The Talking Stick can be used when in a group. When someone is holding the stick no one may interupt while the person is talking. It can also be used to talk to or listen to the Spirit World and those who dwell in it.
Needed; - A long stick, 12-18 inches long; animal fur, feathers, paint, cloth, stones etc.
The stick may be of any wood type. I found mine while camping, I did not remove it from the tree it was just lying on the ground.
It is said when removing something from nature you should put something back. Tabacco or Cornmeal is most often used. Sprinkle around or on the ground in the area that you have found your sick or any thing you find. This is called an honouring.
You may if you wish carve the stick, into a horse head, wolf head eagle's head, any carving you wish. Meditate on it. Or you may wish to paint the stick or do both. There is no wrong way or right way of making the stick, you will be guided by your inner spirit. You can attach feathers, stones, shells anything you feel you need to place on it.
When I was ready to make a rattle, I chose to use shells.
Needed: 2 clam shells ( or 2 shells the same size), hot clue gun or good strong hobby glue, paints; small rocks, crystals; peas, or rice, strips of leather, small twig, with a forked end works best.
Take one shell and place the rocks, peas, or rice, (I used very small crystals)
As you doo this place thoughts of confidence in the shell, and what purpose the rattle will have. Glue the two halves together. Paint symbols on the out side any that you wish. You now have a hand sized rattle. If you wish you can attach this rattle to a small stick. You can use a piece of leather for this. Instead of painting the shell, cover it with the leather making sure there is plenty of over hang, glue the leather in place. Place in the forked end of the twig. You may need to glue this into place as well. Gather the leather around the twig as tight as you can. Then bind it with the leather strips ( you can buy this by the meter from craft shops.) making sure the it is well secure. You can add feathers or beads to your rattle. Remember it is yours you make it how you feel.
The rattle is used to raise your energies refer to the Ceremonies page
A medicine bag can be worn around the neck or any where on your person around the neck or waist are the most popular.
Needed; leather (any colour you wish), strip of leather, beads, coloured thread, darning needle or glue, paint
Cut the leather to the size of the bag you wish. This will depend on where you wish to wear it.
Either sew it together with coloured thread or glue it. Or you can make sure of it and do both. You can paint symbols on your bag or use beads.once again it is up to you. Attach the leather strip either by sewing or by making holes with a nail or hole punch and trying the strip to the bag.
Within the bag place objects that are significant or sacred to you,wheather you have found them or were given them as a gift. You will know what feels right. By wearing the bag around your neck you keep this close to your heart.
The following is directions on making a dreamcatcher the traditional way.
The Dreamcatcher is to capture negative thoughts or dreams.
Needed; a fresh green twig ( the size depends on the size of the catcher you wish to make), coloured cotton string,(depending on the size of the catcher depends on the amount of cotton string) feathers, beads, crystals or coloured stones.
Bend the twig into a circle making sure the twig ends overlap slightly, tie the ends together with some of the coloured string, as much as needed to ensure the hoop does not come apart.(if you wish you can place a bit of glue on this to make it more secure.) Once the ends of the branches are wrapped together, tie the string around the hoop at about 4cm (11/2 in) intervals. When you have reached the start tie a second row in the middle of each loop. Each time you tie it pull the string tight and then tie it to the next centre. Keep doing this making rows. You need a spider web effect. Pull it tight in the center. Tie a knot and let the string hang down. Tie feathers and beads to the end of the string.
Tie a loop to the top to, so it can be hung.
