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.”
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:
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 obstacle 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 and training further in future articles. This might not be the same as a real-life apprenticeship, but it provides the fundamental information necessary to prepare you for your (usually unexpected) initiation.
This made me in tears. I know I am a Shaman, I can feel it. But what to do now? I go for a trancejourney to a Shaman every month. Do I tell her that I want to become a shaman? I don’t want to go in her way. Can I ask her if she wants to mentor me with this or not? I’m a little confused. What do I need to do?
Shamanism is not and has never been a religion. It is a practice. It is the oldest known practice in human history yes, but not a religion. It started out when they discovered dreams while sleeping. Some people took it to the next level to figure out what they were. and the ones who went deeper and deeper every night discovered meditation which I’m sure they had a different name for it back then. Then it turned into trance meditation and seeing the spirit world and Spirit guides like I do today. After 15 years I practice.
Hello, dear soul. I was diagnosed with major depression after a narcissist/empath marriage. I have two girls, the divorce put us all through dark times. I was severely depressed and my youngest became so as well. They put me on meds that made things worse, then they diagnosed me with bipolar, after a 10 minute assessment. The meds gave me seizures. My family basically left me to rot, and had to take myself to the doctor after the seizures and come home alone. My for my father has always travelled and would be there if he could, it was him and my two girls, the only ones that ever stood by me. My youngest was very depressed when I was very sick as well and her father left to travel the world cut off all support and I had to work, try to keep myself together and her. Not three days after he left she tried to commit suicide. He didn’t return home. I had to quit work, had no child support and so applied for government assistance which I fought and fought for but received nothing. I had a low point and almost myself took my life but when I was about to I fell on my knees and there was a small brown feather. I immediately thought of my grandfather who had passed that I had a strong connection with as a child. I swore at that moment I would heal myself, so my daughter would not have to go through this pain like I did. Ever since I was a child the wolf has always been with me, my father is a lone wolf and I used to go travelling with him, long distances to the Yukon, all over Canada. All wilderness. We use to go out to the wolf sanctuary outside the city in the spring when they had their babies and I could spend entire days just watching them. I studied wolves as a kid, love all animals. The wolf has always been by my side and the dragon. Recently I had an awakening after I decided to new myself I started with guided mediation, the universe has directed me. Everyone thought I was crazy so I had no one to speak to and no money for help. I discovered kundalini and have been clearing my chakras and working with this energy for three years now. My favorite music as a child was Sacred Spirit. And just recently it came to my attention again. So I started shamanic dancing and bam. I was dancing with a wolf in the sky. I have had visions, my daughters know as I tell them it’s only recently that they really have begun to believe me. My youngest is healing as well, I have noticed if I’m not well she is not either. I am needing some assistance as I understand this is rare. I do smoke marijuana but any chemicals or drugs my body rejects, as the past has shown. I’m a bit scared. I feel a lot of energy and it’s intense, visions, knowing what happening and how to heal others. I am a very isolated person, love my freedom but have never had it . I want to new the planet so bad it’s a constant ache. I am very untrusting. But years ago when I was in a dark place in the dark knight of the soul I stumbled upon your site and sent you a message. And you said welcome to the pack, and I never forgot that. So here I am again. Looking for guidance.
Hi there I’m sorry to hear about your situation you went through especially having to be with a narcissist, if you don’t mind I’d like to know more about your life, what you’ve been through and how your doing now, is your narcissist ex involved with your girls, have you remarried? I wish you the best because you were able to leave your ex.
Please can you help me..
I will make this message as short and to the point as possible. About 4 years ago i was in a very dark place, one day i learned of DMT and spent a few months researching, then a few more months of building the courage and trying to have that ‘break through’ experience. At the same time trying to open the pineal gland, i achieved this in a spectacular fashion, and shortly had my first of many breakthroughs. I felt the light and power course through my body awaking many different things including a deep understanding of EVERYTHING ! I felt as though i had achieved what i set out to do at that time. However the last 2years of my life has come to stop (no work, no woman, no love, no direction) and nothing but a deep sinking feeling has consumed me. I’m not sure what, but something made search for the answer online.. which has lead me to researching shamanism, and as soon as i start to read anything on the matter, i’m overwhelmed and instantly burst into tears and become emotional (VERY unusual for me). I know this is a message screaming at me, but i don’t understand what i’m supposed to or how to move forward with it… and that’s what’s lead me to writing in this comment box.
Any advice or help you could offer, would be greatly appreciated.
Kindest Regards
Jamie, It is fully natural after a spiritual awakening to go through stages like this. In some circles they call it ‘the dark night of the soul’. It ties into what this article was talking about, for example depression and isolation. I went through it myself and isolated myself for years. Did nothing but read and meditate as I could not deal with the world or with other people and their negative and careless energy. The good news is that it will pass- (not so much the loneliness unless you find similar minded people) but the depression will ease as you come to understand and be at peace with who you are now. My advice would be to meditate daily and to go back to the start and to continue reading and learning at a much slower pace- it sounds like you have broken through unnaturally and extremely quickly (DMT) and are still trying to pick up the pieces and understand what it all means. You have effectively read the book backwards. Work on basic esoteric knowledge and meditation technique. Start light and build up gradually. Once you have the knowledge and technique to ‘break through’ naturally without smoking DMT then you know you will have caught up and can move forward. Once you have achieved this, your new found intuition and empathy will guide you the rest of the way. Take it step by step and trust in the path. This is something that only you alone can achieve in your own time. Namaste my friend.
great website. no test available. all about generating revenue for your classes. what about the people who are not sure about the experiences that they are Having? this was the closest thing that i found that acknowledged the type of experience that i was seeking advice on.
This article proved a point that I am a shaman in training. I’ve had many near death dreams, prophetic dreams. I’ve had this dream where I was walking alone, it was a long road with many twists and turns but inside of me was courage and I knew I had to find a specific place and I found it. I had this other dream where I was being chased by a powerful spirit. I was running! And running for my life. I was alone. Then when I stopped fearing the spirit it stopped chasing me. I was relieved. These were all tests. These were my shamanic spiritual tests and I have many more to come. I even met my twin flame. I am this person that cannot be around anyone. They have to have a good vibration. I cannot be around or stand evil people. Many persons hate me because they see something in me they can’t take or have. I even got baptised. As I said people hate me, including some family members like my brother. My brother is egoistic, sad and self centered. I tried to forgive him, I even pray for him but he proves to me over and over that he dislikes me. For no reason! He is the biggest brain manipulator I know and a fake. I’ve done nothing to him. He has a son that tells lies on me to his mother when I’m the one who looks after him when everyone is working or on the road. He is training his son to become just as hateful, egoistic and manipulative like himself. His mom is no better! I have no grudge against them. They are just evil. No amount of friendship, love and forgiveness can change their hearts and minds and I’ve met a lot of people like that, I just stay far. Very far! He even tried to separate my twin flame and I. He’s jealous of us and uses my twin, manipulate him in turning against me. It didn’t work! All three of them are agents of the devil. I am full blown spiritually in my whole family, not because of them! No! Its my ancestors and I must live for me, not them.
This article proved a point. I’m undergoing shamanic trainingtraining as in one of my dreams the spirits made me roam roads alone. I didn’t felt uncomfortable I just felt like I needed to find a specific place. I saw no one, it was just me and my inner compass. I eventually found the place in my dream but the road was long and full of twists and turns. In the other traumatic dream I was being chased by a powerful spirit. I was running! I didn’t stop running. I was scared of what it would do to me. It was me alone, again! I then somewhat stopped fearing the spirit and it stopped chasing me. It was a test! I had many near death dreams and even prophetic ones, fun dreams too. As a shaman I’m never comfortable around anyone. I can feel others envy against me, their hatred and other stuff. I’m never comfortable in my environment unless I’m alone or around good people. Sometimes my mother say its like I’m not living in reality. When I’m alone my mind goes far away and its like I’m being pulled in. I don’t ever want evil people around me! A lot of my family members hate me including my brother. I’m not sorry for him. He’s a lost, condemned soul who knows nothing about spirituality. He’s just stuck in his ego and his big disgusting manipulation brain that he tries to use against everyone. I’ve even met my twin flame and he tries to separate us both. My twin loves to see the good in people but I stay far from evil. My brother dislikes me. He teaches his son to become just like him at an early age. His son is learning to be ungrateful, lie, full of hatred and maliciousness just like his father and mother. Can you believe it? I’m not sorry for any child who is programmed to be like this. I try to forgive and move on from them but every time they show me over and over how dirty their heart is. Yes! I have a disfunctional family and I’m the only full blown spiritual child, not because of them but my ancestors. I’ve even been baptised. I’m not living for my demonic brother and his satanic child! I’m living for me. If my mother gives upon me and follow my evil brother its her choice. God is my mother, father, brother, provider. They cannot stop me. Trust me! My name is Angellica and I’m destined for great spirituality.
Is it weird this made me tear up & for a brief moment, felt a moment of peace.? I was born under the same circumstances; always felt there was a reason behind it. People don’t suffer for no reason & to be able to rise above & use that learning to heal others is the most beautiful & sacred gift one can give to another in today’s world. I don’t know anyone interested in this topic – very alone! This is the start of a WONDERFUL journey. Peace & love. Thank you for understanding us.
I have felt this calling for a long time now about 3 or 4 years and I meet all the required criteria of the signs that i am ment to be a Shaman. I do not want to deny this calling that is my destiny, and i know I have so much potential to heal others and this world.
My greatest problem is that I can’t find my mentor/teacher, so i have been struggling to train myself the best way that i know how but i know i need help and guidance to see myself through this transition. Any advice on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated.
I just found out I’m a shaman !!!!! Literally like last night I’m about to cry and burst with excitement. I had absolutely no idea why I had this recurring dream of Bulldogs with crystal ball eyes for years and years it was a mystery. Peace and love to everyone!! And any one in the struggling stage of the journey seriously keep going it’s so worth it !!!!!+!+ thanks for all the info, I read yours in the dark night about 3am thank you for sharing all the info at such a crazy time !
I like your article very wise. I too would be considered something like a social outcast. My whole I have had trouble socializing. I love this part of human life I have done extensive research on Siberia shamans and I have increased interests in Nordic and Mesolithic cultures. I want to know where we all had humans come from. I wish I could be shaman I just don’t know how.
Many thanks for the insights. As has been the case for my whole life, essentially, taking anything at face value never sat right. Sounds of music made me sob u controllably and trees were my best friends. I have prophesied more deaths than I’d like to admit(as it truly becomes madening). Although after years you would think I was ready, although it seems I’m on the brink of complete breakdown, riddled with some of the worst thoughts and feelings I have ever had!
There is, however, a much more subtle knowing which is absolutely comforting and brought me to your page. I trust it!
My natural desire to help and heal others, while increasingly needing to be secluded after only a matter of hours surrounded by others, has been more profound than ever and it is in this space I realized my truth.
I have always seen, known and understood, although not easily accepted by today’s society and, in fact I have been deemed as having mod, bd or schizophrenia as well as codependency as I can absolutely read the thoughts of others and feel most balanced after I have helped someone.
My question, as it has been for years, is what is the system by which I reach the most people with these gifts and no longer carry the human judgement as them being something other than extraordinarily beautiful?
This was a great article on Shamanism. I believe I may have a calling to become a shaman. I would like to know more about it and how I may pursue this gift. Please write more about it. Thank you.
hello, i would like a reading from a real shaman in usa. woman please. Can you refer me to one or several. Honest and not too expensive. have a nice day.
Hi Elizabeth
I’m Ntokozo from South Africa, I know quite a few shamans here that can help. If you haven’t found the help you are looking for, you can email me on blaqdaylight@gmail.com but if you have found help, that’s awesome.
I myself have a shamanic calling, but have not yet undertaken the journey, it can be a daunting journey but in our culture, one is chosen by their family ancestors either maternal or paternal. It can be complex but I cannot say that this is universal
I now know because of your article I’m being called rather then just have a strong interest in shamanism. I don’t know how to find someone in my area to apprentice with though. I’m living in Osoyoos British Columbia Canada though and will try connecting with the local Indegenous tribes as well as study here what I can. Thank you for your service. I’ll be donating as soon as I’m able. I needed this. Although the experience is beautiful and with it it’s extremely uncomfortable after a lifetime of trying to disconnect.
Thanks so much for the work you do! I appreciate you showing up in the world and showing out in a positive way! Many blessings to you always.
Best,
Sand
(January 31, 2019 @ 12:27 AM EST)
Hey Mateo,
I appreciate this post.
I nearly died 3 times, & am close to being diagnosed with a fragmented identity. aka DID. I possibly have every mental illness under the moon because of my childhood but I have grown & persevered, I had my spiritual awakening this month & was always drawn to animals & nature since being a small boy. I have extremely good memory & can see into the future through internal analysis & insight. I speak too many languages like the biggest feline diplomat there is, & nobody has the ability to get into my head, but i can get into theirs. Huge interest & passion for chemistry, neuroscience, medicine, & of course healing, as my mom passed away from cancer due to her stressful lifestyle & my satanist dad.
I will continue to grow & learn from this website, & will let you know of my experiences throughout. Tomorrow on the new moon i’ll integrate myself as ive been doing moon rituals since June.
all of u teachers of a connical world of balzabuth shall never come to the healing prqcess of my mother U each every body abot jesus christ,s h d creator or only an un usual fairy
I recently healed a 8cm mass Inside my body. During a MRI a mass was discovered on my uterus in 2015 and continued to grow it got to a size of 8cm and new masses had also developed so after a lot of contemplation I decided to have a surgery to get them removed and biopsied. I told the surgeon the day of my surgery that I wanted to see the mass he takes out. Well after I woke up from the surgery I found out the large mass and the smaller ones were all gone and there were none to be found inside of me. I was shocked and extremely upset as I had gone through a major abdominal surgery but talking to some folks after the surgery could only come to the conclusions that it was me who healed myself. It maybe a coencidence but during the year I went thru many MRI only to see the mass get larger in size. I want to help others who may need some healing ? What shall I do?
Hi Anilise, I have a tumour on my chest since the other year and I am scared. I suffer from CPTSD already and I believe in eating organic as much as I can. I do not believe in chemo and radioactive therapies as that has killed family members and family members of friends of mine. One particular friend in his 50’s like a brother to me went through chemo and surgery for bowel cancer and has never been the same since. He has had a lot of his intestines removed and has constant pains in his body ranging from frequent urinary tract infections to mouth ulcers, gums bleeding, frequent migraines, dizziness, even mysterious blood in his stools. Sorry if it’s TMI (too much information). He told me he is lucky by the grace of God that those therapies didn’t kill him instantly and recommends that I never go through hell with chemo, surgery and radio.
As an infrequent student to your teachings, I’m still beside myself to the abysmal vibrations this awareness to our ‘kilt’ or kind – no longer do ‘outsider’, ‘weirdo’, or ‘fanatic’ marionette my beliefs, actions, or concerns as I see most of our western upbringing was a hoax to begin with; so why ever did we take it at face value? Laughing to myself flooded in memories and personal thoughts while egolessly checking off each sign, I finally compelled my attention to you all in inexplicable thanks and rediscovered Life Task to master the energies and koans for the sake thereof. A thousand thanks again.