First, a skilful creative state of mind is developed:
by means of attunement exercises & sharing or writing-down current quests, personal issues, problems, goals, illness, directions or dreams.

Artistic creativity and craftwork skill is facilitated by a guided meditation or drumming a Shamanic Journey in order to access unconscious inner resources to guide the craftwork or art therapy.

A personal lone journey is then made into nature to connect intuitively to the materials to be used for your magical tool OR healing symbol.
We call this a "Medicine Walk", during which certain materials and directions of walking will attract us. We as our spirit guide to guide us, or we seek out a tree or other plant that will speak to us. If we need to take any material from a living plant, we first ask it for permission.

How to Make a Shaman's Drum   Rattle   Dreamcatcher   Medicine Shield or Totem Pole

Making a Talking stick, Shaman's Staff, Magical Wand, Altar Decoration, Shaman's rattle, Healer's staff, Aura duster, Fetish pot (a "fetish" is an object with magical power to protect or aid), Prayer stick or other symbolic, self-expressive, self-protective or self-healing construction is an opportunity to channel creative spiritual energies. They are best made out of renewable natural resources such as twigs, leaves, vines, feathers, bones, leather, cotton, fur, wool or animal skin. If necesary, some recyclable materials such as metal wire may be used. Making symbolic items like these provides an excellent opportunity to express personal core values, qualities or aspirations.

Naturecraft - Wood & Feather Tools


(L to R): Prayer Stick, Fetish Pots with Prayer Sticks (2), Feathered Aura Dusters (2)
These pictures come from the Shaman's manual "Animal Speak"

How to Make a Dreamcatcher (Dreamweaver) - Materials & Practical Advice Dreamcatcher Art Guides: UK & Europe   Canada   USA

 

How to Make Your Own Shamanic Rattles

 

 

Carve Your Own Totem Pole? How to plan, carve and paint your personal totem pole. Illustrated guidebook including history of totem-pole carving, traditions, techniques and patterns. Great ideas for carving a totem pole with traditional designs or personal folk-art motifs. How to select the right wood and tools for best results. Also, how to create drawings and templates in authentic West Coast styles. A folk-art family totem pole will be treasured for years to come! This book is currently on Special Offer HERE   New & Used Copy bargains here: UK [Europe]   Canada   USA (all deliver world-wide)

 

Make Your Own Personal Totem Pole - Ideas & Techniques for Children Manuals on Building, Making or Carving Totem Poles: UK & Europe   Canada   USA

 

 

Drum-Making Skills - Make Your Own Shamanic Drum

How to Make a Native American Hand Drum [Frame Drum] Drum-Making Guides & Manuals: UK & Europe   Canada   USA

 

Native American Shamanic Drum-Making Workshops in Cambridgeshire: With Keith Barrett

 

Instructions for Making a Native American Hoop Drum Drum-Making Guides & Manuals: UK & Europe   Canada   USA

 

A Medicine Shield is traditionally made out of natural material, such as animal hide, stretched over a wooden hoop with central decoration and other items hung around the edges. Feathers, fringes, beads, bones and sometimes other dangling objects are attached. Medicine shields typically have personal emblems, symbols or power animals painted on them. They are not used for fighting defense, but for inspiration, family/tribal honour and spirit-connection. The colours used may also symbolise particular energies, qualities or have colour-healing properties.

 

Make Your Own Medicine Shield - With the Help of this Guide "Shamanic Experience: A Practical Guide to Psychic Powers" by Kenneth Meadows is a guide to shamanic practices for those seeking to access the personal and collective soul, discover their aura, develop shamanic breath, connect to power animals and engage in psychic powers and a vision quest. A trance-state journey can be induced by the rhythmic drumming session supplied on the accompanying CD. This book is currently on Special Offer HERE   View Used Copy bargains here: UK [Europe]   Canada   USA (all deliver world-wide)

 

For Shamanic Crafts - Courses & Workshops in Cambridgeshire, East Anglia U.K.: Contact Us

 

Shamans and their Symbols - prayer altar outside sweat lodge (L), Mercury totem in stones (R)

 

Very technical shamanic medicine shields reflect aspects of the Native American Medicine Wheel

Shaman's Nature Arts & Spiritual Tradition - Manual: Shamanic Experience - Kenneth Meadows

 

Shamanic Art - Natural Therapy Popular Resources Amazon U.K. Amazon Canada Amazon USA) (continuously updated lists opening in new browser window)

 

Find Your Totem Animal - Shamanism Resources Guide

Shamanism Training Courses, Events, Workshops - Cambridgeshire East Anglia UK

Healing & Therapeutic Self-Healing Skills Resources: Path of Healing