Beware, Fake Shamans!

by BakeR

There has been a proliferation of fake “shamans” recently in Sedona and I’m sure worldwide. 

Just as “Coke” has become a generic term for a cola drink – “Shaman” has become a generic term for Curanderos, Medicine women, Yachaks, Ayahuasqueros, Almans, Samas, Shamaness, Herbalists, Yerberos, Peyoteros, Faith Healers, and on and on.  The term Shaman first originated with the Tungus people of Siberia, and the first Shamans in that culture were women. Throwing all healers into a giant melting pot labeled “Shaman” does a great disservice to the various teachings and studies needed to attain these titles and credentials. 

Meanwhile, people who are professing to be all kinds of healers and leaders – are dispensing “sacred medicines”, leading tours or retreats or “ceremonies”, and calling themselves “shamans”, yet they are often Downright Scary in their lack of integrity or protocol and are really Fake Shamans!

Many of us have overlooked or ignored these “fake shamans” for years, but lately, it has become more and more dangerous, until recently a young man ended up in the hospital with two bullets in his chest. In the short version, he ingested 2-3 powerful psychedelic plant medicines and drugs that should not have been mixed.  This eventually led to a possible psychotic break and then an altercation with a police officer who tased him and shot him in the chest twice.  Although he survived, his life is permanently altered, it remains to be seen how extensively it will be altered.  Definitely, his physical, mental, and emotional health are altered, we don’t know yet if he will spend years in prison as well. 

Yes, he took the plant medicines and drugs, yes, he then assaulted the officer – the body cam shows that – and yes, the officer then shot him.  However, where is the responsibility of the “shaman” in all this? The “shaman” did not stay with him, did not provide safety, dispensed Ayahuasca – a plant-based psychedelic with LSD – a chemical-based psychedelic, took no responsibility, and has now disappeared from Sedona.  What we don’t know is if the fake “shaman” did any kind of intake with the young man to determine if he had any mental or emotional issues that could be exacerbated by the drugs.  We don’t know if the fake “shaman” determined if the young man was on any medication that could have been contraindicated with Ayahuasca or LSD.

The “Fake Shaman” isn’t going to jail – he didn’t have a psychotic break – assault a cop and end up in the ICU with two bullets in his chest. But he claims to be a “Shaman” – Shamans are healers, they are Medicine people, they create sacred ceremonies and safety, they care for people and make sure they are healthy and fit for the ceremonies.  They have integrity! The Fake “Shaman”, I believe, did none of that. 

I do use the word Shamanic in describing some of my services. Meaning that I am using shamanic-like practices during the service.  Usually, I trance out with drums and rattles and chant in a voice I don’t recognize. Using crystals and feathers, I channel spirit guides, animals, and sometimes angels.  These are shamanic practices; however, I am not a Shaman.  I have never called myself a Shaman and I probably never will.  The Ayahuasquero and the Huachumero Shamans I worked with in Perú have trained for decades.  The Ayahuasquero Shaman trained since he was around five years old.  They have adopted the term Shaman, although traditionally it would not have been used in their culture.

Many, many people have now gone to Perú and all over Central and South America creating retreat centers where they are dispensing “sacred medicinas” in “sacred ceremonies”.  They may or may not have extensive training, yet they call themselves “Shamans”. 

I would call the majority of them delusional and scary.  A friend of mine recently spent several months in Bolivia at a retreat center with a “Shaman” doing Ayahuasca ceremonies, and studying Shamanic work.  She relayed many stories that gave me concern about their methodology. The worst was when the “Shaman” berated her for not tipping a man who ferried her by boat into a town nearby.  The “Shaman” did not tell her she would have to pay the man or that it was customary to tip him. But to shame her in front of the boat tender and others was simply inexcusable.  My friend had already experienced continuing dramas, lots of chaos, and miscommunication, consequently, she was extremely fragile. All while she was partaking of sacred medicinas in the jungle.  This is not okay!

The Ayahuasca retreat center I was at for almost a month was a serene, calm center – I felt completely safe, loved, and cared for.  When I had a meltdown after the first ceremony, the Ayahuasquero and Huachumero loved me through it – calmed me down, and supported me.

Specifically, my first Ayahuasca journey lasted over twelve hours, around six hours more than everyone else. I was ripped down to the core, felt like I was going to die, and was terrified; it was brutal! The next morning in the circle while I ranted and raved was when I experienced their amazing love.  I yelled, “I’ve been abused my whole life, why would I ever do this again? I want to go home!”  They told me that Mamacita (the Spirit of the Vine) would never take me like that again.  They never spoke a harsh word to me—although they certainly would have been justified.  This is true Shamanism and pure Love!

They asked me to stay for the next ceremony and assured me I would be okay.  The Shamans also told me they had probably given me too much to drink, and the next dose would be half.  This made sense since most medications are too strong for me, but it didn’t occur to me to inform them of that. Don Howard also assured me that if I still wanted to go home after the next ceremony they would get me home. 

I am eternally grateful for the safety they created, I stayed, and the final 24 days were extraordinarily enlightening! 

Knowing there are shams and charlatans out there, how do you find an authentic, legitimate shaman, guide, facilitator, or healer?

1. Check their Credentials.

Where and how did they train?

Who determined they are a Shaman?

What gives them the right to call themselves a Shaman?

How long have they been doing their work?

Did they intern under a healer, shaman, etc?

2. What is their intake process?

How do they determine who can participate? Any legitimate and concerned Ayahuasquero, Curandero, Huachumero, Shaman, etc., will have an extensive intake form regarding your mental, physical, and emotional health.

Do they check if participants are taking any contraindicated medications/drugs for instance?

The intake process is for your safety and to determine whether you are a good fit for their program.

3. Ask for Referrals.

Ask to speak with people who have worked with them especially if you are going to participate in any sacred ceremonies with medicinas like ayahuasca or wauchuma etc.  Make sure they know what they are doing. 

Ask questions such as:

Do they create a safe space?

What is the facility like?

How many support staff are there?

Do they allow time for processing the next day after the ceremony?

Do the shamans/facilitators/healers intervene if you’re in trouble?

What is their process during the ceremony?

Is food provided? Water?

These are legitimate questions to ask.

4. Do they provide you with all the information you need?

Travel arrangements if necessary.

Dietary restrictions/Contraindicated medications.

What to bring/what not to bring.

What to expect if you’re going to the jungle or mountains. For instance, in the jungle, there are large insects, animals, and snakes you may have never encountered before!  Oh My!

In other words, do you feel cared for before you partake in any ceremonies?

5. Trust Your Gut/Intuition

If it doesn’t feel right, smell right, taste right, sound right, or look right – it’s NOT RIGHT!        

Ask any other questions to ensure that you feel completely comfortable working with these people. You are trusting your mental, emotional, and physical health to them.

You must feel Safe

Cared For

And Free to Have

Your Feelings and Reactions!

Be Safe out There!

Choose to Love Yourself 44 times More! BakeR