Using the Lower World Resources in Shamanic Work

 

In the practice of shamanism, the journey to different realms, often referred to as the Upper World, Middle World, and Lower World, is a fundamental aspect of the spiritual path. Each of these worlds serves as a source of wisdom, guidance, and transformation, with the Lower World offering particularly unique resources for spiritual practitioners. The Lower World, a deep and often hidden realm, holds profound energies that can be accessed for healing, knowledge, and personal growth. Understanding how to travel to the Lower World, what you might encounter there, and how to work with its resources is an essential part of shamanic practice.

What is the Lower World?

In shamanic traditions, the Lower World is often seen as a place that exists beneath the Earth, a realm of deep spiritual significance. Unlike the Upper World, which is associated with the heavens or the divine, the Lower World is frequently depicted as a subterranean landscape or an underworld where one can connect with ancestors, spirit animals, and elemental forces.

The Lower World is often described as a place where profound healing occurs, where one can find guidance from spirit beings, retrieve lost soul parts, and connect with the primal energies of the Earth. It is a world rich in animal spirits, natural elements, and the primal forces of life.

It’s important to note that the Lower World is not a negative or “dark” place in the sense of evil or malice, but rather a realm of untapped wisdom and life force energy. It can be seen as a place of deep, primal healing and transformation, where you can access the raw, foundational energy of the Earth to heal yourself and the world around you.

How to Travel to the Lower World

Traveling to the Lower World is typically done through shamanic journeying, a form of meditation or trance in which the practitioner enters a non-ordinary state of consciousness. This journey is often facilitated through the use of rhythmic drumming, rattling, or other forms of sound that help induce a trance-like state. These tools act as the “vehicle” that allows the shamanic practitioner to journey beyond the physical realm and enter the spirit world.

Here’s how a typical journey to the Lower World might unfold:

a. Preparation

Before beginning your journey, it’s essential to prepare your mind, body, and spirit. This can involve:

• Setting an intention: Before entering the Lower World, decide what you wish to explore or what kind of assistance you are seeking (e.g., healing, guidance, retrieval of lost soul parts, etc.).
• Grounding and protection: Make sure you feel grounded in your physical body and protected in the spiritual realm. You might call upon your spirit guides, ancestors, or protective energies to ensure a safe journey.

b. Entering the Lower World

Once you begin your journey, you’ll typically encounter an entry point to the Lower World, which can vary based on personal experience or tradition. Common entry points include:

• A cave or hole in the ground: This represents a tunnel or gateway leading into the earth.
• A tree with roots: Some journeyers may encounter a tree with deep roots that act as a portal to the Lower World.
• A river or waterfall: Crossing a body of water may serve as a symbolic transition into the spiritual realm.

In most cases, your journey is marked by a descent, symbolizing your entry into a deeper, more grounded layer of the subconscious or the earth’s energy.

c. Symbolic Descent

As you descend into the Lower World, you may experience changes in temperature, visual landscapes, and sounds. The descent can be literal, as in traveling down a staircase or through a tunnel, or more symbolic, representing a deepening into your unconscious or primal energies. This descent is not a negative experience; instead, it reflects a journey into the depths of the soul and the Earth’s core.

d. The Lower World Landscape

Once in the Lower World, you may encounter lush forests, caves, underground rivers, or wide open fields. The environment often reflects the energy of the spirit or the intention you have brought with you. It’s important to remember that each journey is highly personal, and your experience will depend on your own spiritual guidance, intuition, and purpose.

What Might You Encounter in the Lower World?

In the Lower World, you are likely to meet a variety of beings and energies that can assist you in your work. Here are some of the key figures and elements commonly encountered:

a. Animal Spirits

Animal spirits are some of the most common and powerful guides in the Lower World. These animals can appear as spirit helpers, offering insight, guidance, or even healing energy. Each animal spirit brings its own set of teachings. For example:

1. Bear: Represents strength, courage, and introspection.
2. Snake: Symbolizes transformation, shedding old skins, and healing.
3. Eagle: Brings vision, clarity, and a higher perspective.

When working with animal spirits, you can ask them to guide you, provide protection, or assist with specific issues you are facing. Animal guides often have a deep connection to the natural world and the instinctual forces that reside there.   

b. Ancestors and Spirit Guides

Many shamans journey to the Lower World to connect with their ancestors or spirit guides. These spirits may provide wisdom, healing, or teachings on how to live in harmony with the Earth. They can offer insight into past lives, ancestral patterns, or unresolved issues that need healing.

c. Elemental Spirits

The Lower World is also home to elemental beings that embody the raw forces of nature. These spirits may include:

1. Earth spirits: Often portrayed as guardians of the land, rocks, and soil, they provide grounding and connection to the physical world.
2. Water spirits: Associated with emotions, healing, and flow, they bring purification and the release of negative emotions.
3. Fire spirits: Representing transformation and purification, fire spirits bring clarity and the power to burn away what no longer serves.

These elemental beings help facilitate transformation by assisting you in connecting with the Earth’s elemental forces, which can cleanse and restore your own energy.

d. Sacred and Healing Plants

In the Lower World, you may also encounter plant spirits. These beings are often seen as powerful healers, offering you guidance on physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Some traditions work with the spirits of specific plants (such as peyote, ayahuasca, or cannabis) to bring about profound shifts in consciousness or to release stagnant energy.

What Work Happens in the Lower World?

Shamans travel to the Lower World for a variety of purposes, often seeking to heal themselves or others, gain wisdom, or access spiritual resources. Here are some of the key types of work that happen in the Lower World:

a. Soul Retrieval

One of the primary functions of the Lower World is to facilitate soul retrieval. Shamans believe that trauma or major life events can cause a portion of a person’s soul to fragment or become lost. By journeying to the Lower World, the shaman can retrieve this lost soul part and return it to the person, restoring balance and healing.

b. Healing and Energy Work

The Lower World is a powerful place for spiritual healing. Shamans may encounter spirits that help them channel healing energy to themselves or others. The spirits in this realm may offer guidance on physical ailments, emotional pain, or spiritual blockages. Shamans can use the energies of the Lower World to perform energy work, balancing a person’s chakras or removing harmful entities.

c. Personal Transformation

Because the Lower World is a realm of deep, primal energy, it can offer profound opportunities for personal transformation. Shamans may work with this energy to undergo initiations, face their own fears, or confront the shadows within themselves. The Lower World is often seen as a place where individuals can access the deep, hidden parts of their psyche, allowing them to undergo transformation and emerge with greater wisdom and clarity.

d. Wisdom and Guidance

The Lower World is home to many spirit beings that hold ancient wisdom and teachings. Shamans often journey there to receive guidance on their spiritual path, ask questions about their work, or seek insight into challenging situations. These beings might offer teachings through symbols, dreams, or direct messages that can help the practitioner move forward with clarity and purpose.

Final Thoughts

The Lower World in shamanic work offers a profound space for healing, transformation, and connection with the Earth’s deep energies. By traveling there, practitioners can access a wide range of resources, from animal spirits and ancestral guides to elemental forces and sacred plants. The key to working effectively with the Lower World is trust, respect, and an openness to the wisdom and healing it offers. With practice, the Lower World can become an invaluable ally in your shamanic work, offering you the tools and insights you need to heal yourself and the world around you.