Shamans have long stood as icons and figureheads of spirituality and the included practices, with many making a general connection between Shamanism and traditional indigenous cultures.
However, Shamanism is much more than that. Whilst shamanic practices are deeply rooted in ancient healing traditions and spiritual practices of indigenous cultures, it is a way of life - a way to connect with nature and all of creation.
Over the past few decades, the ideals and practices of “shamanism” have swept across the globe and become popularised in the Western world, but what exactly is Shamanism? And how can it be practised respectfully in the new age?
What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is an ancient spiritual practice that has existed for centuries across various cultures worldwide. However, “shaman” originates from the Tungus tribe in Serbia and is associated with an inherent universal spiritual wisdom. Shamans, regarded as spiritual intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms, harness their abilities to heal, guide and connect with energies beyond what is deemed ordinary. At the core of Shamanic practices lies the belief that everything in the universe is interconnected and that spiritual healing can be achieved through rituals, ceremonies and connections with nature.
The overall philosophy of Shamanism can be traced back to the Q’ero nation in Peru, who fled to the high Andes following the invasion of the conquistador and remained relatively unknown to the wider world until as late as the mid-20th century.
Understanding shamans and their role
Shamans are revered figures in their communities, acting as mediators and often possessing unique gifts of healing, divination and innate wisdom. They embark on journeys through altered states of consciousness and acute awareness achieved through rituals, music and sound healing, chanting and herbal medicines. Their primary objective is to restore and maintain a sense of harmony, balance and healing within individuals, communities and the environment.
What tools do shamans use?
There are various tools and instruments employed by shaman practitioners throughout their spiritual practices, each carrying symbolic significance and aiding in their regular rituals. These tools help to facilitate communication with spirits, healing energies and altered states of consciousness. Here are some of the key tools commonly used by shamans:
Drums and rattles
Shamanic drums, rattles and rainsticks are the fundamental instruments shamans use across countless cultures. The rhythmic beats of drums and shaking of rattles serve to induce trance-like states, allowing the shaman to journey into non-ordinary realities, communicate with spirits and perform sound healing rituals.
Incense
Shamans often use various herbs, plants and sacred woods like sage, palo santo, cedar or sweetgrass for smudging ceremonies. Burning substances like these emit a fragrant smoke believed to cleanse negative energies, purify spaces, and facilitate spiritual connections.
Crystals and stones
Crystals and gemstones, such as Vogel crystals, are often utilised in shamanic practices for their energetic properties. Each stone carries unique vibrations and can be used for healing, protection, divination, or amplifying spiritual energies. Different stones may be chosen based on colour, properties, or energetic resonance.
Sacred symbols and talismans
Symbols, talismans or amulets, such as chumpi stones and totem stones that hold spiritual significance in their culture, may be used by shamans in their practices. These could include symbols representing elements, animals, deities or ancestors, serving as focal points for intention setting and spiritual guidance.
Divination tools
Shamans employ various tools for divination purposes, such as oracle and tarot cards, runes, bones, or scrying mirrors. These tools help them seek guidance, interpret messages from the spirit world, or gain insights for healing and decision-making.
Ceremonial clothing
Ceremonial clothing or costumes adorned with symbolic elements, patterns representing their spiritual connections, powers and energies, or stories from their heritage are traditionally worn by shamans.
A key example of this ceremonial clothing is a shaman’s mesa, mestana cloth. A weaving of ancient tapestries, each telling their own stories from village to village. This type of ceremonial cloth is particularly common among the Quero and Paqos shamans of the Andes, whose weavings hold a variety of symbolic meanings - mainly representing the elements, the Earth depicted through the Pachamama symbol (feminine) and the sky as the masculine counterpart (Inti Tai Tai), which brings all into balance. They are made in two pieces to symbolise the coming together or duality, often presented through symbols of light and dark or the masculine and feminine.
Setting a sacred space with shamanic altars
Central to shamanic practices is an altar - a sacred space designed to connect with spiritual energies and serve as a focal point for rituals and ceremonies. Shamanic alters are personal and vary widely, reflecting the shaman’s traditions, beliefs and spiritual connections. Typically, creating a shamanic altar involves several key steps:
Selection of space
Shamans commonly choose a serene location, indoors or outdoors, to establish their altar, often preferring places connected to nature or where they feel a particularly strong spiritual connection.
Choice of items
Their altar is adorned with altar items and objects representing the elements - earth, air, fire, water and spirit and natural elements such as stones, feathers, plants, shells and crystals, along with other symbolic items representing spiritual guides, deities, or animals associated with shamanic practices.
Arrangement of the altar
Items are intuitively arranged, sometimes following spiritual guidance. The layout aims to create harmony, strike balance, and align with the practitioner's spiritual intentions.
Connection with the altar
Shamans spend much of their time meditating, praying, or performing rituals at the altar to establish a strong, energetic connection. It is a focal point for their ceremonies, meditative practices and journeying.
Maintaining the altar
Shamans work hard to maintain the sacredness of their altar by keeping it clean and respectfully tended. Altars also require regular cleansing and energising, performed using smudging herbs such as sage or palo santo.
Shamanic altars are integral to shamanic practices, serving as portals for spiritual communications and healing. They enable the shaman to access higher realms, connect with their spirit guides, and perform ceremonies for personal and collective well-being. The energy of a shamanic altar is dynamic, ever-evolving alongside the shaman’s spiritual journey and experiences and fostering a profound connection with the spirit world.
The Sacred Essence guide to shamanism
Shamanism offers a profound spiritual exploration and healing journey, embracing diverse practices and ancient wisdom. Shamans foster harmony between the spiritual and physical realms by engaging in transformative practices such as meditation, sound journeying and spiritual healing by using an altar as a centre point alongside an array of tools- from drums and rattles to crystals and herbs. Embracing universal principles of interconnectedness, shamanism invites individuals to embark on unique journeys and inner voyages.
