Ancestral Healing: Hank Wesselman & Robert Moss Key Concepts

Debbie Irvine
Nov 7
4 min read

Updated: Nov 11

Ancestral healing reconnects you with the wisdom, strength, and support of your lineage.

Hank Wesselman focuses on the “Stone Clan”—

your bones hold stories, and connecting with ancestors helps restore balance and heal soul loss.
Hank also uses images of journeying in canoes across the sea or to the stars to connect with your ancestors. Hale Makua taught this journey to Hank and to me.

Robert Moss uses “active dreaming” and the “Tree Gate” meditation to meet ancestors and spirit guides for healing and insight.

Guided Meditation: Connect with Ancestors

Preparation

Find a quiet, comfortable space.
Play gentle drumming or nature sounds if you wish.
Sit or lie down, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths.

Setting Your Intention

Silently set your intention:
“I open myself to the wisdom and healing of my ancestors.”

Meeting the Tree

Visualize a magnificent tree before you—tall, ancient, and wise.
Place your hands on the trunk. Feel its strength and grounding power.

Journey to the Middle World

Ask the tree for permission to journey with it.
Imagine stepping inside the tree and emerging into the Middle World—a realm filled with magic, mystery, and spirit.
Be open to meeting ancestors or wise guides. Ask for healing and guidance.

Receiving Healing

If you encounter a guide or healer, ask for their help.
You may be offered light, energy, a gift, or a ritual for healing. Accept this with gratitude.

Return & Integration

Thank the beings and the tree for their guidance.
Travel back through the tree, returning to your starting place.
Take a few deep breaths, wiggle your fingers and toes, and open your eyes.

Reflection

Journal about your experience: What did you see, feel, or learn? Notice any changes in your mood, energy, or perspective.

How Ancestral Healing Helps in Daily Life

Emotional Relief: Heals trauma, grief, and anxiety by addressing root causes in your lineage.
Personal Growth: Deepens self-understanding and helps you break unhealthy family patterns.
Connection: Fosters a sense of belonging and support from your ancestors.
Empowerment: Restores lost energy and confidence, helping you move forward with clarity.
Integration: Insights from journeys can be applied to relationships, decision-making, and personal challenges.

Journal Prompts

Use these after your meditation:

What did you feel when you connected with your ancestors?
Describe any sensations, images, or messages you received.
What qualities or wisdom did your ancestors share with you?
Did you receive any healing, guidance, or symbols during your journey?
What emotions surfaced, and how did you respond?
What message or insight are you taking with you?
How can you integrate the gifts of your ancestors into your daily life?
Did the presence of nature, water, sun/moon, or air influence your journey?
What surprised you most about this meditation?
What would you like to explore further in your next journey?

My Grandfather Tree - Breitenbush Oregon

Further Suggestions for Journey Themes

Refer to the DreamWork Article on this Website

There are infinite Journeys to take as you build up your confidence and your relationship with different Guides, Animals, Elements, Ancestors.

You can practice Time Travel – The Past, The Future, or Parallel:

to bring back wisdom and healing from your previous or future or parallel selves.

Robert Moss and Hank Wesselman are expert guides for different Journeys.

Read their books and articles.

Read their websites.

Although Hank Wesselman is no longer with us his website remains.

Nicki Scully also has published many Journeys in her books. "Planetary Healing" and "Alchemical Healing" are easy to relate to and access.

Sandra Ingerman is another teacher with guided Journeys.

Under Shamanism you will find an extensive Resource Section.

It is mainly key teachers that I have trained with or read.

Each book will have its own Bibliography so keep reading and most importantly, Keep Journeying!

Incorporating Shamanic Practices into Daily Life

Nature Walks: connect with the earth, observe plants, animals, elements.
Meditation: daily practice to quiet the mind and connect with inner self/spirit world.
Journaling: document thoughts, feelings, experiences; process emotions and track growth.
Rituals: create personal rituals (lighting a candle, offering gratitude, small ceremonies).

Shamanic Healing Sessions

Seek a qualified practitioner for shamanic healing.
Typical session involves:
Consultation: discuss intentions and issues.
Journeying: shaman enters trance state to connect with spirit world.
Healing Techniques: energy work, soul retrieval, power animal connection.
Integration: reflect on experience, journal or discuss insights for integration.

Challenges on the Shamanic Path

Resistance: fear, doubt, skepticism; acknowledge and gently push through.
Emotional Release: healing may bring up intense emotions; allow yourself to process them.
Integration: essential to integrate insights and healing into daily life; may take time and reflection.

Finding Community

Connect with others on a similar spiritual path.
Look for local groups, workshops, or online communities focused on shamanism.
Sharing experiences and learning from others provides support and encouragement.