Embracing My Ancestral Shamanic Power

From my journal:

2/2/24 – Waxing Quarter Moon, Imbolg

I had a really powerful, concrete journey today. Working with my shaman family, we were drumming using standing drums which were beat with two mallets. Things shifted, and I found myself alone briefly in a forest. I was soon joined by my family, who were drumming and chanting around me. I became aware of how dark it was and how brightly I shone in the darkness with my owl cloak of white feathers. My light intensified, and I became aware that I was attracting attention from the darkness outside our circle. My family affirmed this and showed me so I could understand how much dark attention I could garner, especially as my vibration gets raised in my upcoming 3rd Reiki attunement. 

Before I could ask about protection, my family started armoring me. I first received a spear – simply made by ancient techniques. Next, a beautiful breastplate of white metal was put on me. I was given a shield of the same white metal, and when I turned it to look at its front, I found a simple etching of Reindeer on it. My Grandfather put a white metal helm on my head, shaped to fit around my antlers. My antlers had grown to a tremendous size – like an old buck’s. My helm had a fringe or shield that partially obstructed the view of my face and a raised ridge running through its center. I realized that I had grown in size, and the combination of what I was wearing with my antlers and white owl wings made me look powerful. 

My Grandfather stood before me and told me that I could now appear as fierce and frightening as he could. I saw that image of him briefly, reflecting my own fearsome visage. I felt our deep, strong connection and was filled with joy to the point of tears. I asked how I would know when this armor was necessary. He said I could call on him anytime I’m unsure or if I am sure and need his assistance. 

Once fully armored my family drummed and danced around me, and committed to protecting me in my work. They will form a similar circle around me in the energetic or physical realm, should I need their help or protection. 

At one point, while gathered with my family, I had a flash of understanding of how far back our lineage goes through a glimpse of our older ancestors. Well before written language, when pictures were used instead of letters. I wondered for a moment when our lineage ceased. Was it because of the end of a bloodline, or just a slow evolution to the people now called the Sami?

This small glimpse in shamanic reality has helped me better see and understand not just our lineage, but the community I once lived among thousands of years ago. I have a better sense of where we came from, and just how ancient our roots are. 

My armor was given to me at this time for two reasons. One is practical. As demonstrated, I become more or differently visible as I continue to raise and shift my vibration. It’s also symbolic, meant to remind me of my power and the powerful family and allies I am surrounded by. It’s been so hard to focus on anything other than my physical challenges lately that I haven’t fully connected with my power – even when journeying. Perhaps that’s part of the difference between some of my past journeys. There’s the technical understanding of my being a shaman, but that isn’t the same. I need to connect with that energy and bring it into my daily life.

This article is part of an ongoing series that follows my journey of Reindeer Shamanism and how I’m building my skills and practice. If you’d like to read more articles in the series or follow along from the beginning, they are collected under the blog category of ‘My Shamanic Path‘.