Amethyst � Sending a Voice Stone (The Talking Stone)

Amethyst sends a voice out into the universe. Whatever you�re feeling and thinking, Amethyst will translate and send. This stone is especially good for people using mantras and the Secret or Law of Attraction. Use this stone carefully, whatever you think and feel, it will send and the Universe will manifest.

Wear it in a medicine bag or in a piece of jewelry. Or use it as a meditation tool to focus your sight on. Although, I caution whatever way you use it, use it only on days and times when you are focused. It is best to use in an uncut, unpolished, raw form. The �voice� in it�s natural state is clearer and louder with more force and power.

There are sounds and/or songs that resonate with every crystal, stone, rock or mineral. To find the tonal vibrations, hold and/or look at the stone in a meditative state and wait for a tingling sensation in your stomach (2nd chakra) around your navel. When the tingling begins, without thinking, open your voice and let the sound(s) or song come out. It�s a good idea to have a voice recorder, such as tape or digital . Since you are in a meditative state sometimes it�s hard to remember the earthly stuff.

After you have the sound or song that goes with your stone use it every time you use the stone. It will awaken the stone, especially if it hasn�t been used in a long time. Also, the sounds or song will help the stone focus on you, and not on other transmissions and interferences that may be in your environment. Living in a crowded environment like a city or apartment complex can buffer your intent because of so many other intentions in close proximity. Use the song to eliminate these interferences.

How do I know that? During my early training in the ceremonial ways of the Lakota, I found a particularly rare rock. My teachers taught me how to retrieve the song that belonged to it. I have used this teaching for every stone that comes to me. The method for doing this is basically described above, waiting for the tingling in your stomach navel area and then letting the sound out.

I was also taught several ways to talk with the �rocks�. Some rocks have ears, some have mouths, some you can put to your ear and hear a buzzing sound. Sometimes it takes years to learn how to work with a particular stone. Stones have a very different sense of time. Consider that they are the first living beings on the planet. Each one is eons old. Some of you may know the Lakota word �Tunkasila�, which is generally translated as �grandfather�, but the original word means �very ancient rock�. It was an analogy for the Creator, Ancient Mystery, God, etc. There�s a lot of wisdom and power in that. So, take your time. Make sure you get something authentic and not a creation of wishful thinking. I waited seven years for one particular rock�s song. And then it came out with so many songs, I couldn�t remember them all. Each song was for a particular healing modality. My teachers say that each of those songs is in my heart and I will remember them when the time comes.

Obama Medicine bag

The Obama Medicine Bag is meant for protection of the President and the United States. Initially, I made one for myself so that I would be reminded constantly of the need to pray and keep good thoughts about our president, our country and the people. We are in a time of fierce need and change. It has never been more important to keep vigil over our future. With this in mind, I decided to make these for all of us who are taking an active spiritual part in this new era.

The Medicine bags are filled with sage (for purity), cedar (for eternity) and sweet grass (for joy), juniper berries (for good health), and crystal for (abundance). There is enough room to add your own items also.

The Obama Medicine Bags come with a prayer printed on a piece of parchment paper that can be folded and kept in the bag or placed in a separate location. The prayer is as follows: “Keep President Obama, his family, his staff and his supporters safe from harm. Help him guide us toward becoming a world leader in peace, justice and equality. Let him be inspired by divine thoughts and to bring these into action. Keep his mind on the hearts of the people. Help him to unite this country so we can live in harmony, joy and prosperity in the dawning of a new era.”

Each bag is hand painted with permanent ink on soft tan colored leather. Glass beads have been added as extra strength stoppers on the neck cord. This medicine bag has been made to last and will protect it’s contents. It is appropriate for both men or women. The bag measures approximately 1.75 inches wide by 2.5 inches long.

**** Note: All of the animal products such as leather, bone, feathers, etc. are purchased through legal distributors. No animal has been harmed for my art.

Valentines Day Red Heart Medicine Bag

You Are My Heart Native American Valentine Medicine Bag

You Are My Heart Medicine Bags are meant for the protection of relationships: lovers, families, spouses, children, and others. The bags include medicines for this purpose. Sage for purity, sweet grass for joy, cedar for eternity, juniper berries for good health, crystal for abundance, turquoise for protection from above. Sometimes I will add a piece of amber for preservation of the relationship. This is meant for relationships that are troubled. The bag includes two prayers printed on separate pieces of parchment paper. The prayers are as follows: “You are my heart, my life and my treasure. Nothing is more valuable than you. I ask for us to be blessed and kept safe together in joy and harmony.” If this bag is for a family: “My family is my heart, my life and my treasure. Nothing is more valuable than this family. I ask for us to be blessed and kept safe together in joy and harmony.” Both prayers are meant to be used in special times of need or at every new moon to reinforce the medicines. Prayers can be folded and placed in the medicine bag or kept in a separate location. For more information on Medicine Bags, please read my article on the making, keeping and disposal of Medicine Bags. Click here for the article.

You will receive this medicine bag gift wrapped in colored tissue paper with a raffia bow. Each bag is hand painted with permanent archival ink on soft tan colored leather. A piece of turquoise with black glass beads hangs in front of the heart. Two glass beads have been added as extra strength stoppers on the neck cord. The neck cord is extra long. This medicine bag has been made to last and will protect it’s contents. It is appropriate for both men and women. The bag measures approximately 1.75 inches wide by 2.5 inches long.

The artist Paula Bidwell is an Indigenous Healer and while making these medicine bags uses prayer and song to infuse them with healing. When an order comes in she looks over the premade bags until one stands out. If one doesn’t stand out, she makes a new one especially for the buyer. And there is always a slight variance in design.

Assimilation Blues

Grandmother, I am sad.
Come, sit, together we will be sad.
Bowed heads, silently honoring the Sad.
Sometimes a song, sometimes a story,
Sometimes silence,
Breathing the Sad,
Heads bowed sitting with the Sad.

The people come,
Tonight we sing until the sun shows,
Acknowledging Sad’s message received.
Tomorrow we laugh and eat,
Honoring the Sad;
continuing life.

Assimilation Mother, I am sad.
Don’t be sad.
Have something sweet to eat, something pretty to buy,
Forget the Sad.

Assimilation Doctor, I am sad.
Sad is not real.
Have a pill,
Hide the sad.

Assimilation Friend, I am sad.
Tell me about it, details, details.
Open the wound,
Cleanse the sad.

Grandmother, where are you?
There is no one to honor the sad.
Grandmother, I remember you.
Now I am Alone, with the sad.
Alone, with the songs,
Alone, the sad grows great.
Grandmother, where are you?

The History of Native American Bone Chokers

The History of Native American Bone Chokers: What they were used for – How they were made – What they were made of by Paula Bidwell Native Talisman Art E-Bay store owner, artist and indigenous healer.

Bone chokers originally were made from bird legs. They were seldom used as just ornamentation. They were used as physical protection for the throat from a possible knife attack. The jugular vein is in the neck and is lethal if cut. They were also used in conjunction with physical protection as a spiritual protection for the voice. Because most birds are noted for the sounds they make or for their singing quality. The spirit of the bird could be invoked to protect the person’s voice from ailments, jealousy or fatigue. There is also a cultural saying for men – “You become a man when you can speak your heart to the people - clearly and without fear - honor, bravery and victory are yours.”

The bird was not always killed to make the chokers. Most often they were found after a preditory animal had already killed them or they had died a natural death. This was considered a good sign when found. Not only for the people who needed the chokers but for the bird, so it’s life would be of honor, value and service. In all instances every part of every animal was used. Nothing was thrown away. This is done out of respect for the sacrifice the animal made and to honor it’s life.

In some cases, the leg bone of a specific bird was needed. Prayers were made to the bird (usually an eagle, hawk or owl). The hunter would fast and pray sometimes for days on end. He would wait until the bird came to him. A typical story of this sort of thing, is the bird came to the hunter and landed right in from of him and sat without moving until the hunter took it’s life. They say that while the bird sits in front of the hunter. They converse with their hearts. The bird has to willingly and happily give it’s life for the purpose needed or the hunter will not kill it. Among the people, giving of life so that others may live is the ultimate ending to our existance on the earth.

Bone chokers made from the bones of bird’s legs were practical. They already had a hole through the center where the marrow was. They were already cylindrical and only a little smoothing and shaping was needed. The leg bones were cleaned and smoothed and shaped by boiling them until softened. Flint was used to trim any irregularities and a smooth stone was used to shine and smooth the surface. Beads were smaller bones which had been sliced or cut. These bones were sometimes colored with a variety of minerals, most common was red earth (vermillion). The red earth was mixed with fat and then rubbed repeatedly over the bone while the bone was still soft from boiling. To preserve the color they were regularly rubbed with fat to create a shiny coating. This also kept the bones from becoming brittle.

Real sinew from the leg of a deer or buffalo was used to thread the bones and beads. Deer or buffalo sinew was chosen because the strips of sinew were longer than other animals. Before needles a bone awl was used to punch holes in the hide spacers for threading the sinew.

Each bone choker had very special and personal meaning for the wearer. Many times they were dreamed prior to their making. It was seldom that the wearer would make their own choker. There were specific people in the tribe that did this. Many times they were assistants to a medicine person or a medicine person themselves. On the occasion that the wearer made their own choker it was usually because they dreamed it this way. Although, much help and assitance was given to the dreamer while making the choker.

Today it is much the same. You can see all kinds of chokers with symbols and specific colors for the wearer. Wolf, bear and eagle are very common. Purchasing a choker from isn’t any different from the traditional way of compensation. Which would be supply the maker with a blanket, a horse, food, etc. Any thing that is necessary to maintain life was appropriate payment. So, today we have money.

As a person who makes these chokers, I consider it a great honor when someone purchases mine. Prays are made before I even touch one of the materials that go into a choker. Then songs are sung and more prayers are made for the well-being of the wearer as the choker is assembled. Choices in color and symbols come from deep prayer. As if I already know the soon to be owner. Interestingly, as soon as I finish one, an inquiry comes or a purchase occurs.

Please visit my E-Bay store at http://www.stores.ebay.com/native-talisman-art to see all my products – authentic medicine bags, spiritually inspired art with the stories of the vision or dream, and more.

What's a Native American Medicine Bag?

A Native American medicine bag is a small leather bag or pouch that contains various healing objects. They are often painted or beaded with designs specific for the wearer. This is done to entice or invoke the spirit of the animal, figure or symbol.

What's inside is another story. A medicine bag can contain innumerable objects. These objects are as unique as the person wearing it. Many people add their own "medicine" or healing objects. Although, most often a medicine person or indigenous healer will make the bag and add the contents. Common medicine bag objects are stones, ash from a ceremony fire, roots and barks, herbs, feathers, dirt from a ceremonial ground, or wood from a tree struck by lightening.

Many people like their medicine bags very ornate and fancy, but in reality the bag should be downplayed. This is especially true when a medicine bag is made for protection, for instance, protection from jealousy, enemies, negativity, bad spirits, illness and the list goes on and on. A medicne bag is kind of like an "ace up your sleeve". Or maybe like a spray can of mace or another self defense weapon. You keep it handy, but you don't wave it around or threaten folks with it.

Medicine bags or pouches last a long time. They are made of leather and are extremely durable. But there comes a time when the medicine bag just wears out. The neck cord has broken so often it may look like a string of knots. The leather has worn down and looks like it's been left out in the rain too long. What do you do with it at this stage? You take the bag and it's contents to a remote location. Somewhere that people seldom go to. Then hang the medicine bag or pouch in a tree where it's barely visible. The helping birds such as ravens, crows, eagles, or hawks and the "invisible beings"such as angels or guardians will disassemble the bag and remove all traces of it. Some people have been known to bury their bags. But this isn't recommended. In the earth the bag will continue to exist and the special medicine belonging to it could be dug up and innocently or not so innocently misused. There are stories of ancient medicine pouches that were found, taken home or put in a museum and then all sorts of terrible things began to happen. Anyway, it is much better to let the angelic beings and our helper birds take care of something as precious as a medicine bag.

See more Medicine Bags at: http://stores.ebay.com/native-talisman-art
See more Medicine Bags at: http://nativetalismanart.etsy.com

Early Medicine training

Crossing the Swinging Bridge Alone – just another memory

I must have been about 5 years old, because I remember not being able to reach either side of the rope rails on the swinging bridge. My grandmother had crossed before me, telling me to wait. When she got to the other side, she told me to come to her and then she turned her back to me. I think she was crying.

This little endeavor was very dangerous. The swinging bridge was old and unstable. The swing on it was wide and erratic. The river underneath was deep with a rapid current. I was so little…I was so afraid.

At such an early age, all I knew was I had to get to my grandma. If I didn’t get across I would become abandoned and alone forever, or so I thought. I thought about just sitting down and crying until somebody came and got me. But I looked around and there were no other people anywhere. Giving that up, I started across. The first thing I did was try to keep myself from falling off the bridge. The first step caused it to swing fairly strongly. I grabbed one side of the rope railing, but this caused the bridge to swing so hard it knocked me down. I reached for the boards on one edge and hung on until the bridge stopped swinging. Quite a few times I thought I would go over the edge. But finally, the swinging stopped. I gently moved to the center having learned my lesson. Staying in the center with nothing to hold on to was terrifying, even on my hands and knees. The slightest wind rocked the bridge. I thought about crawling across, but the boards hurt my knees. I got to my feet and began taking tentative steps toward my grandmother. I felt so abandoned, watching her with her back to me. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t come and get me so I could arrive on the other side safely.

Little did I know this was an early part of Medicine training. When I was very young, probably as soon as I had some sort of command of language, I apparently talked about conversations and communications with the so-called “unseen world”. The world of ghosts, spirits, angels (or “helpers” as we called them), faeries, elves (or “little people”), sprites, and the innumerable other kinds of “unseen world” beings. This very fact is what caused the “swinging bridge” to be one of my tests.

I’m told that many are born with the abilities for medicine, and they are always tested to see if they have the qualities to carry forth the training and practice. I evidently proved my worthiness. I believe my greatest asset was the ability to stay focused no matter what. I seemed to have lost the focus when I grew up. I remember later in “Medicine training” I complained that I couldn’t stay in a state of “prayer” because there was too much noise and distraction in my home and neighborhood. My “teacher” looked at me sternly and replied: “You will never be doing the healing work in a place of serenity, people get sick and injured in the middle of chaos. Start practicing!”. Sigh…and I did…

I have remembered this incident many times. Sometimes, I think I was brave because of inorance…I didn’t know how dangerous life could get. I am much less brave in my old age.