Axis Mundi, its role in training to be a shaman.

When we work in a shamanic way, we need an anchor in the physical, and non physical world.

It is far to easy to get lost in the trance state, losing focus, getting pulled into a dreamlike state with no real concept of how to reconnect with your pshysical sate. And the deeper you want to go in that altered state of consciousness- connecting with your personal past, your client's past, or further back for ancestral and past life connections- the harder it can be to find yourself again.

Perhaps you are reading this and thinking the opposite, that you struggle to let go of this physical world and connect, then your axis mundi is a perfect tool to help enter the trance state.

The initial axis mundi (the centre point between sky and earth) is you. Your root chakra, or feet, connecting to the earth- and your crown chakra connecting to sky, your spine straight forming the axis mundi.

The more grounded you are, the safer you feel, and the easier it is to journey.

Whether you sit on the ground or a chair, check there is a clear grounding, your spine is straight.

And as you start to journey, even if in the initial steps you are imagining rather than journeying, you connect with your shamanic axis mundi. Most people perceive this as a tree, but it doesn't have to be. I have know students who have had a water fall, a pole, or simply a tower.

This is the place where you start and finish all journeys. This is the core of your own existence, and deep healing work can be done here. It is an anchor point reflecting your body's axis mundi, and ensuring you can always find your way back.

My tree has changed over the years, at first it was a weird hybrid- part Yew, part Willow. For a while it was an Oak that I have visited many times at Hever. Now it is a magical tree, not specifically any in this physical realm. Its roots are deep, and the leaves have a shimmer to them as if they are lit from inside.

There is no short cut to shamanic work, no weekend course will get you there, no certificate really proves anything.

What matters is practice, learning how to apply the tools as you work out how you best navigate this altered state of consciousness.

The only real validation is when what you do in that altered state of consciousness creates the appropriate change in the physical world.

If it worked- then you are doing it right.

To find out more about how you could start, or develop, your shaman skills click here.