Healing the Loss of a Child with Shamanism: A Journey Back to the Light

 Healing the Loss of a Child with Shamanism: A Journey Back to the Light

When Maria (not her real name) came to me, she was carrying a grief so profound that it felt as though the world had stopped moving. She had lost her young son in a tragic accident two years earlier, and the weight of that loss had left her unable to engage with life.

“I feel like part of me died with him,” she said, her voice trembling. “I don’t know who I am without him, and I don’t know how to go on.”

Maria’s pain was palpable, her soul wrapped in the heaviness of loss. The loss of a child is one of the deepest heartbreaks a soul can endure, often fracturing the spirit and leaving behind unresolved questions, guilt, and sorrow. Through shamanic healing, Maria began a sacred journey toward reconnection, release, and healing.

Holding Space for Grief

The first step was to create a space where Maria could feel safe to express the full depth of her grief. In our sessions, there was no pressure to “fix” her pain—only an invitation to honor it.

Shamanism teaches us that grief is sacred. It is a process that cannot be rushed, a bridge between the love we’ve known and the healing we seek. Maria needed to know that her sorrow was not something to be avoided but something to be held gently, with compassion.

Connecting with Spirit

Early in our work, I guided Maria on a shamanic journey to meet her spirit guides and connect with her son’s essence. Through the rhythmic beat of the drum, she entered a meditative state where she felt the presence of her child.

In this sacred space, Maria described seeing her son as radiant and happy, playing in a field of light. “He told me he’s okay,” she said tearfully after the journey. “He’s not in pain. He wants me to live.”

This moment was transformative for Maria. It gave her permission to release some of the guilt she had been carrying and to trust that her son’s spirit was at peace.

Soul Retrieval: Reclaiming What Was Lost

Maria’s grief had caused a part of her own soul to fragment—a common experience after profound loss. During a soul retrieval, we called back the pieces of Maria’s essence that had been left behind in the moment of her son’s passing.

In the ceremony, Maria envisioned herself holding her younger self, the version of her that had been shattered by the loss. She whispered words of comfort and reassurance, inviting this lost part of her back into her heart.

After the session, Maria shared that she felt “a little more whole” for the first time since the tragedy.

Rituals for Release and Healing

To help Maria integrate her healing, we introduced rituals to honor her son’s memory and release the weight of her grief:

• Fire Ceremony: Maria wrote a letter to her son, expressing her love, her sorrow, and her longing. As she burned the letter, she asked the fire to transform her pain into light and gratitude for the time they had shared.

• Water Ceremony: She released a small flower into a flowing river, symbolizing her intention to let go of the heaviness while allowing her love to remain.

• Daily Connection: Maria created an altar with a photo of her son, a candle, and his favorite toy. Each day, she lit the candle and spoke to him, maintaining a connection that felt comforting and sacred.

Rediscovering Herself

Over time, Maria began to reconnect with the parts of herself she thought were lost forever. She found joy in small moments—walking in nature, painting, and spending time with loved ones.

She also began to explore ways to honor her son’s memory through service, volunteering with organizations that supported grieving families.

“This journey has taught me that I can carry my son’s love without being weighed down by the pain,” she said during one of our final sessions. “He’s still with me, but in a way that feels light, not heavy.”

The Bigger Lesson

The loss of a child is an unimaginable pain, but shamanism offers a path toward healing that acknowledges the soul’s journey and honors the sacred bond between parent and child.

Maria’s journey wasn’t about “moving on” but about learning to carry her love in a way that allowed her to live fully again. Through shamanic practices, she reclaimed her soul, reconnected with her son’s spirit, and found a way to transform her grief into a deeper understanding of love and resilience.

If you or someone you love is navigating the loss of a child, know that healing is possible. The love you share is eternal, and through shamanic work, it’s possible to honor that bond while finding your way back to the light.

~Shanti Freedom Das