In the decades before the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians developed a modern, constitution-based government, stories of shamans performing supernatural feats were as real to tribal members as government efforts to get them to assimilate into America’s melting pot.

A typical evening for Paul Diamond can include any number of things: an Indian fire ritual, yoga, a puja to Green Tara, a conversation about dream conceptualization, chi gong, a guided meditation, or a South American shamanic ritual. For the last twenty years, Mr. Diamond has traveled the world studying religion, mysticism, and indigenous shamanic practices.

There is a saying “Like father, like son,” but to the Hlathi family, it is like father, like daughter. Rhandzu Hlathi, the daughter of a well-known local traditional healer, Dr Sylvester Hlathi, was one of three young trainees at Mageva village outside Giyani who finally graduated as sangomas. She spent more than three years as a trainee.

What’s oatmeal got to do with soul retrieval? Well, I found out in a very personal way recently.
In my shamanic work, one of the more common treatments is called soul retrieval or soul recovery. It’s based on the idea that as we go along in life we may lose pieces of our soul. There can be a few causes but one of the most common is due to an unresolved traumatic experience. The dissociated soul fragment stays away until it is safe, but if the individual’s circumstances are perceived as unsafe, then it stays away.

The word “Halloween” is a compound word composed of two words: “Hallowed,” which means holy and “Evening”. So, why do so many people think that it is the day of the devils, witches, and monsters? Well, that’s a common misconception perpetuated by people who don’t know the history of Halloween. Actually, Halloween is a very benign holiday (holy day), and one that millions of children love in the United States of America.