Working with Plant Spirits in a Shamanic Journey
In shamanic traditions, plants are revered not only for their physical properties but also for their spiritual and energetic presence. The concept of plant spirits is foundational to shamanic healing and divination, where these plants are viewed as sentient beings with wisdom, knowledge, and unique abilities to assist in a practitioner’s spiritual journey. Plant spirits are often seen as powerful allies that can guide, heal, and protect, helping the practitioner navigate the unseen realms.
Working with plant spirits in a shamanic journey is a deeply transformative and intuitive experience. It involves connecting to the consciousness of a plant, much like connecting with animal spirits, ancestors, or other guides. This process typically occurs during shamanic journeys, where the practitioner enters an altered state of consciousness (often using drumming, chanting, or other tools) to communicate with these plant allies.
Here’s a deeper exploration of what it means to work with plant spirits in shamanic practice and how one might go about it.
1. Understanding Plant Spirits in Shamanic Practice
Plant spirits are not just symbolic representations of the plants themselves but are considered living, conscious entities with their own personalities, wisdom, and energies. Just as animals, stones, and other natural elements have spirits in shamanic traditions, plants too are viewed as guardians of specific realms or energies.
Plant spirits can serve a variety of purposes during a shamanic journey:
- Healing: Plant spirits often offer their medicine to heal both the physical body and the soul. They can help release emotional wounds, clear energy blockages, or protect against negative forces.
- Guidance: Certain plant spirits may provide guidance or insight during difficult times or help with decision-making.
- Transformation: Plant spirits often facilitate transformation, whether it’s a shift in consciousness, a deeper understanding of self, or spiritual growth.
- Protection: Some plant spirits offer protection, helping to shield the practitioner from harmful energies or entities.
2. Preparing for the Journey
Before working with plant spirits, it's important to create the right mindset and environment. A few essential steps to prepare for a shamanic journey with plant spirits include:
a. Set a Clear Intention
Before entering the journey, take time to reflect on what you seek from the plant spirit. Are you looking for healing, wisdom, or protection? Be clear about your intentions and the questions you want to ask or the areas you need assistance with. Plant spirits are deeply attuned to intention, and having a focused question will make the journey more fruitful.
b. Select Your Plant Ally
You may already feel drawn to a specific plant, or you might want to journey to find a plant spirit that can address your need. You can choose to work with plants that have particular healing properties or resonate with the energetic qualities you're seeking. For example:
- Mugwort for dream work and intuition.
- Lavender for emotional healing and relaxation.
- Rosemary for mental clarity and protection.
- Sage for purification and spiritual protection.
Alternatively, during a shamanic journey, you may be guided to a specific plant spirit that you haven’t consciously considered but is drawn to you based on your needs.
c. Create Sacred Space
Create an environment conducive to shamanic work. This could be as simple as setting up an altar with images of the plant, a few of its leaves or dried flowers, candles, incense, or other items that will help you focus your energy. You may want to light incense or use a smudging tool, such as sage or palo santo, to cleanse the space and raise the vibrational frequency.
d. Call Upon the Plant Spirit
You can call upon the plant spirit before you journey, either by speaking its name, placing it on your altar, or even holding it in your hand. It helps to mentally invite the plant spirit into your space, offering respect and gratitude for its willingness to connect with you.
3. Entering the Shamanic Journey
Shamanic journeys are typically performed in a trance state, which allows the practitioner to access altered realms of consciousness. This is often achieved through rhythmic drumming, rattling, chanting, or deep meditation. Here are some steps you can take to initiate a journey with plant spirits:
a. Relax and Enter an Altered State
Lie down or sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and begin to relax deeply. If you’re using drumming or rattling, listen to the beat and let it guide you into a trance. Allow your breath to slow, your body to relax, and your mind to quieten. As you enter this altered state, focus on the intention of your journey.
b. Visualize the Plant Spirit
Begin by visualizing the plant spirit you wish to work with. Imagine it growing in its natural environment—whether it's in a forest, field, or garden. Feel its energy around you and begin to call upon it. You may see a figure or an ethereal presence connected to the plant, or you may experience a deep sense of connection to its energy.
c. Journey Through the Realms
In shamanic work, there are often three primary realms a practitioner travels through:
- The Lower World: Often used for healing and connecting with animal spirits.
- The Upper World: A realm for spiritual guidance and connection with higher beings.
- The Middle World: The physical world, often used for working with nature spirits and other beings connected to the Earth.
When working with plant spirits, you may find yourself traveling in the Middle World, where the plant’s essence exists, or perhaps you’ll encounter the plant spirit in one of the other realms depending on the guidance you need.
d. Ask Questions or Seek Guidance
Once you are in the presence of the plant spirit, speak your intention or ask your questions. Be open to receiving information in any form: visions, feelings, symbols, or messages. Trust whatever comes through, as the plant spirit may communicate in unexpected ways.
You might ask the plant spirit to:
- Heal emotional wounds or physical ailments.
- Offer clarity on a decision you need to make.
- Protect your energy or space.
- Help you connect with your higher self or spirit guides.
- Guide you in a specific aspect of your spiritual or magical practice.
e. Allow the Plant Spirit’s Energy to Work
Let the plant spirit interact with you. You might receive an energetic transfer, a download of wisdom, or a profound experience of healing. Allow yourself to feel the plant’s presence fully, and trust in its ability to work with you.
4. Signs and Symbols from Plant Spirits
When working with plant spirits, they often communicate through symbols, feelings, or experiences. Some common ways plant spirits might communicate include:
- Images or Symbols: You may see images associated with the plant’s qualities. For example, a tree spirit may show you a deep root system for grounding, or a flower spirit may show you the blossoming of your potential.
- Feelings: You may feel warmth, peace, or a sensation of energy moving through your body.
- Colors: Certain colors are associated with specific plants and can indicate their influence. For instance, green may relate to healing, while purple may indicate spiritual growth.
- Nature: Sometimes the plant spirit may manifest through the natural world around you. You may see a vision of the plant growing in the wild or receive a message through the wind, water, or other natural elements.
5. Returning from the Journey
Once your journey feels complete, express gratitude to the plant spirit for its wisdom and assistance. Gently bring yourself back to the present moment by grounding yourself. You can do this by:
- Taking deep breaths and focusing on your physical body.
- Drinking water or eating something grounding, like a piece of fruit.
- Moving slowly and consciously back into your space.
Write down any insights or messages in a shamanic journey journal, and reflect on what the plant spirit shared with you. You might also want to continue nurturing your relationship with the plant by incorporating it into your daily life or spiritual practices.
6. Integrating the Plant’s Wisdom
After the journey, take time to reflect on the messages or healing you received. If the plant spirit offered advice, guidance, or healing, continue to integrate it into your daily life. Use the plant in your rituals, carry it with you, or even plant it in your home or garden to keep its energy close.
