Soul Re-animation & Lost Vitality

Soul Re-animation (soul retrieval)

Soul reanimation makes it possible to feel and live the fullness of our unique selves.

Our life-force energy (known as soul essence in shamanic work) enlivens our physical bodies, the qualities of our individual uniqueness, the talents and gifts that we are born with and have to share in this world.  In the course of daily life there are times when we may protect ourselves from harm by taking part of ourselves underground or out of the line of fire from others. This loss of, or safekeeping of part of our soul  and personal power is an adaptive means of self-preservation in the moment(s) that soul loss occurs.  Initially this can be a grace, a gift to help us live in this life. However, remaining parted from portions of ourselves is not a healthy long-term solution. Ideally we want to live in the fullness of our vital life force energy and of our soul! Soul Re-animation (or soul retrieval) is an ancient practice that restores this vital life-force, your essence, your passions, a lasting relationship with your soul. 

Indications that Soul Loss has occurred:

These symptoms (and others) are caused by the soul loss itself, not by the events that brought on soul loss. In other words it is the prolonged experience of these symptoms that can indicate soul loss.

Soul loss can occur from a single event such as a car accident, surgery, loss of a loved one, break up of an intimate relationship, one time abuse, being uprooted from home or work or family, and other events and transitions in our daily lives that are upsetting or traumatic.

Soul loss can also take place over a cumulative period of time, such as during long term illness, or in relationships (parental, intimate, friendship, work related) in which one is discouraged from being one’s self, or required to give a part of the self away or hide part of your self in order to function.  Cumulative soul loss can happen when one is subjected to or witness to repeated violence, repeated suppression of the self, repeated abuse (mentally, emotional or physically), repeated messages of unworthiness from others or from the culture, and other repetitive patterns of unhealthy relating.

Soul loss can result from someone unintentionally or deliberately taking  some of your life-force or soul essence. Most commonly this happens unconsciously and unintentionally as a result of the way we relate via hierarchical power-over-one-another structures and habits in our culture.  Alternately, sometimes we give a part of our souls away to a loved one (parent, grandparent, sibling, intimate partner, etc) for safe keeping or to try to give them more life-force in order for them to be well. In the long run this strategy will leave us depleted and the other person out of balance (and feeling not at all like themselves).

It is important to note that when the soul essence or parts are brought back, they carry only the pure essence, the gifts, talents, passions, and vitality of one’s self. They do not carry the trauma. This is why and how the return of one’s soul essence or parts can be so healing! What has been lost is returned. The relationship to what we have been disconnected fro is re-established.  We become more whole and able to flourish.

Re-animation of Soul Essence that Enlivens a Body Part:

When one is physically injured, has had surgery, sports injury, physical impact to the body, stuck in repetitive body movements or stress, or other shock to the body, the vital life force of that area of the body can be diminished or lost.

  Indications that Loss of Soul Essence has occurred in a Body Part:

• Numbness or loss of sensation in the body
• A wound that will not heal (bone, muscle, tissue, etc)
• Muscle atrophy
• Physical abuse

A part of soul essence re-animation is the return of the vital life force to a specific part of the body.

A brief (and by no means thorough) note about trauma and soul re-animation. Trauma is subjective. People respond differently to similar events and experiences. For example, one person can feel traumatized by being yelled at, while another is not even phased. What is important from a shamanic perspective is that trauma most often results in soul loss. If trauma has occurred, it is beneficial to re-animate the soul as soon as you are safe from the initial shock or situation. While the retrieval of soul essence can greatly enhance healing, it is not a substitute for medical or psychological care.