Soul Retrieval
Shamans believe that part of our human Soul is free to leave the body.
The soul is the center of the shamanic healing arts. Shamans change their state of consciousness allowing their Soul to travel and retrieve ancient wisdom and lost power.
Because a portion of the Soul is free to leave the body it will do so when dreaming, or it will leave the body to protect itself from potentially damaging situations be they emotional or physical. In situations of trauma the Soul piece may not return to the body on its own, and a Shaman must intervene and return the Soul essence.
Some reasons for Soul loss
There are various reasons for Soul loss. If a person was in an abusive situation part of one's Soul may leave to protect itself from the abuse. Sometimes as a child, fighting parents may prompt the Soul part to hide because the child is scared.
If a traumatic accident is about to occur such as an impact or accident the Soul would leave so that it wouldn't be effected by the force of the accident. If a loved one is lost, the Soul part may go until the person is ready to deal with their grief. All of these are very healthy mechanisms of protection.
In some cases the soul part will return on its own. But if it does not realize how to return, or if it does not know that it is safe to return - a Shaman may need to assist the return of that missing piece.
Another way to lose ones Soul is to give it to someone. When two people are in love, or when they are in a family, it is sometimes occurs that they will give portions of their Soul to their loved ones. A mother may give some to her child because she wishes to protect him or her. This type of Soul exchange may seem acceptable because of a person's desire to share themselves with another, but it is generally not a good idea. Also the person who has given a piece of their Soul away have in fact disempowered themselves. The giver's life journey is made more difficult for them because they are not fully or wholely present to do the living of their life. Because we are not taught about Soul loss we do this Soul sharing often unconsciously.
You can see the language of Soul loss in everyday speaking, people referring to how they "lost a piece of themselves" when they parted with a lover, or people saying "you stole my life from me."
Another reason for Soul loss is called Soul stealing, perhaps we should say borrowing?
As we said before, the average person today is unconscious of the Soul dynamic.
So Soul stealing can be innocent, you see someone with lots of energy and you want to borrow some of it. You are afraid of losing someone, so you take a piece of that person with you so that you will always have him or her close by. Soul stealing can also be a way to dominate another. For instance Soul stealing may be seen where an abusive spouse has taken his or her partner's Soul. When you take someone's Soul you take some of that person's power.
Unfortunately I have also seen clients that have had many small pieces of their Soul stolen...intentionally over time.
Remember to be wise. Just because someone has the title of Shaman...or Healer it does not necessarily mean that the walk in Beauty or Honour. Sadly there are still those that will act out of greed, desire and even Fear to accomplish their own ends.
Symptoms of Soul Loss
Soul loss would be comparable to the psychological concept of disassociation.
Some of the symptoms that would indicate Soul loss to a Shaman include:
- depression
- a feeling of incompleteness
- an inability to move forward on some issue
- lost memories
- feeling like your not in control your life
- people who say I felt like part of me died
- or people who say I feel like so and so stole my Soul
- Soul loss is often accompanied by a feeling that something is missing from life.
Once again the language of our society refers to Soul loss, I lost something when I lost my job, I never felt the same after my accident...
Coma is a situation of extreme Soul loss, where more of the Sis out of the body then in.
As with the other protective feature of Soul loss, this can be very appropriate. If the body is in a great deal of pain, or if the Soul needs time to consider its situation a coma provides needed time. Shock is another symptom of Soul loss, where the individual's Soul hasn't returned yet or hasn't fully re-entered the body.
A person frequently wishes to return to his or her lost Soul. So if the Soul part was lost to a person, or in a specific place, an individual may feel an urge to return to that place or person even when there seems to be no outward reason to do so.
Occasionally, a person having suicidal thoughts may be because of a desire to reunite with one's lost Soul pieces.
The Soul Retrieval Process
To retrieve your Soul fragments I will journey shamanically to determine if the return of a Soul piece is needed at this time. Once the appropriate healing action is determined, I would then take another journey to retrieve any Soul pieces that want to come back at this time.
In the practices taught in the US and in many parts of the world, the Shaman brings the Soul pieces back with them from their journey.
Once gathered I then blow each piece back into the body of the client, one at time, focusing so that the soul essence fills that person's body.
It is not usually the case that an individual would do this for one's self. For one thing, an essential component of shamanic healing is the love that is felt when someone performs a healing for you. The act of receiving, a feeling that the universe is wanting the best for you.
Don't overlook the importance of having a Shaman perform a soul retrieval for you because you feel you must do it on your own. It is important to be active in one's own healing, but an active part is generally essential once the Soul is returned to you. The Soul retrieval itself is very much about receiving, so whether you engage the assistance of a Shaman or not, don't forget this essential component.
When performing a Soul retrieval the Shamanwill create a Sacred space for you, one where you are held in a container or love, and one that protects you from interferences of the outside world.
If a client becomes vulnerable during the Soul retrieval the Shaman will be able to protect that vulnerability.
It isn't easy to do this for oneself, -and- perform the Soul retrieval, -and- drum, -and- be receiving... you get the idea.
The Soul's Return
People's reactions after their Soul retrieval are very varied.
Just as varied as the wide array of people there are in the world.
You are unique and so is your returning Soul. The return will mean different things to different people so its important not to have any preconceived notions about what you might feel. Some people feel great joy, some people sadness, some people feel fuller, some people feel lighter, some people feel nothing... The list is endless.
Some of the benefits that have been experienced by those that have received a Soul retrieval include;
- a greater ability to make decisions in their life
- a sense of being more present in their life
- the ability to move pass an issue that previously could not
- the beginning of a new growth or healing process, an ability to begin dealing with grief
Each person is unique and will experience different results from their Soul retrieval.
Upon completing your Soul retrieval I will tell you what gifts are returning more fully to you with the return of a specific part of yourself.
For instance the return of your ability to hope, or confidence in yourself. To be open to giving or receiving Love. The vanquishing of long held Fears or doubts.
It is possible that the Soul retrieval will complete a healing process, but it is also possible that it will begin the work of new healing and new growth.
With the Soul's return you must be open, not only so that you can fully receive what is being returned, but also so that you can notice any indications of new needs in your life.
Perhaps you need to have more fun to meet the needs of the returned piece of your self, perhaps you need to go outside more, perhaps you need to give your self a period of introspection after the Soul retrieval has occurred. Possibly, the Soul's return will begin a new healing process. Perhaps the soul retrieval was just the last of a missing piece in your healing process.
For the Soul retrieval is to be effective you must listen to yourself.
must care for yourself as you would a new born, and give your self whatever you find is needed now that the gift of you has been received.
How Do I know if I need a Soul Retrieval?
Many people know instinctively that they are missing something. They hear about Soul retrieval and it makes sense to them, or they have an "Ah ha." moment where they realize that it is something that applies to them. But for those people who aren't so well connected with their intuition, they might not have that awareness.
As mentioned above symptoms/indicators of Soul loss can include:
- Feelings of depression
- A feeling of being incomplete
- Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, or PTSD like symptoms.
- Inability to move past an issue despite efforts to do so.
- Feeling like you've done everything you can do but are still stuck.
- Feeling disconnected from life, like you don't really feel anything, or you feel you can't connect to things.
- Memories or incident in your past when you can say, I feel that I lost something that I never got back.
- A sense that someone took a part of you, your heart, your soul, or that you were not the same once they left you or died.
- You keep wanting to return to a person, or a location that seems unhealthy or unlikely, even though there is no apparent reason for you to do so.
- Lost memories, like a part of your history is "missing"
- The feeling that soul retrieval may help you.
It isn't necessary for you to have an extreme symptom, to indicate Soul loss.
It is certainly true that some people have experienced benefits even though they were not sure that they had Soul loss or not.
If you feel this is something you might want to try, please do contact me so I may go on a diagnostic journey to find out if this would be best for you at this time.
If you feel that you aren't ready that is an emotion to honor. Sometimes a Soul retrieval will bring up issues that need to be healed. If you aren't in a place where you are ready to do that, it may be good for you to wait.
The following benefits are possible with Soul retrieval, although there is no guarantee what will happen, as all Soul retrievals are different:
- You may find it easier to move forward on an issue that has been troubling you.
- You may feel a sense of being more fully present in your life.
- You may find it easier to make certain decisions or make certain changes.
- You may find that some characteristic you have struggled with such as hopefulness, confidence, anger.. may improve or go away after a Soul retrieval.
- You may find that you can connect to things more easily.
- You may feel more fully present
Additionally it is possible for the following challenges to be brought up with a soul retrieval:
- You may have feelings of sadness or depression because of the time that went by missing this part of you.
- Issues that you have previously been unwilling to deal with can come to the surface.
- You may find that you can no longer stay in a situation which you have been living with - such that you find you must make changes in your life.
- You may find feelings that you previously did not wish to deal with assert themselves, such as grief or anger.
- You may begin a long healing process.
There is no absolute certainity of knowing what may happen as the result of a Soul retrieval.
In a few cases a person may literally experiences a complete turn around of their life to a more joyful way of being.
In some cases it begins a process of changes that take time to fully emerge. And of course some people feel that not much really happened as a result of their Soul retrieval.
Finally, a benefit of a Soul retrieval or any Shamanic healing is seeing that someone cares enough to help you. Most Shamans feel a strong desire to help make your road a little easier. Some people say that this is the most helpful part of the healing process for them.
Good luck with your journey. Remember that whatever you decide, it is often the process of looking for healing that brings healing to you. When we ask the question, what is it I need, what do I need to do next, the act of questioning will often bring a flow of answers into our lives from unexpected sources
If you would like to discuss your needs further please contact me for details
Blessings
Buffalo Healing Woman
Please note that there is no set fee for providing these services.
Instead I ask in a traditional manner for Donations only. This may in modern times appear foolish, but may heart tells me it is better to be of the old ways, and know I Walk straight with Honor, than to join the modern and lose my way.
An Energy exchange has always been acceptable.
An open Energy exchange is an important part of the process. Traditionally you would give that what was suitable in value and needs to those thar performed these Sacred Duties for you. This was respectful and fair to all who seeked assistance or knowledge as well as to the Teacher / Healer.
I believe also it is important to know that all donations received are Blessed, and each month a large percentage is given to those in greater need
buffalohealingwoman@buffalowoman.co.uk
I ask only that you respect this form of Energy exchange and my Values
May you Walk in Beauty and Honor
A PRAYER
Oh, Great Spirit
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me, I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold
the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have
made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things
you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have
hidden in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my Spirit may come to you without shame.
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