There are infinte ways to work with song in a healing capacity.  From power songs, to circle songs, to children’s songs, to entertainment songs, to official healing songs.  Shamans all over the world have used song, and the way I work is largely informed by Zara Waldebäck.

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Intention is everything in shamanism.  The quality of our voice, how in tune we are, whether we remember the words, get stage fright, or how well we keep the beat are all secondary to the discipline with which we hold onto the intention of our singing.  We can do all of those things perfectly, but if we do it for performance purposes, it will not have the intended effect.  So if you have musical training as I do, I would encourage you to ask it to sit down and watch while doing this work.  You don’t need it.

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This animistic way of working with Song was introduced to me by Zara.  Rather than ask to learn the song and memorize an intention as my musical training might indicate, I will form the intention and ask the song to come and sing through me.  I listen for the Song and allow it to use my voice, rather than try to sing a pretty song that suits the intention.  I meet the Song as a being, sacred and ensouled.

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Sometimes, the Song has words.  Other times, it has syllables, or simply tones.  Sometimes, songs are for remembering.  Most times, they come for the moment and go away again.  It is part of the ethics of this work to know where a Song is from, if you have permission to keep it, and if you have permission to share it.  This is why I do not sing icarus or any other culture’s songs.  By direct revelation, we keep the work pure of heart and well-held.