Winter – Shamanic Spirit Time

Shamanism, Soul Retrieval, Winter, Shamanic Spirit Time

Joshua Tree at Joshua Tree National Park, California. USA

I just returned from a fantastic workshop held at Joshua Tree, California. This is a very unique and endangered national park. Why endangered? Joshua tree (Yucca brevifoliaare) seeds are dispersed mainly by the bear-sized Shasta ground sloth, which is apparently now extinct. Other means of dispersion and seeding such as rodents and birds are far less effective. Joshua Tree is truly a magical, mystical place. And, it could actually be lost to us in the not-so-distant future.

The workshop I attended was on Shamanic Soul Retrieval and taught by Sandra Ingerman, an excellent teacher, and truly committed spiritual person. Soul Retrieval is a spiritual healing practice that retrieves parts of a person (person’s soul) that were lost due to experiences such as trauma, other emotionally and life-threatening events, the death of a loved one, or over-attachment. The loss can result in fragmentation, disassociation, grief-like longing, chronic depression, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or chronic illness. The Soul Retrieval brings back the soul part, but not the trauma associated with the separation, and allows the person to integrate and become whole again.

Many native people believe that all illness is spiritual in nature. They and many other traditional people associate darkness with the spirit and “non-ordinary reality,” and daylight with life on the earth plane and “ordinary reality.” Winter, and the increased darkness that comes with the season, are thus logically considered a time for spirit work. Spring and summer are for planting and growing, gathering, building, and maintenance. Fall is for reaping the harvest and preparing for winter. These seasons are active and outward-oriented. Winter, on the other hand, is for rest, restoration, introspection, reflection, and spiritual work. Winter is inward in nature. Looking at this way, winter offers a unique opportunity for anyone who values inward reflection, mindfulness, balance, and connection to the broader universe and spirit. As such, winter is a time to look forward to and cherish.

Winter is the perfect time to put more focus on meditation or to regularly practice yoga or Qi Gong, write in a journal, draw or sketch, review and analyze dreams, sing, drum, engage in vision work such as shamanic journeying and spend some time alone in quiet reflection whether indoors or outdoors. Winter beckons one to get back in touch with one’s deeper self and one’s purpose.

November is a good time to start reviewing the last year and one’s life, in general. People traditionally make pledges and resolutions in late December and the first of the year. Now is the time to reflect, assess and prepare so that the resolutions are more inclined to be kept and intentions actualized. So…..

Nourish yourself and your soul through the winter!

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About Patricia Bonnard, PhD, ACC

Mind-body-spirit healing. Addressing the whole person, I blend conventional coaching, embodied practices, and energy healing to help you live a more balanced, confident and conscious life. Offering sessions in-person (Bethesda, MD and Washington, DC area) and virtually anywhere in the world. Workshops, eBooks, free guided meditations, and an active blog are also available.