Haiti: A Call for Help
Responses
from the Circles
Responding to the Crisis in Haiti
Reports and images of the earthquake in Haiti
indicate suffering of a magnitude almost impossible
to imagine. These are the times when all our
training and experience as shamanic practitioners
prepare us for working, alongside with other
helpers, to bring comfort and relief.
In following news from Haiti, I found myself
seeking to assess the spiritual needs emerging
as well as those for primary assistance in terms
of food, water, and shelter. Emergency workers,
in their training, are often taught that the
first need (for an extended time) is to provide
these basic essentials as well as search for
people buried in the rubble. Some time later,
so goes the thinking, people will then be confronted
with the emotional and spiritual consequences – which
in themselves can be devastating.
It is my experience, however, that we are called
to respond as soon as possible to all aspects
of this situation: physical, spiritual and emotional.
The deaths of so many can impact even greater
among a people who believe that traumatic death
can result in troubled, lingering souls if assisting
their crossing over is not done. This is certainly
the situation in Haiti.
As shamanic practitioners, we have the blessing,
and the requirement, to gather ourselves, take
whatever time is necessary to align with our
helping Spirits, make prayers, and journey with
our Helpers to do as we are so guided.
This is a call for us to do this responding. If
you have a Circle, call yourselves together and
work as a Circle. Those of us without local Circles
can join in the larger Circle of Responders.
Perhaps we could each take time to write to
ShamanicCircles.org (for posting), both how we
focused ourselves and what we were led to do.
This is analogous to all emergency personnel
sharing among themselves both the nature of the
situation and what each of them are doing. In
effect, this can lead to stronger and more coordinated
effort as we support one another.
For example: I am sending the Call for shamanic
help to those with whom I network and asking
them to send the call to their shamanic colleagues.
I have set up an altar space that includes a
circle of candles. Having ‘journeyed to
Haiti,’ I see a wide, wide misty field
parallel to the earth’s surface. Within
this misty field ghostly shapes seem to swirl
about…almost forming an ever-darkening
vortex of powerful energy. I hear wailing and
keening everywhere.
Below the misty field, individuals moving about—mostly
dazed and confused. I consult with my Spirits
and am shown what to do. Our Circle will be gathering----during
which time, I will share what has been shown.
Others will journey too. Together we will Respond.
Notes of how to respond (from this
journey):
- Be a Singing Healing Field—while singing
journey to Haiti and sing your song of healing.
- With your Power Animal (s) – while in Haiti,
offer ‘healing touch’ to those
whom you encounter.
- Assisting lost souls – many souls
are wandering, needing help to cross to elsewhere.
Assist them, when possible, to make this crossing.
Give comfort to those not ready to do this.
The above notes are simply from my journey.
Each of us will be shown what to do. In addition,
it is important to me that I keep a Candle lit
on my altar…. it becomes a reminder to
ensure that my daily life includes time for doing
shamanic tending for those in Haiti. The tasks
and responsibilities of ordinary living can absorb
my attention that I can neglect to bring the
best of my energy to tending Haiti. This Candle
reminds me to give from the Light of my being
and offer Light from other Helpers to Haiti.
I recommend, if you haven’t already, to
place in your daily ‘space’ a reminder
to take time – tend Haiti.
We are blessed on our shamanic path to know
there IS help from many Realms. May we use our
blessings on behalf of the people of Haiti.
Carol Proudfoot-Edgar |