Winter is one of my favorite times of the year, it's a magical time of community and gift giving, of family and friends. There are so many traditions out there and so many things that we do during this time of the year. Some people often ask me, what exactly is it that I do … Continue reading How I celebrate the Festive Season
Author: johnbford
Simple Reflection Ceremony
What you will need A white candle Journal, paper, pen, pencil or recording device An altar if you'd like, in which case the white candle should be placed upon it as the main source of light Any shamanic music or appropriate journey tracks A mirror of some kind Find yourself a white candle and go … Continue reading Simple Reflection Ceremony
Why I am NOT a Shaman
Sometimes it is difficult for me to explain to people exactly what it is that I do. Very often it can be confusing to people who come to me and expect to meet a 'shaman' and instead are met with a blue eyed, blond haired and perky man who happens to have rattles and a … Continue reading Why I am NOT a Shaman
Power Animal of the Winter Months 2018
For the Winter months ahead it is Wolf who steps forward to guide the community into the New Year and through the darker months ahead. Wolf teaches us the lessons of finding our unique and individual path, really exploring our darker parts and integrating the Shadow but also taking what we learn (all that … Continue reading Power Animal of the Winter Months 2018
Attuning to the Directions
In Neoshamanism and Core Shamanism specifically we tend to align to the directions before we do any ceremonies. This alignment and attunement is designed to attract the attention of our helping spirits (wherever they may be) but also to help us connect and attune to the various Mysteries. For this exercise and simple ceremony you … Continue reading Attuning to the Directions
Spirit Helper: Rattle
Rattles have been used by shamanic practitioners from the very beginning. Of two most well known percussion instruments utilized by shamanic practitioners the rattle is utilized in the way a magician flourishes a wand. The rattle is what summons, calls and attracts the attention of the Spirits and guides them in the sacred work that … Continue reading Spirit Helper: Rattle
Plant Spirit: Rosemary
Rosemary is an ancient and fragrant herb and is strongly utilized in works of protection and healing. It is often times burned to purify and to cleanse various items and to draw in helping spirits to protect a space or to bring healing. An smudge to utilize and to dry, rosemary is a highly available … Continue reading Plant Spirit: Rosemary
Why I Practice Core Shamanism
Ah, the question I get asked probably the most frequent next to "what is shamanism?", why is it that I personally practice core shamanism? It's a good question to ask because we live in a very sensitive time, a very aware time, and as a Western culture specifically we understand the impact of cultural appropriation … Continue reading Why I Practice Core Shamanism
Plants as Guardian Spirits
When it comes to shamanism nothing strikes the image of the shaman more than the use of entheogens or hallucinogenics to enter altered states of consciousness to receive direct revelation and to journey between the worlds. This is a complicated and expansive topic, one that I will only be covering very briefly in this blog … Continue reading Plants as Guardian Spirits
Fragmented Journeys
There are times where I, and other shamanic practitioners, go to journey and then something weird happens. We can't seem to get out of our own minds, the chatter of the day builds, the journey becomes a chore, or we are just simply not getting anything--or when we do it becomes jumbled and hard to … Continue reading Fragmented Journeys
