Soul retrieval is an exquisitely subtle yet powerful healing methodology that involves restoring a sense of wholeness after some sort of trauma. It can also be helpful in bringing forth a new set of qualities needed to embrace a new phase of life or way of being.

In my work a soul retrieval typically arises in two scenarios:

(1) Hidden, Traumatized Parts of Self. While clearing a client’s energy field, I sometimes find a part of them hiding out in one of the lower chakras or energy centers. Typically this is a much younger part of self, who may have splintered off during a particularly challenging moment in childhood.

I’ve discovered inner child parts of clients who have stayed behind for a variety of different reasons. For example to guard a secret (often related to sexual abuse); maintain their childlike innocence, joy and curiosity (when life circumstances forced the core self to “grow up” and be serious); or hold big emotions like terror or loneliness hidden away. Often this rejected part will be hiding in some sort of cave, just waiting to be seen, heard, and welcomed back.

(2) Major Life Transitions. There are times when life calls us to embody a new set of values or traits in order to step into a new role or way of being. We might be called to step forth as a leader, a teacher, or a healer, and need to access a hidden part of ourself who holds certain wisdom that can help guide us forward.

Some examples of archetypes that have appeared in this sort of soul retrieval process for my clients include an adventurous sailor; a captivating storyteller; an old wisened cronelike healer; a silent and contemplative adolescent; a fun and carefree herbalist; an impassioned musician; and so many more. Sometimes these soul parts seem to be from past lives, from earlier in this life, or even future versions of self in this life. They may also simply embody one’s full potential.

How Do You Find the Lost Soul Part?

The soul retrieval process is very much guided by Spirit – it is not methodical nor does it follow any prescribed expectations. I never know what will show up and am usually quite surprised as it’s not at all what I would expect given the circumstances. Yet the newfound soul part always seems to make sense to my clients.

I may find the lost soul part hiding within a client’s energy field, or am guided to it by one of my guides or my client’s guides. Sometimes the returning soul part wants to speak and has clear advice or insight to share, other times they present as a clear shining presence with a certain set of characteristics. Often there is some sort of gift and/or agreement nearby, intended to help reintegrate the returning part of self. It’s a mysterious process that’s full of surprises, and one of my very favorite techniques for healing.

Why Does Our Soul “Splinter” into Separate Parts?

What causes splintering soul loss, or the rejection of a part of self? Often in the face of some sort of jarring pain – be it physical or emotional – we understand that some aspect of ourself is unacceptable. Perhaps the pain is unbearable, or the fear too crippling, and we just want to push it away. Or we’re simply trying to please the adults in our lives by pushing down those parts of us that make them uncomfortable, and bring out those parts we know they like.

The influences that cause this type of self-rejection can be traumatic or subtle, and depend on how we interpret and internalize the situations we find ourselves in. Bullying, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, death or absence of a loved one, abandonment, typically will all cause some sort of soul loss. But so can comments of approval, rejection, or comparison by the people we look up to.

Maybe we simply hear that we’re not creatively talented and so we cut off our artistic self. Or we’re told we need to be quiet and sit still so many times that we shut down our boisterous and spontaneous parts, eventually forgetting how to access them. As a more serious example, it’s common during sexual abuse for the soul to completely splinter off the part who is aware of the abuse and hide them away, so that the conscious mind has no memory of what happened.

How Do We Reintegrate Our Soul Parts?

The beauty of reintegrating our lost soul parts once we’ve found them, is that they usually want to talk to us. They’re incredibly wise and in touch with what needs to happen next for our healing. They’ll tell us what they need, why they left, and what will make them feel safe enough to fully reintegrate. They’ll guide us to understand how we can best take care of them and bring their essence more fully into our daily lives.

True integration of lost soul parts takes time. We recommend spending several weeks or even months tending to the returning soul part, depending on how distant they have been and how long it takes for you to feel energized by their presence.

Here are some suggestions for tending to your returning parts:

  • Visualize the soul part clearly in your mind, and begin to ask them questions. For example, What do you need? How can I support you? Do you feel safe?
  • If you have trouble seeing them in your mind’s eye, try a writing exercise. You can fold a piece of paper in two and write your question on one side. Then invite the soul part to come through and write the response. By shifting your consciousness, you can hold the dialogue.
  • When key decisions come up in your daily life, honor the returning soul part by asking them what they would do. Their responses might surprise you.
  • Find something physical to represent their essence or any related gifts that returned with them, and place it somewhere you will see it daily.
  • Dedicate something meaningful to your returning soul part. A walk in nature, dance, flowers, writing time… whatever it is that they would enjoy.

You’ll know that you’ve successfully integrated this soul part when they no longer feel separate from you. And you feel that their defining qualities now come naturally to you. Perhaps you’re more confident, spontaneous, creative, or insightful now. That’s their wisdom coming through. It’s a subtle yet beautiful and energizing process.

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