Often, in dealing with traumatic incidents or situations, parts of us get ‘lost’ or disconnected, causing us to become stuck emotionally. An important element in the work of a shaman involves the retrieval of this lost or disconnected part—soul retrieval. Usually, the issues circle around abuse, molestation, or early childhood trauma, and people say that they don’t feel whole, or that there seems to be a piece of them missing. And sometimes it relates to another person, for example a spouse or parent who doesn’t seem to ever have fully let go of the attachment to their partner or child.
These are all clues that soul loss has occurred. At stressful or traumatic times in our lives a part of us decides to leave. A soul part goes away out of fear, self-preservation, or even confusion, and then becomes lost. Sometimes it may be stolen away by another person and is unable to find its way home. In such situations, we find ourselves going through life with limited resources, with a hole in our soul.
The work of the shaman begins as a person becomes aware of their loss. Preparing to welcome back the wayward parts is the first piece of the process, and the individual requires resources to protect and care for those parts that may come home. And, as I journey to retrieve their lost parts, I ask them if there are any agreements or assurances they want me to carry.
This preparation time is very important and often takes the form of therapy—either with me or another therapist who is comfortable with shamanic work. It creates a safe haven for the returning parts and lessens the possibility of any part leaving again after the retrieval. It also begins the work of integrating those parts back into the whole.
Sometimes, when going into the Spirit world to retrieve soul parts, I must negotiate with those parts which are wary about coming back into what was as an abusive situation. For them, the world has not changed since they left. They don’t know that the person has grown and now has the resources to take care of them.
The retrieval itself is much like finding a power animal for someone else. This is done not by me, but by my own power animals. Often the images that come to me don’t make sense, but they have meaning for the person involved. After the retrieval comes the integrative phase of therapy. The person gets to know the returned pieces, to find out what they need and expect, and what gifts they bring back. Sometimes these parts bring a new sense of energy and vitality; and sometimes they can bring disturbing memories. Whatever the case, the individual is no longer stuck and can move on in his or her life with a new sense of wholeness.
Richard Gossett is a psychotherapist and practising shaman in Conway, Washington. A member of the Svaha Spirit Lodge, a shamanic community in the Pacific Northwest, he travels around the US and Canada helping people develop ritualistic communities using shamanic techniques. He is currently mentoring a group in Vancouver, and can be reached at (360) 445-3909, or by writing to PO Box 827, Conway, Washington 98238.