One of the reasons soul retrieval is layered into the cultural history of almost everywhere is because soul travel, in and out of the body, and back again, is a quintescential part of being human. Retrievals are necessary when a soul or soul bit gets stuck somewhere it isn't supposed to be, like a cat up in a tree.
Would you leave a cat up there, meowing her poor little heart out? Of course not! You would climb the tree or call the fire department or get a ladder, right? Sometimes a stranded cat is so agitated that it fights any and all rescue efforts, which is why it's wise to take a blanket or thick towel up the ladder to wrap around the agitated cat.
I'm told that the cat scenario adequately describes situations in which shamans have to engage in battle to get a soul back where it belongs.
As a massage therapist, I'm not interested in causing discomfort of any kind for my clients. Lots of sensation and release is what I'm aiming for, not pain. There are plenty of massage therapists out there who will gladly brutalize a client because they believe it's effective. I'll admit the meat tenderizer approach can work. It's just not what I do. I'm a lover, not a fighter.
Naturally this week, with Proto-Client #2 (like Proto-Client #1, a resilient person well versed in energy work and psychotherapy), I was forced to engage in one of those frickin' epic battles between the worlds, just like I read about in all the books of shamanic folk tales from around the world. I didn't go looking for trouble, but trouble found me.
The good news is, the treatment was much more powerfully healing than Attempt #1. While Proto-Client #1 experienced a wonderful feeling of peace and wholeness following the treatment, Proto-Client #2 reported being viscerally reunited with a core aspect of self that had been missing for a long time. Proto-Client #2 is writing about the experience, talking about it in therapy, working with an acupuncturist, all in an effort to integrate what happened. My goodness!
The other good news, surprising news, is that I feel ... what's the right word? Invigorated? Yes, I'm invigorated by the struggle. I came out of it without a scratch, energetically speaking of course, feeling enlivened and energized. It's completely weird, given who I am. Go figure.
All I can say is Wow.
18 comments:
Doesn't sound weird to me. Sounds like you are doing what you need to do and taking the right steps to make sure you have what you need when you do it. Congrats on an even more successful round.
Hmm. Are all reconnections good? Just a query.
Engaging in any kind of battle, be it physical, mental or other and coming up victorious at the end of it all has got to be a great invigoratory experience.
hmm .. it would seem tht invigoratory is not a word... oh well ...
I would love you as a massage therapist!
Thanks, Lynne.
Tut - I don't know what "good" means. I believe that the soul has its reasons for vamoosing when it does. That loss also serves a purpose.
It's not my style to advocate that EVERYONE NEEDS A SOUL RETRIEVAL. Oh no. I don't think there's anything that everyone needs ... my Aquarian self speaking here.
I do believe there's such a thing as stuckness, which is what I think shamans do when they do their healing dances. They unglue stuckness - whether it manifests as illness or insanity or soul loss.
On a personal level i can say for certain that various reconnections I've attempted, such as trying to get back together with my ex-husband, have been total disasters.
It's a great thing to think about. Thank you!
Wow, excited to read your blog and find bits of synchronicity for me.Came here via Miranda (my sister) I've always been drawn to this kind of work. Perhaps you'd like to read about my DIY soul retrieval that I blundered into the other day? http://fleeingmuses.blogspot.com/2008/08/pied-piper-of-ghosts.html
I am wishing you were just around the corner! all sounds so unbelievably fascinating. Thanks for your wonderful blog!! :-)
I half expected to find a post on the sacred medicine wheel here today-- if anyone would understand the sacred wheel it would be you!
Hi Reya -
If you need another Proto-Client, I am game.
Love,
Salima
Reya, it sounds as if you have found a profound, powerful way to express you're own soul's true calling. I am so happy for you.
Thanks Adrianne! And all. It's an exciting time, a baffling time.
Squirrel, I don't have a clue about the sacred medicine wheel! And you know I'm no good at working with themes in the blog. I'm such a contrarian.
Salima, I'm going to take you up on your offer. Oh yeah.
ah lucky ones to receive a reya crystal...! i LOVE them. always have them scattered around me. i leave them under the moon...or if i'm near the sea i like to give them a good shower of fresh active sea water...will try and freezer trick...beautiful writing reya! xx janelle
I went to visit a friend in hospital today. She is up in a tree. Her cancer triggered a psychotic episode. I don't know how to stretch my hand out without chasing her further up. It makes me wish I knew a shaman who knew how to get her soul back where it belongs.
I'm feeling the shift here in NC...the evolution is growing.
:)
It's nice to see the work "working for you".
Before starting Yoga Teacher Training, I did not have a healthy time dealing with the work. I am working to make my work work.
Work work work work work. (Just thought I'd finish the thought with a dance.)
I'm dancing, Playful.
Hele I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. You must be so worried! Sending loving energy and healing prayers in your direction.
By the way, I LOVE Rilke. I see him as a shaman of sorts, occupying all kinds of liminal spaces. Beautiful.
reya, i'd have imagined you to be a powerful fighter when you have to be.
what is that last picture reflected in? its really nice
Sad to hear about cancer triggering a psychotic episode--one would have enough to just deal with the cancer and all the emotions. Shamans and Therapists have a lot to deal with--it must be a struggle for them, too.
My guess (though how could I possibly know) is that the person with cancer had to vamoose her body for awhile. It seems like a survival technique to me.
I'm hoping she is soon able to return to her body.
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