Physical Objects

[Toby Stimpson]

Hey all...

another thread to help boost discussion here :).

I was wodnerign what you all thought about physical objects? Implements, natural 'things' that can be used in practice.

One thing Im thinking of is stones, and rocks, and bones, and medicine bundles, and other implements like that.

What kinds of objects do you use, what significance do they have to you and your practice? Are there any major objects that is common in your tradition or religion?

For example, I know in a south african 'shaman' tradition, bones and twigs and other things are combined to form divination tools. In Mongolia and Tibet, Lamas of the old Bon tradition tie bones to their outfits to scare away evil spirits... in a preBuddhist tradition.

How about you guys?

[Shanti]

I use whatever I use if I feel I should.
For me every journey is unique and done differently.
I also follow no tradition or anything.

When I work with my NA friend, he proceeded in his way and I in mine.
As we said, we do the same thing, but our approach and beliefs our our own.
We shared but I never adopted another's traditions.

I was given the ability so I didn't have any teaching.
My NA friend only helped with understanding a confusing newness I was stuck with. :)

[Toby Stimpson]

I use whatever I use if I feel I should.
For me every journey is unique and done differently.
I also follow no tradition or anything.

When I work with my NA friend, he proceeded in his way and I in mine.
As we said, we do the same thing, but our approach and beliefs our our own.
We shared but I never adopted another's traditions.

I was given the ability so I didn't have any teaching.
My NA friend only helped with understanding a confusing newness I was stuck with. :)

Ahhh that makes sense :). So from your point of view and how you do things...what objects have you used in the past, and have been impiortant to you personally...and what did they mean to you?

[Shanti]

Thank you for asking. I am happy to share. :)

One that comes quickly to mind, medicine bundles I have used many times.
I use my own animal hide for the holding of various objects.
Objects I may place inside are things such as a pine sprig for protection.
A piece of hair from the person I am journeying for so I am in tune to their essence and spirit.
A stone like Selinite, the all knowing stone to help the messages and learnings penetrate me.
Another stone I often use, Jasper, my power stone.
I may use even blood. My own for help with staying linked to this plane.
I will place the bundle in a particular location and as I work to shift I will use the bundle and objects to guide that shift to where I need to go.
I also will sometimes continue to use the bundle threw out if the journey needs it.

Variations are many. It all depends on what, whom,when and why I am doing the journey.

I did have an amulet I had made from wood by hand that I had symbols on that had meaning for me. I use to use it quite often for focus on my own personal journeys but since, I have given it to the fire as I no longer have need for it.

I also had a claw carved out of antlers, I made myself, that I used to use for journeys that were difficult. I used the power of the stag to get to the point I needed but that to has been given to the fire as I no longer need it.
When ever I no longer need something, it is always given to the fire, my element. :)

Ah! I never have journeyed without fire.
Fire is my element. We work together.
Its like my light home and my light far away.
Its my center.

Even if I am inside, I have at least a candle lit for the flame.
I get my power to go beyond my own from the flame.

As some use drumming or chanting or whatever to shift, I use fire.
I can shift with nothing, but its more difficult and often not as controlled.
Sometimes I shift when I didn't plan nor expect. Thats when I know I have to go on a rather long, deep journey for some reason, but thats a different thread. :)

Everything I use, the meanings are not found anywhere but inside of me.
I totally follow my own gut on what to use and why.

So my reasons probably don't match others, like pine for protection. But thats what pine gives to me. :)

[Shawn Blackwolf]

I have a number of different animal skins , bones , claws , feathers , skulls , antlers...


I myself , have created medicine tools , a number of them , for personal use , and , have been blessed by having some of them acquired by a few Native Americans , including medicine men...


One of the greatest compliments I have ever recieved was from a medicine man , when he told me , outside of Native Americans , he had never seen work as spirit filled , or beautiful...


I have a number of medicine staffs , of different woods...fans...


Stone People , and I , share space , and co - work together...


Seeds , including Acorns...


Horse hide , and horse hair broom...


A few spirit canoes...


And a crystal and feathers piece , for writing in the Astral Field...


Behind me , right now , is a 6 1/2 foot tall , tortoise shell / antler / crystal staff , wrapped with deer and elk hide I created , with a dream catcher , bells , fox fur , and
feathers attatched...


Hope that answers the question...

[Toby Stimpson]

Thankyou all for answering my questions :).

So heres the next one, when it coems to physical objects, tools... whats more important to you, things you find in nature and/or create yourself...or things you find at stores?

[ShamanFeather]

I have a special outfit I wear in private to help bring me into the right mindset. I have certain stones and necklaces I wear for protection or to boost certain energies.

I use stones to build my medicine wheel. Smudge to clear. I have a special blanket i sit on that I associate with protection.

[Shanti]

Thankyou all for answering my questions :).

So heres the next one, when it coems to physical objects, tools... whats more important to you, things you find in nature and/or create yourself...or things you find at stores?It doesn't matter. When something says, 'I belong to you for this particular purpose', it doesn't matter what, how, or where it came from.