What does a shaman do?
For thousands of years, shamans have been regarded as mediators between worlds. They use their knowledge as healers to serve the community and the Earth. But what does a shaman actually do exactly?
A shaman is a spiritual healer and channel who works between the physical world and spiritual planes. Their main task is to enter altered states of consciousness in order to make contact with spiritual beings and forces, often referred to as “spirits.” In this way, they recognize the deeper causes of problems and can bring about energetic changes that would not be possible on a purely physical level.
Even though shamanism was suppressed in Europe for a long time, it is experiencing a revival today. Worldwide, you can find shamans who are deeply rooted in their traditions and offer healing, rituals, and spiritual counseling. I was able to experience my own training in Nepal.
My path as a Shaman
In the Nepalese tradition in which I was initiated, shamanic healing work and spiritual practice are inseparably connected. They are based on deep respect for nature, the elements, and divine forces, especially from the Hindu-Buddhist cultural sphere.
We work with Shiva, the divine helper beings, nature spirits, and the five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Healing ultimately happens through these spiritual helpers. The shaman only establishes the connection.
The Connection of Spiritual and Shamanic Knowledge
What makes Nepalese shamanism special is the connection of spiritual energy work with shamanic healing practice. This means: We don’t only work with herbs, drums, or prayers, but also with high-frequency energy like Kundalini, mantric sounds, and direct communication with the spiritual world.
Every traditional ritual is an ancient language in which energy and intention unite. Purity of heart is the most important element in this tradition, with the knowledge that love is the fundamental energy of the universe.
What does a shaman do?
As a shaman, I am a healer, mediator, channel, and spiritual helper. I work for people who are searching for inner healing, clarity, or energetic support. The tools I use come from centuries-old knowledge – supplemented by personal experience and daily practice.
In the past, a shaman was the center of a tribe and responsible for finding new hunting grounds, weather forecasts, or maintaining the spiritual connection. Nowadays, people often come with the most varied everyday problems, such as pain, money problems, or karmic counseling.
The diagnosis of imbalance and corresponding measures are the core work. In my sessions, the rituals and techniques are adapted to the respective problem of the patient.
Typical activities of a shaman
- Shamanic journeys into non-ordinary reality to convey information that could also be important for the person in their life
- Removal of negative energies, foreign influences, or curses. Illumination and extraction of energies in the energy body
- Cleansing of the energy body (aura, chakras, nadis)
- Ritual work with elements like fire, water, flowers, fruits, and smoke
- Establishing contact with ancestors, nature spirits, and higher energies (channeling)
- Insights into karmic themes, family blockages, or recurring life problems
Rituals and techniques
In my work, various powerful rituals are available, which can be combined individually. Each of these rituals has its own unique quality – they have a deep and specific effect:
- Planetary ritual – For karmic problems and issues related to life cycles, destiny or cosmic influences. It combines the power of the planets with healing energy. The planets are fundamental in my tradition as they influence our karma and our subconscious.
- Fire ritual – For energetic cleansing on all levels. Fire transforms heavy energies, brings light into the system and strengthens the life force. Fire is fundamentally an element that is used for purification and is a tool for the shaman to prevail against negative energies.
- Bali ritual – Is used to remove foreign, negative energies. At the same time, gifts are given to these energies to pacify the underlying karma. This ritual exists in many different variations and forms in all traditions. It is a fundamental ritual during a healing.
- Naga ritual – Acts on the nervous system and on energetic disturbances caused by infections or restlessness in the mind. Naga spirits are associated with water and healing powers. Naga are important allies in the tradition in Nepal.
- Ancestor Ritual: Through connection to the ancestors, objects can be offered to them. This can be combined with a fire ritual or simply a place where we bring together the elements and gifts
These rituals can be combined – so I can tailor them specifically to the needs of each person. Every problem manifests itself on several levels, and so we work on all levels simultaneously.
What Issues Do People Bring to a Shaman?
Many of my clients are in transitional phases, are experiencing life crises, are being attacked energetically or simply feel that “something is not right”. Common issues that I help with:
- Karmic blockages and recurring destiny issues
- Black magic attacks and external energy influences
- Lack of energy, exhaustion, no strength in everyday life
- Lack of happiness, blocked money flow or relationship problems
- Feeling of not being yourself or not being centered
The Shaman’s Path – Daily Practice and Spiritual Discipline
In my tradition, a shaman is not a guru, but a person dedicated to serving the spiritual world while leading a normal everyday life. Many Nepalese shamans work in the fields or in a profession and continue their ritual work in parallel when people seek help.
I myself meditate daily and hold ceremonies to honor my spiritual helpers, nature, and the place where I work. This discipline maintains my connection to the energies and is the foundation for the energy of my work.
When someone asks for help, we do our utmost to help. This work is not a profession for me, but a calling from the deepest heart.
How Do I Recognize a Real Shaman?
The effect counts. Shamans work in the most diverse traditions and forms. What’s decisive is not how spectacular they appear, but how deep their connection to the spiritual world is.
A true shaman has access to their helper energies, and these work on the level of the soul and energy body. They may appear outwardly inconspicuous, but they carry the power within them. Conversely, someone can appear very “shamanic” and yet have no connection to the spiritual world.
Many shamans are called to their path through illness, strokes of fate, or visions. I too know from my own experience that spirits sometimes guide our paths in unexpected, even painful ways. A real shaman follows this inner guidance and places themselves in service of healing and spiritual development. Reviews on the internet and your personal feeling will lead you to the right person.
Participating in a Shamanic Healing
A shamanic healing includes certain ancient Nepalese rituals that influence the soul and the energies connected with it. These rituals include mantra recitations, offering flowers, fruits, etc., fire rituals, and techniques for cleansing Kundalini energy.
They are quite traditional in detail, but truly universal in their totality. The Nepalese techniques have been modernized as little as possible, as they have proven themselves for many generations. Through the removal of negative connections via our energy body and on a soul level, with support through tailored rituals, we achieve a holistic approach.
If you have further questions, feel free to write to me! Namaste
Sven Horn
