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Sky Yeager

Shamanic Practitioner - Usui Reiki Master - MariEL Reiki Medicine
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Plant Spirit Medicine

1/28/2020

1 Comment

 
When we think about shamanic guides and helping spirits, what usually comes to mind are power animals, ancestors, angels, ascended masters, and all varieties of deities. But we also have plant spirit guides just waiting to connect with us.  They provide healing, protection and other help as needed, and we can rely on them just as we do our power animals and other guides.

Their way of teaching is direct and multi-faceted. Some of the most profound lessons I have received have been from plants.

When I was very new to shamanic practice, one of the first successful journeys I ever did on my own resulted in a teaching from the World Tree. The World Tree is a universal archetype that has a place in many global traditions and stories. It is also called the Tree of Life (Celtic) and Yggdrasil (Norse). It spans all the worlds and has amazing life-force and wisdom.  It introduced me to the cosmology of the worlds in non-ordinary reality. It gifted me a symbol and merged its energy with mine. I got a download of energy that made me feel as if I was as big as that infinite tree! It lasted about a day, then gradually faded. I told my teacher about it. She said that with serious practice I could hold that power longer, channel it for myself and others. The realization that there are shamans who walk around holding that level of power every day really blew my mind.  That one journey taught me so many things, I am forever grateful to it for gifting me with so much.

There are plants that we meet in non-ordinary reality that are always there for us as a main teacher and helper. I have experienced their help and lessons in a myriad of ways; for healing, protection, knowledge and as vehicles of transport through the worlds. Then there are plants that just come to help with one job, like tend to a lung infection in a client, or clear a space of heavy energy. They are incredibly versatile, and always so happy to be of service.

Today when one hears the words power plant or plant medicine, what likely comes to mind first are hallucinogens like ayahuasca, mushrooms, peyote and other entheogens. They are powerful teachers, and many people new to shamanism think that having an experience with them is the way to initiation and knowledge. And it might be for some people. But it can also lead to confusion and dis-empowerment.  I experienced that downside of hallucinogenic medicine myself very early on in my path. When people ask me about working with plants that way, I tell them that they do not need to ingest an entheogen or any other plant to work with it on a spiritual level or have it as a helping spirit. Journeying to the spirit of the plant is an initiation and begins our relationship.  Then if it wants us to ingest it, smudge with it, cultivate it, it will let us know. It becomes our teacher and will tell us in journey how it wants to work with us.

Plant medicine is working with us in ordinary reality every day, sharing energy with us all the time. Trees, herbs, fungi and flowers growing right outside our door are wise and powerful teachers. When we recognize that we can connect with them on the spiritual level as well, our relationship becomes whole.
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1 Comment
The Lawrence Tree link
1/30/2020 12:49:59 am

Nice post Skylark! Green Snake meets Year of the Rat! Just happened upon an old friend down here in 66• winter land right before I got your email about your blog article, journey circle reminder and upcoming classes! Nice work Healer! Keep it up!

But back to my Olde Freunde —There’s a clinic down here that is blessed to have an extensive planting of rosemary hedges and some lovely Cleveland sage that is unfortunately a little too close to a main road for me to really feel comfortable doing much with it other than just smell it and appreciate it however— tucked away back in a dry corner is a lovely healthy happy white sage from whom I just picked four of her lovely luminous leaves! Coming back to my waiting jalopy I spied your article and knew I had to read it for the time it was right and so ‘twas!

Thank you so much for your continuous touchstoning work for our community that you so steadfastly offer. Even as I continue to be pretty much an absent member I still feel a part of things And that is in no small way due to your sustained attempts to include me which I am grateful for. Knowing that you are constantly stewarding the flock is a comfort and an inspiration. So thank you my friend for all that you do!

Of course I’m always partial to writings about our colleagues the Tree People wink wink nudge nudge know what I mean know what I mean?

Be well see you soonly…

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    Links

    -There are so many kindredspirits doing the work out there. I include these links to help our community connect with one another.

    SACRED HOOP Magazine Guide to Shamanism Compilation- http://www.sacredhoop.org/Pages/FreeGuide.html

    Kitzie's podcasts include interviews with artists and kirtan music. I love attending her weekly Satsang group and the  New World Kirtan Band concerts -
    newworldkirtan.com/

    My friend and herbalist mentor, Lawrence Birch is a Certified Clinical Herbalist, plant whisperer and shamanic practitioner. If you need custom tincture blends or are interested in a wildcrafting apprenticeship, he is the teacher extraordinaire:
    http://givingtreefarm.com/

    Roger Wheelock and Gayle Ruth are shamanic practitioners and teachers in the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition. https://www.rainmother.com/ I am grateful to be able to take part in ceremony with them, and to support their love for the Peruvian people through the World Ayni Association.




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