Natural Born Shamans - A Spiritual Toolkit for Life

This is a brilliantly written piece about how to work with young people in a leadership role that is not intrusive yet powerfully beautiful. Giving youngsters the power to create their own ceremonies with guidance and love is by far the best approach. Imelda solidly describes how to work with these tools she has co-created with youngsters that makes the work accessible to any culture and in any time. Bravo! This is a magnificent and original piece of work in the genre of shamanism!

This book is VERY user-friendly! Shamanism can be seen as weird by some, yet somehow Imelda knows how to make it feel natural and innocent. I love how she offers so many creative and practical ideas of what specific shamanic journeys you can to do with children. I look forward to using many of her session plans myself. Imelda's writing is personal and warm, human and spiritual, intelligent yet friendly, leaving you with the feeling that you can trust her.Gifted in Shamanism, Imelda is also "just a Mom" who is experienced in relating to kids, while also offering a "spiritual dimension of parenting." I loved it when she pointed out how Western society split the African saying "It takes a village to raise a child" yet it left out the other half "...and a community to keep the parents sane" thus dissecting children and parents in two, verses one dynamic body with a dynamic community body for a support system.Imelda is gifted in expressing this kind of natural common sense that is spiritual, and making it easily understandable how children of all ages need a spiritual toolkit like food. Children with adults, adults with children, in meaningful relationship. It doesn't get much better than that! This book is a well nurtured child by a thoughtful, caring, trustworthy, and intelligent parent!

Natural Born Shamans is a practical, hands on guide to working with children of all ages. It's genesis is in the world of shamanic practice and education, earth-based religion and outside-the-box spirituality. Imelda Almqvist also addresses a mainstream question in our Western culture -how can we, given the ldearth of initiatory traditions for oung people, introduce them to their own intelligence and wisdom and their importance in family and society? Imelda answers the question brilliantly and with great humor and a sense of fun. The book is full of practical tips and suggestions and an entire curriculum for running a circle for young people of all ages. I highly recommend this book and will make good use of it!

This is valuable and timely work from an author well qualified in her subject. Imelda Almqvist draws on experience as a mother, shamanic practitioner and teacher writing in a style which is educational, heartfelt and completely charming.Her descriptions of the Time Travellers sessions, a group she has been running since 2012 for young people, are a delight as well as informative read on many levels. She is clearly passionate about the natural born shamans of the world and has obviously worked extremely hard to develop this spiritual toolkit for children and adults alike.It's a book packed full of advice, spiritual philosophy and teachings for those who share the shamanic worldview and want to learn more about it for themselves and our future generations.As a mother of two teenage sons, I found it an inspirational read. Not only did I feel that I am not alone in my fears of the effects of the present day screen culture and general disconnection with nature for our youngsters, but was also reminded of the natural vision questing that my sons already take part in - albeit under a different name... camping! I found that reassuring.I imagine Imelda is great company to be with. She made me laugh many times throughout the book, especially in the Time Travellers session where the tree in the next door garden caught alight from a sky lantern. In a ceremony following the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school shooting in the US in 2012, it was a lighter (literally) end to a sobering occasion.In fact, the subjects Imelda covers and the way she does it with her Time Travellers are an eye opener to any teacher or parent who is looking for a more creative and inspiring way to hold space for the learning process. Those who realise that we can never really teach anything but just provide the best opportunity for learning to take place will understand that. They will also understand that teaching is ultimately about being yourself - our students learn from the people we are - and it is then that teaching by example becomes an organic and a shamanic act. A sacred responsibility.Imelda Almqvist does not have to try to do any of these things as her natural talent shines through in her writing and the reader is encouraged to learn as she questions and prompts the mind to expand and connect with the heart.This book resonated for me at soul level. I loved it and learned from it. Others will too.It's a real treasure .Well done to Imelda Almqvist... you are clearly a natural born shaman.Highly recommended.

This Book is a Must Read for Any Moms and Dads Who are Open Minded to these Practices. As a new Mom who has explored and practiced earth based spirituality, I found this book to be an incredible breath of fresh air. Most groups that practice journey work or ceremonies are geared towards adults only. This book provides so many wonderful ways for Moms and Dads to include their children and other children who have parents that are open minded to these practices. I believe this book will bring out the qualities of love, kindness and confidence in children who interested in participating. Thank you Imelda Almqvist for this book. I look forward to putting your ideas into practice.

This book is abundant in information and guidance for anyone interested in exploring Shamanism and how it can be introduced in many different ways to our children,young people and their families. The book gives honest and inspiring accounts of the work undertaken by the shamanic circle "Time Travellers" and how you can use these same methods/tools with other children/young people. The book also enthasises any challenges that come up with this work and how you may approach these challenges. The book explores different stages of a young persons development and how their stages of life can be honoured, celebrated and recognized. You can really feel the authors rich tapestry of knowledge and wisdom and her passion for her work which is inspiring. The pages hold many gifts for the reader and it is full of ideas that you can open it up and get something different out of it each time. The book addresses many difficult themes that our children face in these times. The book gives details of sessions where the "Time Travellers" explored different themes such as self worth, death/transitions, bullying, global problems etc.... The book also addresses how young people are exposed to violence in many forms especially with media being so acessible and how we can explore these themes . I feel the book can be used as a spiritual anchor for those seeking different ways to support children/young people. I would highly recommend this book. The book for me, holds a grounded vision that embodies the respect. uniqueness and celebration of the shaman within us all. I have taken lots of teachings and inspiration from it, with respect and grace Thank you Imelda and the "Time Travellers"Kerrie McCulloughmbacp registered psychotherapist, play therapist and shamanic teacher

I love getting books from authors I have not read before, as I have no expectations and can approach with a totally open mind. I was particularly looking forward to reading Imelda’s volume, as it deals with supporting the spirituality of younger people and children. Having children myself (and another on the way!) and remembering how my own spiritual journey stems back to when I was very, very young, I was intrigued to read the thoughts of someone who deals with this every day of their life.From the start, Imelda’s book is very accessible. Although there are some parts which deal with practical shamanic work which will be of most use to experienced practitioners, Imelda is clear to point out which sections these are, and even so, as a ‘shamanic lay person’, I found these sections fascinating and enlightening.I don’t want to hyper-analyse the contents of each chapter, as this will leave no beautiful surprises for you as you read the book. And believe me, there is surprise and delight throughout this volume. Imelda uses the phrase ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ very early on in the book, and I immediately grinned, as we use this saying (and its follow up statement!) amongst our own tribe, as we allow our children to (within reason and safety) roam from homestead to homestead when we gather. I also resonated with Imelda exploring the idea that sometimes we strive for perfection as parents, without giving in to being ‘good enough’. I certainly struggle with this. Sometimes I feel like I am only just good enough. I need to realise that being good enough for my little ones is special, and not something to be criticised.Imelda’s style is positive and direct, and she covers challenging subjects with a compassion and thoroughness which is so often missing today. Topics such as losing a child, either before or after birth, are often tip-toed around, but Imelda faces them head on and shows how the experiences can be understood at a deeper, spiritual level to help families heal. Imelda also writes at length and with authority on children with special needs.One of my favourite sections was the examination of brainwashing and radicalisation. The sense that the separation from Divine Unity is occurring over and over made total sense to me.I won’t say too much more as you really need to read this book. If you have children yourself, it is invaluable. If you know children, or are interested in shamanic practice, or simply have a keen interest in human nature and spirituality, you will appreciate the level of experience, knowledge, skill and compassion which shines from every page.

A groundbreaking book, so full of wisdom, and clearly based on the author's long-standing experience in working shamanically with young people. Imelda Almqvist makes a practical, inspiring and quite unique contribution to the field of contemporary shamanism.

Excellent book, full of useful information for parents, teachers and shamanic practitioners! Very well written and documented, it inspired me to work with children in different ways!

Brilliant book filled with inspiring ideas!