Last fall I was in my third “direction” of my Shaman Training. The one where we learn to journey to the underworld. I was REALLY nervous about this, as my entire world as I new it had crumbled all around me and my spirit was beyond low. When one does Soul Work, one should be well rested, and in top spiritual shape. Happiness, Joy and Hope are GREAT mindsets to be in, as you are shining with God’s light and your odds of being Spiritually attacked are low.
I was low, war torn, broken, shattered into a million little pieces and in NO condition to endure the hours of training for this direction. However, I knew in my soul this work is what I was born to do, and I’d be da#ned if I was going to let this giant life event affect what my soul came here to do. So I went.
My Shaman siblings could tell I was broken. They could see my lifeless, tired eyes. They could feel the weight of the sadness I carried inside me. And the first day, as I sat in class I thought, “Self, this is the most perfect place you could be,” Among my magical family, who lives and breathes spiritual healing. This was perfectly planned by our Maker and I was grateful for the love and affection my Shaman Family poured into me that long weekend of training.
We began by learning about the landscape of the Underworld. Our Shaman parents gave us our warnings of the risks of journeying. We were even given a “map” of sorts and we were taught how to approach Huascar, the Lord of the Underworld.
The first night, for craps and giggles we were asked to Meditate and Journey with an Underworld Guide and get a quick tour of the landscape before we journeyed on behalf of a person, the next day. Our Shaman Parents dimmed the lights, one drummed softly while the other lead us in a guided mediation.
I closed my eyes and began my journey.
My Underworld Guide, Charlie the Turtle appeared. (believe me, I expected a much more majestic animal and name for an Underworld Guide 😀 ) He stands seven feet tall and after a little research I discovered he is called a Painted Turtle…which is SO PERFECT, given that I’m also an artist! The “pool of life” appeared, which appears to me as a deep blue body of water with an illuminated string suspended above and through it. We entered the body of water and I put one hand on Charlie’s shell and the other on the Illuminated string and we dove in, thus beginning our journey together.
In the water there was just peace, darkness and calm. We weren’t swimming, we were gracefully “falling,” but it was a controlled falling, more like flying down. Imagine being in a room that you love and feel safe in, but the lights are off and you can see nothing- this is how this space felt. After more of a downward journey a BEAUTIFUL garden appeared that was as vast and full and lush as far as the eye can see. It was glorious. Far away stood this magnificent Black Statue. It stood taller than ten feet tall, had the body of a man and the head of a dog- but thin- a Jackal, perhaps? It had an ancient greek-style skirt on, but instead of leather straps it was gold straps. After I stood there for a few minutes with Charlie, the Jackal-Man turned his head and walked to me. I have to admit, this was a bit terrifying, as when I think of the Underworld I imagine what the Bible taught me about hell, full of death and ghouls and suffering. This giant statue took only a few steps and he was in front of me. Imagine a black onyx statue, twelve feet tall, come to life and walking. When he moved, his body clinked like marble. He was so tall my head was all the way back- like when you get the front row at a movie theatre. I didn’t feel afraid anymore. I felt calm. I felt love exuding off of him. He got down one one knee to greet me, extended his hand out to me and said, “You’ve grown weary my old friend.” I grinned a tiny grin- all I could muster at the moment. I was weary. I didn’t have the energy for this. But I had the heart for it. “I am. This has been a hard life.” I answered. He motioned for me to walk up on his hand, and he carried me carefully. I leaned my head on his giant chest and soaked up the love his body was giving off. “I have to tour the underworld.” I said, wearily. “I know.” He said in a deep, soft voice. I coward a little and asked “this isn’t my first time, is it?” I could hear his chuckle in his chest and he said, “No. You’ve forgotten.” “Again?” I asked and giggled as I thought “that must be super annoying. Like the movie “50 First Dates.” Every few lifetimes I forget who I am and am born again to find my soul’s purpose and continue this work.” “Eagle said the same.” I told him.
Huascar, Charlie and I walked out of the garden to a giant rock mound that had a large red door. It seemed to be made of heavy steel. “this is the chamber of wounds.” He told me, and we walked in. Given that I didn’t come on behalf of anyone, the inside of this and the other chambers we toured were empty. Had this been a “real” journey to the underworld for a client, these chambers would have been full of events that have hurt the soul of the client.
We walked out into a blank space, still completely dark, still very peaceful. Huascar put his hand down so I could walk off of it and out of NO WHERE a crazed, angry Shaman came at me, swinging his staff at me-much like a ninja! Charlie stepped in front of me to protect me and Huascar took a step forward to do the same. The Shaman yelled what felt like obscenities at me in a language I didn’t understand. It sounded like gibberish, but felt ancient. I looked up at Huascar like “what the heck?” And he shrugged at me like “I don’t know.” After more swinging of his staff and continued yelling, Huascar said, “Apparently you ruined his life.” Completely surprised, I asked, “What? When?” Huascar now acting as my interpreter calmly said, “Three hundred years ago.” “THREE HUNDRED YEARS AGO? THIS GUY HAS BEEN WAITING AROUND DOWN HERE FOR ME FOR THREE HUNDRED YEARS! GEESH!” I turned my head toward the Shaman, who was hunched over and covered in several layers of thick, black animal furs. He had a white cattle head on his head as a head dress and his staff rattled with different beads and small animal bones. He was hunched over and his skin was white- like death. But he wasn’t rotting. It looked as if he’d waited out of the light and this is the color of his skin, since he hasn’t seen the sun. I took a few steps towards him, getting out of the protection of Charlie and Huascar and stood before him. I held my hands up in a “mercy” gesture and placed one hand on my heart and said, “I’m sorry for whatever I did to you in that lifetime.” He snapped back and this time I could understand him! “You ruined me! I lost everything because of you! My home! My family! My reputation, everything!” Still holding my hand over my heart I continued. “I’m sorry. I promise you I’m not who I once was. I have no memory of whatever I did, but I promise you, I’m sorry.” I then held both of my hands up (as one would to motion “stop!”) palms facing him, and imagined ribbons of Love Light coming out of my hands and enveloping him in it. After he was wrapped up, like in a cocoon, he seemed to take a very deep breath. Calm fell over him and the ribbons disappeared. His eyes lit up again and he grinned and stood upright more. He then gently bowed his head, as if to accept my apology, turned around and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
I turned to Huascar and my guide and asked, “Was that guy for real? He was REALLY hanging out here for all those years just to what? Get back at me? Imagine! Doesn’t he have soul work to do?! Geesh.” Huascar chuckled a laugh that resonated throughout the Underworld like a delightful thunder and he said it was time to go. We retraced our steps and returned to the beautiful garden. I could feel that my energy had increased and felt good as I stood before my “old friend” and bid him farewell. He nodded goodbye and Charlie and I floated back up, I holding onto his shell until I could grab onto the Thread of Life once more.
We surfaced through the pool of life and we sat on the edge of the pond, my feet dangling in the water. “That was something, huh?” I looked over at Charlie. He nodded and grinned.
As I sat there I became aware of my Shaman Parents calling us back to reality. I thought, “wow! That was perfect timing! How is the timing always so perfect?!” as it always is. I bid Charlie farewell and opened my eyes to my Shaman Family. All wonder- eyed as they too had magnificent stories to share about their journeys.
This journey taught me of the importance of letting go of grudges. They don’t serve us. They hinder us and our soul’s growth. I’ve had spirits of people stuck here on Earth due to unfinished business and it saddens me to think that a person holds anything on Earth so tightly, that they would want to stay here, in this dense existence.
Nothing on Earth is important enough to hinder the journey of your soul. Not even the people we love most on Earth. You will be reunited with them, once you’ve all taken your last breaths in these physical bodies you have in this life. Wrongs are corrected through grace and Karma, leaving no reason for revenge. Let it go. Release grudges and the wrong doings others have done to you and whatever you’ve done unto others. Everything will be balanced and everything has been perfectly orchestrated for the journey your soul chose to take upon your birth in this life.
Crystals Mystical Journey 