Journeying under the weather

I have felt drawn to shamanism for a long time and finally got round to doing an introductory course last year. When it came to journeying on my own after the course though, I had problems. Journeys became fuzzier and fuzzier and, in the end, it was difficult to focus. I decided I was probably just making it all up so I stopped (and felt quite sad and disappointed).
This week I was diagnosed with severe vitamin D deficiency which can cause cognitive impairment, low mood, and pretty overwhelming fatigue (as well as lots of other unpleasant symptoms). I think now that this is why my journeys weren't 'working' (duh) I just wasn't up to it but didn't realise. After all, as my teacher made clear, you do need to focus when journeying! When I am finally well will go back to it.
It's funny to think that, despite getting occasional 'fuzziness' in other activities (which I put down to stress) I was quick to just dismiss shamanism as not real, or at least as not real for me.

To be honest, many people strive, once they are home, to find the clarity that they had in the workshop situation. The symptoms you describe would certainly hinder you, (although – from a shamanic point of view – they, and the Vitamin D deficiency, are symptoms of soul loss and intrusion).
Other things that can get in the way are:
· Certain drugs (I don’t just mean alcohol/leisure drugs, although they will certainly have an effect, but journeying while taking Prozac is often very difficult.)
· Tiredness for whatever reason
· Severe soul loss
· Trying too often or not often enough (I usually recommend once a week to once a fortnight at this stage)
· Not having clear boundaries.
· Not having a clear intention for the journey.
Your suggestion of trying again when you are well sounds good. Make the intention for that first journey something simple. For example, “to go with my power animal to explore my Lower World.”
Also, consider doing a course such as Jonathan’s “Into the Journey” or North Yorkshire Shamanism’s “Deepening Our Connection”, which both concentrate on developing your journeying skills.
All the best with this.:)

Thanks Crowan 🙂

Think I'd feel a bit of a fraud going on the next 'Into the Journey' course as I've hardly done a thing since my intro course (due to the illness). Best to wait until I am well I reckon. But soul loss? Yes, I would say yes, definitely.

Thanks Crowan 🙂

Think I'd feel a bit of a fraud going on the next 'Into the Journey' course as I've hardly done a thing since my intro course (due to the illness). Best to wait until I am well I reckon. But soul loss? Yes, I would say yes, definitely.

There are some good shamanic practitioners in London.:)

Something I've noticed about courses like "Into the Journey" and "Deepening Our Connection" is that participants can be divided easily into three categories. People who have done very little shamanism think they are great, because the courses really help hone journeying skills. People who have done a lot of shamanic study over many years think they are great, because the courses go 'back to basics' and give focus that can often have slipped away. (And, of course, whatever the journey intentions, our spirit teachers pitch the answers at where we are.)
People who have done a couple of years or have journeyed for more years but who have not attended courses in that time tend to think they are a waste of time - "But I know all this!"