What is Shamanism?

Practicing Shamanism in the modern, Western world is fraught with challenges. Is it okay to practice Shamanism as a Western person? What is the most integral way of working with our Shamanic practices? What is Shamanism asking us to confront in ourselves? As modern, Western people working with Shamanism, we must consistently ask ourselves these questions (and more) to ensure our greatest integrity. Pursuing a Shamanic path is often at odds with Western culture of white supremacy, patriarchy and extractive entitlement. Practicing Shamanism in the modern, Western world means confronting our own conditioning and traumas (and those of our lineage), and rigorously living according to the values of Shamanic practice, including right relation with Gaia and with our spirit allies. If you’re practicing or exploring Shamanism or even just exploring your spirituality, this episode is for you. Michelle and Katherine dive into their decades of Shamanic study and practice and share powerful insights and invitations for those walking the path of Shamanism in the modern, Western world.

What is Shamanism? Where does Shamanism come from? What does the word “Shaman” mean? Those called to healing and spiritual development often brush up against Shamanism but don't know how to contextualize it within their journey. Michelle and Katherine get back to their Shamanic roots and explore some of the foundations of Shamanism as an animistic and mediumistic practice. They discuss some common misconceptions as well as some common ways in which people engage with Shamanic practice including utilizing trance and rituals, working with spirits, shamanic journeying, incorporated mediumship and being of service in their community. Are you called to Shamanic practice? Are you going through a Shamanic awakening or cultivating your Shamanic skill development? Enjoy these powerful insights and invitation from the Shaman Sisters to guide you on your path.

Is spirituality political? What is the “higher consciousness” of politics? How do we balance universal principles and the theory of transformation and spiritual teachings with the embodied reality of pain, suffering and conflict? Michelle and Katherine recorded this episode shortly after Trump’s inauguration. While the fascist takeover has hurtled forward and things are changing rapidly, this episode still offers a timely perspective on the intersection of spirituality and politics.

Michelle and Katherine are happy to welcome Furkhan Dandia for a discussion on the intersection of spirituality and therapy!Traditional therapy has long been dominated by the “supremacy of the mind,” cognitive processing and talking about our problems. But as more people turn towards non-religious, animistic spirituality, principles of energetic awareness and powerful spiritual forces are making their way into therapeutic understanding.Are you a therapist who wants to develop your spiritual practice and incorporate these skills into your work with clients? Are you a client who wants to be met as your whole self in therapy, including your spiritual and energetic consciousness? Either way, this episode is for you. Furkhan shares his insights on how spirituality can be integrated into therapy, enabling individuals to navigate life’s complexities with clarity and resilience.About Furkhan Dandia:After over 20 years of experience in the corporate world, Furkhan pivoted to pursue a calling in the therapeutic space. Alongside his work in addiction counseling, anger management, and entrepreneurial support, he holds a master’s in Counseling Psychology and currently hosts EZ Conversations, a podcast focused on health and wellness. His approach to therapy is deeply rooted in the belief that true resilience and healing emerge when individuals connect with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. He views adversity not as a barrier but as a doorway to growth—an opportunity to cultivate gratitude, humility, and inner strength. Furkhan emphasizes spirituality as a core element in his work, helping clients move beyond surface-level concerns to find purpose in their experiences and struggles. His goal is to guide individuals to recognize their own resilience, even in the face of life’s toughest challenges, and to live from a place of profound gratitude. WebsitePodcast: EZ Conversations:YouTubeLinkedInInstagramTikTok

We firmly believe that you have the right to ask your healer, therapist, medicine practitioner, coach or care provider about their values. Is it possible for a practitioner to be truly “neutral?” We say no. Regardless of their “professional neutrality,” any practitioner will inherently hold their own values and training as the standard of well-being to which they guide their clients.The beliefs and context of a practitioner will affect the relationship advice, coaching, medical counsel and support they offer. It is important to know before you work with someone if their values may create a conflict of interest between your best support and empowerment, and their own unconscious programming. Michelle and Katherine offer their advice and recommendations for how to navigate this important issue. Whether you are evaluating a relationship with a current practitioner, coach or healer, or inviting in a new therapist or mentor, tune in to this episode for guidance. (Also see episodes on “How to Choose a Spiritual Teacher,” and “How to Choose a Shaman.”)TherapyHealerMedicine practitionerCoachesEmpowermentRelationship adviceMedical sovereignty

In the wake of the election, many of us are reckoning with our collective trauma.The United States has a brutal trauma history etched into our collective unconscious. From centuries of genocide inflicted upon indigenous peoples of this land, to the immigration and assimilation of war-ravaged refugees hoping for a better life, to importing enslaved people from Africa and beyond… And yet, we live in a culture of erasure and assimilation, where all of that collective trauma has been hidden under the veneer of manifest destiny, the “land of opportunity” and the greatness of democracy.In light of the pain, division and political upheaval in our country, the cries for collective healing are getting too loud to ignore.If we hope to heal individually and heal as a society, we must address our ancestral and lineage trauma. We must dismantle the systems of oppression built from that trauma identity. We must support the evolution of our consciousness in connection, empathy and restitution.Join Michelle and Katherine for a powerful election response episode where they discuss systems of collective trauma and global healing. They talk about activating our inner warrior consciousness, and offer a prayer to invoke spirit guides for collective healing.Election response episodeCollective traumaAncestral and lineage traumaSystems of oppressionImmigrationHow to heal societyActivating inner warriorInvoke warrior guidesHealingConsciousnessCollective healingGlobal healingEvolution

What does “healing the collective” mean? Why is talking about planetary healing so important? How is that related to the individual healing journey? What is the best way for us to work with healing collective and planetary traumas? Our personal healing process ripples out beyond us to impact the collective and planetary consciousness. Acknowledging the “I Am, We Are, All Is” levels of healing allows us to engage fully with the holistic context of our process. Michelle and Katherine continue their conversation from the previous episode on the healing journey, and expand out to collective and planetary healing. Join the Shaman Sisters for a discussion on the relationship between the individual and collective healing path. They share some vitally important insights for how you can engage your personal healing process with the healing of Gaia. Learn tools and practices to integrate the “I Am, We Are, All Is” into your healing work.

How do I heal myself? I don’t even know where to start. The process of “healing” seems so big and intimidating. Acknowledging my healing journey makes me feel vulnerable and weak. If I’m healing myself, how can I possibly help other people? If you’re on a healing journey, you’ve probably had thoughts like this. Maybe you’ve felt stuck or blocked in your healing, or even resistant to embarking on the path at all. Maybe you’re a healer or practitioner going through a healing journey. Michelle and Katherine, both very skilled healers with decades of experience, offer their thoughts on the healing process. Join the Shaman Sisters as they discuss common challenges and blockages to healing ourselves, as well as tools and advice for your unique healing path.  Make sure to check out the next episode on Collective and Planetary Healing as Michelle and Katherine continue the conversation!

Are you going through a spiritual awakening or deepening of your awakening experience? Did you know that the Death, Purification, and Rebirth phases of Alchemy can be some of the most powerful support and spiritual tools for your awakening? The esoteric wisdom teachings of the ancient alchemists are relevant today on your journey of self-healing and evolving consciousness.  Alchemy is a powerful spiritual technology that helps us master the process of creation and transformation in our lives and in the world. With Alchemy, transformation can go from feeling chaotic, unpredictable, and scary to organized and empowering. Through our spiritual awakening and evolution experiences, we naturally move through the cycle of Alchemy as we release our old identities, align with Universal Truth and Divine Law, and embody our higher selves.  Michelle and Katherine, both practicing Alchemists, discuss the process of Alchemy and how it can support your spiritual awakening. Learn about how Alchemy can help you heal from trauma and release old energy, as well as purify and cultivate radiance and illumination.  Do you desire Alchemy in your life? Michelle’s I AM Alchemy apprenticeship begins March 2024. Check out all the details and submit your application here: https://michellehawk.com/i-am-alchemy

Are you experiencing a Light Language activation? What is Light Language and what does it mean for you and your spiritual practice? Maybe you’re speaking in tongues or seeing symbols. Now what? Michelle and Katherine are pleased to welcome Galactic Ashley to discuss Light Language activation, integration, and mastery. Join the Shaman Sisters for a special guest episode and learn about common experiences in Light Language awakening, blockages or challenges that might occur, and how to integrate your Light Language transmissions into your personal and professional spiritual practice.  Galactic Ashley channels guidance for those seeking intimacy with the Divine as Source originally intended.  She uses Light Language frequencies and works with your Souls Guidance System to facilitate high-frequency healing transmissions and encoded activations. She desires a world filled with leaders led by love. After earning a Masters in Fine Art from the University of Arizona in Tucson, she merged her passion for art and metaphysics with her cross-cultural mentoring and teaching background to lovingly develop Divine Immersion Programs. Her work focuses on the intersection of cosmic consciousness and embodied wisdom. These channeled courses invite you deeper into your Divine leadership and resourced god-self while empowering you to heal and walk your unique Ascension path. Register for Galactic Ashley’s Light Language Activation course here: https://galacticashley.com/light-language-activation-healing-program-2024/ref/40/