A fellow reader and blogger was asked the other day why she blogs. Her answer was to teach people a better way, or at least try to. I fully agree. I started off writing a blog over 4 years ago. It was about holidays and celebrations at that time. I changed the blog becasue I saw a need for a strong voice, and how many times can one read about the origins of Samhain and not get bored with it. I was told by two if my teachers to write things to teach others. A client read my blog one day on MySpace and told others, and then many of my clients started reading the blog.
My blog, and my friend's blog, are ones that teach how you should try to be. They try to open people's minds, and they are sometimes tough and gritty. Both of us can be a lot tougher than we are in our blogs, but we try not to cross and boundaries. We try to write on things that people won't talk to you about. We try to get people to THINK for themselves. We try to get people to stop acting and living out of fear.
People don't like to say things to you like "you are being a jerk", so instead they refer people to the blog...at least it is a way of being outspoken, although a very laid back way!
People ask where the topics come from and how we get our information. Ie use psychic insight, messages from guides, and research the heck out of things. I work hard , and I write just about every day. My blogs are written 90% of the time, because I somehow received a message to write on a particular subject.
My fellow blogger said to me, "seems like now everyone has a blog". When we started, there were lots of blogs out there already, but it seems that there are more and more. Some great stuff has popped up, and some not so great has.Many times we see a person start to blog, then the entries disappear, like most things, it isn't easy to write everyday. Fellow blogger then went on to say, "just like you say Gina, everyone has to jump on the bandwagon, I am surprised my Grandma isn't writing a blog".
My blog has grown and grown, it has world wide readers at this point. I get emails asking to write about a particular subject, and questions on metaphysical subjects. Please feel free to email any questions or ask in the comments section at the end of the blog. Sometimes messages from the Highest Power come through humans.
I blog in the hopes that people will learn some things; change their lives; won't be taken in by people; be inspired to take action in some way. I know it is doing its' job, as many write to say that these things are happening to them.
There are just a few things to remember , one a direct quote from me: Do the right things for the right reasons. The others are simple," harm none", "do unto others", and "always learn and grow".
There are times when it is hard to do the things the blog suggests, no one said it would be easy.
However, doing the right things for the right reasons has an immense payoff in abundance. It rains good people, situations, and being , into your life. It weeds out those who are still refusing to do the right things.
Be authentic, search out quality....and keep off the bandwagons, they usually get you into trouble.
Peshaui Wequashimese
(C)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Yes, things still are changing.
Callers ask all the time lately , why things are changing so much. Their jobs, personal lives, and even where they live. For a couple of years now, many of us have been writing about change. It isn't crazy change like the end of the world, but more of a change in awareness, connection to higher realms, and more powerful manifesting. It is people grouping together with others more like themselves in the way they live life. It is about rewarding those who walk their talk, with more powerful manifesting abilities, a closer connection to the highest power, and sharper intuition.
Yes, "the change" is still going on, and yes it is something that will be felt more and more. It is the Universe sorting things out. Putting people who are real and true in one place, and false in another. Putting people who are honest and hardworking in one place, and those who are untruthful and lazy in another. This causes friends to change, social groups to dissolve and reestablish as a new and different entity. It causes relationships to break up, and jobs to be changed, lost, or eliminated.
The change began years ago, and things will be pretty much sorted out by the end of the year. Then the changes begin. Those who haven't realized how they need to b,e will most likely not feel a thing. They will however still ask why the Universe punishes them, and wonder why their lives do not go as well as others. They will wonder why they are with a person that doesn't make them happy, and why they can never get ahead financially. They will say that they are good people, that they went to church, took spiritual classes and gave to charity....not realizing that is not what it is all about. It is all about walking your talk and walking a good one. It is about authenticity. When a person goes to a class and becomes a Reiki Master for instance, then does not LIVE as a Reiki Master, then as far as the Universe is concerned, you aren't a Reiki Master. You can't fake out the Universe.
It is all about trusting the Universe, living a good life, meaning, harming none. It is about following their own heart, not a guru. It is about making hard decisions and not being involved with groups or people who do not have others best interests in mind. It is about speaking up and telling people when they are wrong, and not living a cowardly life. It is about helping, not enabling. It is about truth, honor, and respect.
It is not about hate, gossip, retaliation, pride, ego, greed. It is not about cheating, living above your means, doing spiritual rites and religious rituals that you are not sanctioned to do. It is about not putting on a false face or pretending to be someone's friend and telling themselves it is a way of achieving "world peace". Two faced people are among the worst in the eyes of the Universe.Pretending to like someone or be their friend, isn't "peace", it is being dishonest to the person you are pretending to like. It isn't a positive Universal trait for sure.
There is much change going on and those who are more aware see it.
There is not one path that you need to follow, and path will do that is one to Universal balance. Universal balance means there is negativity in the world. It is how you respond to that negativity that makes the difference. There will always be negativity, but when you foster it and allow it to dominate, then there is a problem. We need the Yin and the Yang.
Hypocritical behavior won't get you on the good list, nor will ignoring "wrongs". The new change that is coming is not for the cowards or faint of heart, it is for those who are strong, honest, open, and positive. It is for the authentic.
To get there, do the right things for the right reasons. Walk your talk and make sure it is a good one. Make sure that you are still learning and growing. Stop faking it, it won't work much longer!
Peshaui Wequashimese
(c)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied, reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission.
Yes, "the change" is still going on, and yes it is something that will be felt more and more. It is the Universe sorting things out. Putting people who are real and true in one place, and false in another. Putting people who are honest and hardworking in one place, and those who are untruthful and lazy in another. This causes friends to change, social groups to dissolve and reestablish as a new and different entity. It causes relationships to break up, and jobs to be changed, lost, or eliminated.
The change began years ago, and things will be pretty much sorted out by the end of the year. Then the changes begin. Those who haven't realized how they need to b,e will most likely not feel a thing. They will however still ask why the Universe punishes them, and wonder why their lives do not go as well as others. They will wonder why they are with a person that doesn't make them happy, and why they can never get ahead financially. They will say that they are good people, that they went to church, took spiritual classes and gave to charity....not realizing that is not what it is all about. It is all about walking your talk and walking a good one. It is about authenticity. When a person goes to a class and becomes a Reiki Master for instance, then does not LIVE as a Reiki Master, then as far as the Universe is concerned, you aren't a Reiki Master. You can't fake out the Universe.
It is all about trusting the Universe, living a good life, meaning, harming none. It is about following their own heart, not a guru. It is about making hard decisions and not being involved with groups or people who do not have others best interests in mind. It is about speaking up and telling people when they are wrong, and not living a cowardly life. It is about helping, not enabling. It is about truth, honor, and respect.
It is not about hate, gossip, retaliation, pride, ego, greed. It is not about cheating, living above your means, doing spiritual rites and religious rituals that you are not sanctioned to do. It is about not putting on a false face or pretending to be someone's friend and telling themselves it is a way of achieving "world peace". Two faced people are among the worst in the eyes of the Universe.Pretending to like someone or be their friend, isn't "peace", it is being dishonest to the person you are pretending to like. It isn't a positive Universal trait for sure.
There is much change going on and those who are more aware see it.
There is not one path that you need to follow, and path will do that is one to Universal balance. Universal balance means there is negativity in the world. It is how you respond to that negativity that makes the difference. There will always be negativity, but when you foster it and allow it to dominate, then there is a problem. We need the Yin and the Yang.
Hypocritical behavior won't get you on the good list, nor will ignoring "wrongs". The new change that is coming is not for the cowards or faint of heart, it is for those who are strong, honest, open, and positive. It is for the authentic.
To get there, do the right things for the right reasons. Walk your talk and make sure it is a good one. Make sure that you are still learning and growing. Stop faking it, it won't work much longer!
Peshaui Wequashimese
(c)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied, reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
New twist
While doing my research on my ancestry I found a new twist. I knew there was a Narragansett/Pequot connection. Originally I thought that there was more Narragansett than Pequot, not true, more Mashantucket Pequot than Narragansett. Now I find, that it seems some ancestors were among the people of the northeast who traveled west to avoid the new comers. There are a group of Natives with my family name who ended up in the Ojibwe tribe (many did from that region). The hard part is finding if they mingled in enough to mix blood and if that blood came back to my neck of the woods.
All of this is fascinating, and at the same time I can see why people charge an arm and a leg for tracing your family tree for you. I did research some on Ancestry,com, but the issue there is that you sometimes have to rely on other people's research, and I have found much of it to be faulty. There are also many times when a common name is so popular it is hard to figure out just which one of them is yours! People also have a tendency to pick the "famous" or infamous, out of the group and add that person to their tree, even if they don't really belong there, and then the "mistake" is compounded.
The good thing is that you find what records are available and can research on your own without using anyone else's information. I didn't think college was much fun, but it sure taught me how to research properly.
Tracing a family tree when there was a break in the family is even harder, or when many have passed on and kept the information. I have pictures of family members in Scotland, but I have no idea who they are!
Puzzles of any sort are good for the brain, and the soul. Taking the time to research and to really learn something, is good for the soul. Finding interesting and fun things is too. There is so much knowledge and information out there, and cyberspace is full of things to absorb. The hard part is separating the wheat from the chaff. Make sure that you are gathering good information, and research properly. Do not pass on information, even by adding it to your family tree, if it is not correct in its' entirety.
Take a moment each day to read a book. Not the newspaper, which is filled with so much bias and misinformation, but a book. Read books that are written by accredited people, and always THINK while reading them. Do not take anything as 100% gospel truth, even the gospel isn't the gospel.
Learn, teach and grow!
Peshaui Wequashimese
(C)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf . May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
All of this is fascinating, and at the same time I can see why people charge an arm and a leg for tracing your family tree for you. I did research some on Ancestry,com, but the issue there is that you sometimes have to rely on other people's research, and I have found much of it to be faulty. There are also many times when a common name is so popular it is hard to figure out just which one of them is yours! People also have a tendency to pick the "famous" or infamous, out of the group and add that person to their tree, even if they don't really belong there, and then the "mistake" is compounded.
The good thing is that you find what records are available and can research on your own without using anyone else's information. I didn't think college was much fun, but it sure taught me how to research properly.
Tracing a family tree when there was a break in the family is even harder, or when many have passed on and kept the information. I have pictures of family members in Scotland, but I have no idea who they are!
Puzzles of any sort are good for the brain, and the soul. Taking the time to research and to really learn something, is good for the soul. Finding interesting and fun things is too. There is so much knowledge and information out there, and cyberspace is full of things to absorb. The hard part is separating the wheat from the chaff. Make sure that you are gathering good information, and research properly. Do not pass on information, even by adding it to your family tree, if it is not correct in its' entirety.
Take a moment each day to read a book. Not the newspaper, which is filled with so much bias and misinformation, but a book. Read books that are written by accredited people, and always THINK while reading them. Do not take anything as 100% gospel truth, even the gospel isn't the gospel.
Learn, teach and grow!
Peshaui Wequashimese
(C)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf . May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Integrity
Integrity. A word that many have heard. One that you know is a "good" word, and one that you may want attributed to a leader, doctor, or bank executive. It is a word that everyone should want attributed to themselves ! The biggest hurdles to not having integrity are wanting wealth and popularity, no matter what the cost.
The grand popularity contest that many are in, causes them to NOT live up to these principles. People want to be in a group, and loved by the group. Many times that means doing and saying things that aren't quite right. It means being silent when you disagree or see things that you know are wrong. A person without integrity says to themselves," they will never know", or "it really doesn't matter". they allow wrongs to go unaddressed, so as to not rock the boat. They jump on the bandwagon everytime it comes down the road, so people will like them.
There is a criminal side to that. Lack of integrity causes people to steal, cheat, and con others out of things that they want. It can be money, or a path that leads to money. They can rob a bank, or marry a rich man for his money.
Once upon a time, a few years ago, I looked around a room at a spiritual gathering. There was a teacher who was afraid to say "boo" to the students, even when they were disruptive or spouting incorrect information. There was a person who advertised services she was not licensed and accredited for. There was a person who had cheated on her husband with a married man...double whammy. There was a person who was ripping people off left and right, and even more. I thought, "What am I doing here?". I never went back.
I see people on Facebook being friendly and "chatting" each day with others that they talk about like they were the worst person on earth! I guess it is the rush to build a Facebook "friends" list. They say that "He who dies with the most toys wins" is not spiritually correct...so is "he who dies with the largest Facebook list is the most loved and respected". It does however give me a chuckle every morning. I know who to trust, that is for sure!
The sad part of the "New Age" or "spiritual" movement is that it frequently attracts people who are looking for love and attention, and all the "I love you's" and hugs, make them feel better about themselves. The problem is, that this is only a band aid, the love isn't real. Once that person walks out the door they are forgotten about until the next gathering, or when they are needed for something.
There are very few people of integrity out there. It is a hard thing to have. They are the people who are seen as strong and no nonsense, and that sometimes equates in people's minds to that they are "no fun". They are outspoken, do not allow wrongs to be perpetuated without speaking up, and they are honest. They don't sugarcoat things, or hug people that turn them off. They don't mince words, or play games just to be in the clique. They are people that you want to have your back.
People with integrity don't fake things, mislead others, or put on a show for adoration. They don't lie, cheat, steal, or con. They "harm none" every day of their lives. They may say something you don't want to hear, but you can bet it is the truth. The truth does sometimes hurt, but it doesn't harm. They are independent and think their own thoughts, not the thoughts of others.They aren't sheep. They don't enable.
Integrity is a hard thing to have, but it is the only way to be. You can read the Bible, Koran, Tso Te Ching, and what each and every word of all of it boils down to , is have integrity.
Do the right things for the right reasons, and foster integrity.
Peshaui Wequashimese
(C)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
Integrity means that you live up to ethical practices and a moral code. It means you are always honest.
The grand popularity contest that many are in, causes them to NOT live up to these principles. People want to be in a group, and loved by the group. Many times that means doing and saying things that aren't quite right. It means being silent when you disagree or see things that you know are wrong. A person without integrity says to themselves," they will never know", or "it really doesn't matter". they allow wrongs to go unaddressed, so as to not rock the boat. They jump on the bandwagon everytime it comes down the road, so people will like them.
There is a criminal side to that. Lack of integrity causes people to steal, cheat, and con others out of things that they want. It can be money, or a path that leads to money. They can rob a bank, or marry a rich man for his money.
Once upon a time, a few years ago, I looked around a room at a spiritual gathering. There was a teacher who was afraid to say "boo" to the students, even when they were disruptive or spouting incorrect information. There was a person who advertised services she was not licensed and accredited for. There was a person who had cheated on her husband with a married man...double whammy. There was a person who was ripping people off left and right, and even more. I thought, "What am I doing here?". I never went back.
I see people on Facebook being friendly and "chatting" each day with others that they talk about like they were the worst person on earth! I guess it is the rush to build a Facebook "friends" list. They say that "He who dies with the most toys wins" is not spiritually correct...so is "he who dies with the largest Facebook list is the most loved and respected". It does however give me a chuckle every morning. I know who to trust, that is for sure!
The sad part of the "New Age" or "spiritual" movement is that it frequently attracts people who are looking for love and attention, and all the "I love you's" and hugs, make them feel better about themselves. The problem is, that this is only a band aid, the love isn't real. Once that person walks out the door they are forgotten about until the next gathering, or when they are needed for something.
There are very few people of integrity out there. It is a hard thing to have. They are the people who are seen as strong and no nonsense, and that sometimes equates in people's minds to that they are "no fun". They are outspoken, do not allow wrongs to be perpetuated without speaking up, and they are honest. They don't sugarcoat things, or hug people that turn them off. They don't mince words, or play games just to be in the clique. They are people that you want to have your back.
People with integrity don't fake things, mislead others, or put on a show for adoration. They don't lie, cheat, steal, or con. They "harm none" every day of their lives. They may say something you don't want to hear, but you can bet it is the truth. The truth does sometimes hurt, but it doesn't harm. They are independent and think their own thoughts, not the thoughts of others.They aren't sheep. They don't enable.
Integrity is a hard thing to have, but it is the only way to be. You can read the Bible, Koran, Tso Te Ching, and what each and every word of all of it boils down to , is have integrity.
Do the right things for the right reasons, and foster integrity.
Peshaui Wequashimese
(C)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Back to drums
About a week or so ago, someone asked me some drum questions. Some I knew the answer to , and some I did not. I researched, and then wrote on other things, so for a Friday, end of the week blog...back to drums.
The first question was to ask, if it were necessary to have a "real" drum. Well that depends on what you are doing. When you want to use that drum in ceremony, from sweat lodge to pow wow, YES you need a real drum. You can use synthetic for personal use, but anyone who has experienced a beautiful, natural, pow wow drum that was prayed over while it was being made, will never go back to a synthetic drum again. The energy is vastly different. Remember , there is a spirit in that object whether it is a drum, flute, rattle, or bells. The quality of the energy and power of the spirit is very different from something made in a factory by a person who just had a fight with his wife, hates his job or had a flat tire going to work that day, from a drum that is made with love, prayer, and positive thoughts, while Creator guides the maker's hands.
You can journey with a synthetic drum, but you can do a million times better with a natural drum. You also can journey, and some Nations do, with a flute. I remember someone saying once that the flute took away from their journeying time, they needed a drum. The flute is also a journeying instrument.A traditional Native American tool. We aren't in South America or Alaska, so we aren't Shaman, and we don't need a drum to journey. People are so misinformed and misled sometimes.
The synthetic drums put out a lot of noise, but that is what it sounds like after a while to me. They are big vibrations, but so is an earthquake. They seem to scatter the energy, rather than meld it.
All of the "Remo" drum owners are now mad at me, but that is OK. The fact is there is a vast difference. I have seen , and been the victim of "harm" with a synthetic drum, but never with a natural one. Pow wow drums are large and loud sometimes, especially when you have many participants drumming on one, and loud honor beats (we will get to that shortly), making the drum shout. The loudness never makes you want to step away, feel badly, or need a break. It is because it is quality, natural , SPIRITUAL sound.
Another question was about Native American Drums. Native American drums are made by Native Americans. Period. Drums made in the same style by non Natives are Native American Style Drums. It is illegal to call any item or event "Native American" (from drums to flutes to gatherings to jewelry), that was not actually made by, or run by a Native American. Even if it was made exactly like a Native American would have done 200 years ago, you still cannot call it Native American.
A third question was what those really hard drum beats are during a song. They are honor beats. They are meant to put emphasis on a particular word or phrase that is being sung. Sometimes that word is the word for "Creator" (which will differ of course depending on the Nation's language the song is being sung in). One drummer will do the honor beats, and no it does not hurt the drum. That tough hide can take just about anything. There are ceremonial songs that go with just about everything in NA ceremony. There is a song for everything and the song is an integral and important part of the ceremony. The ceremony should not be done without the proper song, or sometimes even , the proper drum.
The last question asked was, "how difficult is it to make a drum?". It isn't easy, that is for sure, and depending on the type, style and size of the drum, it can be downright difficult. Hollowed out tree branches or logs are easier than beveling sides for a drum, but none of it is easy. It took quite a while to make our drum, and the final lacing of it was filled with prayer and ritual.
Another person who was reading on drums said that it always says in articles, "men drumming". Women drum, don't they?
Yes they do, but traditionally they did not. They kept the drums and the songs in most NA societies, but were not allowed to drum. Women were not allowed to touch sacred items , and this is a blog for a whole other day.
Some pow wows and celebrations will not allow women on drums to this day. Some dancers will not dance if there is a woman on the drum. This is tradition, in many NA nations, but that doesn't mean that women can't drum. Larger traditional pow wows and rituals will not ever have women drummers, keeping that tradition alive. Women did sing however, at least in most societies, but never in the lead. Today there are all women drums, and they are seen at pow wows and ceremony. It just depends on how traditional the event is.Remember that not every NA nation disallowed women drummers.
Many NA cultures believe that a woman brought the drum to the people, and that the spirit in the drum is a woman. The drum must then be treated with the respect and honor you would give a lady, more specifically, a Grandmother.
Same person, different question is "aren't they (natural drums) hard to take care of? Well, yes and no. Anyone who has a natural drum, will most likely treat it as a drum should be treated. It is kept covered , in a space that is reserved for it. It is not tossed in your car trunk. Remember, this is a ceremonial item with a spirit living inside of it. Would you toss Grandma out in the garage after a celebration? Well, maybe some of you would...but the drum is treated reverently. Therefore there are no worries about making sure it always sounds good. The hides will be looser in cool , damp weather, and tighter is sunny , warm weather. When you keep your drum away from humidity, and cold, it will be fine, but you should be doing that anyway. There is nothing else you need to do.
Well made drums do not need to be tightened, or adjusted in any way. They last forever.
The other part of this question was what was the drum made of. Well, wood, and many times that wood is cedar, but not always. Drum makers had their favorites and of course the trees available where the tribe was located dictated the wood type. The same goes for the hides. They are usually elk, deer, and buffalo. Sometimes people use cow, but that is not as popular. Think again, do you want the spirit of a bear in your drum or a cow???
The last question was about group drumming and Native American tradition. No, the Native Americans did not have drum circle night. They didn't sit around and drum for intentions, that is all New Age. Not a bad thing, but not Native American. Also the idea of Shamanic drumming (steady beat with no singing, used for healing or journeying), is NOT a tradition of the US Native Americans. South America, yes, anywhere on US soil besides Alaska and Hawaii, no. Shamanism is not a belief of the lower 48, there were sometimes medicine men and women, but no shaman. That is a term that has been used generically, but the lower 48 Nations didn't practice Shamanism.
There is also a genre "Neo-Shamanism", that again is New Age, and is a blend of other cultures Shamanistic beliefs, and other New Age practices thrown in, it is FAR from Native American.
There are many types of drum circles out there, but there are no native American ones, there is no such thing. Want to hear NA drumming? Go to a pow wow. Check out pow wow protocol before going. There are also many drum circles that are high energy and have nothing to do with any kind of ritual or tradition, it is just drumming for the absolute fun, thrill, and high energy of it. Matt and I run a circle that combines journeying, and just plain fun. Sometimes we teach songs, and we include flutes, rattles and bells. The other side of things is the pow wow drum , which is a whole other way of doing things.
Treat any pow wow drum that you "meet" with respect. It is a respected family member of the drummers, and holds a powerful. Do not touch the drum unless invited to do so. Do not take pictures of a drum unless you first ask the drum keeper. Do not "party" in any way around the drum, swear, argue, or act up in any way. Treat it with respect and honor. Ask questions of the drum keeper when they are not otherwise occupied and they will answer your questions.
Have a wonderful weekend
Peshaui Wequashimese.
(c)2011 Dr R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
The first question was to ask, if it were necessary to have a "real" drum. Well that depends on what you are doing. When you want to use that drum in ceremony, from sweat lodge to pow wow, YES you need a real drum. You can use synthetic for personal use, but anyone who has experienced a beautiful, natural, pow wow drum that was prayed over while it was being made, will never go back to a synthetic drum again. The energy is vastly different. Remember , there is a spirit in that object whether it is a drum, flute, rattle, or bells. The quality of the energy and power of the spirit is very different from something made in a factory by a person who just had a fight with his wife, hates his job or had a flat tire going to work that day, from a drum that is made with love, prayer, and positive thoughts, while Creator guides the maker's hands.
You can journey with a synthetic drum, but you can do a million times better with a natural drum. You also can journey, and some Nations do, with a flute. I remember someone saying once that the flute took away from their journeying time, they needed a drum. The flute is also a journeying instrument.A traditional Native American tool. We aren't in South America or Alaska, so we aren't Shaman, and we don't need a drum to journey. People are so misinformed and misled sometimes.
The synthetic drums put out a lot of noise, but that is what it sounds like after a while to me. They are big vibrations, but so is an earthquake. They seem to scatter the energy, rather than meld it.
All of the "Remo" drum owners are now mad at me, but that is OK. The fact is there is a vast difference. I have seen , and been the victim of "harm" with a synthetic drum, but never with a natural one. Pow wow drums are large and loud sometimes, especially when you have many participants drumming on one, and loud honor beats (we will get to that shortly), making the drum shout. The loudness never makes you want to step away, feel badly, or need a break. It is because it is quality, natural , SPIRITUAL sound.
Another question was about Native American Drums. Native American drums are made by Native Americans. Period. Drums made in the same style by non Natives are Native American Style Drums. It is illegal to call any item or event "Native American" (from drums to flutes to gatherings to jewelry), that was not actually made by, or run by a Native American. Even if it was made exactly like a Native American would have done 200 years ago, you still cannot call it Native American.
A third question was what those really hard drum beats are during a song. They are honor beats. They are meant to put emphasis on a particular word or phrase that is being sung. Sometimes that word is the word for "Creator" (which will differ of course depending on the Nation's language the song is being sung in). One drummer will do the honor beats, and no it does not hurt the drum. That tough hide can take just about anything. There are ceremonial songs that go with just about everything in NA ceremony. There is a song for everything and the song is an integral and important part of the ceremony. The ceremony should not be done without the proper song, or sometimes even , the proper drum.
The last question asked was, "how difficult is it to make a drum?". It isn't easy, that is for sure, and depending on the type, style and size of the drum, it can be downright difficult. Hollowed out tree branches or logs are easier than beveling sides for a drum, but none of it is easy. It took quite a while to make our drum, and the final lacing of it was filled with prayer and ritual.
Another person who was reading on drums said that it always says in articles, "men drumming". Women drum, don't they?
Yes they do, but traditionally they did not. They kept the drums and the songs in most NA societies, but were not allowed to drum. Women were not allowed to touch sacred items , and this is a blog for a whole other day.
Some pow wows and celebrations will not allow women on drums to this day. Some dancers will not dance if there is a woman on the drum. This is tradition, in many NA nations, but that doesn't mean that women can't drum. Larger traditional pow wows and rituals will not ever have women drummers, keeping that tradition alive. Women did sing however, at least in most societies, but never in the lead. Today there are all women drums, and they are seen at pow wows and ceremony. It just depends on how traditional the event is.Remember that not every NA nation disallowed women drummers.
Many NA cultures believe that a woman brought the drum to the people, and that the spirit in the drum is a woman. The drum must then be treated with the respect and honor you would give a lady, more specifically, a Grandmother.
Same person, different question is "aren't they (natural drums) hard to take care of? Well, yes and no. Anyone who has a natural drum, will most likely treat it as a drum should be treated. It is kept covered , in a space that is reserved for it. It is not tossed in your car trunk. Remember, this is a ceremonial item with a spirit living inside of it. Would you toss Grandma out in the garage after a celebration? Well, maybe some of you would...but the drum is treated reverently. Therefore there are no worries about making sure it always sounds good. The hides will be looser in cool , damp weather, and tighter is sunny , warm weather. When you keep your drum away from humidity, and cold, it will be fine, but you should be doing that anyway. There is nothing else you need to do.
Well made drums do not need to be tightened, or adjusted in any way. They last forever.
The other part of this question was what was the drum made of. Well, wood, and many times that wood is cedar, but not always. Drum makers had their favorites and of course the trees available where the tribe was located dictated the wood type. The same goes for the hides. They are usually elk, deer, and buffalo. Sometimes people use cow, but that is not as popular. Think again, do you want the spirit of a bear in your drum or a cow???
The last question was about group drumming and Native American tradition. No, the Native Americans did not have drum circle night. They didn't sit around and drum for intentions, that is all New Age. Not a bad thing, but not Native American. Also the idea of Shamanic drumming (steady beat with no singing, used for healing or journeying), is NOT a tradition of the US Native Americans. South America, yes, anywhere on US soil besides Alaska and Hawaii, no. Shamanism is not a belief of the lower 48, there were sometimes medicine men and women, but no shaman. That is a term that has been used generically, but the lower 48 Nations didn't practice Shamanism.
There is also a genre "Neo-Shamanism", that again is New Age, and is a blend of other cultures Shamanistic beliefs, and other New Age practices thrown in, it is FAR from Native American.
There are many types of drum circles out there, but there are no native American ones, there is no such thing. Want to hear NA drumming? Go to a pow wow. Check out pow wow protocol before going. There are also many drum circles that are high energy and have nothing to do with any kind of ritual or tradition, it is just drumming for the absolute fun, thrill, and high energy of it. Matt and I run a circle that combines journeying, and just plain fun. Sometimes we teach songs, and we include flutes, rattles and bells. The other side of things is the pow wow drum , which is a whole other way of doing things.
Treat any pow wow drum that you "meet" with respect. It is a respected family member of the drummers, and holds a powerful. Do not touch the drum unless invited to do so. Do not take pictures of a drum unless you first ask the drum keeper. Do not "party" in any way around the drum, swear, argue, or act up in any way. Treat it with respect and honor. Ask questions of the drum keeper when they are not otherwise occupied and they will answer your questions.
Have a wonderful weekend
Peshaui Wequashimese.
(c)2011 Dr R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
How is not an easy answer....
I am often asked, "How do you get information?" (meaning psychic information). The answer isn't easy. Some people will tell you their guide provides all the info directly (like Sylvia Browne and her guide Francine). Some see things, hear things, feel things or just know things.Just because they do not talk directly to a guide, or use tools, does not make them a bad psychic.The reverse is also true, just because they use tools, doesn't mean they are not an excellent reader. The absolute best psychic I ever met uses tarot cards to get her answers.
The source however, of all of it, is really one place, the Highest Power. God, Creator, the Universe. It is the ultimate, and it is the only entity that knows all. There are paths for the information to follow to the psychic. Some are a direct link, some are through guides, some are tapping into the Collective unconscious or Akashic records. Some need to alter their mind and need to slip into a state of near sleep (like Edgar Cayce), or meditate to get answers. No matter what the process, the answer still comes from the same place, the Highest Power. When you ask a psychic a question, you are asking the Highest power in your life. Take the answer and accept it just as if you were speaking directly to your guide or God (Creator, the Universe, whatever term resonates with you).
Everyone has some intuition, but it takes years of experience and training to be able to separate real messages from wishful thinking, adoration, or even in some cases, emotional or mental illness. Some people that hear voices are schizophrenic, not clairaudient. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference.
There is also years of experience needed to know how to interpret the messages. Sometimes readers just see a ball of energy, an aura, or hear a word or two, they then have to interpret it. That is why it is important to be clear and not play games when obtaining a reading. Seeing a lighthouse can mean a trip to the beach, a saving grace, darkness dispelling, religion entering your life, a brilliant idea, or better vision or understanding of a situation.
Sometimes we use tools to "turn on the switch", and others may use them to get direct messages to be clearly understood. I am mostly claircognizant (clear knowing), so when asked a question , I just "know" the answer. It has taken time to make the transition happen quickly and accurately. Sadly people see a movie or a psychic on TV and think that is reality for all psychics. It isn't. The ways of obtaining information are many and varied. I use a combination of clairsentience (clear feeling of someones' emotions), claircognizance, and sometimes use tarot as a clarification tool. There are times when clairvoyance (clear seeing) and clairaudient (clear hearing) abilities enter in, but the claircognizant ability is where most of my information comes from.
There is still another piece to the puzzle. Your entire life is not cast in stone. You have free will, and you have the ability to change CERTAIN things. Your life is just about half and half predetermined and free will.
I was once asked if I knew "everything". Can you imagine all of the information of this world being in your head at one time? You would most likely go insane. When I was three, we realized how much information was coming in to me about strangers around me. I was eventually taught how to shut out all that "noise", and today my tool to opening that door is to have a question asked of me. That tells the psychic switch to turn on. After almost 40 years of channeling information, it happens as naturally as breathing.
Anyone can be trained to develop their psychic abilities, however, like anything, some will master it and some will not. Just like there are starving artists, and there are people like Monet or Rembrandt.
Some of my Psychic Development I students have asked for a more advanced class, there is one. I will be teaching it soon, although I do not have a date set. In the meantime, see how you get messages. What is your way of opening to the Universe? When you know that , it makes it easier to develop that particular talent.
Develop and move along the psychic pathway. Never doubt nor argue with a psychic about their abilities or how they obtain messages. You could sit with 6 different people who get messages (and relate them back), in six different ways.
Respect the Highest Power that sends these messages. Know that you can make changes in some circumstances. Live life in a positive and open manner, and so much will come to you!
Peshaui Wequashimese
(c)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
The source however, of all of it, is really one place, the Highest Power. God, Creator, the Universe. It is the ultimate, and it is the only entity that knows all. There are paths for the information to follow to the psychic. Some are a direct link, some are through guides, some are tapping into the Collective unconscious or Akashic records. Some need to alter their mind and need to slip into a state of near sleep (like Edgar Cayce), or meditate to get answers. No matter what the process, the answer still comes from the same place, the Highest Power. When you ask a psychic a question, you are asking the Highest power in your life. Take the answer and accept it just as if you were speaking directly to your guide or God (Creator, the Universe, whatever term resonates with you).
Everyone has some intuition, but it takes years of experience and training to be able to separate real messages from wishful thinking, adoration, or even in some cases, emotional or mental illness. Some people that hear voices are schizophrenic, not clairaudient. It is sometimes hard to tell the difference.
There is also years of experience needed to know how to interpret the messages. Sometimes readers just see a ball of energy, an aura, or hear a word or two, they then have to interpret it. That is why it is important to be clear and not play games when obtaining a reading. Seeing a lighthouse can mean a trip to the beach, a saving grace, darkness dispelling, religion entering your life, a brilliant idea, or better vision or understanding of a situation.
Sometimes we use tools to "turn on the switch", and others may use them to get direct messages to be clearly understood. I am mostly claircognizant (clear knowing), so when asked a question , I just "know" the answer. It has taken time to make the transition happen quickly and accurately. Sadly people see a movie or a psychic on TV and think that is reality for all psychics. It isn't. The ways of obtaining information are many and varied. I use a combination of clairsentience (clear feeling of someones' emotions), claircognizance, and sometimes use tarot as a clarification tool. There are times when clairvoyance (clear seeing) and clairaudient (clear hearing) abilities enter in, but the claircognizant ability is where most of my information comes from.
There is still another piece to the puzzle. Your entire life is not cast in stone. You have free will, and you have the ability to change CERTAIN things. Your life is just about half and half predetermined and free will.
I was once asked if I knew "everything". Can you imagine all of the information of this world being in your head at one time? You would most likely go insane. When I was three, we realized how much information was coming in to me about strangers around me. I was eventually taught how to shut out all that "noise", and today my tool to opening that door is to have a question asked of me. That tells the psychic switch to turn on. After almost 40 years of channeling information, it happens as naturally as breathing.
Anyone can be trained to develop their psychic abilities, however, like anything, some will master it and some will not. Just like there are starving artists, and there are people like Monet or Rembrandt.
Some of my Psychic Development I students have asked for a more advanced class, there is one. I will be teaching it soon, although I do not have a date set. In the meantime, see how you get messages. What is your way of opening to the Universe? When you know that , it makes it easier to develop that particular talent.
Develop and move along the psychic pathway. Never doubt nor argue with a psychic about their abilities or how they obtain messages. You could sit with 6 different people who get messages (and relate them back), in six different ways.
Respect the Highest Power that sends these messages. Know that you can make changes in some circumstances. Live life in a positive and open manner, and so much will come to you!
Peshaui Wequashimese
(c)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
New month, new moon
New month, new moon, new beginnings.
What is the "new" that you want to bring into your life?? It is the perfect day to manifest anything new. But remember Universal Law.
People who read things like The Secret, and didn't fully comprehend it, think that you just ask for say a new job , and you get one. It isn't that easy unless you have done the prep work. Think about it this way. Say I want to manifest a better job, yet my job history is terrible. I have no references as all my former employers would say that I was not eligible to be rehired. My education does not meet the minimum criteria. Then I am not going to get that job no matter how hard I try to manifest it.
The prep work always needs to be done first. Universal Law will not break natural law nor man made law. It won't allow you to make a new car appear in your living room, nor make a wrong happen to someone that would be akin to breaking a law, assault for example.
Universal law will not allow you to harm another. When you and Bob are both completely eligible for the job, and Bob needs to feed another child, Bob will get the job, unless the Universe has an even better one lined up for him.
Manifesting does not mean getting what you want, when you want it, by sitting on your butt. Like everything in life, rewards through the Universe need to be earned in some way. The Universe delivers exactly what you need when you need it, automatically. Sometimes life lessons step in , or the Universe trying to guide you in the direction that you NEED to go, which may be different from where you want to go. You can manifest what you want, but it may take years. You have to complete high school before being President of IBM.
Be careful what you ask for, it may be more than you anticipated, or even less. Remember that the Universe is literal, and that it doesn't reward those that do not reserve reward. In other words...Karma steps in.
Do the work , do not expect the Universe to do it for you, but to help you achieve your goals. Make realistic goals, and realistic time frames. Make sure it is part of your path by muscle testing. When you have everything set up just right, there is much that you can achieve and achieve quickly.
Think about the newness that you are prepared for , and ready to move forward with, then MANIFEST it to fruition.
Peshaui Wequashimese
(C)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used , copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
What is the "new" that you want to bring into your life?? It is the perfect day to manifest anything new. But remember Universal Law.
People who read things like The Secret, and didn't fully comprehend it, think that you just ask for say a new job , and you get one. It isn't that easy unless you have done the prep work. Think about it this way. Say I want to manifest a better job, yet my job history is terrible. I have no references as all my former employers would say that I was not eligible to be rehired. My education does not meet the minimum criteria. Then I am not going to get that job no matter how hard I try to manifest it.
The prep work always needs to be done first. Universal Law will not break natural law nor man made law. It won't allow you to make a new car appear in your living room, nor make a wrong happen to someone that would be akin to breaking a law, assault for example.
Universal law will not allow you to harm another. When you and Bob are both completely eligible for the job, and Bob needs to feed another child, Bob will get the job, unless the Universe has an even better one lined up for him.
Manifesting does not mean getting what you want, when you want it, by sitting on your butt. Like everything in life, rewards through the Universe need to be earned in some way. The Universe delivers exactly what you need when you need it, automatically. Sometimes life lessons step in , or the Universe trying to guide you in the direction that you NEED to go, which may be different from where you want to go. You can manifest what you want, but it may take years. You have to complete high school before being President of IBM.
Be careful what you ask for, it may be more than you anticipated, or even less. Remember that the Universe is literal, and that it doesn't reward those that do not reserve reward. In other words...Karma steps in.
Do the work , do not expect the Universe to do it for you, but to help you achieve your goals. Make realistic goals, and realistic time frames. Make sure it is part of your path by muscle testing. When you have everything set up just right, there is much that you can achieve and achieve quickly.
Think about the newness that you are prepared for , and ready to move forward with, then MANIFEST it to fruition.
Peshaui Wequashimese
(C)2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used , copied or reproduced without prior written permission.
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