely beautiful. Shamans worldwide know that in order to understand society and live more fully attuned to reality, they need to go wild, travel out of their normal minds, and visit the invisible world of Spirit, which is the undercurrent of the visible world.
By accessing the invisible realm, Shamans can tap into a powerful way of guiding their lives and the lives of others.
Training as Wounded Healers
By the time we become adults, most of us are so alienated from ourselves and the earth, indoctrinated by media, and deluded by “false needs” created by the consumer culture, that there’s little hope for us connecting with the other worlds surrounding us.
In tribal cultures, shamans or healers often experienced an illness that gave them the insight they needed to heal themselves and then bring wisdom to their people. This experience echoes Socrates’ notion that “Our greatest blessings come to us by way of madness.“
It’s often through great struggle that Shamans break free from their illnesses and awaken to the truth. By learning how to cure themselves, they also learn how to cure others.
It’s because of this initiation process that Shamans are often called “Wounded Healers.” The shaman being a wounded healer is something I speak about at length in my Spiritual Wanderer Course.
11 Signs of the Shamanic Calling
There are three stages of becoming a Shaman: the Calling, Training, and Initiation process.
In the past, you were trained by a mentor or an older Shaman but in today’s world, most Shamans won’t know how to recognize their calling to even begin their training. Most people undergoing a shamanic calling won’t understand what is happening to them and will, therefore, feel overwhelmed by fear.
But it’s through training that the Shaman-in-making becomes a master of the sacred; of being abe to effectively find, protect, and use the creative but intense energies of the sacred for therapeutic or other beneficial purposes.
Here are some of the signs you might experience if you’re being called to the Shamanic path:
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1) You feel a strong connection to nature
Shamans understand “the web of life”; that everything on Earth is deeply interconnected through the web of Spirit. Nothing embodies this understanding better than nature, how it nurtures us, and how we nurture it in a mutually dependent relationship.
2) You enjoy solitude and find it hard to fit in with others
Shamans in most cultures were solitary individuals (often living in the outskirts of the village), and they were often considered eccentric or “different.”
However, they were respected because of the wisdom they shared. Because of their unique gifts and sensitivities, Shamans could never fit into typical society because they acted as the bridges between this world and the unseen worlds.
3) You’ve experienced a near-death, out-of-body or mystical experience
To be a Shaman, you must experience a complete “death and rebirth,” and often this can present itself as a temporary illness or shocking crisis of some kind that ignites an existential crisis.
It’s through overcoming and healing from this terrifying ordeal that the Shaman-to-be surrenders everything they know as true for whatever wisdom they’re meant to learn.
4) You’ve felt a subtle healing energy in your hands
Many Shamans are born with the capacity to act as “curanderos,” as masters of living energy. In other words, they have the ability to control and manipulate the energy in their bodies and the bodies of others.
Carrying healing energy is often manifested as having good circulation of blood in your hands. Your hands will almost always feel warm to the touch (or even boiling hot) and you might sometimes feel subtle energy emanating from them.
5) You have the ability to “read” others
Some Shamans are born with the gift of “vision” or the capacity to look at other people and see the illness they may be carrying or spiritual obstacles they must overcome.
People with a shamanic calling frequently report psychic abilities such as clairvoyance, clairaudience, or other paranormal experiences.
6) You have ancestors who were healers or medical herbalists
Many cultures believe that the gift of being a Shaman is inherited and can only be passed down through generations.
Of course, in today’s world, it’s almost impossible to know whether any of our ancestors were healers as our recent ancestors, much like ourselves, never claimed and cultivated this Shamanic gift.
7) You have vivid or prophetic dreams
Some Shamans are born with the natural ability to travel between realms, to bring back information, and even see visions of future events through their dreams.
8) You are visited by spirit animals
Animals or hybrid animals (half animal half human) play a big role in the Shaman’s journey. Spirit animals serve as Guides that share vital information and serve as reminders whenever we require their help.
9) You see things that others can’t see
The ability to access other realms and hidden dimensions can start at a very early age. To be an effective Shaman you must have the fluidity of mind to be open and receptive to new information.
It’s this unique trait that has resulted in many Shamans being labeled and prescribed as mentally ill by modern medicine.
10) You have physical abnormalities that set you apart
In the past, many physical characteristics, such as being born with extra fingers, toes or with a caul (thin membrane) covering your head at birth were considered spiritual signs or omens that a person has a special relationship with the spirit world.
11) You feel a calling to help, heal or ease the suffering of others
Ultimately, Shamanism can be seen as a practice of balancing or self-correcting our relationship with others and the natural world around us.
Whenever a Shaman sees suffering, they’ll feel a strong desire to heal it in order to re-establish that lost harmony within the web of life.
***
The fact that you’re looking up or reading this article on Shamanism is a sign you’ve been guided to learn about something very few people are interested in.
These signs may be general and can happen to a lot of people, but in truth, many of us are being called by spiritual forces, yet few of us answer that calling.
Some may be able to go through life without listening to this spiritual calling, while others might experience depression and physical illness the more they close off and neglect to listen.
So what happens once you do listen to your calling, how can you find training? Ideally, nothing is more effective than training and learning under a mentor or spiritual guide.
Shamanism is a spirituality that is experienced, not thought about or theorized. The internet can be useful in allowing you to look up local practitioners that may offer apprenticeships, though be discerning and aware as this field is open to much trickery.
For those who can’t find local mentors, I’ll continue writing on this topic – and if you want to go deeper, I explore the shamanic archetype within our Spiritual Wanderer Course.
Tell me, do you feel called to this path? What initiated you on the shamanic journey?
Three paths to inner transformation – here’s how I can help you go deeper:
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Hi. I believe coincidence is only true in existence because it has a term and a definition, but “it is” just another way (tactic) of lieing (Satan along with the other presently bound leaders, working through the devils not yet thrown into the place of torments but go from person to person, other things to others, and places to places and work under Him. If this is read, my hope is to not be misunderstood as one I am not because I have my flaws and am not perfect as of yet. My physical birthdate is March 19th, 1987. I’m 35 about to be 36 years old. My spiritual (baptism) birthdate -in an action accountable age- is August 19, 2007. From spiritual rebirth ’til now, my spiritual renewal age is 15 years old. Lovely for me is at age 35 I am finally properly maturing in much. Part of it is realizing and so living my response to strive for true universal and unconditional peace, love, hope, joy and all else that is good only in finding pure in goodness within examination. My name is Sadé Louise Wesley. I’m American. My mother loved Folasade the music artist people know as… Read more »
My name is Albrae cilliers the 2nd , my granny was full on sharman , was supposed to fall onto my sister but she accepted normal life and so ive been burdened with not knowing how to begin training and walk the calling for my gran died before i reached maturity , my life has been a mess ive been labled by family and dr as” crazy “or religious psychosis… Don’t know how to explain futher but i do need guidance im alone but not alone its a pleasure reading what you posted for its all things im going through where can i start and how can i overcome the hatered pushed onto me because of the calling
I recently dreamed a large black dog ran up to me, jumped on my back, and pined me to the ground but i am not sure if it was a helpful guardian spirit dog or not? it didn’t bite me or attack me i was just not able to move forward and yes i am going through personal trauma at the moment. The dog could be preventing me from moving forward for some protective reason or perhaps just a weighty presence for me to remember that it is with me ? can anyone shed light on this dream, please. In 2016 i dreamed a vulture was sitting on my lap it was so soft and had beautiful eyes, i did feel it was a protective spirit guide for all to see after all, who would want to mess with such a huge bird with that obvious beak..!
What is the initiation? I’ve been having weird things happen my entire life and honestly the passed couple years since ive turned 30 its been a lot like huge things that have had me thinking im losing my mind like hearing other peoples thoughts out loud and understanding animals and just knowing things its been crazy but then all of the sudden the other day, I was completely sober sitting down, not starving, or sleep deprived, nothing. and I had this crazy trip just happen to me. I just started to understand EVERYTHING it was terrifying and then amazing. Just everything makes sense now and it was amazing but like I know this what I am being told it is and so now what do I do to nurture and feed this.
This article was soo profound! Ive recently embarked on a shamanic calling and have worked with real shamans, in the meantime I’ve slipped into my own wounds feeling lost and doubtful, after doing a ceremony and meditation I walked in nature and had an instinct to Google my dream. I found this article and the phrase “wounded healers” clicked on so many levels I shed a tear. Reading things like this really can confirm people’s paths like mine and I’m so grateful for it! Thank you ❤️
And I would love to hear from YOU. Please contact me if you have space available for conversation and or training.
With love & Gratitude,
Celeste
#Panama
I need help I have so many questions and I think I’m having my calling and I don’t want to ignore it and to be honest I think I have been but I don’t realize it I don’t understand it yet can someone please help.
I was born as unwanted second child in a poor family, almost died after exiting mothers vagina because belly rope got two times around my neck.. I was not loved. At least i didnt sense it. All i remember was leather belt and parents counting numbers when they hit me.. still i loved my parents… but i loved nature and animals, my imaginary friends were aliens. I loved flowers, clouds… I was fashinated by plants animals, birds, mushrooms, biology, geography, i knew much more than any other kid 6yo. Nature removed the pain people gave me for just being happy and positive.. (mom sociopath- hated when kids were happy or sad) I was systematically mentally terrorized by my uncle. Uncle told me avary day that some ghost man kills me when i fall asleep… I hated school time too. It was something i needed to pass. I had weak grades but i worked very hard to get at least these. I was bullied eventho i was very strong mentally and physically. Mostly i got into biggest fights when i protected the weak ones.. I hated violence and bullying, and i was fearless when group of kids were attacking me.. got… Read more »
I truly believe that this is the path I was lead to take. Everything in my life has led me to this, people have called me a shaman, I’m a musician who wants to make a difference. My love life is in shambles because I only want to be with the broken women because I want to help them, give them something to live for.
I have died when I was younger and drowned in a public pool from being bullied. Brought back to life and my life was never the same.
People have said I sometimes go into a musical trance and it’s as if I left my body.
I just want to know more information and if there are anyone locally that I can connect with.
i have the calling to be a shaman a calling from another life a past life there i was a shaman of an indian tribe in southwest america around 1500 ad…. this life ive had some illnesses one physical and one mental….physical i had arthritis when i was 3…..mental i was labled bypolar and scitsofrenic…but im acually an empath that can see visions…….