This is the story of shamanism within our Occidental culture.

It reveals that the ability to connect with the spiritual world is a universal human trait, transcending cultural boundaries and ultimately linking us to the Source, Mother Earth, Father Sky, and Nature.

In Western culture, our connection to the mystical has been suppressed by the rise of materialism. Our sensitivity has been overshadowed by our mental capacity, driven by growing scientific knowledge. We have chosen to believe only in what we can see, dismissing the possibility of an unseen world of spirits.

The Occidental Awakening project explores the universality of our spiritual connection. As the West offers little culturally to nurture our relationship with the mystic, we turn to fragments from other cultures that have preserved their traditions, hoping they will help us understand our experiences with the mystical.

This project seeks to unite Occidental culture in rediscovering the spiritual realm, aiding individuals in healing and realigning with Nature, and ultimately allowing the West to culturally support our spiritual journeys.

Photography by Hervé Dehé