The Foundations of Shamanism
Dear Beloved Community,
At Project KA, our path is rooted in one clear intention: to activate the light body.
We recognize that we As humans are way more than flesh and bone, we are living sound, breath, rhythm, memory. We are light in motion. And to remember this, we turn to the ancient lineages who walked before us. Across continents and cultures, our ancestors followed shamanic practices, using drums, breath, trance, voice, plants, and prayer - to awaken dormant codes within the body, restore harmony to the spirit, and reconnect to the original Source of Light.
We do not claim to invent anything new. Rather, we listen. KA is a living bridge - a space where women gather to study, embody, and respectfully carry forward the principles found in ancestral pathways. And we share these with you today.
The Origins of Shamanism
The term “shaman” (and later “shamanism”) originates in Siberia, from the Tungus word “saman”, which means “the one who knows” or “the one who is in trance.”
Its roots go back more than 30,000 years, to prehistoric times. Cave paintings discovered by archaeologists depict rituals, trance states, and sacred tools such as drums, masks, and figurines.
Today, the word shamanism is used worldwide to describe Indigenous spiritual traditions rooted in connection with Spirits, Ancestors, and Nature. Yet, it is important to remember and honor its Siberian origin, one of the oldest and most powerful traditions of humanity.
Ok, but what is a Shaman?
A shaman is an individual chosen by the Spirits within a community or region. Its someone who, through rhythmic sound, often a drumbeat or other repetitive instrument, the shaman enters a trance state. In this altered consciousness, spirits or ancestors may incorporate into the shaman’s being to bring healing, harmonization, cleansing, negotiation, or guidance for the intention set before the ritual. Shamans are channels.
Psychoactive plants are not required to enter these states, though in Siberia the iconic red-and-white Amanita muscaria mushroom has long been used in rituals and initiations.
Fun fact: many researchers trace the origins of modern Christmas traditions back to Siberian shamanic practices and these mushrooms!
Above all, the shaman is a bridge between the visible and the invisible, the human and the more-than-human, matter and spirit.
A Shaman does not choose the path
In truth, a shaman does not choose to become one. The role is not a career or aspiration, it is a destiny. Often, the individual faces near-death experiences, serious illness, deep depression, visions, or misfortune, until they accept their path.
In Siberian traditions, this is called the “initiatory illness.” It may manifest as physical sickness, accidents, madness, or even death. By surrendering to their calling, this suffering is transformed into a power of healing.
The shaman does not carry this for themselves, but for their people. Their role is never individualistic, it is always in service to the community and in responsibility to the Spirits who entrusted them with this path.
The 4 Foundations of Shamanic Practice
Every shaman is trained and initiated into four essential foundations that support their work in trance:
1. Connection & Communication
A shaman knows how to listen to and commune with nature, animals, the sky, dreams, and the spirits present in all things. They empty themselves to become a vessel for the Great Whole, building a strong alliance with their ancestors and guiding spirits.
2. Extraction
This is one of the densest and most demanding parts of the work. Through extraction, the shaman removes illness, blockages, addictions, or spiritual intrusions from a person, place, or land, transmuting them back into light.
3. Soul Retrieval
Sometimes, fragments of the soul are lost after trauma, grief, or possession. The shaman journeys into the unseen realms to recover and return these missing parts, restoring wholeness and vitality.
4. Death & Transition
Having confronted death in many forms, shamans can accompany the dying, guide wandering souls, and help humans prepare to release with grace. They remind us that death is not an end but a passage, a return, and sometimes, a rebirth.
A Universal Practice
While the word itself was born in Siberia, forms of shamanism exist on every continent, carried by Indigenous peoples for millennia. Each is unique, yet they share the same essence: to restore balance, to guide the living and the dead, and to remind us of our place in the great web of life.
Though the path of the shaman is not meant for everyone, each of us can embody some of this wisdom in our own way, by listening to nature, honoring our ancestors, and paying attention to the sacred threads woven through our daily lives.
A word from the women of KA
Shamanism is not only an ancient practice, it is a living wisdom. It is important for us to know its history and to honor those who have walked this path long before us. It reminds us that we are never separate from the Earth, the Spirits, or our Ancestors. The shaman is a mirror, showing us that the sacred is already within and around us, waiting to be remembered.
It also teaches us humility: not to wander onto a path that is not ours, and to recognize that shamanic healing is powerful, demanding years of initiation, preparation, and devotion.
Across cultures and generations, this wisdom continues to whisper to us. May it inspire you to listen more deeply, to honor your connection with life, and to walk with reverence upon this beautiful Earth.
With love and respect,
The women from KA
Written by Tess Schilling