You can understand a pattern in your life and still find yourself repeating it. Perhaps you keep giving more than you have, feel disconnected from who you are, or know something needs to change but cannot yet see the way forward.
Shamanic healing offers space to explore these experiences through ceremony, imagery, energy work and reflection. It can bring a different perspective to what you are carrying. The change continues in ordinary life: in the choices you make, the boundaries you practise and the support you allow yourself to receive.
At The Sacred Ibis, I work with each person at their own pace. These are six practices that may form part of that work.
1. Soul retrieval: reconnecting with parts of yourself
After a painful experience, people sometimes describe feeling as though they have lost their confidence, joy, trust or sense of self. In shamanic traditions, soul retrieval is a way of working with that feeling of loss.
During a session, I use shamanic journeying to seek guidance and support the return of qualities that may feel distant from you. We then talk about what the experience means to you and how you might welcome those qualities into daily life.
You might leave with a stronger sense of connection to yourself, or with a clearer understanding of what you need. Your experience will be your own.
2. Shamanic journeying: making space for guidance
A shamanic journey is a focused practice, often supported by the rhythm of a drum. It offers a way to step back from everyday noise and explore a question through images, symbols and inner experience.
You might bring a question about a decision, a repeating pattern or a part of yourself you want to understand. Afterwards, we reflect together on what arose. The purpose is not for me to tell you what your life means. It is to help you hear your own insight more clearly and consider what action feels right.
3. White despacho: a ceremony of intention and reciprocity
A despacho is an offering ceremony associated with Andean traditions. In a white despacho, we bring together meaningful offerings and prayers with an intention for harmony, gratitude or a new beginning.
The ceremony gives you a physical way to honour what you have lived through and name what you want to invite into your life. For some people, that feels easier than trying to think their way into change. It can mark a turning point, while the steps you take afterwards help give that intention a place in your life.
4. Energy cleansing: creating a sense of space
Sometimes people arrive feeling weighed down or unsettled. Energy cleansing is a spiritual practice intended to help them pause, release what they feel ready to let go of, and reconnect with their own sense of steadiness.
I explain what I am doing and check that you are comfortable with it. Afterwards, we can talk about what you noticed and what might help you care for yourself beyond the session.
5. A conversation with your future self: exploring who you are becoming
When you have spent a long time coping, it can be hard to imagine a life shaped by your own choices. In this guided practice, I invite you to picture a future version of yourself and ask: What matters to me now? What am I ready to change? What is one step I can take?
This is a reflective exercise, not a prediction. It helps you turn a hope into something more concrete that you can begin to practise today.
6. Transforming relationship contracts: changing old patterns
By a relationship contract, I mean an unspoken rule you may have learned to live by, such as “I must look after everyone to be loved” or “I cannot say no.” These rules can shape your relationships even when you no longer want to follow them.
Through reflection and, where appropriate, ceremony, we explore the pattern and what you would like to choose instead. You cannot control another person’s behaviour. You can begin to change your own boundaries, responses and expectations.
Where does real change happen?
A session may bring insight, emotion or a sense of relief. Then comes the part I care about deeply: how you live differently afterwards. We make room to reflect on your experience and identify a step that feels possible for you.
I’m Ruby Taman, founder of The Sacred Ibis. My work brings together shamanic healing and trauma-informed somatic coaching. If you are curious about working together, you are welcome to get in touch and ask questions. A conversation gives us space to see whether this approach feels right for you, with no pressure to book.
