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Joseph Callender, April 21 2026

Shamanic Training for Beginners: How to Start Properly

Many of us have a deep yearning for connection.

This yearning gets mistaken in our normal lives for a desire to have a relationship, and when wisdom dawns on us we realise that we are in fact yearning to connect with ourselves and God.

However, there a few steps that get us to that point of true connection.  We connect to the earth, to our ancestors and to the parts of ourselves we’ve forgotten.

The real question is how does the signal to become one with our creator get soo corrupted that it morphs into something trivial like : "I want a bar of chocolate"?

Most of us believe what we see, hear, taste, touch and smell represents all of reality, and there is not much else that exists. Yet physics shows that this is only a fraction of what exists.

The entire spectrum of visible light - the bit that our eyes can perceive - makes up only 0.0035 % of the electromagnetic spectrum. Neuroscientists estimate that human sensory systems receive data at around 10⁹ bits/s, yet our conscious behaviour transmits only about 10 bits/s. These numbers show us that we experience only a thin slice of reality, while most of the universe’s structure remains hidden from direct perception.

Different Shamanic traditions teach that this unseen world is rich with consciousness, wisdom and healing power. Shamanic training is about learning to engage with that vast portion of creation and bring its magick into daily life.

The invitation is to step beyond the 5% of reality and peer into the vast, unseen realms of the 95% that hold much wisdom and healing.

Our birthright is to learn to navigate non‑ordinary reality to communicate with spirit allies, whilst expanding our awareness of what it means to be human.

The lessons we will receive will transform our mindset and quality of life. We will become more resilient, compassionate and aligned with our purpose.

As interest grows, so does the number of “shamanic” workshops, courses and retreats being promoted. Some are rooted in authentic lineages and run by ethical practitioners; others are not.

For those new to this path, choosing how and where to train can feel confusing, even risky. This article explores how you can begin your journey responsibly – starting with my Foundations programme, designed for sensitive people who want to build a strong spiritual practice without overwhelm.

What is Shamanic Training?

Shamanism is one of humanity’s oldest healing traditions. Shamanic practitioners belong to an ancient lineage of spiritual healers. Traditional shamans acted as mediators between the physical and spiritual worlds, restoring balance for individuals and communities.

Modern shamanic training aims to transmit those core skills: journeying, working with spirit guides, energy clearing, divination and ceremony;  adapting them for contemporary life.

Training isn’t just about learning spells or techniques in isolation; it’s about cultivating relationships with compassionate spirits and the natural world and learning to act ethically and with respect.

In most countries, shamanic practitioners aren’t licensed or regulated like counsellors or healthcare providers. They develop expertise by apprenticing with teachers, studying with master shamans and engaging in years of practice.

Because there is no formal regulatory body, it’s crucial for new students to be discerning. A legitimate programme will teach you how to work in sacred alliance with Spirit rather than from ego, and will emphasise compassion and non‑judgement, as well as instilling the need for client confidentiality and consent.

Safety and Ethics Matter

Whilst working with subtle energies and altered states can be profoundly healing, it also exposes us to vulnerable spaces, and potentially all manner of spirits.

Practitioners who do in‑person sessions must observe the same boundaries as a therapist; physical contact is not required for powerful healing, and clients should always feel comfortable. All information received during a session must remain private.

Consent is a core principle. Healing without permission is unethical – each person has the right to decide what happens in matters of their soul. Express permission means the person consciously agrees to the healing in ordinary reality, not through a dream or a telepathic message. 

Consent also applies when someone asks for healing on behalf of another; you may only work with the person who requests help and must not heal or divine for and about anyone else without their permission. These principles protect both you as a practitioner and client and ensures shamanic work remains a blessing, and does not violate anyone.

Because shamanic practice is unregulated, ethics vary widely. Legitimate practitioners agree to work with compassion, recognise the wholeness of every person, avoid harm, maintain privacy and be honest in how they present themselves. A good training programme will stress these values from the start.

Choosing a Teacher or Training Programme

A 2025 guide on selecting authentic shamanic retreats recommends asking where the teacher trained, how long they’ve practiced, who their teachers were and whether they acknowledge the cultural origins of their practices.

Authentic programmes are led by trained practitioners with lineage or long‑term mentorship, are transparent about practices and expectations, emphasise participant well‑being and respect indigenous knowledge.

Commercialised programmes, by contrast, overpromise instant transformation, use vague language like “ancient secrets,” discourage questions and pressure participants into intense ceremonies. If a programme avoids questions about training or safety, consider it a red flag.

Look beyond the programme’s own testimonials. Search for independent reviews on forums or in wellness communities, paying attention to how facilitators handle emotional moments and whether participants felt supported.

Ask about physical safety protocols, especially if ceremonies involve physical exertion. Authentic retreats have clear emergency plans, access to medical care and limits on physical strain. Emotional and psychological support is just as important: reputable programmes offer integration sessions, encourage grounding practices and do not shame emotional reactions.

Always trust your intuition; if something feels off, it probably is. However, do your own vibe check as ethical practitioners may still be incompatible with your lineage or spirit team. 

What Beginners Learn: The Foundations of Shamanic Practice

Shamanic practice isn’t a collection of random techniques; it’s a disciplined path of relationship-building and self-discovery. A robust training programme gives beginners practical skills they can integrate into everyday life. Ascension Shamanism's Foundations programme offers a 12‑week journey that provides exactly these tools:

The Impact on Mindset and Emotions

Learning these skills transforms how you think and feel. Shamanic practice isn’t just about “spiritual experiences”; it has tangible psychological benefits.

Students often experience emotional relief, with deep-seated sadness and anxiety giving way to inner peace and greater self-confidence. Techniques like journeying and energy cleansing bring mental clarity, helping to clear brain fog and sharpen focus.

Over time, your intuition becomes more reliable; and shamanic practices sharpen intuition and provide a sense of being supported by something larger than oneself.

These benefits aren’t just individual. When you begin to trust your inner guidance, you make better decisions and take actions aligned with your deepest values.

Stress and anxiety decrease as you learn to release heavy energies and tune into a state of calm. This emotional stability enables you to navigate life’s challenges – job changes, family transitions, personal losses – with greater grace and resilience.

Healing Relationships and Building Community

One of the most profound outcomes of shamanic training is its effect on relationships. As you heal your own wounds and release past attachments, you naturally cultivate healthier boundaries and attract more positive connections.

Shamanic practice helps us develop confidence to end relationships that no longer serve us and to attract like‑minded people, forming new friendships and partnerships. This is because clearing our energy field makes it easier to recognise what resonates with our soul and to gently let go of what doesn’t.

In addition, many people discover a sense of belonging within the shamanic community itself. Through group journeys, sharing circles and rituals, you connect with others who value authenticity and spiritual growth. Being part of a like‑minded community provides support, accountability and opportunities for collaboration, amplifying the healing process.

Connecting with Nature and the Cosmos

Animism (a branch of spirit work that recognises the consciousness of all things) teaches that everything is alive and interconnected. Modern practitioners work with spirit guides, but also emphasise creating direct relationships with elements of nature – mountains, rivers, trees, animals and even celestial bodies. This connection has measurable benefits. 

Scientific research shows that spending time in forests reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels and improves emotional wellbeing. When you learn to journey to meet a power animal or plant spirit, you cultivate a reciprocal relationship with the natural world, allowing it to nourish you in return.

This Earth connection also extends to cosmic awareness. Understanding that 95% of the universe is unseen helps you appreciate that you are part of an immense, mysterious whole.

Journeying can lead to visionary states where you experience direct communion with star beings, ancient ancestors or archetypal forces. Such experiences reframe your everyday concerns within a broader context, which fosters a sense of humility and awe.

Healing Ancestral Patterns

Contemporary shamanism often focuses on healing ancestral trauma. Shamanic techniques can help clear patterns passed down through family lines, such as emotional instability, addiction or scarcity consciousness. 

The work has ripple effects: it not only transforms your life but also contributes to the healing of your family and communities.

Personal Growth

Life is full of transitions: career shifts, breakups, bereavement, illness, spiritual awakenings. Shamanism provides tools to navigate these changes with intention and grace, and addresses the spiritual root of issues, making it a powerful complement to psychotherapy and other healing modalities. 

People often find that working with shamans alongside conventional therapy accelerates recovery from depression, anxiety and trauma. Shamanic training is an holistic approach that supports physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Where to Begin

If you’re feeling called to explore shamanism, my Foundations programme offers a safe, structured entry point. It’s designed for people who are ready to do deep inner work, reset their nervous system and stop carrying other people’s energy. Over 12 weeks, you’ll learn to:

Participants report healing long‑standing emotional wounds, gaining wisdom and insight, enhancing their intuition and deepening their connection to nature and Spirit. Foundations is available live or on-demand, so you can learn at your own pace.

Spirit Weaver Practitioner Training

For those who feel called to serve others, the Spirit Weaver Practitioner programme takes you deeper. Over nine months, you learn advanced techniques such as Celtic protection rituals, root-cause diagnosis of spiritual disturbances and methods for removing metaphysical afflictions.

The programme covers medicine wheel teachings, remote healing, advanced clearing, divination attunement, soul retrieval and more. Importantly, Spirit Weaver students are asked to maintain a beginner’s mind and surrender preconceived ideas. This humility allows Spirit to teach you directly.

Ready to begin? 

Explore the Foundations programme and take your first step into the 95% of creation you’ve been missing. If you feel the call to serve others through this work, consider the Spirit Weaver Practitioner training.

Shamanism is a lifelong path of discovery and healing, and rewards you with deeper peace, clear guidance, healthier relationships and a sense of belonging to a vast, mysterious universe

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Written by

Joseph Callender

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