Do the spirits care about the Senate? Don’t worry, this is not a political rant. I’m posing a question about the practice of shamanism collectively. We know there is not a singular “shamanism.” Cultures have different beliefs and practices. Over time, some of those beliefs and practices have been wiped out along with their people, some have remained similar for thousands of years, and some have evolved to the present day. Some people practice their own forms of direct revelation under this umbrella of shamanism. Some seek ways of being “spiritual” without the rigid structure and dogma of organized religion; shamanism appeals to this yearning.
Partnerships & Interdependence
Generally, a relationship with spirits who are willing to work with us is considered a fundamental part of practicing shamanism. If the spirits care about our individual lives and are often willing to offer guidance and healing (albeit sometimes in cryptic, humorous, and symbolic ways) does it make sense that they would offer similar insight and assistance about our civic lives? I don’t expect one answer to this question. Spirits are beings with individual qualities.
In ecospiritual traditions, where we consider the well-being of the natural world as one with our own well-being, how should we engage with our helping spirits? We know that who runs our government and what legislation is enacted have huge impacts on environmental policy, and therefore the environment itself. Especially for those who see the enduring power and beauty of the earth and her creatures, it is not congruent to separate the spheres of life artificially into spiritual and non-spiritual.
Everything is interconnected. Everything we do is part of our spiritual life. Everything we do is part of our practical life. While there is sound reason to create healthy boundaries in all sorts of ways, let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that we can ignore the areas we don’t like in the name of spirituality.
Our Natural Families
We are always working in both the visible and invisible realms. If there is action being taken that affects clean water, old-growth forest, or the last of a particular species, is it not in our purview to ask our helping spirits for guidance or intervention to bring balance, harmony, and highest good to that situation? Might the spirits care about the Senate? As we frequently ask for assistance in our personal lives, might it also be appropriate to ask for assistance about decisions and actions that have sweeping, profound, and long-lasting effects on human, animal, and plant beings, as well as the land itself?
I am posing this question after seeing and hearing variations on “I’m spiritual, not political” from individuals, and hearing less from groups and group leaders in this sphere than I would hope about what’s happening nationally. I wonder how we can reframe the question in a way that honors our individual choices while addressing our responsibility to one another. I know this is a personal exploration, and we each bring different gifts to the collective. Within the broad community of shamanic work, do we have some obligation to do what we can for our world by engaging our spiritual tools in the civic sphere? Whether that is engaging the spirits directly or not
Are You With The Band?
Hopefully, we don’t have the hubris to claim to know the best outcomes in the big picture. However, with the tools we have as shamanic practitioners, we can ask for help without micromanaging. We can approach the work with respect, with permission where appropriate, having done as much preliminary work as we need to try and be neutral in our asking, to honor everyone’s agency and rights, to formulate our requests for the ultimate good rather than our personal interpretation of what is best, and to leave space for the unknown, the unknowable, the surprising, and the miraculous.
In ceremony, in our personal journeys, in our interactions with all the beings our lives touch, may we be part of a gentle but fierce band who are spiritual, yes, and also willing to stand up practically for those who cannot speak in their own defense. If we believe our work can make a positive impact, if we have seen the magic and grace of spiritual presence and partnership, let’s do whatever we can during this election to help restore balance. Our collective future may depend on it.
Wishing you a peaceful heart and all of us a peaceful planet.
Mara
As always, you can make time to connect here.
There is still time to contribute in practical ways. Be a poll observer or greeter, help your neighbors or friends get to polling places to vote. Low risk ways you can contribute to all our voices being heard and to stand for those who are not able to stand up for their own well being.
©Mara Bishop Whole Spirit 2026
Photo by Sebastian Schuster on Unsplash