Evelyn C. Rysdyk - A Spirit Walkers Guide to Shamanic Tools: How to Make and Use Drums, Masks, Rattles, and Other Sacred Implements

What I love about listening to Evelyn Rysdyk discuss shamanism is her ability to combine ancient lore with modern science so seamlessly that you would swear you can't have one without the other. With the lyrical voice of an artist she taps into our memories of old, forgotten ways and helps us understand them in terms of the latest findings in physics, psychology, and ecology. She is a wonderful guide for spirit walking between the worlds. Walk with her.

TOM COWAN, author of Fire in the Head and Yearning for the Wind

An inspiring and critically important work, this book helps you use all of the spiritual tools and connections you were born with, but most likely forgot. Spirit Walking clearly explains what shamanism is and does, while teaching in a concise, step-by-step fashion how to bring this way of being into your everyday life. I loved that I could feel the profound wisdom of many years of experience flow through Evelyn's writing in such a personal way. It feels like she is teaching you directly, with all her deeply rooted energy and spirit guided words. Whether you are new to shamanism, or are living this way of life already, you will find this book a valuable resource. At a time when life can seem so crazy, we need to become Spirit Walkers now, more than ever!

COLLEEN DEATSMAN, author of The Hollow Bone: A Field Guide to Shamanism and Seeing in the Dark: Claim Your Own Shamanic Power Now and in the Coming Age.

In our ever-changing world many people have felt lost and isolated within their lives, this statement is growing faster than we can keep up. Through Evelyn's Spirit Walking her grace and gifts are expressed to shift our connection to the earth, each other, and ourselves, building the foundation for life in a new and different world. She is an exceptional writer, artist, healer and human being.

JOAN EMMONS, publisher of Inner Tapestry

Evelyn Rysdyk brings the reader face to face with the bones of realityhow it works in this Middle Worldand how the practice of shamanism helps us to live in good relationship with All That Is. Embracing the venerable world-view of shamanism she compassionately guides readers on their own journey of discovery and empowerment within the reality of an ensouled Universe. Spirit Walking is comprehensive and inspiringEvelyn's outstanding artistry is evocatively expressed through her writings as well as images. A most worthy read!

NAN MOSS AND DAVID CORBIN, authors of Weather Shamanism: Harmonizing Our Connection with the Elements

Evelyn Rysdyk has written an invaluable shamanic resource that is at once expansive and concise. She shares her deep wisdom with humility and great generosity of spirit.

MAMA DONNA HENES, urban shaman, author, and spirituality columnist for the Huffington Post, Beliefnet and UPI

Life is a sacred work...how easy it is to forget that in the rush of daily life! And how wonderful it is when a book like [Spirit Walking] comes along, not only reminding us of our deepest sense of connection and purpose, but offering wise guidance to help us get back to it.

HILLARY S. WEBB, author of Traveling between the Worlds: Conversations with Contemporary Shamans

First published in 2014 by Weiser Books

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

665 Third Street, Suite 400

San Francisco, CA 94107

www.redwheelweiser.com

All illustrations, photographs, and text 2014 by Evelyn C. Rysdyk unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, llc. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

ISBN: 978-1-57863-557-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.

Cover design by Jim Warner.

Cover art Evelyn C. Rysdyk.

Interior by Maureen Forys, Happenstance Type-O-Rama

Typeset in Warnock Pro and Futura

Printed in Canada.

MAR

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This book is dedicated to the heart-guided hands of the hundred thousand generations of ancestral makers who created and utilized objects of spiritual power.

Their passion infuses our blood and bones.

This book does not replace formal instruction in shamanic spirituality. It is necessary for you to know how to journey and have a strong connection to a power animal or teacher before you work with this book.

To learn more about shamanic journeying and developing relationships with the helpful, healing spirits, please read Spirit Walking: A Course in Shamanic Power.

The suggestions, processes, and shamanic techniques described in this book are in no way meant to replace professional medical or mental health assistance. This book is intended to be an informational guide and not to treat, diagnose, or prescribe. Always consult with a qualified health care professional regarding any medical or mental health condition or symptoms. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for your health or how you choose to use the information contained in this book.

T his volume was specifically designed to support those of you who have learned how to access the spirit realms through the shaman's journey and desire to add the right spiritual implements to your shamanic toolkit. If you picked up this book and don't yet know how to journey, you may learn what you need via several methods. There are several excellent books available that can guide you through the practice. Two outstanding resources for learning the shamanic journey process are my own book, Spirit Walking: A Course in Shamanic Power, and Sandra Ingerman's Shamanic Journeying: A Beginner's Guide. In addition, there are many teachers available to support you in person. The website www.shamanicteachers.com has a list of authorities across North America, Europe, and Australia. Information on my own initiatory shamanic training programs is available at www.spiritpassages.com. Spirit Passages is the organization I founded with my partner, Allie Knowlton, MSW, LCSW, DCSW to support individuals increase their personal power, feel their intrinsic sacredness, and expand their connections to All That Is. However you learn, take the time to strengthen your connections to the spirits prior to attempting the spiritual exercises in this book.

Learning to journey and having strong relationships with a teacher in the spirit world and with a protector spirit in the form of a power animal make up the basic framework for any effective shamanic practice. People who have gained this knowledge through their culture's tribal traditions are typically referred to as shamans. I will mention several of these tribal healers with whom I've been fortunate to study in this book. Their full biographies are available in an appendix. However, it is also possible for anyone without a tribal affiliation to become an effective shamanic practitioner or spirit walker by entering into deep relationships with the spirits. The foundation of any powerful shamanic work is dependent upon the relationships forged with the helpful spirits in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Worlds. Journeying to meet with the helpful spirits and following through with the guidance they offer sustains these relationships. Engaging with the spirits of nature is another essential aspect of becoming a powerful spirit walker. This aspect of practice is supported through journeying to meet the spirits of the trees, animal, birds, and landscape features around your home to find out who they are and what they might like to share. Just as with human connections, initial meetings blossom into reciprocal relationships that nurture the spirit walker and support the health of the natural world. My book