In shamanic cosmology, the world is divided into three equal parts: the lower, middle, and upper worlds. These worlds are often symbolized by images of a “World Tree,” which is commonly referred to as the ‘Axis Mundi’.

The roots represent the lower world. The trunk represents the middle world. And the branches represent the upper world. It is the shamanistic trinity. Much like every part of the tree is necessary and equal, every world is necessary and equal. Each world contains its own vibration, wisdom, and methods of healing.

During a shamanic journey, shamans travel between these three worlds to access the wisdom and healing methods they need, whether for the individual or the community. Typically, a shaman must travel to the lower and upper worlds through a type of non-physical portal, creating a sense of “popping out” or, “popping through” to these other realms.

Lower World

Contrary to popular assumptions, the lower world is not one of shadows and evil goblins, it is in no way the same as the idea of hell or the underworld. The lower world is the world of our invisible interconnectedness to nature. It is the realm where natural spirits such as power animals, vibrate and live. It is where all aspects of nature, from mountains, to rivers, to fireflies, can be communed and connected with.

One may experience the lower world by being transported to an African safari scene, where they may commune with spirit animals such as lions and zebras, or legendary mythological creatures like Dragons, Unicorns or Fairies.

The rules of physics in this third-dimension world are not applicable. For instance, it is possible to breathe underwater while dancing with whales, fly with eagles, and even ride river rapids on a giant leaf. Being in this world feels much like a terrestrial lucid dream. The Lower World is a place of creativity and healing, and much like our dream world, represents the subconscious mind.

Middle World

The middle world is the spiritual dimension of our physical world. It is where our ordinary conscious and waking reality reside. However, it can also be accessed through non-ordinary states of consciousness. 

For instance, this state can include astral projection and remote viewing/ seeing. The non-ordinary middle world is often where a shaman first enters upon leaving their physical body. It is in this world that they can communicate with spirits that live in this physical reality, such as the spirits of the moon, plants, animals, and other living human beings.

However, this is also the world in which “lost souls” often reside, souls that have not yet passed over (often called ghosts) to the other world. In fact, because of these lost souls, there is an entire sector of shamanic training called “psychopomp” work, to help these souls complete their process of crossing-over.

The middle world is a tricky one to travel. The spirits in this world can’t always be taken seriously because there are no moral grounds or standards. Typically, shamans’ journey to the middle world to commune with nature, where they can discover new plant medicines, recover lost and stolen objects, or do long-distance healing work. This world is said to be the place of our ego or our conscious mind.

Upper World

The upper world can be abstract, imaginative, other-worldly, and often referred to as the “heavens.” It consists of fractals, prisms, and all things geometric and kaleidoscopic. One may experience an emerald, green world with pyramids built upon clouds and DNA looking strands spiraling in and out of the stars in the sky, while in the foreground there can be a spirit guide.

In this world spirit guides appear in all shapes and sizes: young, ancient, God-like, animal-like, and a mixture of animal and humanoid. This is where star nations, celestial and planetary beings, and angels and archetypes will be found. This world consists of anything and everything one can and cannot possibly imagine.

A shaman’s main purpose for visiting the upper world is to commune with spirit guides, or spirit teachers. These teachers help shamans in both divination and in healing. Their wisdom teaches of our deepest and truest selves and allows us to flower into harmony within ourselves and the greater whole.

Shamans go to the Upper World to attain this wisdom. It is where pure spirit resides, and unlike the middle world, these spirits can and should be taken seriously. These upper world spirit teachers provide shamans with knowledge, wisdom and education. This is an important communion from a spirit’s perspective, as they are otherwise unable to reach physical, or ordinary reality. The upper world is said to be the place of our higher selves, of our super-conscious that permeates all space and time.

Shamans may visit other worlds and other dimensions to bring guidance to misguided souls and to amend illnesses of the human soul caused by foreign elements. A shaman operates primarily within the spiritual world, which in turn affects the human world. The restoration of balance results in the elimination of an ailment.

In modern Western culture, those who practice shamanism are known either as shamans or as shamanic practitioners. Shamanic healing can be immensely helpful in gaining clarity about issues such as career, relationship and their soul’s purpose or life lesson. Shamanic healing can be used to address the spiritual aspect of illness, be it physical, emotional, or mental, and increase the effectiveness of other forms of healing, including regular medical and psychological treatment.

Shamanic healing works with your essence energy, which can be described as your soul or your spiritual self. It encompasses the intangible aspects of your being, including gifts, qualities, and aspects of who you are. When the physical body dies, this soul or essence continues.

In creating a healing opportunity, it is useful to do healing work on the soul or essence level first. The soul or essence is the blueprint that tells the other levels of your being (your life force energy, your mind, your emotions, and your body) how to be. It informs the universe and world around you what type of relationships and experiences to manifest. Shamanic healing and soul retrieval are very effective tools for working on this level.

If you’re interested in the layers of Shamanism, take a look at our Journey Course page to register for our upcoming Introduction to Shamanic Journey and Healing courses!