Materials

What kind of materials will you need for your spiritual work? Following is a list of suggested items that you may wish to have for your work. The exact ones you choose to obtain will depend on just how deeply you wish to become involved in following the Medicine Path.

I. For systems other than Native American:

A. For Meditation:

• 1. Some place to do meditation in, preferably where you won't be disturbed
• 2. A tape recorder and meditation tapes

B. For cleansing of an area:

You can always use a particular incense or, if you are allergic to smoke or odors then you can always use a little salt to purify an area or, if you don't want to do that, you can envision golden or white light flooding the entire area and cleansing it.

C. Various bags and containers for anything you will need to store.

D. A selection of herbs for healing etc

E. Various crystals for healing, etc.

F. A crystal ball, tarot decks/or, and like materials if you plan to do any divination work.

G. Any written, taped or video reference sources that you might need.

H. For the techno-Pagans, you may also want to obtain some of the computer programs that have been written that relate to New Age topics. These include programs on biorhythms, tarot, astrology, a database on herbs and poisons, and similar programs. Most can be picked up at a fairly inexpensive price. You can find these programs in computer magazines, especially "Computer Shopper".

I. Candles if you use candle magick.

II. For systems emphasizing Native American spirituality

A. For Smudging and cleansing:

• 1. Some kind of shell or small pot
• 2. A supply of sage, and possibly sweetgrass
• 3. A large feather for moving the smoke around
• 4. Matches or a lighter of some sort

• 1. Some place to set it up, like a bookshelf
• 2. A supply of stones that you can use to mark the various directions
• 3. One large stone for the center

C. Cornmeal and tobacco, as offerings.

D. Your Sacred Pipe:

This may be kept plain or decorated with beads, feathers, etc. as you see fit. You will also need something to smoke in the pipe. You may use tobacco or some other form of herb. Just make sure that, before you use anything, make sure you are not allergic to it.

Ok. Let's deal with one major issue now before we go on. There are many Native Americans who feel that non-Native people have no right to practice any of the Native American approaches to spirituality and particularly that no one other than Native Americans has a right to have a sacred pipe.

This may make a lot of people angry, but it is my belief that spiritual systems should not be the exclusive property of any one group of individuals. I believe that anyone should be free to follow any spiritual system they desire as long as they do so with great respect and with a "pure" heart.

I definitely oppose anyone "playing Indian" or "playing" any other spiritual system. Without any doubt that is wrong. To practice any spiritual system because it is a faddish thing to do is also wrong. Any spiritual system you wish to follow, if you wish to truthfully follow that system, will require dedication and seriousness on your part. Whim has no place in the practice of spirituality.

Native Americans, of course, are not the only group who believes that others have no right to practice their spiritual system. Japanese do not believe that anyone who is non-Japanese can be a follower of Shinto.

Now, let's just take a look at the four basic premises of Shinto:

• 1) Affirmation of tradition and the family
• 2) Love of nature
• 3) Physical cleanliness
• 4) Affirmation of matsuri (festivals)

Emperor worship, by the way, has not always been an "official" part of Shinto, at least from what I have read.

Looking at those four principles I see nothing wrong at all in any of them and nothing wrong with anyone trying to follow them. Shinto lacks a "formal" hierarchy like many other religions but there are a variety of ceremonies that one can follow even on a solitary path.

The Sacred Pipe is a major bone of contention. But if we are to judge who can use what by the "pureness" of their blood then I imagine that there are very, very few Native Americans who could carry the Pipe as even Native American "blood" has been intermixed with the "blood" of other races to a great degree.

Besides, it is not the physical construction of our bodies that determines what kind of spiritual system we are "eligible" to follow. It is what is within our hearts that is what is important.

So, if my position on this offends you I apologize. These are simply my beliefs and I do not present myself as any great guru or anything of the type, just a rather simple follower of a spiritual system that involves the Medicine Path and also elements from Shinto, Wicca and a half-dozen other systems.

E. Your Sweat Lodge:

• 1. If outdoors, you will need saplings, hides, and stones to heat.
• 2. If indoors, you can use a barbecue grill for the stones.

F. A drum

G. A rattle

H. A supply of feathers for use in smudging and healing

I. Pieces of animal skin, fur, claws, teeth, and bones, especially from your animal totems

J. Various bags and containers for your supplies

K. A selection of herbs for healing, smoking, etc

L. Various crystals for healing, etc.

N. A compass

O. Books and magazines on Native American spirituality, and related areas of study. There are even some Native American newspapers that are available.

The materials for your spiritual work are relatively easily available, and relatively inexpensive. It may take a little looking, but you'll find everything you need, if you persevere. Nor do you have to start off with all of the above items. Start with what you are comfortable working with; add items as your experience expands as and you find new items.