Embark on a Shamanic Journey
Once the shamanic journey itself is over, I work with the client to understand the nature of the Animals and Guides they encountered so that their roles become clear and meaningful to that particular client. Two clients may both encounter a bear, but the bear probably represents something entirely different to each person’s life situation. Perhaps the greatest teaching is that the client is the source of all her wisdom, all her learning; the Shaman is there as a guide, facilitator, translator.
K: Does a person choose their power animals?
S: It has been my experience that the Power Animal chooses you. The powers of that animal fill in the spaces that we need to provide depth and meaning to our experiences… knowledge or wisdom we need to acquire or a perspective that needs to shift. Power Animals are teachers. When a piece is missing, we call on a Power Animal to provide us with what we need. This is tricky to pin down…for example, in the Lakota tradition of the Plains, fox is known for Camouflage. In Chinese Shamanism, fox is a Shape-shifter…in the rainforest of Brazil, snakes are Shape-shifters. We must learn from the animals what they are gifting us with and why. It is very personal and very sacred.
K: What results or benefits can a person realize from a Shamanic journey?
S: This varies with each person. My first journey opened doorways to realities I did not know existed, so I continued with this work. For others, one journey is enough.
The benefits, should you embrace shamanism, include a full understanding of the universe, of god/creator and nature and yourself. You can experience anything that exists in the universe, experientially, not intellectually, and then you understand your place in the universe. That is a benefit that can last over your lifetime.
K: Indeed. I know imagery from my journey filters into my daily experiences.
S: What one takes away from the experience depends on the individual. Some folks are unimaginative in their waking life, so they may have more difficulty having a rich experience in the shamanic journey. However, it is my experience that anyone who wants to do this work, can. Anyone who is determined can apply the lessons received each time and expand their full potential as a human being. The work is that profound.
K: Sandy, you’ve also been leading trips to sacred sites in Mexico. What’s that all about?
S: It is, literally, a divine and healing experience for those who choose to take the trip to Teotihuacan. Literally, this means the “place where humans become divine.” During the six-day trip, you enter the same sacred pyramids and plazas as the ancients, reenacting the rituals that they believed would join you to your highest, divine Self. In order to that, the person you are now must die a symbolic death, which allows you to merge with your divinity and be reborn into a state of joy, bliss, and personal fulfillment. We follow 2,500-year-old Toltec teachings, as conveyed through Don Miguel Ruiz, during the course of the trip. Time is set aside for light recreation, solitude and rest.
