It’s that simple.

I was one of those kids growing up that adults were very comfortable talking to about their problems.  I was a watcher of people, and I was quiet. I was always the group listener and group counselor.  And I never felt I had anyone to do the same for me. It took a long time and lots of struggle and pain for me to find a spiritual path and begin healing.  For many years I have called my journey a “shamanic path.”  

I work with consciousness helping clients dive into the shadowy realm of the subconscious and root out limiting beliefs and make life altering paradigm shifts. This is the job of the sacred plant medicine journeys of the shaman, I just do it with meditation and channeling energetic messages. A shaman is also the historian of the tribe.  They remember the ancestors; they remember the stories.  Like bards around the fire, they are the memory keepers of their people. I am a historian and I especially enjoy the spiritual ways of ancient cultures, which we see in not only the stories of the gods but in their rituals in life and death.

Modern shaman mentors are accessible in online classes and books sharing ancient ceremony and mind healing ways.  Shamanism seems a natural fit as I imagine myself the tribal elder counseling the younger ones in their path or older ones who have lost their way.  But I also have wondered if using that term isn’t cultural appropriation.  I am ethnically not from a culture that had shamans like Peru or the Himalayas.  Druids?  Yes. Priestesses? Yes.  And this modern shamanism with Hollywood elites and NFL stars and tourists heading south for ayahuasca therapy, further disrupting the natural environment we’ve already harmed so much in that area – I hate to participate in that.   It’s been on my mind as I have been preparing to come back to work full-time.

I’m going to go a little Socratic and give you questions to make you think. And I’m going to go a little grandmother and tell you what I think.

Dr. G

I wanted a fresh start – “new branding” – a new me to illustrate my new degree in History and the crossing of the threshold into my “crone” years.  I was listening to a business mentor who works with women entrepreneurs – women of “my age” – and she used the term “professional wise women.”¹ And it was a lightening bolt moment.  It was so simple.  Nothing fancy, but a perfect description of what I see myself as in this career as a historian and healer and the person people look to for help making decisions – just like the wise women elders of the tribe – the matriarch of the family – the seasoned teacher – the master healer – the elder shaman – the witchy crone.  The women in these roles are wise indeed – in fact, they are the wisdom keepers. 

Wisdom Keeper.  I like it.  I am more comfortable with it, though I still seek guidance from my shamanic mentors, this feels like me.  It’s that simple. So here I am with a new blog and podcast with a new path forward adding the Historian’s craft to my repertoire. I want this to be a space where you can find answers, where the stories of the past serve as lessons and guides for the future, and where we can search together for the way to live up to the promise of humanity.  That’s my goal.  I am going to go a little Socratic and give you questions that make you think. I’m going to go a little grandmother and tell you what I think. And I’m going to listen to the energy of the community and try to put forth some healing suggestions to lift the vibe for everyone.  We need healing in the world, friends. If you haven’t found a place to start, I invite you to start with me. How does that sound?  If that’s good for you, take a second to get on the list to get updates when a new blog drops. 

¹ Melissa Seaman. “Here’s your favorite part, saved for last.”  Wise Women Podcast. ChannelYourGenuis.com.