What is Soul Retrieval?  

For thousands of years a shamanic practice known as soul retrieval has brought healing to people in many cultures around the world.  According to these societies one of the major causes of illness is soul loss.  The Oxford English Dictionary states that the soul is “the principle of life, commonly regarded as an entity distinct from the body; the spiritual parts in contrast to the body physical”.  In ancient times, soul loss was attributed to the soul being frightened away, or straying, or being stolen. Today we often find soul loss is a result of such traumas as loss of a loved one, incest, abuse, surgery, accident, illness, miscarriage, abortion, the stress of combat or addition.   

In Soul Retrieval the shaman, or shamanic practitioner, sends his or her own soul on a journey into the realms where spirits and soul parts reside.  With the practitioner’s own spirit helpers and power animals he or she is often able to find the part, or parts, of a person’s soul and, using ancient techniques, bring back these parts of the soul to the person who has lost them.  This restores wholeness and harmony, energy and power, bringing the person into a healthier balance mentally, emotionally and physically.  This is not an end in itself, but rather a means to allow the person who receives their soul part to take their next step in life with more power and balance. 

Why do soul parts disappear?

We can lose part of our soul almost voluntarily. For example, if we put others before ourselves, as a life pattern, and forget to include our own needs - just as a small child will try anything to please;  or in a partnership where one wants to leave, the other may volunteer a part of their soul to stay with the partner rather than completely break the link.  We may also lose part of our soul unconsciously, such as in extreme distress, where part of the soul goes to somewhere safer than the current place, such as with the death of a loved one, miscarriage, trauma, accident, combat, surgery, incest, abuse; or in alcoholism or drug abuse where part of the soul is unable to stay in such an unloving environment.

What does Soul Retrieval involve on the part of the recipient?

The person wanting a soul retrieval (recipient) asks a shamanic practitioner or shaman for help.  If the shamanic practitioner’s spirit helpers agree (sometimes it is the spirit helpers’ suggestion in the first place!) then the recipient will need three sessions to ensure the soul part is returned safely and thoroughly.  Generally the sessions are a week apart and are as follows:   

     Session 1

   The shamanic practitioner will journey to find the soul part with his or her own guides, and return it to the recipient during the session.  The recipient should ensure that they have time after the session to relax, and allow the soul part(s) to settle in.  Sometimes the healing can be felt as a shift in energy, or perspective, and sometimes memories will return from when the soul part first left.  This can be a very dramatic experience for some people, or it may hardly feel as if little has changed. It is always a unique experience. It is important to remember that a soul retrieval is not an end in itself, but a step along a person’s healing path.  It can take time to adjust to a soul retrieval, after all, the soul parts have often been missing for a long time, and went for good reason. 

     To help to integrate the soul parts the practitioner’s spirits will often give the recipient a ritual, usually to be performed daily, to help provide the space for these parts to ‘find their feet’ and to help the recipient to connect fully with the returned part(s).  Sometimes the soul parts, before return, will request an extra activity for the recipient to undertake in order for them to agree to come back.  The practitioner will explain all of these requirements during the session.  It is important that at the end of the session you have asked all the questions that you have.  If you wish, you may contact the shamanic practitioner in a couple of days’ time to ‘check in’ how you are getting along, and answer any questions that you may still have.

     Session 2

   The second session is usually for the recipient him or herself to welcome the soul part fully, and to ask if there is anything else the soul part would like to happen in order to integrate fully.  Often a specific ritual is sought from the soul part that the recipient can conduct themselves.  Where possible, the recipient is asked to journey him or herself to experience the connection with the soul part as deeply as possible.  If this is not possible, or if spirit helpers say otherwise, then the practitioner can undertake this journey on behalf of the recipient.

     Session 3

   The final session is often to find out how the recipient can move forward in life with the soul parts returned.  It is very important that, in the healing process, we are able to move on fully from the point of being sick or unbalanced, and to take the positive aspects of healing forward into our lives.  This journey gives the recipient a next step, and chance to become fully aware of the gifts, qualities or skills that the soul has access to now that the soul has been restored to nearer wholeness.

The above is only a general guide.  Each person and each situation is unique, and the spirits will often have specific, special instructions for each situation.  It is important to be flexible as they know us best, and their individual guidance will allow the power of each healing ceremony to take place in the deepest and fullest way possible.