This lower world journey is part of our how to do shamanic journeys series and is recommended as your second journey. If you haven’t read the first post in the series, we recommend your start here.
The Lower World Journey
First just listen to the sound of the drums or rattle and allow your body to relax. Set your intention by saying out loud or in silently to yourself that you are journeying to find your power animal. It is important to set an intention just like you would for any other spirit work. Begin by envisioning a place in nature that you are familiar with, your anchor spot. Use your imagination to help you start this process. When you can see the spot you have chosen start to look for an entrance into the Lower World.
An entrance into the lower world could be a fox hole, a hallowed out tree trunk, a ladder, a water fall… it could really be anything. The feature you are looking for is a way to get down into the Lower World. I would suggest staying away from unnatural features, such as an elevator. Once you have located an entrance into the Lower World prepare to move into it. I would like to point out that not all entrances into the Lower World are easy or comfortable. When we think of it in logical terms fitting into a fox hole for the average person could be a bit tight. It can be the same in the Spirit World, but have no doubt that you will be able to fit. What ever gift the spirit world gives you is more than likely the right way to enter into the Spirit World. Do not be discouraged if you find it difficult to enter, it can be a test by spirit to find out how much you really want to try this. Once you have established an entrance travel through it to the lower world. When you arrived there don’t be surprised by what it looks like. You can come out of your entrance into a crystal cave, or onto a beach or walk into a beautiful old growth forest. Stay by the entrance and wait for animals to come to you. I was taught that the power animal comes to you, you do not go looking for it. Traditionally it is suggested that you look for four of the same animal or four parts of the animal as a way of knowing whether or not that is your power animal. However, sometimes you just KNOW that is your power animal.
The other part of seeking your power animal is to actually ask it “Are you my power animal?” Animals communicate verbally, telepathically or they may act out the answer to your question. Don’t be surprised if an animal answers “no” . If the animal says no thank it for its time and wait for the next animal to come along. Again repeat the process. I recommend, especially for the first journeys not to venture too far from your entrance spot without a power animal. It is not that the lower world is particularly dangerous, as much as it is an unfamiliar place to you. If the first journey ends and you have not met your power animal do not be discouraged it does not always happen the first time out. I also suggest that you do not have your heart set on one or another animal to be your power animal.
We are often surprised by which animal shows up for us. One power animal is not better, stronger or more of anything than another power animal is. Each animal has unique qualities and is partnered with you because it is the animal that you need at that time. My first power animal surprised me. I did not find examples of it in any reference except in Celtic mythology, and I am not Celtic. I was a bit confused by it, but it turned out to the exactly what I needed and taught me so very much. Many times in my circles over the years I have heard people say “oh I found I had a <insert animal> I was expecting a wolf, or a buffalo or an eagle. It is not uncommon to come in with a preconceived notion of what you think your power animal will be, only to find out that Spirit had another idea in mind.
Every power animal is sacred and has much to offer you. Once your power animal has chosen you it is time to explore the Lower World. Stay close to your power animal because you may become somewhat directionally challenged. When you hear the call back you may not necessarily remember how to return to the entrance to the Lower World, your power animal however does remember and will get you back with plenty of time to spare.
We recommend using the below 25 minute drumming track for your first three journeys. This track and others are available here for download.
Now that you’ve found your power animal, let’s find your first teacher in the upper world with your third shamanic journey here!
Amazing Kriket! Thank you so much for these resources
Little Wolf I am very happy you like our resources!!
My pleasure Little Wolf with a big heart
I have having trouble in finding anchor spot….like should i try to imagine a a place or the place will appear instantaneously in mind and could i feel in feel anything in anchor spot or it would be my imagination….
Good question. I like to tell people to imagine a place in nature they feel most comfortable in and start from there. Imagination get severely demoted as we age. Yet, without imagination, we would not have a means of communication such as this computer. If we remember, to the brain, what we experience, and what we imagine, are indistinguishable. Perhaps, you are a person whose Anchor spot consistently changes, or you never feel the need to have an anchor spot. The Anchor spot represents a liminal space between the mundane world and the sacred world. It signifies to the brain you are here in the physical or “there” in the Spiritual. Not everyone needs a threshold (gateway) (Anchor spot). If you can find one great, if not, as long as you feel safe and grounded when you return – you are doing excellent!!
It can be a very wide and somewhat complicated process. If you care to share what may help to narrow the scope of the conversation, I would be willing to put a reply and some homework, together for you.
Thank you!!