The Three Shamanic Worlds 🌱🌳☁️
Long before we lived in a world of rigid boundaries and linear thinking, our ancestors understood that reality was far more layered and mysterious than what meets the eye. They knew that beyond the physical world we see and touch, there exist other realms—spaces where spirits dwell, wisdom flows, and healing happens.
In shamanic traditions across the globe, practitioners have journeyed beyond ordinary reality to seek guidance, healing, and connection with the unseen. Whether you call it trance, meditation, or journeying, the practice remains the same: we shift our consciousness to travel through non-ordinary reality, guided by the steady pulse of a drum or rattle.
What I find most beautiful about shamanism is its simplicity. There is no dogma, no scripture to memorize, no "right" way to believe. Instead, there is direct experience. There is relationship. There is the drum, the journey, and the spirits who meet us there.
Today, I want to share one of the foundational maps used in shamanic practice: the three-world model. This ancient cosmology offers a way to navigate the spiritual landscape and connect with helping spirits in each realm. Whether you're completely new to shamanism or have been journeying for years, understanding these three worlds can deepen your practice and guide you home to your own inner wisdom.
The Three-World Model 🌳
In core shamanism—a term introduced by anthropologist Michael Harner to describe the universal elements found across indigenous shamanic traditions—the universe is often understood through a three-world model: the Lower World, Middle World, and Upper World. Each of these realms holds unique qualities and offers profound opportunities for spiritual exploration and guidance.
In ancient shamanic traditions across the world, the Tree of Life (or World Tree) serves as a sacred map and passageway between these realms. The roots of this great tree extend deep into the earth, reaching down into the Lower World. Its trunk stands firmly in our physical reality, the Middle World. And its branches stretch high into the sky, touching the Upper World. This tree is not just a symbol—it is a living portal, a bridge between worlds that shamans have used for thousands of years to journey between realms.
When we journey, we often visualize ourselves traveling along this tree: descending through the roots to enter the Lower World, walking out along the trunk to explore the Middle World, or climbing up through the branches to reach the Upper World. The tree holds us, guides us, and reminds us that all three worlds are connected—rooted in the same source.
Through shamanic journeying, practitioners travel within these worlds to connect with helping spirits, receive wisdom, and gain insight into the unseen aspects of life. The beauty of this model is that it is experiential. You don't need to believe in these worlds—you can journey to them yourself and discover what they hold.
Let me guide you through each realm.
The Lower World is a magical, beautiful, natural landscape filled with ancient wisdom, spirit helpers, and hidden places.
Lower World 🌱
The Lower World is perhaps the most misunderstood of the three realms—often confused with concepts of "hell" or darkness in Western religious traditions. But in shamanic cosmology, the Lower World is neither evil nor frightening. It is, in fact, a place of deep wisdom, primal power, and profound healing.
When we journey to the Lower World, we often find ourselves in natural landscapes: vast forests, underground caves, rushing rivers, or expansive meadows. This is the realm of power animals—spirit allies who come in animal form to guide, protect, and teach us. These beings carry the medicine of instinct, embodiment, and connection to the Earth.
The Lower World is where we go to remember what we have forgotten. It is grounding, earthy, and deeply nurturing. Here, we reconnect with our wild, instinctual nature—the parts of ourselves that know how to survive, thrive, and trust. It is a place to retrieve lost parts of our soul, to heal ancestral wounds, and to find the raw, untamed power that lives within us.
In my own journeys to the Lower World, I have been held by the roots of ancient trees, guided by wolves through moonlit forests, and reminded by the bear to rest deeply before rising again. Each journey is different, yet each carries the same invitation: to return to the body, to trust our instincts, and to honor the wisdom of the Earth.
What you might experience in the Lower World:
Natural environments: caves, forests, oceans, mountains, underground rivers
Power animals: spirit guides in animal form who offer protection, wisdom, and medicine
Ancestral connections: healing lineage wounds and reclaiming ancestral strength
Grounding and embodiment: a deep sense of being held by the Earth
Primal wisdom: instinct, survival, sensuality, and the cycles of life and death
Middle World 🌳
The Middle World, one of these three realms, is a spiritual mirror of our physical reality. It encompasses the earthly plane we inhabit but extends beyond it, including all its soul aspects and spiritual dimensions. This realm is where the physical and spiritual intersect, revealing the hidden layers of existence that lie "beyond the veil."
In the shamanic Middle World, one can encounter the spirits of nature, the elements, and celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and planets. It is a place for seeking guidance on everyday matters, connecting deeply with the Earth, and collaborating with the forces of nature. Through journeying, shamans can discover specific information about places, events, or natural phenomena. They may also work with the soul aspects of nature, performing rituals in partnership with the energies of the Middle World to bring balance, healing, and understanding.
This realm invites us to deepen our relationship with the natural world, honor its sacredness, and explore the spiritual dimensions that shape our earthly experiences. Whether seeking answers, performing rituals, or simply connecting with the spirit of a place, the Middle World offers a profound opportunity to align with the interconnected web of life.
Mushrooms are revered as sacred bridges between the seen and unseen worlds.
Upper World ☁️
The Upper World is the realm of the celestial, the ethereal, the expansive. If the Lower World grounds us in the body and the Earth, the Upper World lifts us into perspective, wisdom, and spiritual clarity. This is where we go to meet spirit teachers, ancestors in spirit form, ascended masters, and celestial guides.
When journeying to the Upper World, practitioners often describe ascending—climbing a tree, riding a bird, or being lifted by light. The landscapes here are vast and often luminous: crystal cities, starry skies, temples of light, or infinite fields of clouds. There is a sense of spaciousness, of seeing the bigger picture, of understanding the patterns that weave through our lives.
The Upper World is where we go for wisdom, perspective, and guidance. It is a place to ask the bigger questions: What is my purpose? What lessons am I here to learn? How do I navigate this next chapter of my life? The spirits of the Upper World offer clarity, insight, and a bird's-eye view of the path ahead.
In my own journeys, I have been greeted by luminous beings who speak without words, who show me visions of the future, and who remind me that I am never alone. The Upper World has taught me to trust the unfolding, to see beyond the immediate struggle, and to remember that there is always a greater plan at work.
What you might experience in the Upper World:
Ascending: climbing a tree, mountain, ladder, or being lifted by light or wings
Luminous landscapes: crystal cities, temples, starlit skies, clouds, sacred geometry
Spirit teachers: wise guides, ancestors, ascended masters, light beings
Perspective and clarity: seeing the bigger picture, understanding life's patterns
Divine wisdom: guidance on purpose, life lessons, spiritual evolution
We enter the Upper World by climbing the great tree, rising through the clouds.
Navigating the Three Worlds
One of the most common questions I receive is: How do I know which world to journey to?
The answer is simple: let your intention guide you.
If you seek grounding, healing, or connection to instinct and the body, journey to the Lower World. This realm is deeply connected to our subconscious mind—the place where our primal wisdom, instincts, and buried memories live. Here, we access what lies beneath the surface of our everyday awareness. The Lower World is also where we go for shadow work—to meet the parts of ourselves we have pushed away, denied, or forgotten, and to reclaim the power that lives within them.
If you seek perspective, wisdom, or guidance on life's bigger questions, journey to the Upper World. This realm connects us to our higher consciousness—the expanded awareness that sees beyond the personal self and touches the divine, the universal, and the eternal.
If you seek connection with nature, specific places, or the spirit of the Earth, journey to the Middle World. This is the realm of the here and now, where spirit and matter meet in our everyday lives. The Middle World is also where we can journey to find lost objects—whether it's your keys, a piece of jewelry, or something else that has gone missing. The spirits of this realm can show us where to look in our physical reality.
There is no hierarchy here. The Lower World is not "less than" the Upper World. The Middle World is not "ordinary" compared to the others. Each realm holds its own medicine, and each offers exactly what we need in any given moment.
A note on safety: These worlds are populated by spirits—some who are allies, and some who are not. This is why, in shamanic practice, we always journey with the support of helping spirits—our power animals, spirit teachers, and guides. They protect us, show us the way, and ensure that we are safe as we travel.
If you are new to journeying, I always recommend working with a trained facilitator or guide, especially in the beginning. The spirits are generous, but the practice requires respect, humility, and a willingness to listen.
My Invitation to You 🦋
Shamanic journeying is not something you need to believe in—it is something you experience. The three worlds are not metaphors; they are living, breathing realms that exist beyond the limits of our ordinary perception.
In my retreats and ceremonies, we journey together—held by the steady rhythm of the drum, supported by the circle, and guided by the spirits who meet us there. Whether you are meeting your power animal for the first time or deepening your relationship with spirit teachers, the journey is always an invitation to come home to yourself.
If this calls to you, I invite you to explore these worlds with me. To sit in ceremony. To listen. To trust what you receive.
You can learn more about my upcoming retreats and ceremonies here, or reach out if you'd like to journey one-on-one.
