Hunting a power song

...The best magic words are those which come to one when one is alone out among the mountains. These are always the most powerful in their effects. The power of solitude is great and beyond understanding.  
                                                       (Harner, Michael J. (ed.) Hallucinogens and Shamanism, NY: Oxford University press.)

I have spirits, Spirits have I. I have spirits, Spirits have I. I have spirits, Spirits have I. I, I, I 
(repeat three more times).

My spirits Are like birds, And the wings And bodies are dreams. I have spirits, Spirits have I. I, I, I (repeat three more times).

Repeat the song as long as you feel that it's needed. A power song also helps one to enter the SSC, both through the words and melody. The more you use the song in shamanic work, the more effective it will be as an adjunct in altering your state of consciousness. Eventually, it can act as a small "trigger" to help you shift into SSC.

One can also seek a special power song to sing during the journey. This is best discovered while actually doing the journey and usually involves a description of what one sees. 


Example (from Cloutier: Northwest Coast Tsimshian shaman's song):

I go in my canoe all over in my vision over trees or in water I'm floating all around I float among whirlpools all around I float among shadows I go in my canoe all over in my vision over trees or in water I'm floating whose canoe is this I stand in the one I stand in with a stranger I go in my canoe all over in my vision over trees or in water I am floating.

The following free rendition by Cloutier of a Tsimshian song from the Northwest Coast dramatizes the journey to recover a guardian spirit:

Ye hey hyo ye hey hey hee Otter chases swims straight toward me Otter's coming I float off with him

ye hey hyo ye hey hey hee right beside me I work my spirit charm of the opening beneath all things ye hey hyo ye hey hey hee Otter dives in swims beneath me there in the opening beneath all things ye hey hyo ye hey hey hee Otter's in me deep withing me Spirit Otter swimming in the place beneath me ye hey hyo ye hey hey hee.

Osage Indian Song "The Rising of the Buffalo Bull Men"

I rise, I rise,
I, whose tread makes the earth to rumble.

I rise, I rise,
I, who whips thighs there with strength.

I rise, I rise,
I, who whips his back with his tail when in rage.

I rise, I rise,
I, in whose humpted shoulder there is power.

I rise, I rise,
I, who shakes his mane when angered.

I rise, I rise,
I, whose horns are sharp and curved.


                                             (Eliade, Mircea, 1964  Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Bollingen Series 76. New York: Pantheon, 1951)

Grizzly Bear Song From the Tlingit Tribe of the Northwest Coast

Whu Bear! Whu Whu So you say Whu Whu Whu! You come You're a fine young man You Grizzly Bear You crawl out of your fur You come I say Whu Whu Whu! I throw greese in the fire For you Grizzly Bear We're one!
                                                 (Cloitier, David, 1973  Spirit, Spirit: Shaman Songs, Incantations. Versions based on texts recorded by anthropologists. Providence, Rhode Island: Copper Beech Press.)