Online Shamanic Training Course: Foundations of Shamanism

Learn Shamanic Skills for Earth-Based Spiritual Practice and Energetic Mastery

Live, Online Classes Fall 2026

The Foundations of Shamanism is an 11-week live, online Shamanic training course taught by Michelle Hawk, a Shamanic healer and teacher with 23 years of practice in Hungarian, Celtic, North and South American Shamanic lineages. This course teaches foundational Shamanic skills including shamanic journeying, energetic mastery, spirit guide communication, ancestral healing and Earth-based spiritual practice — for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Available online worldwide.

Join the email list to receive updates when this course is open for registration!

Are you drawn to Earth-based spiritual practice? Are you seeking guidance and training in your Shamanic path?

“I’ve felt connected to Shamanism since I was a child, but I don’t have any formal training and I want to learn more.”

“I have very strong intuition and I can astral travel but I want to feel confident that I’m doing it safely.”

“My channel is wide open, I see lots of energies and beings, but it’s inconsistent, unpredictable and uncomfortable. I need support to ground and stabilize my mediumship.”

“I’m intuitively working with spirit guides and energy and they’re telling me I’m a healer, but I don’t know what to do. I need tools so I can develop my healing or Shamanic practice.”

These are just a few of the common themes I hear from people who want to study Shamanism.

Do any of these sound like you?

If you’re here, you're ready to:

• Learn foundational principles and tools of Universal Shamanism for your spiritual practice, ceremonial and healing work.

• Develop practical skills for energetic hygiene and safety that will allow you to confidently navigate the unseen realms.

• Learn how to purposefully communicate and work with spirit guides and Shamanic allies.

• Reconnect with yourself, with Earth, with your joyful purpose and the wholeness of your eternal spirit.

Are you ready to answer your Shamanic calling?

What is the Foundations of Shamanism course?

The Foundations of Shamanism is an 11-week live online shamanic training course designed to give you a grounded, cohesive and practical foundation in Earth-based Shamanic practice. Whether you are brand new to Shamanism or have been practicing independently for years and want to expand your foundational skills, this course meets you where you are and gives you the organized framework, practical tools and lived experience you need to practice with confidence.

Over 11 live classes on Zoom, you will learn the foundational principles of Universal Shamanism — including principles of animism, energetic hygiene and mastery, shamanic journeying, spirit guide communication, ancestral healing and sacred ecology. Every class includes hands-on exercises (such as energy clearing and shamanic journeys) and integration prompts that you apply in your own life and local ecosystem between classes. This is not a passive, watch-and-learn course. It is an active, experiential initiation into the living practice of Shamanism.

By the end of the course, you will have a complete, organized foundation for your personal or professional Shamanic practice — one that is safe, ethical, Earth-rooted and authentically your own.

Who is Shamanic Training for?

The Foundations of Shamanism Training is for you if:

• You love nature. You feel connected to plants and animals and enjoy the outdoors, but you’re ready to go beyond enjoying nature into a deep, functional allyship with Gaia and Earth-based spiritual practice.

• You are an empath, intuitive or magical person. You want to refine, cultivate and ground your intuition in a safe and healthy way so you can confidently communicate with and invoke spiritual forces for healing and guidance.

• You are ready to develop your Shamanic journey work in a safe and grounded way. You are ready to collaborate with ancient and powerful spirit guides and Shamanic allies.

• You want to go beyond the superficial, “Instagram Witch” nature-based spiritual practice to learn the underlying concepts and tools that support powerful animistic practices like shamanism, mediumship and witchcraft.

• You are a healer, ceremonial guide, retreat facilitator or spaceholder. You want to make sure that your container of healing and transformation is as safe and powerful as possible so your clients can receive the most benefit.

• You are called to the Shamanic path and want support from a grounded spiritual teacher who has been on this path for a long time.

Meet Your Guide: Michelle Hawk

23 Years of Shamanic Practice · Shamanic Teacher since 2013 · Hungarian & Celtic Shamanic lineages · Master Healer certifications · 500+ Clients Served · Biology Degree, Animal Behavior & Ecology

Hi! I’m Michelle Hawk: Shaman, Spiritual Mentor and Teacher in Portland, Oregon.

As a child, I always felt connected to animals, nature and magic. I didn’t recognize what I was doing at the time, but I could see energy, communicate with spirits and animals, and was intuitively offering energy healing at age 12.

But because I didn’t have any training or guidance, I was susceptible to picking up unwanted energies. In addition to communicating with helpful spirits, I saw dark energies that scared me. I didn’t know how to protect myself, or how to safely navigate the spiritual realms.

When I found out about Shamanism at age 15, everything changed for me. Shamanism gave me a context, vocabulary and teachings to intentionally work with Earth and the unseen realms. It also gave me guidance and practical tools to work safely with spirit guides, Shamanic allies and energy healing.

I have been studying and practicing Shamanism with various teachers since 2003, and under dedicated mentorship since 2009. My core Shamanic lineages come from the Shaman clan Baksa of what is now Hungary, and the Celtic people and horse tribes who traveled across Europe. I have also studied with indigenous teachers from North and South America, and practiced with lineages from West Africa.

For me, the spirituality of life and the science of life have always gone hand in hand. In university, I earned my degree in biology, specializing in animal behavior. My undergraduate research was in hummingbird foraging behavior, and I dove into tropical ecology and conservation during my research, while simultaneously deepening my Shamanic practice.

As a Shaman, biologist and passionate naturalist, my practice is rooted in deep reverence for life and the wisdom of Gaia, scientific principles of ecology and environmentalism, and genuine appreciation and love of nature. I teach my students how to engage in Earth-based spiritual work from both an intuitive and a practical perspective.

As a healer and medium, my work prioritizes energetic impeccability. I teach my students foundational principles of energetic mastery and fluency so they can safely and confidently journey in the spiritual realms, and collaborate with spirit guides and Shamanic allies for the purpose of guidance, illumination and healing.

I’ve answered my Shamanic calling.

Are you ready to answer yours?

Through the Foundations of Shamanism course, you will:

• Practice Shamanic journeys to connect with spirit allies and learn how to integrate their medicine into your life and spiritual practice.

• Anchor your healing, ceremonial or spiritual work into the powerful foundation of your local Earth grid and energetic ecosystem, for the purpose of grounding, protection and amplification.

• Learn how to clear, ground and protect your energy so you can confidently and safely navigating the unseen realms.

• Make offerings and prayers to connect with spirit guides and Shamanic allies, and build your connection with these guides.

• Learn how to communicate with the spirit realm so that you may receive their messages, signs and teachings.

• Master basic concepts of ecology so that your Earth-based spiritual practice is informed by a practical understanding of your local ecosystem.

• Take steps to heal and reclaim your own indigeneity as you connect to Gaia in a new way.

The Foundations of Shamanism course includes:

• 11 live online classes, each including training, hands-on exercises and integration prompts.

• Shamanic journeys with your spirit team.

• Private online community for resources and connection.

• Upgrade option: Add three discounted 1:1 sessions with Michelle for personalized support in healing and mentorship.

Foundations of Shamanism Course Tuition

Early Bird Course Tuition

$997 paid in full

Regular Course Tuition

$1197 paid in full

OR 3 monthly payments of $467

Foundations of Shamanism Course Curriculum

Classes are live, online. Classes are 90 minutes - 2 hours long.

1. Foundations of Animism

• Learn about Earth-based spiritual practice, relationships with the spirit realm and why they are vitally important to animistic spirituality (Shamanism, witchcraft, traditional medicine work).

• Context and positionality in animistic practice: why your Shamanic work needs to be anchored into land and Gaia in order to be most effective.

• Reclaiming and healing indigeneity and returning to right relationship with Earth and all beings.

2. Foundations of Energetic Mastery

• Learn foundational principles of how to work with energy.

• Develop skill and confidence in your intuition, cultivate your sensitivity and learn how to purposefully direct energy in your body and your field.

• Learn skills to support your trance state and Shamanic journey practice.

3. How to Communicate with Spirits

• Devotion and collaboration with Spirit guides.

• 3 essential types of offerings

• How to make offerings

• Receiving messages, signs and communication from spirits

4. Shamanic Energetic Clearing and Space Clearing

• Learn techniques to clear your energy field on all levels and layers.

• Learn how to energetically clear a room or ceremonial space.

5. The 7 Directions / Creating a Protectorate Field

• What are the Directions and how to work with them

• How to attune yourself to Gaia’s frequency

• How to cast a protectorate and create sacred temple space

6. Shamanic Grounding and Centering Practices

• Learn how to ground into your body, into the Earth grid and into full presence.

• Learn practices to center and reclaim all parts of your energy and consciousness.

7. Spirit Allies and the 3 Worlds of Shamanism

• Introduction to the 3 Worlds of Shamanism: Lower World, Middle World and Upper World

• Introduction to Spirit guides and Shamanic allies

• How to work with spirit allies

8. Energetic Cultivation for Shamanic Practice

• Learn how to cultivate your energy field, amplify your energy body, and expand your capacity to hold life force.

• Tools for working with high-vibration and powerful spirit guides.

9. Energetic Protection

• Learn how to protect your energy body.

• Invocations, opening and closing healing and ceremonial containers, how to create a safe energetic field.

10. Foundations of Ecology

• Intersection of science and Shamanic practice

• Niches, roles, relationships with other species

• What is the context of your nature spirit allies and what role do they play in that ecosystem? What is their medicine?

11. How to Shamanic Journey

• Shamanic Journey to connect with a spirit-side Shamanic mentor.

• How to work with and integrate your ally

• Working with spirit guides and Shamanic allies in your personal and professional spiritual practice

How Is This Course Different from Other Online Shamanic Training Courses?

There are many online Shamanism courses available today. Here is what makes the Foundations of Shamanism different:

A Universal, Multi-Lineage Approach

Many online Shamanism courses are rooted in a single cultural tradition, or in the neo-Shamanic framework popularized in the West in the 1980s and 90s. The Foundations of Shamanism draws on Michelle's 23 years of study across multiple lineages — including Hungarian and Celtic Shamanism, indigenous North and South American traditions, and West African practice — to teach Universal Shamanic principles that are applicable regardless of your background, ancestry or spiritual path. You don't need to adopt someone else's culture to practice Shamanism with integrity. This course helps you find your own authentic, ancestrally-grounded connection to Shamanic practice.

Science and Spirituality, Fully Integrated

Michelle holds a degree in biology with a specialization in animal behavior, and her undergraduate research was in hummingbird foraging behavior and tropical ecology. She is as comfortable discussing the ecological relationships between species as she is facilitating a Shamanic journey to the underworld — and in her teaching, these two ways of knowing are not separate. The Foundations of Shamanism course includes a full module on Sacred Ecology that grounds spiritual perspective in a real understanding of the ecosystems we inhabit. This science-informed approach to Earth-based practice is rare in Shamanic training and will help make your practice more rooted, more intelligent and more alive, and help you apply your practice directly to your relationship with nature.

An Uncompromising Focus on Energetic Safety

One of the most common gaps in Shamanic training — especially self-directed study through books, podcasts and drop-in workshops — is the absence of rigorous instruction in energetic protection, discernment and safety. Many practitioners open themselves to the unseen realms without the foundational skills to navigate them wisely, leading to overwhelm, psychic confusion or encounters with energies they don't know how to handle. The Foundations of Shamanism course addresses this directly. Energetic mastery, clearing, grounding, centering, protection and the creation of sacred ceremonial space are woven throughout the entire course — not treated as an afterthought. You will leave this course knowing how to work safely and confidently in the spirit realms every time.

Live, Interactive Classes — Not Pre-Recorded Content

The Foundations of Shamanism course is taught live on Zoom in a small group setting. This means you receive real-time transmission, personalized attention and the irreplaceable experience of practicing Shamanic work in community with others who are on the same path. All classes are recorded for your convenience, but the heart of this course is the live experience — the questions, the shared journeys, the teacher's direct guidance and the energy of the group container. This is fundamentally different from a self-paced course you work through alone on your own timeline.

Optional 1:1 Support with Michelle

For students who want personalized mentorship alongside the group course, there is an option to add three private 1:1 sessions with Michelle. This gives you space to work through your unique questions, receive personal healing work and get direct feedback on your developing practice in a way that a group course alone cannot offer.

Looking for deeper support alongside the course? Learn about Shamanic Mentorship and Shamanic Healing with Michelle.

Have questions about whether this course is right for you? Let’s talk! Book a call with Michelle to discuss your journey and how this Shamanic training course can support you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shamanic journeying and will I learn it in this course?

Shamanic journeying is the practice of entering an altered state of consciousness, or activating a trance state, for the purpose of projecting one’s consciousness to access other realms. We can Shamanic journey to connect with spirit guides, Shamanic journey for guidance or information, journey for healing, journey for soul retrieval, or accessing other realms such as the Shamanic Lower World, Middle World and Upper World. Yes, you will learn how to Shamanic journey in this course.

Do I need prior experience with Shamanism to take this course?

There is no prior experience with Shamanism required to take this course. Many students who take this course are at a beginner to intermediate level of practice in meditation, energy work, or personal growth journey and already have at least some familiarity with basic concepts of spiritual practice.

How is the Foundations of Shamanism different from other online Shamanic training courses?

The Foundations of Shamanism combines three things rarely found together in online Shamanic training: a Universal, multi-lineage approach drawing on Michelle’s 23 years of study across Hungarian, Celtic, North and South American and West African traditions; rigorous instruction in energetic safety and protection woven throughout every module; and a science-informed Sacred Ecology component that grounds your practice in the real ecosystems you inhabit. Classes are taught live on Zoom (not pre-recorded) so you learn in community with direct access to your teacher. (See the full comparison in the section above.)

Will I have to go outside?

Yes! The Foundations of Shamanism course is a hands-on course of experiential education. You will spend time outside in your local ecosystem, following the prompts and integration from our classes. Yay!

Where do classes take place?

Classes will take place live on Zoom.

What is the class calendar/schedule?

Join the email list here to receive updates when this course is open for registration. Classes are 90 minutes - 2 hours long.

What if I can’t attend a live class?

All classes will be recorded and uploaded within 24 hours. You will receive a link to the class recording to watch at your convenience.

How do I schedule my 1:1 sessions?

Once you're enrolled, you'll receive a private booking link to schedule your three private sessions. You are responsible for putting yourself on my calendar.

What if I can't get a time I want or I don't use all my sessions?

If there are absolutely no booking times that work for your schedule, please let me know and we can work it out. Sessions expire one month after the end of the course, so please make sure to use them! Sessions that are unused by that time expire, unless you arrange otherwise with me at least two weeks in advance.

Where do we meet for 1:1 sessions?

1:1 sessions will meet on Zoom.

How does payment work?

When you complete your registration, you can choose if you would like to pay in full or make monthly payments. If you choose to pay in full, your entire payment will process immediately. If you choose to make monthly payments, you will be immediately billed for the first payment and the remaining payment(s) will deduct automatically after that. You are responsible for completing all course payments.

What’s your refund policy?

After completing your payment, you may request a refund (minus $100 admin fee and minus payment software processing fees) within 48 hours. After that time period, there are no refunds for any reason whatsoever. Unused funds that are not eligible for a refund may be applied to other work together within 6 months.

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Shamanic Training Client Love

Here are some of the great things that prior students have to share about their experience learning Shamanism with Michelle Hawk.

Ready to answer your Shamanic calling? Join the email list to receive updates when this course is open for registration.