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A calling from planet Earth: 7 stages of shamanic initiation​
- Fernando Albert
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A beautiful path to follow when you hear the calling
Are you wondering about following the shamanic path? Let's take a look at the 7 stages of shamanic initiation so you can gain a greater understanding of the process and understand how to continue moving forward as you follow your calling.
Last week's article, The Virtue of Patience, is quite aligned with this one, because the 7 stages of shamanic initiation are a significant, profound, and life-changing process that you cannot rush at all. So if you haven't checked out last week's article, please do!
You might hear the calling, and by doing this, especially if you decide to embark on this path, you are already shifting your life in ways you don't imagine. The process of shamanism is life-changing and transformative, as you will often have profound mystical experiences, as well as connect much deeper with nature.
Understanding shamanism
Did you know that "shaman" means "healer"? It's like if you say "Chai Tea," where "Chai" means "Tea" (Hindu). So, it's an overstatement to say "Chai Tea = Tea-Tea." The same goes with "Shamanic healer," in the end, it means "Healer-healer." I say this because it matters that you see a shaman as a healer. After all, this is the foundation of this wonderful path.
The shaman will explore the lower, middle, and upper worlds to connect with different spiritual beings and perform different tasks in these sub-planes with the goal of bringing different forms of healing or even spiritual guidance.
When going through the 7 stages of shamanic initiation, you get to understand these different skills and how your calling defines you to follow different teachings promoting readiness and energetic compatibility for the person initiating to be able to perform their ceremonial rituals.
Hearing the call
Normally, when there is a clean connection with Spirit and without ego, you either hear the calling or you don't. There is no in-between, and if you find yourself "in-between," be assured that you are not ready yet, but you might start hearing the calling soon.
This is easier to know, and you will see your personality shifting in some ways. Small situations, for example:
- Feeling a deep connection with nature. You will feel much more identified, almost to the point of becoming part of it. My shaman guide told me that each human who follows these 7 stages of shamanic initiation and becomes a shaman also counts as "1 more" in the community of trees across the world. Trust me, this makes a deep connection.
- Advocating for animals, especially smaller ones or even insects. Well, okay! If you don't like bugs, perhaps you will continue not liking them; however, you will see them as other living creatures with the same right to live as everybody else. You will respect nature and life, and not tolerate any type of abuse here, not even from friends.
- You will likely snap even at good friends if they commit an atrocity, such as, for example, someone killing a spider who has been happily living their life in the outdoors without "invading human property" but just being outdoors.
- Knowing that you can bring better. You also feel that you are supposed to make people feel better, and you wish to have tools and support to perform this. While this could be a calling to develop as an energy healer, you will tell if it's a shamanism call or not... trust me... You will know!
Now, from here, you also find in your heart a certain degree of seriousness or commitment. Also, depending on the trance situation, you might actually hear a calling through clairaudience.
Another avenue is through Master Plants, who can also tell you that you have a path in shamanism through different but very powerful symbolism that will be clear to you, and rapid transformation follows.
The following stages
The first stage is the calling, so the 7 stages of shamanic initiation start without you even knowing it. It is true that my Mentor Shaman, brought me to start these initiations without me even being aware of what I was doing, but simply following the calling and the wisdom my mentor provided me at that time.
I don't want to make a super-long article, and it has turned out to be one. Neither do I want you to have solid and preconceived ideas on how this works, because, as I told you before, each person is different and the progress will not be the same, so I will go through the next steps briefly so you have an idea of what they are, but you are not pre-programmed nor do you develop preconceived ideas and expectations that only get in the way.
Second Stage: Separation: Leaving the Known
Usually, this is a bit of a challenge because it promotes the release of negativity tied up in your life, limiting self-beliefs, toxic relationships, and behaviors that are not aligned with the healer's path. Here, you will know what serves your highest good and what you need to let go of. You have to be honest with yourself, or it will be more painful.
What matters here is for you to make space; if it becomes painful emotionally, you must give it time. Furthermore, the old spiritual self of yours will go through the shamanic death, as the former belief and identity die and are reborn into the new you. This is a gradual process and is different for each person.
Third Stage: Lower World Journey and meeting the right beings
The third stage is where you will start your journey to the Lower World. Here, the purpose is to seek guidance and show the spirits your commitment. You may meet with a spirit guide, with an ancestor, or with your power animal.
Here, you will experience what you need and leave behind fears, misbeliefs, and other events. I have seen different situations when working with various people. For this reason, I felt guided to break down this step into three sub-stages:
- Touch base, first visit, the start of your commitment. You get to explore the Lower World, some early realizations, epiphanies, and face your fears and the darkest side of yourself.
- Reinforcement and confirmation of commitment. The second journey (some take some time for this second sub-step, and it shouldn't be rushed). This generally is a beautiful journey, unique to each person.
- Complete surrendering and opening fully to this path. The third and final journey, as guided, will be either to the Lower or Upper World. Here, you will accept completely the profound transformation and alignment this path takes you through.
Across time, and working with some people, as well as my shaman guide, Red Cloud, always guided me through this process. This is not baking, so it's not an exact formula. This one changes for each person, and even during the process, it will be influenced by many factors.
Shamanic Initiation – 3-Part Ceremony of Soul Activation
If you feel the calling, feel free to check out the entire process. Take your time to purchase it; remember, don't rush things. If you have been thinking about it for a long time, it's your moment! If you just discovered this, and you are super pumped and ready, it's likely not your moment this year, but perhaps it is near.
Fourth Stage: Embracing the world as the new you
With your awareness and newly gained energies, you start to function on both the physical and spiritual planes, slowly developing abilities and growing into your new version of self.
This is the stage of practice, where you will start working on soul retrievals, power animal searching, and a few more things. You will progressively continue to grow and understand how to drive your life better.
Fifth Stage: Stepping into Mastery
This is a stage that shouldn't be rushed into, because it takes weeks, months, and even years. This is the slow development from offering service to taking it up a tier and starting to teach and guide other people hearing their calling.
You have enough knowledge to integrate both modern and ancient visions together and have the understanding of adaptability to reassure that there is always alignment for you and those who seek you. Here, you can deal with high and complex challenges within your existence.
Sixth and Seventh Stages:
Here, the information is different, and my experience with different people also differs. Stage #6 can take decades to reach; it's not something you say, "I've done it." Here, there are stories and legends about the capability to prolong your capabilities beyond those of the physical plane and physical life.
This stage, and especially the 7th stage, goes very deep in regard to understanding existence, time, and dimensionality differently; developing the concept of many things beyond duality, always above Oneness; and a living embodiment of spiritual truth.Â
Conclusion
You can see that the 7 stages of shamanic initiation​ are not simply something you can achieve within an intense period of studying and dedication. The shaman's path is one that, if you start, it will accompany you forever for the rest of your life, potentially further ones.
In the end, if you hear the call and go through this, you will have quite a unique experience, different from everybody else's, and you will feel perfect. You will love this journey, and while it's not an easy one and comes with difficulties, it will be very rewarding.
FAQ
Q: What is shamanic initiation?
A: It is the process of hearing the calling to shamanism and going through all stages, such as the shamanic death and rebirth, or a complete rewiring of how you see the world, especially nature and other animals.
Q: How do you know if you are being called to become a shaman?
A: The calling to shamanism comes from deep within, but it often revolves around experiences like trauma or severe illness. You will grow an awareness of nature, and you will feel the spirits have chosen you to help. A connection with the spirit world is often present here as well.
Q: What are the seven stages of shamanic initiation?
A: These are not the same for each person, but generally they all apply: Call, Separation, Descent (lower world journeying), Transformation with death/rebirth, returning to the physical world, integration of new knowledge, mastery, and ultimately, service.
Q: Is it possible to become a shaman in modern times without an indigenous lineage?
A: Yes, it is indeed. The spirits will choose you and make you hear the calling. It doesn't matter where you come from, but the intentions you have and purposes for this lifetime can make you eligible.
Q: What role does the spirit world play in shamanism?
A: By entering into a trance-like state, you make different journeys, always involving the spirit world and meeting with beings such as power animals, spirit guides, ancestors, and more.
Q: What happens during the descent stage of initiation?
A: This is when you visit the Lower World, especially during the first, but including all three visits. Here, you may face inner conflicts and the darkest parts of yourself. Here you may meet with tough forces for you to step above them with the help of the spirits of Earth.
Q: How long does it take to become a shaman?
A: One of the teachings during the 7 stages of shamanic initiation​ is that everything is in divine order, and you cannot rush certain things. Shamanism and initiation can be arduous processes, so it's important not to push it or overdo it.
Q: Can anyone become a shaman, or is it a gift?
A: Any person can become a shaman if they hear the calling. The spirits will choose you and make you hear the calling. It doesn't matter where you come from, but the intentions you have and purposes for this lifetime can make you eligible.
Q: What is the purpose of the transformation phase in the shamanic path?
A: Here, you will learn how to navigate all the new energies in your life. You also go through the "death and rebirth" process, which is nothing other than leaving most aspects of your older self behind and tapping into renewed energies, now more aligned with who you are.
Q: How does a shaman use their knowledge to help others after initiation?
A: As any teacher, the shaman will use their wisdom to guide you into a safe and efficient path of development. The experiences of the shaman are a great asset to give more understanding to the newly initiated shaman, often giving direction to avoid roadblocks (unless they are necessary for development; the spirits take care of this, too).
From here, even if you don't feel the calling, but you have some feelings, interest, and connection, you are probably connected with some spirits of Earth, but it is simply not the time yet. Next month, it’s February's Monthly Tarot Reading time, and we will talk about the following Tarot Card: Judgment. You will also have a couple of or three questions related to this card for you to reflect on. The guided meditation "Judgment" card will be available to purchase. Stay tuned for next Wednesday!
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I invite you to check earlier posts: ninth year, eighth year, seventh year, seventh year, sixth year, fifth year, fourth year, third year, second year, and first year.
Love & Light,
Lots of blessings and abundance your way! (Home)
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