Are you tired, my lovely healers? I am seeing a lot of reports of people feeling low energy, out of sorts and even the dreaded healer’s burnout in recent months. I even had to take a little break myself recently to restore myself – yes, sadly I am not immune…

So, what’s going on? Other than *gestures vaguely at the world* everything, I am seeing an awful lot of power loss going around. I can’t remember seeing so much of it for a while and it’s had me revisiting something fundamental to my healing practice.

The shamanic concept of power

So much of my healing work and my personal meditations and journeys is grounded in the concept of power. In contemporary and core shamanism, power is a term given to the raw energy we use in order to do anything. Whereas our “soul” or “essence” is the energy that makes up who we are, “power” is something quite different. It is energy that belongs to us, rather than what we are made of. It fuels everything we do, from getting out of bed in the morning, to creating magnificent works of art. Every act, no matter how big or small, requires power in the shamanic worldview. Without power it simply cannot happen – we slow down, we become less effective, we lose focus, we slump we…stop. Power must be present within us for every act.

Power, then, is something that can be held. (I hesitate to use the word “wielded” although of course that can be correct too – but understand that this is not “power over”, it is raw energy.) As it is fuel it must also be allowed to flow, and constantly replenished. Unless we keep this flow moving and continually restore our power levels, we will suffer Power Loss.

All of the above is true in the shamanic world view – but although power it is energy, it is also more than that too. Power isn’t just source energy as a whole, available in a one-size fits all kind of way. It has particular resonance, specific characteristics that work for the individual. Power is the energy we flow and use; it is also the quality that we bring to our work and interactions. It is also the exact resonance that we need, for our own self-restoration so we can keep going. It is ours. So while I’m talking about energy here, power is more than that. Power is medicine.

Symptoms of power loss

Getting sick is an obvious sign of power loss. I’m talking about the kind sick that is a warning for us that our energy levels are too low – getting colds, foggy-headedness, a general slump in our energy. Tiredness that is disproportionate to expenditure of the day is also a sign, especially if it is happening regularly: feeling too tired to get out of bed in the morning even though we’ve slept, a standard day of work or a social engagement leaving us feeling depleted, being unable to summon what’s needed to get things done. A continued lack of focus or motivation can show power loss, as can a more serious dip into a temporary depression – in fact I’ve never worked with a client who is struggling with that kind of depression where there isn’t a power loss.

It can show up in non-physical ways too. A run of bad luck is a sign of power loss: when our medicine is high we don’t have that constant run of misfortunes, repeatedly losing things, missing out. Do you ever feel like you are caught in your own personal Mercury retrograde? Just too late for the opportunity we are trying to call in, little annoyances blocking our path when we are on our way to something we want to do. How’s your luck been lately?

Ways to restore power

The good news is that restoring our power – our medicine – is extremely doable! If you already walk a shamanic path, the first course of action is to journey to your power animals or other shamanic allies. They are representations and keepers of your medicine and they will have answers and healing for you if you remember to ask.

If your power loss is significant, Power Retrieval sessions are the quickest way to get the infusion of energy that you need. As practitioners we journey to find the lost power and place it back in your body. This power is often brought back in the form of a power animal, so it can easily communicate the kind of medicine you need (Bear energy is different to Crow medicine, and the messages that come with these healings will be unique to you). I always combine this work with Reiki to help healing the body and integrate the power.

Your body has its own wisdom too. What are you not doing that is essential for topping up your energy levels? Have your Reiki meditations fallen by the wayside? Have you stopped dancing, singing, walking in nature? You already know the things that restore you. Can you summon what you need to begin one of those things again? Start small if you need to, but prioritise it. This is your medicine.

Ready to go deeper?

June is a big Power Retrieval month for me!

Book in for a Reiki Power Retrieval healing with me – in person in Glastonbury or online for a remote healing. As well as gaining access to your (temporarily!) lost medicine, you will receive a deep energy healing combining Reiki, drumming and intuitive song. Find out more here or get in touch to discuss your needs.

Join Propolos – my online shamanic circle – this month we are working with the Sun as a healing source and exploring luck and prosperity as well as healing work.

Ready to call in power for others?

This Solstice weekend – 21 & 22 June – I am teaching my own Reiki Power Retrieval Weekend in Glastonbury. The course is open to Reiki 2 and above and is a unique fusion of Reiki healing and contemporary shamanism. Book on now – or get in touch to book a call with me to talk it through.