What is A Shaman?

I’m on a bit of a rant today. 😤🤯

 What is a shaman? 

 How does one “become” a shaman? 

 I’m noticing how many references you can find and the sudden abundance of people calling themselves shaman and doing shamanic work and healing today. It’s the next new age fad, like sound healing.

 Get some feathers, buy a few crystals, get the accoutrement, learn the lingo, do a couple ceremonies, maybe even participate in a couple plant ceremonies, take an online class and you too can become a certified shaman.

 I literally just had this conversation with someone yesterday that was calling themselves a shaman who, when I asked a few questions, I realized they lacked skill, knowledge, and depth. It was something they thought would be cool to do because they were being guided and had taken a few classes.

(Yikes!! 😳😱)

 As someone who is a lineage carrier I find this not only shocking but sacrilegious.

 Am I being judgmental?

 I totally am!!

 Only because I’ve seen the damage done by people that are doing the work and not only endangering themselves but also the people that come to them for work and healing because of lack of training and understanding of what they’re really getting into.

 Even with the lineage I carry even though carry this knowledge I don’t call myself a shaman or in my culture a kahuna.

 The word itself comes with a deep level of responsibility that I’m not sure people understand. It’s not work you do lightly or get up one morning and think, “I’m going to become a shaman!”

 If you are a shamanic practitioner or if you’re looking for shamanic healing, tread with care and caution. Know that every time you do this work and someone comes to you for help, guidance, or healing that you are taking their life in your hands. You must be ready for whatever walks through the doorways you maybe opening. The consequences may be death, yours or the person who's life you've been entrusted with.  You think I'm kidding? The truth is, I’m not! I’’ve seen it happens too many times to joke about this

 Comment, like, share.  This is a conversation that I think we need to have.