Celebrating Ourselves
One of my favorite parts of my shamanic work is performing Soul Retrieval for people ~ adults and children alike. Because everything has a spirit in shamanism, I also perform Soul Retrieval for animals, trees, and parcels of land, as well as homes. Soul Retrieval is an ancient, cross-cultural healing ceremony that was traditionally implemented by the ancestors immediately after a trauma. In shamanic cultures, it was common knowledge that during a physical, mental or emotional trauma, the soul would be affected too, so Soul Retrieval would be performed by the shaman as quickly as possible to prevent further ensuing damage.
When traumatic events occur, sometimes the soul can fracture off and leave to seek safety from the event. On occasion, a soul part, called a Soul Essence, is able to return on its own. Typically, however, a Soul Essence may not know how to find the way back or may not know that it is now safe to return.
After I perform this powerful ceremony, I describe each beautiful, pure Soul Essence that returned, and I begin this description by tenderly saying, “Welcome Home.” I often explain to my clients that in order to ensure that the healing integrates fully, it’s their responsibility to welcome these newly returned Soul Essences, or long-lost parts, back Home to themselves. At the close of these sessions, I counsel Soul Retrieval recipients to think of ways in which they might best integrate these newly returned Soul Essences back, closing the session with the phrase, “Celebrate you!” When I say this, I am giving my clients permission to celebrate the reunion between the parts of themselves that have been with them and the newly returned parts of themselves that have joyfully returned, in order to bring about a return to wholeness and a more authentic embodiment in which to navigate their lives with.
But we don’t have to wait to receive Soul Retrieval Ceremony in order to celebrate ourselves! This can entail asking ourselves what we need in any moment. It might be a strange question to ask ourselves at first, but it can be the catalyst to the practice of self-love in doing what we need in any given moment for self-care, whatever state of being in which we find ourselves. Celebrating ourselves might entail doing something that brings us joy and peace, like a walk in the woods, basking in the sun on a favorite beach, or simply curling up a good book. Sometimes people choose to lay out a blanket to watch clouds or stars in the sky with someone special. To others, it might mean to draw themselves a luxurious bath. Celebrating ourselves might mean gathering with good friends over dinner, or it it might be as simple as playing a favorite song and moving your body with the music. Preparing a favorite meal or treating yourself to a favorite dessert is also another way to celebrate yourself. Often, I tell clients who have just had Soul Retrieval to pretend that it’s their birthday - this often brings a smile and a better understanding of what I mean.
Whatever ways in which you celebrate you, remind yourself that Self-Love isn’t selfish, it’s essential!
