Glossary of Shamanic Terms

Archetypal - representing or constituting an original type after which other similar things are patterned. The essence of an energy or force in nature. Examples: the archetype of lunar energy may be seen in the goddesses Selene, Artemis, and Chung-O, or through an animal such as the panther. Archetypes of compassion may be perceived as Kwan Yin, the Virgin Mary, or White buffalo Woman.

Casting Bones- This is a divination technique used where animal bones are tossed out and then "read" by the way that they fall. Many indigenous people have used this technique or similar ones to predict the outcome of a particular path of action.

Chakra- An energy center in the body. Just as the physical body has organs that perform specific functions to maintain the body, the aura or energy body has chakras.

Medicine Wheel- A model or representation of all that is Spirit. This is a circle (either physically present, or simply perceived) that acts as a mirror to the world and universe that is around us. Some traditions see the Medicine Wheel as the four directions of east, south, west, and north. Other traditions add "above" and "below" to honor the sky and earth and sometimes the "center" to honor Spirit or the Self. When we honor the Medicine Wheel we honor our connection to the world we are part of.

Night Vigil - A ceremony where a person retreats into nature (either deep in the woods or in a cave) and spends time from sunset to sunrise in deep prayer and journeying to gain insight from their guides and power animals.

Power Animal - A guide and protector of an individual that resides in the spirit worlds. A Power Animal appears as a specific animal to the individual and is one of their closest allies in life and in spiritual practices. A power animal is not a specific animal, but an archetypal force of all species of that animal. Therefore a power animal won't be a specific fox you saw as a child but is Fox (with a capital F) that embodies the energies and characteristics of all species of fox on Earth.

Sacred Space - A place or space that has be altered spiritually to make it more conducive to spiritual work. This can be done through cleansing the area spiritually (such as smudging), by honoring the directions of the medicine wheel (east, south, west, north, above, and below), and by welcoming the presence of protective spirits and spirit guides.

Smudge- This is a cleansing or purification process that is typically done by burning herbs to clear an area, person, or object of unneeded energies. Sage is the most commonly used herb for smudging, but many other herbs and resins are used as well. When we burn the plants we aren't just doing this to create a sacred smoke- we are also asking the spirit of that plant to help us in creating sacred space and cleansing on a spiritual level.

Spirit (with a capital S)- This is a term that I use to refer to divinity. Many people may perceive Spirit in many different ways such as God, Goddess, The Great Mystery, Allah, Buddha, the Cosmos, etc. 

Spirit Guide - A spirit of an archetypal force or ancestor that works closely with an individual, keeping them safe and offering guidance. A spirit guide may be the spirit of a deceased relative, of an ancestor from many generations past, a force of nature, or a dweller in the celestial realms (such as angels, devas, gods, and goddesses).

Sweat Lodge- A ceremony that is conducted for spiritual and physical cleansing. It is held within a sweat lodge which is a wooden framed dome, typically tall enough to crawl in but not to stand. This wooden frame is then covered with hides and/or blankets to create a completely dark and insulated space. In the center of the sweat lodge is a small pit and outside of the sweat lodge is a large bonfire. Large stones are heated in the bonfire through the day, until they are red hot and glowing from their heat. Everyone participating in the ceremony sits in the sweat lodge with the medicine man as the hot rocks are brought in and placed in the pit. The front flap is then closed to the sweat lodge which is now pitch black and very hot. The medicine man then proceeds with the ceremony through prayer and drumming and teaches the participants songs for healing and purification. Through the ceremony medicinal herbs are placed on the hot stones and they are splashed with water which gives off steam and healing smoke.

Vision Quest - A rite of passage undertaken by an individual where they retreat deep into nature and spend several days without human contact asking for a vision from Spirit. This is often accompanied by fasting, prayer, drumming, and singing. The purpose of a vision quest is to break an individual's ego down so that their soul and spirit is open to experiencing the divinity of the earth and the cosmos. Very profound and life changing visions and information can be attained through a vision quest.