Shamanic healing is the oldest form of holistic healing, practiced for thousands of years amongst various cultures. It focuses on working with the invisible – the spiritual and energetic world – to create a bridge of balance and harmony in the physical world. In traditional cultures, the shaman, also known as a medicine man or woman, is the channel to the spirit world and the physical world for healing the community, on both a global and individual level. This ancient practice continues to thrive today and is becoming increasingly popular through work provided by modern shamanic practitioners. One of the most profound and healing shamanic techniques is that of soul retrieval. 

A soul retrieval is a shamanic healing technique that restores balance, harmony and personal power to an individual. Shamanic teachings suggest that as we progress through transitions, traumas or significant life events, a piece of our soul essence (also known as a soul part) may leave the physical body and return to the spirit world. The soul part leaves the physical body as a form of self preservation and protection of itself; if the body is imbalanced on a physical, emotional, mental or spiritual level, the soul essence is affected and not in alignment with the body, resulting in partial soul loss. It is possible and very common, to have more than one soul part leave the body throughout life’s journey. 

The catalyst for imbalance is usually the event that initiates this process, such as a life transition, significant change or trauma. Giving away one’s personal power to another is also a catalyst for soul loss. Individuals who also experience depression, addictions, grief or a sense of emptiness or incompleteness, are usually candidates for soul retrieval work. Soul loss can also be connected to a positive transition; it is not always associated with negative events. The soul part that transitions back to the spirit world returns there seeking healing, protection and safety. Sometimes, it returns for a purpose of learning a lesson or life skill. When the soul part is ready to be reunited with the body, and the physical body is ready to reclaim it, it can be re-integrated through a soul retrieval. 

Soul retrievals can provide tremendous healing and
transformation for the receiver. Some individuals feel fully
empowered after a soul retrieval; some feel whole and “home” again. 

Today, soul retrievals are facilitated by trained shamanic practitioners to restore balance and healing. As the soul part and physical body both need to be in alignment for the healing to be successful, the practitioner must obtain permission to do the healing from their spirit teachers prior to doing the healing work. Permission truly happens between the soul part and the receiver; the practitioner is the intermediary. If permission is granted, the practitioner can access the soul part through a shamanic journey. The practitioner’s spirit teacher shows them where the part is located and which part is ready to return. The practitioner may see a symbolism of the soul part, or they may see an exact visualization of the part at the time of soul loss – right down to the clothes they were wearing, style of their hair or location in the physical world.

Every soul retrieval is unique. The soul part that returns is the part that is ready to re-integrate at the time of the healing by its own free will. The practitioner does not have any say in which part is to be returned; he is simply the channel that facilitates the healing by the spirits. The part then receives a cleansing, blessing, and healing from the spirit teacher before the practitioner re-integrates it into the body. This is done to ensure that no soul part comes back damaged, negative or broken when a soul retrieval is done correctly and ethically. The individual can now welcome and reclaim a piece of their personal power and life essence where it truly belongs.

Soul retrievals can provide tremendous healing and transformation for the receiver. Some individuals feel fully empowered after a soul retrieval; some feel whole and “home” again. Others are able to move forward where before they described themselves as “stuck.” It is also possible for individuals to experience emotions or memories from the time of the soul loss upon completion of the healing. These memories or emotions can range from positive to negative. It all depends on which event, transition or change the soul loss was originally connected to. Some individuals do not remember the exact event of the soul loss, and some feel nothing. All of it is part of the healing process and moving towards complete balance and wellness. Whatever the experience, it is important for the receiver to fully embrace what the spirits have provided in the healing, to integrate it within and into their life, to fully complete the retrieval and move towards a new level of healing. 

Soul retrieval enables individuals to heal through a divine connection, while empowering them to participate in their own healing process. It is a powerful and transformational shamanic healing that truly embraces and encourages empowerment for reclaiming personal power.

 

Jessica Hunter is a shamanic practitioner and shamanic medium, ordained minister with Circle of the Sacred Earth, Reiki master teacher, crystal therapy practitioner, empath intuitive and spiritual teacher. She can be reached at 203-916-8381, [email protected] or HunterHealingHands.com. See ad, page 58.