When a shaman performs an extraction what she or he is doing is removing what we call spiritual intrusions. A spiritual intrusion is a form of negative energy which has gotten stuck on a person, an animal, a place, a building or other life form.

Spiritual intrusions can cause a variety of symptoms in a person. Some of the symptoms that may indicate the presence of intrusions are:

• Depression
• Chronic physical illness that has not responded to other treatments
• Chronic pain that does not respond to treatment and cannot be diagnosed by traditional methods
• Sleep and/or dream disturbances

Shamanic extraction is very different that a depossession. We are not removing a spirit from the client, but rather we are moving pure energy which has gotten stuck and may be causing physical, mental, or emotional harm.

How does an intrusion happen? When we send negative thoughts and/or speak negative words to another this may take the form of an intrusion. Thoughts and words are energy. This energy, when directed to another person, place, animal or other life form may do tremendous damage. Just as we know that prayer and sending healing energy may produce miraculous results for a person, likewise, sending negative energy, thoughts or words, can do an equal amount of harm.

It is important for us to manage our rage, anger and negative thoughts in a way that does not do harm to others. If you find yourself speaking angry words to another, or name calling, or sending feelings or thoughts of harm to someone, please call it back. Ask for it to be neutralized and rendered harmless.

If you feel that you may be the recipient of negative thoughts or words or energy, then you may want to consult with a shaman to assess whether a shamanic extraction may be of help to you.