Soul Journeys

$136.50/90 min *In person and Distant sessions available*

Experience an ancient healing technique used to bring harmony to the body, mind and soul!  

What is a Journey?

A journey is the practice of entering the realm of spirit through an altered state in order to gain information pertaining ones healing path.  This practice has been used for healing, divination and personal transformation by cultures all around the world for thousands of years.  Depending upon the tradition being practiced the altered state of consciousness is often achieved through drumming, chanting, dance and/or the use of sacred plant medicine.   

Once the practitioner has shifted consciousness they “move between worlds” in order to gain information about where the clients spirit is out of alignment.  During the journey the practitioner may be communicating with spirit guides, animal totems, ancestors or deities who can offer insights, healing or advice.

The experience often involves vivid imagery, symbolism and emotions providing the practitioner with the wisdom necessary to aid their clients personal growth, spiritual development or healing.  After the journey is done the practitioner will often relay their experience and conduct the energy healing required to integrate the experience and the healing energy.

Some of the topics that may be explored in a session include soul retrieval, exploring our connection to a totem animal, extraction (energy clearing), understanding our core wounds and limiting belief systems and ancestral healing. The word Shaman is actually Siberian in origin and means “one who sees in the dark.”  Shamans are considered healers, seers and visionaries who work with spirit to treat illness or disease within the body.  They are believers in the peace and balance of all things and honor the deep connectedness between all things.  They move healing energy within or around the body with the help of spirit in order to promote wholeness and balance within the body. 

What is a Soul Retrieval?

One of the healing methods used to ‘mend the soul’ is through a soul retrieval.  It is believed that during traumatic events, periods of high stress, or extremely difficult life experiences, part of a persons soul can become “lost” or disconnected from the whole, leading to feelings of emptiness, depression, or unexplainable physical and/or emotional symptoms.  Often those who have suffered from a soul loss find it difficult to move forward in life and seem stuck between who they once were and who they are meant to be.

The goal of the soul retrieval is to find and reintegrate the lost soul parts to restore balance, wholeness and vitality to a person, therein helping them heal from past wounds and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and connection.  During the soul retrieval the practitioner will travel between worlds to communicate with guides and other spirits to locate and reclaim the soul piece on behalf of the client.  Then through a healing ritual and energy work the pieces will be returned to the client and reintegrated.

What is a Totem Animal?

An animal totem is the spirit of an animal possessing specific traits, qualities and energies that influence or guide an individual, group or community.  They act as a protector, guide and helper and are deeply connected to ones identity, life path and spiritual journey.  In many cultures it is believed that totem is with you from the moment of conception until the moment of death and is therefore a constant spiritual presence that supports and guides you throughout your life.   

Besides being a protector and wisdom keeper the totem is believed to represent core aspects of an individuals personality.  Because you are one with your totem and share the same essence, knowing the characteristics and behavioural tendencies of your particular totem can help you to understand yourself on a deeper level and even provide you with the information you need in order to find and maintain balance.  I always encourage those who know their totem to build a relationship with this animal in some way.  If you have the opportunity to observe the animal in the wild or be in their presence (in a safe way of course!) then do so!  If you are unable to physically connect to the animal spend time in mediation or journeys connecting to its spirit in order to understand the gifts this animal has to share.

If you like to research there are some basics pieces of information that can be helpful in understanding some of the basic personality traits of your totem.  The first is behavioural tendencies.  For example is this animal a group creature or does the animal tend to be more independent?  Is the animal a fighter or a runner?  Will it face challenges or try to avoid conflict?  

        The second piece of information you will need to know about your animal is their energetic patterns.  Is your animal most active during the day or night?  Does it migrate, hibernate or have seasons of high or low activity?  Does the animal require a lot of rest or is it constantly active?  What is the general energy of your animal like?

        The third piece of information you will want to find out is the eating habits of your animal.  Is your animal a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore?

        Once you have all of this information you will begin to see why your natural tendency is to act a certain way or perhaps where you are out of alignment and why you have felt so imbalanced for so long.  The more you align yourself (and your lifestyle) to the behaviours and traits of your animal the more you will embrace your true essence and really stand within your power.  So for example if you work with an owl as your totem it is important to find a job that allows you to be more active late at night or early in the morning so that you can rest more during the day.  If you are a bear be sure to get plenty of rest during the winter as you will feel very unproductive and tired due to the desire to hibernate!  If you are a rabbit it is important to graze (eat often) and increase your vegetables and fruits and decrease the amount of meat you eat.  Perhaps you could even try a meat free diet.

        Knowing your totem animal can help you not only on a personal level but on a social one as well.  If you and your partner, friends and/or co-workers know one another's totem animals, you will better understand how to work together and how best to approach each individual in certain situations.

Is the Totem Animal the Same as a Power Animal?

Often in western culture the terms animal totem, power animal and animal spirit are used interchangeably, but there are differences between the three.  The Totem as described above is a more permanent and consistent guide and protector tied to our core personality, while a power animal is seen as more of a helper or ally offering gifts of power, guidance and/or protection during specific times of need.  The power animal or animals are therefore typically temporary in nature and show up depending on the situation at hand.  For example during times of conflict one may work with the strength and humility of the buffalo, as buffalo teaches us how face the challenges in front of us with strong boundaries but also with humility and love in our hearts.  Or we may work with owl when we need clarity during times of darkness and transition.

The term spirit animal is often used in a more general sense to refer to any animal that provides spiritual guidance, wisdom or support.  This is why this term is sometimes used interchangeably with the totem and power animals.  Spirit animals may act as an assistant in the spiritual realm or offer wisdom through dreams, visions or meditations and are often considered to be more of a messenger, playing a more fluid role in our connection to spirit.What Does A Typical Session Look Like?

        For each session I will ask that the recipient sit or lay beside me in a comfortable and relaxed mannor.  I will then discuss what it is that I will be doing and what role the individual will play.  Typically once we are both comfortable I will begin drumming and go into an altered state to attain or receive the information I am looking for.  During this time I simply ask that the recipient close their eyes and relax, thus entering a meditative state.  It is important to note that during soul retrievals the individual does not need to disclose any information about the trauma they experienced or relive it in any way!

        Once the information I require is received and the drumming comes to an end I will “bring back” the individual, taking them out of their relaxed state and then describe all of the visions that came to me.  I will provide the individual with time to write down any of the messages I received, or anything they may have felt or seen themselves during the session.  At this point if soul retrieval or finding a power animal were conducted I will then take the individual over to the massage table where I will then proceed to integrate these energies into their body.    

What is Ancestral Healing?

Ancestral healing is healing focused on addressing the wounds, traumas, or unresolved issues passed down through the generations within a family or particular lineage.  The experiences, struggles and imbalances of those who came before effect the present generation through underlying belief systems, behaviours and emotional or psychological issues that are passed down.  By identifying, honouring, understanding and healing these inherited challenges we can create healing not just for the individual but for the coming generations as well.  This makes it incredibly important and potent work!

In context of a journey, the practitioner can connect to the ancestral spirits to identify and acknowledge their suffering or unresolved emotions and offer healing rituals, ceremonies or prayers to release and even break these negative patterns.  Oftentimes ancestral patterns or even attached ancestral spirits themselves can create a heaviness and energetic turmoil around someone making it difficult for that individual to find peace and balance.  It is incredibly important to understand these influencing factors over someones life so that balance can be restored, healing can take place and new patterns can emerge.

What is Extraction?

Extraction is a method of removing negative energies, blockages or “intrusions” from a persons energetic field.  The idea is that certain energies, whether their origins are emotional, spiritual or physical in nature, can become stuck or lodged in a persons body and create or amplify existing disharmony.  The role of the healer is to therefore journey to identify and perhaps gain insights around these intrusions and through ritual and energy healing clear them, thus returning optimal balance to the clients energetic field.

Those who suffer from intrusions or energy blockages may find themselves feeling consistently drained, suffer a weak immune system, experience physical pain, feel less resilient when facing problems, and/or feel extreme emotional swings.

Is this a Form of Shamanism?

Yes and no.  I do not like to use the term shaman in my own practice as I feel it is not mine to use.   The word Shaman originates from the Tunguska Valley and refers to the specific healing practices of the people in this geographical location.  Today in our western culture we have adopted the use of this term to describe any healer or visionary who works with the spiritual realms, however that is not quite accurate.  Although many cultures across the globe practice the art of journeying each has their own rituals, traditions and terms that are unique to them.  Therefore I do not claim to be a shaman and prefer to use the term energy worker or spiritual helper.

Does the Practice of Journeying Follow A Specific Religion?    

        No.  Journeying is not a religious practice as it does not worship or follow any particular god or deity. However it is common for those who practice the art of journeying to have a more animistic approach to the world and connect to their environment from a more relational way of being.  Animism is the belief that all objects, creatures, elements of nature (such as the trees, the rocks, the rivers, the wind etc) possess a spirit or consciousness.  Thus everything in the natural world is considered to be alive, interconnected, and sacred.  Humans, animals, plants and natural forces are seen as being in a reciprocal relationship, each contributing an important role to the balance of the world.  Therefore the personal relationship that one has with nature and its rhythms become the central foundation for this belief system.

What Does A Typical Session Look Like?

In each session I will sit with the client and discuss their reason for coming and the current struggles they face.  We will decide on an intention for the journey (ex to discover what medicine the individual requires, to understand what healing is needed for their greater good etc) and then dive into the journey itself.  I will ask that the recipient lay down beside me in a comfortable and relaxed position, close their eyes and begin to focus inwards.  I will begin drumming and go into an altered state to attain or receive the information I am looking for.  Typically the drumming will last between anywhere between 15 and 25 minutes.  Once the drumming has finished and the journey ended, I will return to ordinary reality and  discuss the experience I had and any wisdom I gained.  We will then continue on with some hands on healing to integrate soul pieces, conduct extractions or do whatever was informed by the journey itself.

It is important to note that I work very intuitively and trust spirit to lead us to the most important information necessary, which means that we may end up exploring topics or working in areas that we do not expect! 

What Can It Do For Me?

• Can provide you with important information about your current path and messages from guides and other loving spirits.

• Can align you with the power of your totem animal, thus bringing about a general sense of empowerment.

• Can encourage a sense of wholeness and balance within the body.

• Can bring healing to past events and traumas.

• Can remove blockages or dense energy that is preventing one from optimal health.

How Often Should I Come For A Session?

        The answer to this question greatly depends upon each individual and their goals.  Journeying for information can happen as often as an individual feels necessary while soul retrieval regarding a certain trauma is typically done in one session.  If there are other traumas that require a soul retrieval it is recommended that the sessions be spaced out over the course of a few months, as time in needed for each soul piece to fully integrate back into the body.