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 SOUL RETRIEVAL

What is it?
DEFINITION AND EXPLANATION OF SOUL RETRIEVAL
It is believed that pieces of one's soul can become disassociated with the whole. These pieces can be given away, stolen, or forcibly taken by a traumatic experience. Soul retrieval is a process that seeks to recover those lost fragments and return the client to a more whole or present state.

What is it used for?
CONDITIONS THAT SOUL RETRIEVAL MAY BE HELPFUL FOR
Symptoms or indicators of soul loss can include:

- Feelings of depression
- A feeling of being incomplete
- Addictions
- Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
- Inability to move past an issue despite efforts to do so
- Feeling disconnected from life
- A sense that someone took a part of you, your heart, your soul, or that you were not the same once they left you or died
- You cannot shake the desire to return to a person, or a location that seems unhealthy or unlikely, even though there is no apparent reason for you to do so.
- Lost memories, like a part of your history is "missing" 

Where did it come from?
HISTORY OF SOUL RETRIEVAL
The practice of soul retrieval has been in existence for thousands of years. Though its specific roots are unclear, it is generally agreed upon that it began when the shamans of ancient tribes ventured into spirit realms in search of wisdom and healing. Their journey revealed a world of teachers, animal spirits, and the lost soul fragments of people who were suffering in the ordinary world. By returning those fragments, early shamans were able to heal those suffering in ways that had not been previously possible. It was through this journey that the knowledge of soul retrieval began to unfold.

Over thousands of years, little has changed as far as the way soul retrieval is performed. However, due to the changes that have occurred within our culture there is quite a bit of contextual difference. In our society, we tend to be less sensitive to the affliction of soul loss because we may have learned to not put much emphasis on the spiritual realm. A person may learn to live with one or more pieces of their soul missing, unaware of the manner of living which they have adapted to. Therefore, modern day soul retrievals may tend to take place long after the initial soul loss, possibly resulting in a more extended reintegration of the soul. A person who has been reintegrated will learn to live with their soul in a way that they may not have been doing for years.

What is it based on?
THEORY OF SOUL RETRIEVAL
One idea behind soul retrieval is based on the ancient concept of soul loss. Soul loss can occur as the result of any kind of traumatic experience especially from sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. As a survival mechanism, the body will repress or put the memories deep into the subconscious in order to live a more happy, balanced life. Through losing parts of the soul, one is able to better deal with something that may be considered too much to bear. This loss is rarely voluntary, and in most cases is considered to be a healthy self-protective mechanism, akin to a state of shock.  The problem occurs when the missing piece of soul is unable to return to its owner, and becomes lost. Once this happens, a person may experience and even grow accustomed to feelings of apathy, an absence of joy, the inability to feel love or receive it, suicidal thoughts, addictions, chronic despair and/or depression. It is at this point that one might seek the help of another who is trained in the process of soul retrieval.

How is it done?
WHAT A SESSION OF SOUL RETRIEVAL IS LIKE
Soul retrieval sessions vary from practitioner to practitioner. Sessions may have commonalities and can include the tenets below.

The event of soul retrieval work occurs in an environment where a client will feel safe. The ceremony may begin with prayers, energy cleansing through the use of an element such as sage smoke, and an interview by the practitioner looking to determine the client's intent. The client and practitioner lie on blankets on the floor; and the practitioner enters an alternate state of consciousness through the use of a loud rhythmic drumbeat.

While in this alternate state, the practitioner relies on the assistance of his or her spirit guides. Often, the practitioner will channel the sounds or actions of the ally they are working with.  For example, a practitioner who relies on raven for healing work might caw and screech.  Additionally, the practitioner may make sudden movements, or make loud noises through clapping, shouting or singing.

All of these feelings are related to the work and are usually acknowledged, thanked and released. It is completely acceptable to have whatever reaction during the session that one is moved to have, whether it is laughing, crying, yelling, or do nothing at all.

Once the practitioner has recovered the soul fragments he or she will often discuss what was observed while on their journey. It is possible that more than one session will be necessary to recover and reintegrate all of the fragments that have been lost.  How many sessions will be determined by the amount of trauma and soul loss the client has been subject to.

Who does it?
SOUL RETRIEVAL PRACTITIONERS
Those who practice soul retrieval do not have formal professional organizations, but many respected teachers from numerous traditions continue to train practitioners.