Every time I think of  a Soul Retrieval, or I remember a Shamanic Journey for a client, I am reminded of the line from the Beautiful Hymn Amazing Grace, "I once was lost, but now am found."  There return of light in each soul retrieval client that is indescribable.  Part of the Shamanic experience for me is the privilege of bearing witness miracles, both small and large. In fact, there are no minute miracles.   

Soul Loss is a scary sounding word for a common spiritual condition.  Each one of could benefit from a Soul Retrieval. When one experiences a trauma, the parts of the whole that cannot process the trauma are fractured.  I like to say that the soul pieces that that cannot handle the trauma take a vacation. The Shamanic view of illness indicates that when pieces of soul are missing, there are energetic gaps.  The object of the soul retrieval is to bring the soul parts home and complete the whole, thus giving the client access to missing energy. 

In Shamanic practice, Soul Loss is indicated by a several symptoms.  In Soul Retrieval, Mending the Fragmented Self,  Author Sandra Ingerman shares the symptoms as follows:

1.  Difficulty feeling in body.

2.  Apathy, feeling "numb."

3.  Chronic depression.

4.  Immune system issues; chronic illness-often with no diagnosis

5.  Addictive behavior

6.  Significant memory gaps. 

There are many paths to regaining soul parts.  I am not saying Shamanism is THE way.  Shamanism is a way that I have found healing and effective with the client. Within my practice, I have found that ceremonial soul retrieval is a beautiful, sacred way for my clients to reconnect with  self. In the next part of this series, I will discuss what to expect during the soul retrieval ceremony.  If you would like to talk with me about Shamanic Ceremony for your healing experience, please feel free to contact me to set up a consultation.

Yesterday it was the unicorn; today's ally is the breathtaking dolphin.  There is a wisdom to Dolphin, a  mystery that is found in the depths of the ocean.  Dolphin is ready to share that magic, if only you ask. Feeling the need to go deeper? Dolphin will take you there. dolphin wants to to connect to the music of your soul as you discover your authentic self.  Dolphin is the master of breath, and is a good power animal for those with asthma or anxiety issues.  The image of a dolphin breaking water is a perfec to help break stagnant solar plexus issues. So go and dance with dolphin and discover a freer, energized you!

It was a very busy week and I didn't make time to post my weekly reading. Shame on me!  I love that this card came out of an angel deck and it's a power animal.  It ties in nicely with another animal I will share with you at a later point.  Unicorn is a lovely power animal who reminds us to connect with our magical self.  This weekend it is suggested that you do two things: first and foremost, we have a continuing pattern of the inner child work that we discussed two weeks ago.  Now that you have begun the work, it's time to take that inner child to the park.  Notice the magic around you!  In my yard, my zinnias bloom a beautiful violet hue!  I bet there are fairies about :-)  Secondly, this is the time to move forward with any ventures you have been working on!  although it seems an uphill battle, don't give up! Procrastination is not your friend. BTW, young men who are going to pop the question, the timing appears to be right!  This is the go ahead for you. (I feel as if this will resonate with someone reading this)  Have a great weekend of sunshine and joy my friends.

The modern day shaman faces a conundrum unique to our ancestors who walked before.  The need to have a day to day income and to make a balance to pay the bills. We have the same need as our mothers and fathers before us to go out into nature, connect with our guides and learn.  We must spend our time studying and working in spirit.  The village healer in the days long ago was cared for by society, or paid in chickens :-) In this day, we have the added stress of producing income.  The green kind.  The kind that pays the electric bill and puts braces on our children's teeth.  We are faced with the desire to live in a cabin, but the truth is we must survive in our society.

The result?  Many of us take day jobs.  Sure we accept money for our services, and we dream of spending each day in service to others, not having to go in and live the grind of society.  Truth be told, we signed up for this walk and it's challenges.  How do we do this?  We embrace the lessons we came here to do.  

I have become clever and determined.  I find the shamanic walk in the everyday life.  I do ceremony at 12:30 in the morning after a  full eight hour shift at my day job.  I light the sacred candle at the midnight hour...literally!  I drum whenever I have five minutes too pick up my drum and sound it.  I drink my coffee in the early morning, outside.  In doing this, I feel all that is around. I hear the birds, I great cardinal and crow.  Each Sunday, I wake up like a child out of recess...I shower, and rush to the nearest park where I walk among my tree brothers and hear the call of hawk. 

The walk of the shaman is a blessing and a challenge.  I have learned friends, never to let go to my heart's calling.  I work and pay bills, take clients on a moment's notice, and drum on!  That is what I chose, and that's how I roll.  My friends, today I would like to challenge you to take five minutes and devote yourself to spirit.  When you walk outside, don't rush to your car with your nose in the phone.  Instead, look up to the sky and thank great creator for the beauty of the sun on your face.  listen to the son of the robin.  If you begin to make a practice of hearing the world around and seeing with open eyes, you will open yourself to new dimensions!  Modern day shamanism does not mean becoming an armchair shaman!  Feel life to the fullest, your heart will thank you for it.

Good Monday night, Tuesday morning!  I am late with the post on this weeks energy!  These cards are based on water colors by the mother of my friend Jenny Abell of Earthstone Treasures. Well folks, it looks as if last weeks inner-child work is continuing its momentum! Your job for the week is to continue the work on finding your new balance.  With all the hard work, you may be finding the need to re-adjust yourself.  Looks like you got a little bumpy start to the week, huh?  Cut yourself shaving on Monday morning? Late for class or work because you couldn't find your keys? Never fear, now is the time to center yourself!  By all means, if you have a drum, pick up your drum and sound it!  If  you do yoga, then do yoga! Now is the time to connect.  None of the above?  My clients will know the next preach!  Take of your shoes and get your feet in the dirt.  When you feel the rhythm of the heartbeat of your mother, you will move right back into sync.  

If you do your home work, midweek is going to go easier for you.  Time to take your mind of things and treat yourself to a cup of tea (or cups of coffee if you are a shaman)  midweek finds us in the spark of creativity.  Give your solar plexus a boost by getting out in the sun and you will find the solution to that problem that has been nagging you the past two weeks.  Writers write, painters paint because the the creative juices are flowing! 

Which brings us to the final leg of the week.  All this energy is going to create momentum for more growth!  Get rid of what no longer serves you!  That includes that jumpsuit from 1985!  It just doesn't suit your needs any more!  Take a new route to work or try a new lipstick.  This card is about implementing the growth from the past too weeks.  You are a bright being, so shine your light.  Keep out of the rut by trying something new!  Your life is moving ever forward :-)

This weekend, At The Festival of Healing and Spiritual Awareness, in Elizabethtown, KY, I was enjoying the beauty of the arboretum next to the Pritchart Community Center and pondered about how I would love to share the healing that nature has given me with my clients.  For centuries, shamans have connected with nature in their healing practice, and that connection is never needed more than now!  So let's put away our cell phones and our i pads and come together Creators presence to explore our authentic selves.  Walk with me and together, we will gather the healing allies for your healing session.   There is no greater healing than the sun opening our crown chakras to let the light in <3 When you contact me for a consult, just let me know that you would like a nature consult and be ready to open your heart. 

Good Morning!  Today I have the weekly card draw with the Akashic Records on July 14, 2014.  I need to start doing these on Sunday Morning!  This is from Doreen Virtue's ascended Masters Oracle Cards.

We start the week out with the card  "Teacher."  In this context, the card is referring to your inner teacher. Take that time out of your busy schedule to connect to your higher self! The Record keepers are noting the deep purple in the card, making a reference to The Third Eye.  The affirmation for this is "I see and know my own truth."  I got the message that there is much inner child work going on.  Are you caring for your inner child?  Listen to what this child has to say.  He/She has an important truth for you this week!  

The Second card is "Purification."  With all of this work going on early in the week, it comes to no surprise that we find ourselves needing to focusing on cleaning ourselves out!  Are you drinking clean water?  Maybe tap water is not what you need!  Make sure you filter your water or drink spring water to cleanse out your body.  Pay attention to your diet! Good wholesome foods, fresh fruits and vegetables are needed to support all of the Lessons learned during the earlier part of the week.

We finish up the week with the card "Stay Focused."  It's been a tiring week, and if you are doing the work that is suggested at the beginning of the week, you may be finding yourself a little tired; especially if your inner teacher has uncovered some very sensitive issues!  Stay with it! The week is almost over.  They want you to continue the work at hand.  Also please be mindful of making mistakes due to fatigue.  Pay attention to how much rest you are getting as emotional and physical fatigue can affect your ability to make decisions and stay on task.  Stay present to avoid mistakes in your everyday life!  

Folks it's going to be a busy week for you, but the weekend is coming!  

For a personal reading, feel free to contact Integrative Shamanism anytime or find me on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/HealerBarbaraIlari