Spirit of the "tool"

Sorry I am a little late, I was taking a reiki sending break this morning...now it is time to get to work!


Authenticity. It is a word that we should always strive for, in everything that we do.

Metaphysicians have many tools.We may know a healing practice or two, or a way of making things happen. Many have special abilities, from intuition to mediumship.We may have a case of crystals, oils, or other tools like athames, amulets, and wands. There are so many tools available to us, and much more readily available (and affordable) than they were years ago.

The key to life, and it applies to your tools, is that you get out exactly what you put in. When you put in fake , you get fake (and may not even realize it). When you do things for the right reasons, you reap abundance, when you do things for the wrong reasons, then you reap Karmic lessons. When you use the wrong tool , and try to adapt it, you get the "wrong" results that work part of the way.This is Universal law, and as of yet, man hasn't found a way around that , except fooling himself.

Think about mundane tools that you have. Some of you may work in a trade. You would have the best power tools, measuring devices, repairing tools that you afford. Sometimes maybe even better than you can really afford. Maybe you are a passionate cook. That may mean a double oven, the best cookware, and tools that most kitchens would never see. You have the sharpest knives and the coolest gadgets. I am a quilter, I have all kinds of tools in my quilting room, if I added it all up , I could probably retire on the total.So if you buy all these "best" things for work and home, why not for your soul? Isn't that so much more important!?

When you are serious about working in the metaphysical, you should have the best tools...and yes, that you can afford. When you are doing ANY kind of ceremony, whether Native, Pagan, or popular religious practices, have the best you can afford, but always have the REAL thing. When you are using the tool just for personal amusement, or to try something out, don't break the bank. You may end up will a pile of expensive stuff you will never use again. When you teach, facilitate, or do public appearances, use ONLY authentic. You are passively teaching when you do that. When you still just plain can't afford it, hold off until later, or immediately instruct the group that this is not the item that is generally used.

The important part here is that in any ceremony, rite or ritual, you use the correct, authentic, and proper tools. You wouldn't remove a switch plate in your home with a hammer would you? Of course not. So why would you adapt things to work, and use items that are not sacred in such a sacred space? The answer is , you should not.

Two people made comments to me over the weekend about non Native Drums. One was a question about if this person should purchase a synthetic drum. If you are just going to drum for yourself, or you are just trying out drum circles, go for it, especially if it is all that you can afford financially. The funny part is that a day after that a comment was made by a person who has several "Remo" drums who said they could not afford real NA drums. The prices of less than all their Remo drums would have bought them almost as many real Native drums. They would have one less drum and a PILE more quality. More is not better, better is better. The same day a person said they were disappointed to see Remo style drums used by a group that was honoring a Native American way of life. That was a HUGE "no no".When you put yourself in the public eye, do it right.

There is a spirit and power in every Native American and Pagan tool. When these objects are made, they are made with prayer, ritual, and blessings. A Remo drum, or a cut rate pagan item made in China, is not. You can put good energy into it, but it still is what it still is. Just like you were created a male/female, healthy/sickly; smart/not so smart; creative/uncreative person, so the ritual item is created with the spirit it requires. You cannot become something that naturally you are not, and neither can the tool. You can add to it, dress it up all pretty, but never get the full energy out of it that you can get out of an authentic item.

To do ritual, rites, ceremony, in Native American, Pagan, or any other genre, have an authentic tool. You can make it yourself if you know the proper way, or go to an authentic source. Remember that only Native Americans can sell goods called "Native American" , that is the law. A non Native can make a Native American "style" object that looks just the same, but has to make sure the word "style" is in there. Even the US government knows how important it is, so why don't the rest of the "spiritual" community? I think the reason is usually price and availability. Remo drums and similar drums are just a short trip and a few dollars away. Why put that energy into things? When it simply is all you can afford, so be it. Be aware however that Native drums are not much more expensive as Native style or just plain, "run of the mill".(now you know where that expression comes from).

One person said they bought a synthetic drum so they wouldn't have to be careful with it (synthetic drums don't care about weather, etc. as much as natural drums). Why would you have a ritual item you were not going to be careful with? All these items should be treated as if they are special, as they are. They should all be a home of a helpful and healing spirit. So why would you toss a helpful and healing spirit in your trunk!?

My tools are all authentic, every drum, rattle, prayer fan, that I have, is Native made, from Blackfoot to Navajo, to Hopi, to Zuni. I also only have Native made jewelry that is in that style. In other words, all my turquoise bracelets or southwest style earrings, are made by Native Americans.

I want to make sure that I have everything about myself as authentic as it can be. You may think that I am fussy because I am part Native American, but trust me, all Native Americans feel the same way. They don't like people "faking" it, hence the "Native American style" laws.

When you are not using these items in ritual, it really doesn't matter all that much, as you are not doing serious work with them, but when you do, try to always use authentic. This goes for ANY genre, not just NA.

Think about the laws of attraction.Put authentic in, get authentic out.Like they say about computers, garbage in, garbage out.

That being said....use the right ingredients also. For example, certain crystals have specific attributes to them that can be used in several ways, including healing. When a specific stone is needed, make sure that you have this specific stone! There are usually several stones that can be used, so you won't need the most expensive one, but that being said, there are sources all over to obtain crystals. It is so much easier and less expensive to obtain stones than it ever was! Competition has driven prices DOWN, and to me , that allows me to obtain larger pieces! How would you like your doctor saying...well this really isn't the drug for what you have, but it might help?

Rites and rituals are like a recipe. There are certain things that you must put in, and they are in certain amounts. When you use certain products, your recipe turns out better. You can add something new, and change the recipe for the better, but if you add mud to your recipe, it will never make it better. Quality, not quantity!

This goes for any item you would use. Use pure essential oils, items made from natural materials, and if for any Native American event, use ONLY items made either by a Native, or using the rites and rituals a Native would use. When buying and selling, remember that Native American applies only to items made by a Native American, and "style" means made to be similar, but by a non Native American. ONLY take Native American spiritual lessons and instruction on rites and rituals from a Native American.

Be picky, be particular, spend as much as you can and buy authentic goods and services. That being said, don't get ripped off. Price compare. There are so many items out there to choose from these days. The metaphysical has come out of the closet, and many people are making quality ritual items available.

Strive for authenticity, go for quality, make sure that you are buying what is advertised, and are not overpaying. Make sure that you use the best that you can afford, even in private practice,but if it is impossible to do that, use what you can afford. There are so many out there with "fake" titles, ask for proof.

That all said, be authentic! Make sure that you personally are giving correct information, even passively.

Strive to get the best you can and be the best that you can....

and as always, do the right thing for the right reasons!




Peshaui Wequashimese






(C)2011 Triple Moon Goddess Gina, May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission in part or in whole.