When I started on the shamanic path after falling madly in love with Ayahuasca in the early 2000’s, I very firmly believed that psychic attacks and shaman wars were the stuff of Carlos Castaneda books. That version of me was woefully naïve, walking in the assumption that anyone called to work with a medicine so magical and healing had to do so from their hearts. Surely no one devoted to Ayahuasca would ever want to harm another soul.

You can imagine my horror when my bubble of innocence was utterly annihilated. Maybe you’ve been there too.

It turns out people are people, and negative energies are real. Ayahuasca does not stop of us from experiencing the entire spectrum of duality. And she does not prevent people from using her for harm. She loves us way, way too much to circumvent our free will. This means we are also vulnerable to spiritual attacks, which can manifest in various harmful ways.

So it stands to reason that learning the magic that shamanism has to offer around profound healing and connection to spirit can be used in any conceivable way. Some of us are really devoted to using the power of the medicine and the shamanic traditions to help people heal, to expand their awareness, and to initiate them into the sacred mysteries.

Others, however, are slaves to their egos, seeking prestige, power, and money. When those people tap into the superpowers available through shamanic teachings, all hell can literally break loose.

If you’re one of the innocents that don’t believe in black magic or psychic attacks because you can’t conceive of the state of consciousness who wants to intentionally cause harm to others, let this be your warning: These impulses and events are very, very real. EVERYONE is susceptible to them when they get a taste of true power. So we are wise to lean into this darkness with curious eyes and fierce self-protection, because if we pretend not to see, the darkness will have no choice but to force us.

Defining Black Magic

Black magic in a general sense is simply the act of using magic in any form (the movement/manipulation of energies) for the intention of causing physical, emotional, or spiritual harm. In the most obvious definition, it’s performed by someone who is skilled in energetic arts but has not healed/integrated their own shadow, and therefore chooses to use their powers in a dark way. This is not the only definition, however – the darkness is deliciously tricky. Black magic can also involve spiritual beings, who may be invoked to carry out harmful intentions.

Since the dawn of time, humans have found every conceivable way to hurt each other. That’s part of our rite of passage here on Earth School; learning how powerful we are, as well as the karma involved in consciously choosing to inflict negative experiences on others.

But black magic isn’t just an act of darkness or cruelty. Black magic can also be used in very rare occasions as actions aligned with the greater good. Take the Hindu deity Kali, as an example – she’s called in when all else has failed and it’s time to burn shit to the ground. Kali does this from pure love, without any agenda beyond doing what needs to be done. Destruction is just as sacred as creation, but it takes a very, very conscious and healed being to channel black magic without an ounce of egoic intention. It’s therefore advised that we do not take on the task of working with the darkness unless we A) are truly in an unconditionally loving state or B) don’t mind incurring the inevitable karma.

The other tricky aspect of black magic isn’t it isn’t always consciously manifested. Anyone on the spiritual path knows that the vast majority of our behaviors and impulses come from the subconscious, as this is the foundation of our psyches. Egos are also highly convincing; they often justify actions with harmful repercussions, and that can be immensely confusing, as most people harm others with the sincere belief that it is necessary and warranted.

That doesn’t mean karma agrees. If we use our magical or physical powers to cause harm, and we are wholly convinced that it is necessary and deserved, we are often fooling ourselves and hiding from the truth of our actions. But there will always, always be repercussions.

So if you are someone on the shamanic path that is learning how to work with energy in a potent manner, remember that any action of destruction will inevitably come back to you if indeed you have an ounce of ego invested. Which the vast majority of us most certainly do.

Understanding Psychic Attacks

A psychic attack is a form of negative energy directed towards an individual with the intention of causing harm, discomfort, or disruption to their well-being. These attacks can be carried out by individuals who possess psychic or metaphysical abilities and are often fueled by negative thoughts, emotions, or intentions. Understanding the nature of psychic attacks is crucial in protecting oneself from such negative energy and maintaining a balanced spiritual life.

Psychic attacks can manifest in various ways, including mental intrusions, energetic disturbances, and even physical harm. They are not just figments of the imagination but real experiences that can significantly impact one’s spiritual and emotional health. By recognizing the potential for these attacks, we can take proactive steps to shield ourselves and maintain our own energy in a positive state.

Signs of a Psychic Attack

The impact of a psychic attack can be profound, affecting individuals on multiple levels. Here are some common signs that you might be experiencing a psychic attack:

• Feeling Drained or Exhausted: A sudden and unexplained loss of energy can be a sign of a psychic attack.

• Experiencing Anxiety or Fear: Heightened feelings of anxiety or fear without a clear cause can indicate an attack.

• Feeling a Sense of Unease or Discomfort: A persistent feeling of unease or discomfort, especially in familiar environments, can be a red flag.

• Having Vivid Dreams or Nightmares: Disturbing dreams or nightmares that feel unusually real can be a manifestation of psychic interference.

• Feeling a Sense of Being Watched or Followed: An unsettling sensation of being watched or followed, even when alone, can be a symptom.

• Experiencing Physical Symptoms: Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, pain, or other discomforts can also be signs of a psychic attack.

While belief in psychic attacks varies, the psychological and emotional impact on those who feel they are under such attacks is very real. Recognizing these signs is the first step in taking measures to protect oneself from negative energy and such attacks.

Black Magic and Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is champion for the entire spectrum of consciousness, so while she seethes with fiery rage at those that disrespect her and those who do not work with her from love, she does not circumvent the lessons from both sides when her powerful medicine is used via the lens of darkness. (She loves darkness, after all – but not egos who try to justify themselves.)

Ayahuasca is a divine mirror, a potent reflector of truth, and she holds us accountable for all actions and choices. Through Ayahuasca, one can connect deeply with the spirit world, gaining insights and protection. This means she does not prevent wounded, angry beings from using the power she presents to manipulate and harm unsuspecting people.

I have been on the receiving end of an angry shaman’s black magic madness more than once. I didn’t know such things could occur until they happened to me. I experienced centipede and scorpion infestations, psychic attacks that knocked me unconscious, horrific nightmares, invasions of my energy, and physical objects launching in my direction. The person that attacked me eventually ended up in jail for sexually assaulting women under the influence of Ayahuasca. He was a shaman I had worked with, determined was unsafe, and cut off from my community – he retaliated out of anger. It took me months to even come to terms with this reality, to accept it as truth, and many more months to find how to protect myself.

I wouldn’t trade a moment of this for anything in the world, as this was my rite of passage into sovereignty and empowerment. This is also the journey that obliterated my naivete and brought me into the light of truth around how manipulative and evil people can be. Just because someone works with Ayahuasca does not mean they have done the work to heal themselves.

Please don’t assume Ayahuasca will protect us. Remember she is our divine mother; she teaches us to protect ourselves, but she won’t do the work on our behalf.

How Can Someone Who Drinks Ayahuasca Still Intentionally Choose to Cause Harm?

This is another well-intended common question amongst those of us who have experienced the incredible goodness, light, and heart-opening love of MamaAya – how on earth can people who experience her majesty also use her to intentionally harm or manipulate others?

This is a testament to the power of our minds, and the sovereignty of our free wills. Ayahuasca and her plant partners can never force us to do or be anything; they can only guide us, but we have to be willing. This means that someone could have sat with her hundreds of times and still not have confronted their shadows, nor done the work to heal their wounds. The unresolved issues can manifest not only in their spiritual life but also affect their physical body. Working with Ayahuasca is never ever a guarantee that someone will be heart-led and kind. You know that old expression “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink?” The modern day version is, “You can lead a person to Plant Medicine but you can’t make them confront their shadows.”

As a result, all of us who sit in these sacred ceremonies must be highly discerning who we trust to hold space and guide us. Many of us naively want to believe that anyone with years of experience in the embrace of Ayahuasca is coming from pure intentions. This is simply not the case.

In fact, some people are called to Ayahuasca not for their own healing, but to use the power of that mind-blowing space for manipulation. Some people use the vulnerability Ayahuasca creates to feel powerful over others. Some use it to sexually manipulate and abuse. Some solely seek financial gain. Some just want to appear superior.

To make matters even more complex, it’s a very common occurrence that someone with truly well-meaning intentions at the start of their journey shifts into a darker place over time. Why? Because healing is bloody difficult. It takes a tremendous amount of courage and confidence to admit when our shadow has taken over. And the longer someone sits behind the altar, the more likely they are to treat it as a throne over time; which can result in a lack of integrity and transparency. Someone with the purest of intentions can be seduced by the temptation of darkness. Power is tricky business.

If at any point a shamanic facilitator starts to view the magic that happens in ceremony as a consequence of them, their power, and not the Medicine and the participants, a recipe for darkness and abuse has just been birthed. No one is immune. And the more powerful the shaman is, the more they have to work very hard to stay in the light. The darkness is oh-so seductive. That’s the way it loves us, holds us accountable, and teaches us the power of contrast.

If at any point a shamanic facilitator starts to view the magic that happens in ceremony as a consequence of them, their power, and not the Medicine and the participants, a recipe for darkness and abuse has just been birthed. No one is immune. And the more powerful the shaman is, the more they have to work very hard to stay in the light. The darkness is oh-so seductive. That’s the way it loves us, holds us accountable, and teaches us the power of contrast.

Why Black Magic is So Common in Ayahuasca Circles

So why is black magic a much more common experience in Ayahuasca, in comparison to Magic Mushrooms, Huachuma, and other entheogens?

The answer lies in the root of Ayahuasca’s power.

The communal nature of her circles and the role of the shaman has a great deal to do with this. In no other tradition does the person leading the ceremonies have so much power; this has to do a lot with how Ayahuasca works. She is a divine mirror, a reflection of the complexities of consciousness, and the person leading the ceremony is by far the most important element of the ceremony. The shaman is the vessel by which Aya enters the space. She does not circumvent their energies, she amplifies them. So if you’re sitting with someone who has done a bunch of Master Plant diets, who lives as pure and heart-led a life to the best of their abilities, and who truly loves the medicine and all the people called to work with her, you’ll feel that incredible potency. But if you’re sitting with someone who hasn’t done their own healing work, who aims to feel egoically powerful and to manipulate others, you will undoubtedly feel that too, whether you know it or not on a conscious level.

Furthermore, working with Aya requires that we learn a lot about how to work with energies. When someone learns how to clear entities from the space, they also inherently learn how to bring them in, too. When someone learns how to call in the spirits of protection, they also learn how to call in the spirits of chaos and manipulation. The purity of the shaman’s intention is therefore always permeating the space.

We humans are highly complex, with big ole shadows. Ayahuasca loves us enough to show us the truth of that. So she is bloody tricky to work with.This is why immense discernment is required when we trust someone to hold such vulnerable and intense space for us. And it’s also why it takes years to become a truly trustworthy guide with Aya. Her space is infinite in its powers and lessons.

Normalizing Black Magic and Entities

As difficult as the lessons are around entangling with dark energies, I also like to normalize the process too. Just like suffering is a prerequisite for Earth School, learning about how to work with dark energies when they are intentionally or unintentionally sent our way is also a rite of passage. This includes recognizing and defending against spiritual attacks, which can be subtle yet profoundly impactful. Doing this work as a ceremonialist with the Sacred Plants, it’s inevitable that I pick up energetic hitchhikers on the regular. I mentioned above, too, my year-long dance with receiving black magic, and how I wouldn’t give up a moment of that. I don’t wish it on anyone, but at the same time, the lessons learned, and the empowerment gained, is priceless.

If you find yourself caught up in some karma related to entities and black magic, lean in. Know that this too shall pass, and it’s part of the education on the shamanic path. Work with people who are experts at purification, and teaching spiritual protection. Sometimes the hardest lessons are the most valuable ones. It helps to normalize the process, however dramatic it may seem, so we know it’s happening for us, and that healing and breakthroughs are always, always possible.

If you play in these spaces, you will encounter these energies, eventually and repeatedly. It’s just part of the job description. You are never alone, and things are never, ever hopeless.

Thank you for reading – stay safe and empowered out there everyone :)

About the Author

Tina “Kat” Courtney, The Afterlife Coach, has worked as an Ayahuasca and Huachuma guide for almost 2 decades. Kat is a vocal advocate for all Plant Medicines and sacred spaces, and for the proper integration of peak experiences. She is the author of Plant Medicine Mystery School Vol 1: The Superhero Healing Powers of Psychotropic Plants.Additionally, Kat works with people confronting issues around death, fear, trauma, and shadow as an Ayahuasca Coach and Shamanic Therapist. She’s a transformational junkie with a major love of polarities, and she adores helping others love their darkness too.