Learn about the healing powers of shamanic feather tools and how to make them in a ceremonial, sacred full day class with shamanic practitioners Katherine Skaggs and Kim Johnson.
Make a Feather Wand/Fan, also used as a Smudge Wand/Fan, Prayer Wand/Fan in the first part of the day. In the afternoon, make a Huichol shamanic feather tool known as the Muviéri, Sacred Wand, or Prayer/Ceremonial Arrow .
Demonstrations will be given in usage, as well as in how to make. All materials are provided. You are also invited to bring your own special feathers or materials to add to your sacred tools. Ceremonial space will be invoked to provide a sacred container for creating your tools. You will be smudged to begin the day, along with all materials. Everything will be made with prayers and blessings to activate the spirit and power of your tools.
Part I - Make a Shamanic Feather Wand/FanLearn about origins, use and ceremonially how to make a feather wand suitable for shamanic energy clearing and extraction work, smudging, blessing and prayer work, and so much more. A demonstration will be given and guidance given to support you in making your own, unique spirit feather wand/fan.
Materials provided will include: Wild turkey feathers, Lady Amhearst Pheasant feathers, White Silver Pheasant feathers, misc. other feathers, 3-4" quartz crystals (for point or handle on wand), stick/wooden handles, leather, fur, beads, turquoise and other stones.
Bring feathers of your own, or a variety of feathers will be provided for you to make a feather wand. If you have any favorite stones, beads or trinkets that you would like to incorporate, please bring them also. Wood, sticks, stones and such can also be used for handles or bases for your wand.
Part II - Make a Shamanic Feather MuviériLearn about the Huichol shamanic feather tool the Muviéri, Sacred Wand, or Prayer/Ceremonial Arrow, and how to make it. A demonstration will be given and guidance to support you making your own.
There will be time to make several.
This feather arrow comes from the central Mexican tribe of Huichols, who understand how to use this tool to clean away and extract "bad" energy, as well as to put in blessings, healing energy and love. This tool differs from the feather fan above in that it is specific to this culture, and is made with small top feathers, two main feathers and the arrow or handle. The Huichol Meracame', or medicine men and women, typically have a bundle of Moviaries, which they use traditionally use in healing work.They use these Sacred Wands to communicate between nature and spirit worlds.
Materials provided will include: Wild turkey feathers, Lady Amhearst Pheasant feathers, White Silver Pheasant feathers, misc. other feathers, yarn and pointed sticks for the wand.
What to Bring:
Bring feathers of your own, or a variety of feathers will be provided. The feathers for this project include two similar feathers of size, typically 5 or 6 inches long as the main two feathers. The top feathers could be smaller feathers from that same bird, or a bird compatible. Meaning if you have a non-predatory water bird, you might want to also include top feathers from a similar and compatible bird. If you have found feathers in nature, please be mindful and always "ask" the spirit of that bird if they are indeed yours to work with. You will get an answer if you do ask. This is "medicine" that has been gifted to you if you are given guidance to receive the feathers. Sit with the bird and ask what the medicine is, or if your brain needs help, go to Ted Andrew's book Animal Speak and look to its guidance.
Additional Items for the day:
Drinking Water
Sack Lunch
Any snacks to sustain yourself
We will break from 1 to 2pm for lunch.
About Katherine SkaggsKatherine has studied shamanism the past 12 years, after her own need to heal and continue her spiritual path which began early in her early 20s. Her in-depth studies include Advanced Shamanic Studies through the Power Path School of Shamanism, along with direct study with the Huichols of Mexico, and the Shipibo tribe on the Amazon River of Peru, with a foundation in advanced metaphysical studies.. For the past 10 years Katherine has passed on the sacred shamanic teachings through her own Artist Shaman Healer Sage course annually, along with other advanced coursework and ceremonial work. Katherine is also a visionary artist, drum maker and craftswoman.
About Kim JohnsonKim has been on her own healing and awakening journey through Mystery School, interface with the Mescalero Apache and Cree nations and continued shamanic studies for a dozen or more years. Kim is a shamanic practitioner, shamanic tool maker, and drum maker to name a few of her talents and skills. She has been a student of Katherine's shamanic studies the past 3 years, traveled to the jungles of Peru with her and is now working as a close ally in tool making and teaching.
