The holidays ask many things of us.

To gather. To give. To remember. To keep moving forward even when parts of the heart are tender.

A shamanic approach does not ask you to rise above your feelings or replace them with forced cheer. It invites you to be with what is true—with kindness, patience, and presence. Healing, in this way, is not about fixing yourself. It is about creating space for the heart to feel safe again.

In shamanic traditions, stress, anxiety, and grief are understood as natural responses to change, loss, and pressure. When the heart is held—by breath, by ritual, by the earth itself—these emotions soften. They do not disappear, but they become lighter to carry.

Below are simple, grounding practices that anyone can do during the holiday season. No belief system is required—only willingness to pause and listen inward.

1. The Heart-Filled Pause (for Stress & Overwhelm)

This practice calms the nervous system and brings you back into the present moment.

How to practice:

• Sit comfortably or stand with both feet on the ground

• Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly

• Take 5 slow breaths, letting the exhale be longer than the inhale

• Silently say: “In this moment, I am safe.”

Why it helps:

Longer exhales signal the body to relax. The hands help the mind reconnect with the body, reducing racing thoughts.

2. Hearthfire Release (for Anxiety & Pressure)

Fire has always been used across cultures to release what weighs us down.

You will need:

• A candle

How to practice:

• Light the candle and sit quietly

• Name (silently or aloud) what feels heavy—worry, fear, pressure

• Imagine the flame gently transforming that weight into warmth

• Close by saying: “I do not have to carry this alone.”

This practice is especially supportive when anxiety around money or responsibilities rises.

3. Earth Grounding (for Financial Stress & Uncertainty)

In shamanic wisdom, the earth represents stability and support.

How to practice:

• Place both feet on the floor

• Imagine your feet connecting into the ground beneath you

• With each exhale, release tension downward

• With each inhale, receive steadiness upward

Even two minutes can help restore a sense of balance and support.

4. Gentle Grief Honoring (for Missing Loved Ones)

Grief is love with nowhere to go. Honoring it allows the heart to soften.

You will need:

• A candle or quiet space

How to practice:

• Light the candle or sit quietly

• Speak the name of your loved one

• Place your hand on your heart

• Allow memories, emotions, or silence to arise naturally

There is no right way to grieve. Presence alone is enough.

5. Heart Protection for Sensitive Seasons

During emotionally charged times, many people feel more sensitive than usual.

How to practice:

• Close your eyes

• Imagine a soft, warm light surrounding your body

• Say: “I allow in what nourishes me. I release what overwhelms me.”

This practice helps maintain emotional boundaries while staying open-hearted.

A Closing Reflection

A heart-filled holiday is not one without sadness or stress.

It is one where you treat yourself with the same kindness you offer others.

If this season feels tender, it does not mean you are doing it wrong. It means your heart is awake, remembering, and learning how to hold both love and loss at the same time.

An Invitation

If these practices speak to you, we invite you to explore our shamanic classes, ceremonies, and community gatherings at The Chacana Spiritual Center, rooted in authentic Peruvian lineage and offered in a welcoming, grounded way.

Healing is not a destination. It is a relationship—with yourself, with the earth, and with the heart.

With warmth and care,

Shannon Davis

Apu Mamma Aku

Medicine Woman – Andean-Peruvian Lineage

Founder, The Chacana Spiritual Center

🌐 www.chacanacenter.com