Project Athena - Day 220 (Assignment: Shamanic Tools)

Feathers!

There is nothing like being on a walk in nature and finding a handsome, unblemished feather that has been gifted by a winged animal. Feathers are some of the most special gifts of the natural world. Whether they are from a wild turkey, a bird of prey, or colorful feathers from tropical birds, they all bring magic into the world.  I mostly use mine as fans for smudging or cleaning and purifying my work space, objects, and myself.

FeathersNikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 30mm • F/5.6 • 1/10s • ISO 100

Feathers

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 30mm • F/5.6 • 1/10s • ISO 100

Project Athena - Day 219 (Assignment: Shamanic Tools)

Ceremonial Rattles

There literally hundreds of styles of ceremonial rattles used by Shamans around the world. Some can be quite ornate but most are made with materials native to an indigenous people's home. In many traditions, rattles are magical instruments whose noise is believed to call in the primitive essence of an animal or plant spirit. The can also be played in a shamanic journey, used in ceremonial dances or rattled to invite the spirits of the directions into a medicine wheel.

I never leave home without my rattles...that is if I am going to a ceremony.

Ceremonial Rattles

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 20mm • F/4.5 • 1/13s • ISO 100

Project Athena - Day 218 (Assignment: Shamanic Tools)

A Shaman's Tools

This week I I am the client and the photographer as I have given myself an assignment/challenge to shoot the tools I have made over the last seven years as part of my shamanic journey. I am not a shamanic practitioner but I incorporate these powerful healing and clearing tools in my daily life and when appropriate, I use them with my coaching clients.

I've started with the ceremonial drum because this is my favorite tool. I made both of these drums from kits using elk hides. These drums were made with deep reverence and gratitude for the animals and trees that came from great creator. Each drum has a unique voice depending on its size and the unique characteristics of the animal hide. Of course, humidity and tautness also affect the sound. In this Colorado climate, it's imperative to keep the hide oiled to prevent it from drying and cracking as well as protect the quality of the deep resonant sound.

The best time to use a drum is ANYTIME! Got the blues? Drum. Feeling confused or disoriented? Drum. Wanting a deeper heart connection? Drum. Need to clear out some low vibrational energy in your home or body? Drum. Wanting to shift a habitual thought that is keeping you stuck? Drum. And drumming with others is magical experience as each individual drum becomes one powerful voice and a certain reminder of the connection between all things.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me as I teach myself some things about staging and blocking. My intention with this theme is advance my skills in the area of "product shots" while sharing some really cool tools with you.

Ceremonial Drums

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 32mm • F/7.1 • 1/4s • ISO 100