A few years ago, during my shamanic apprenticeship, my teacher suggested I draw a map of the realm to which we journey — the realm of non-ordinary reality. One day soon after, when I felt I was ready, I picked up a pencil and called in my family of Light to guide my hand. I was astounded by how quickly everything flowed onto the paper, and when it was complete, I noticed the land had the shape of a leaf to it — such a beautiful nod to Mother Earth and the growth earned within shamanic practice!
I also noticed a storybook quality to it, even just in pencil… childlike in its presentation. As I thought about it, I realized this couldn’t have made more sense! One of the greatest gifts shamanism has unlocked for me is the deep-dive journey and shadow work to heal and reclaim my inner child. This is a cyclical and many layered process — a beautiful spiral of deliciously hard work delving within and returning again, each time deeper than before, freeing the child and uncovering gifts previously hidden. I am grateful for all of the wisdom earned thus far in this process and equally as thankful for the opportunity to continue this healing work — opening, releasing, reclaiming — throughout my life. Even more, I am grateful to feel more secure, grounded and free to PLAY! Free to BE ME! These are some of the greatest blessings inner child work has bestowed. And I know we’ve only just begun!
I was asked how the map works in regards to my journeys. If I always take the same route. The answer is, while I always start at the same place, noted by Wolf and Crow at the Great Tree, the journey takes me a different route each time. There are spaces on the map I visit quite often, like the Sacred Fire, and there are spaces I have explored not on this particular map. I feel we will be drawing another, soon. Perhaps even more astoundingly, I’ve noticed that when I journey for other people, seeking guidance for healing, the spaces I go to are completely foreign. Even the soil under my feet feels unfamiliar — it’s those times I am certain I have entered the other person’s plane of non-ordinary reality. Another person’s map. Truly exhilarating!
The map was completed in pencil and ink for over a year before I was ready to put paint to it (last photo in gallery). I loved it as it was and felt uncertain I could meet what was in my mind’s eye, yet I knew that all the colors of Light would truly bring it to life. So, I gave it to Spirit. I sat and called in my Guides and the paint flowed. We’ve been adding to it over a number of months and it is finally complete.
Thank you, Lisa, for providing me the inspiration and for your guidance on this life-changing shamanic path!
Thank you, Beloved Divine, for the gift and blessing of shamanism and your Guidance in my life!
Aho.
