A Descent into Earth’s Sacred Depths ~ The Shamanic Lower World

The lower world

In the cosmology of shamanic traditions, reality is often described as divided into three great realms: the Lower World, the Middle World, and the Upper World. Of these, the Lower World is the first realm encountered by many seekers. It is called “lower” not because it is sinister or lesser, but because the shaman must travel beneath the surface of the everyday world to reach it. This descent mirrors the roots of the World Tree, the Axis Mundi, the great cosmic pillar that connects all realms of existence.

The Lower World is an earthy, fertile dimension, brimming with life and wisdom. To enter, the journeyer begins with a portal, a natural opening in the earth that appears in vision or imagination. It might be the hollow of a tree, the dark mouth of a cave, a tunnel leading underground, or even a deep pool of water. Each portal invites the traveller inward and downward into the mysteries that lie beneath. This passage is both literal and symbolic, guiding the soul into the deep unconscious and the hidden landscapes of spirit.

Once within, the Lower World reveals itself as a place of lush beauty and primal vitality. Vast forests stretch endlessly, rivers flow with luminous waters, caverns glimmer with crystals, and mountains rise with timeless strength. Everything here feels alive and animated with presence. It is the home of the spirits of plants, stones, animals, and the elements. It is also the dwelling place of ancestral guides and, in some traditions, beings of the fae and otherworldly guardians of the natural world.

One of the most profound gifts of the Lower World is the meeting with a power animal, a guiding spirit that accompanies a person throughout life. Unlike cultural notions of “spirit animals,” which can sometimes be misused, a power animal in shamanism is a deeply personal ally that protects, heals, and empowers. This encounter is not merely symbolic but transformative. To connect with one’s power animal is to awaken forgotten strength, to embody qualities needed for healing and growth, and to feel the reassuring presence of an ally who has walked beside you since birth.

The Lower World is also closely linked to the realm of memory and the past. Here, trauma can be uncovered and healed, soul fragments can be retrieved, and long-buried fears can be transformed. Shamans describe this realm as a place of initiation, where the descent itself is an act of power. By entering the darkness and facing what lies hidden, the shaman reclaims lost parts of self and brings back healing not only for themselves but for their community.

This realm is deeply connected with instinct, the body, and the cycles of nature. It is the place where life, death, and rebirth weave together, reminding us of the sacred rhythms that underlie all existence. Modern psychology might compare it to the collective unconscious, a reservoir of archetypes, symbols, and patterns that shape human life. Yet in shamanic understanding, the Lower World is not only psychological. It is a living, breathing dimension where spirits are encountered directly and their wisdom integrated into daily life.

The journey itself is often guided by rhythm. The steady beat of a drum or rattle mirrors the heartbeat of the Earth and carries the traveller beyond ordinary perception into the realm of vision. Other traditions use chanting, dancing, or sacred plants to open the way. However it is entered, the Lower World is always approached with respect, for it is a place of great power and medicine.

Importantly, the Lower World is not a place one leaves behind once they have advanced in practice. Instead, it remains a vital part of the shamanic path throughout life. Healing often requires repeated returns to this realm to restore balance, to gather guidance, and to bring home soul fragments or forgotten wisdom.

Contrary to misconceptions rooted in dualistic religious traditions, the Lower World is not hell, nor is it a place of demons. It is not a realm of punishment or fear. Rather, it is a sanctuary of ancestors, a library of the Earth’s memory, and a dimension where the wisdom of nature flows freely. Here we remember that we are part of a living cosmos, bound to the cycles of growth, decay, and renewal.

When a shaman returns from the Lower World, they do not come back empty-handed. They carry visions, healing, and guidance that can be shared with others through ceremonies, rituals, and sacred rites. What is found in the depths is always meant to be brought upward, woven into the fabric of everyday life, and lived out in service to the self, the community, and the Earth.

The Lower World is a reminder that the journey of spirit is not always about rising into the heavens. Sometimes the true path of healing requires us to go downward, into the soil, into the roots, into the places we have buried within ourselves. And in those depths, we discover that what lies below is not darkness but fertile ground, rich with medicine, waiting to be reclaimed.

A guided journey

Before beginning a shamanic journey, many people find it helpful to sip a gentle tea or brew to open their senses and deepen their connection. Mugwort tea has long been used to enhance dreams and visioning, blue lotus is a sacred flower that brings calm and subtle euphoria, and cacao is a heart-opening medicine that grounds and expands awareness.

Each may be taken on its own or in ceremony, always with respect and intention.

Mugwort Tea: Steep 1 teaspoon of dried mugwort in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Sip slowly, setting your intention for vision and guidance

Blue Lotus Tea: Infuse 1–2 teaspoons of dried blue lotus petals in hot (not boiling) water for 10 minutes. Drink gently, inviting relaxation and openness.

Ceremonial Cacao: Warm 1 cup of water or plant milk, whisk in 2 tablespoons of ceremonial-grade cacao, and sweeten lightly with honey or a few drops of stevia if desired. Drink with a prayer from the heart.

Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.

You can listen to some gentle music, or a drumming track, or if you have one, you can play a drum or rattle.

Make yourself comfortable, either sitting or lying down. Close your eyes and begin to take slow, steady breaths. With each inhale, draw in calm and grounding energy. With each exhale, release any tension, any distractions, letting them flow away.

Allow your body to grow heavy and relaxed, while your awareness becomes light and open. Feel the rhythm of your breath as a gentle drumbeat within you, steady and strong, connecting you to the heartbeat of the Earth.

Now, in your mind’s eye, begin to see yourself in a familiar place in nature. It may be a forest, a meadow, a mountain path, or somewhere you love to be. Look around this place until you notice an opening into the Earth. It might be the hollow of a tree, the mouth of a cave, a tunnel in the ground, or even the dark surface of a still pool. This is your portal to the Lower World.

Take a moment here. Feel gratitude, and set your intention. Silently or aloud, say to yourself: I enter the Lower World with respect, seeking only what is for my highest good.

When you are ready, step forward and begin your descent. Feel yourself moving downward, through the portal, deeper into the Earth. The passage may twist and turn. You may slide, walk, or float downward. Trust the way that is opening for you.

As you travel, notice the shift in energy around you. The air feels rich and alive, filled with the pulse of nature. Soon, you emerge into a new landscape. This is the Lower World. Look around you. What do you see? Forests, rivers, caverns, mountains? Allow the details to reveal themselves to you.

Take time to explore. Walk slowly, noticing how the ground feels beneath your feet, how the air moves around you, and how alive everything is. This realm is filled with the spirits of plants, animals, stones, and the elements.

Now, call out with your heart and mind for a guide to come forward. Perhaps it will be your power animal, or another helping spirit who wishes to meet you today. Be patient, and allow this being to reveal itself in its own time.

When your guide appears, greet them with respect. Ask for their name, or simply feel their presence. You may wish to ask for guidance, a message, or healing. Stay open and allow the communication to flow, whether through words, images, sensations, or feelings.

Spend some time here with your guide. Trust whatever you are shown. Know that everything unfolding is for your highest good.

When the time feels complete, thank your guide for their presence and their wisdom. Know that you can return here again whenever you are called.

Now, begin to retrace your steps. Return to the place where you entered this realm. Move upward, back through the tunnel, the hollow, or the cave, rising gently and easily until you return to your place in ordinary reality.

Feel yourself once again in your body. Notice your breath. Notice the ground beneath you. Bring your awareness back into the room where you are, bringing with you all the wisdom, guidance, and healing you received.

When you are ready, open your eyes. Take a moment to write down anything you experienced, saw, or felt, so that you may carry it with you.

References

Roel Crabbé. (n.d.). The three shamanic worlds. Roel Crabbé. https://www.roelcrabbe.com/the-three-shamanic-worlds/

Shamanic Connection. (n.d.). The worlds of the shaman. Shamanic Connection. https://shamanicconnection.com/shamanism/worlds-shaman

ShamanicJourney.com. (n.d.). Lower world realm of ancestors and spirits. Shamanic Journey. https://www.shamanicjourney.com/lower-world-realm-of-ancestors-and-spirits

Terravara. (n.d.). Shamanic realms: A guide to shamanic worlds. Terravara. https://www.terravara.com/shamanic-worlds/

WeClustr. (n.d.). Lower, middle, and upper worlds: Mapping the shamanic cosmos. WeClustr. https://weclustr.com/lower-middle-and-upper-worlds-mapping-the-shamanic-cosmos/

MindBodyElements. (n.d.). Exploring the shamanic realms: Understanding the lower, middle & upper worlds. MindBodyElements. https://www.mindbodyelements.com/blog/exploring-the-shamanic-realms-understanding-the-lower-middle-and-upper-worlds