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Hand Crafted Talking-Sticks & Ceremonial Rattles

Talking sticks and wooden rattle handles are treated and crafted in basically the same manner as magic wands; indeed they can be used as wands to direct energy. To find out more about handcrafting methods, please see the Wands page. Continue below to learn about talking sticks and personal ceremonial rattles, hand made by artist Tree.

* About the Talking Stick

* Hand Crafted Ceremonial Ritual Rattle Selections; in site shopping

About Talking Sticks

The talking stick it is generally accepted as being a Native American concept; the understanding of this site is as follows...

About Talking Sticks

When groups gather there is often a tendency for individuals to talk over each other; to speak at the same time, creating a crescendo of noise. It becomes an unbalanced exchange of energy or an outright competition to be heard. In order to avoid confrontation, to promote fairness and brotherhood the talking stick was used by many of the indigenous people of the Americas.

Begin each meeting with a passing of the stick. Perhaps you could make a ritual of beginning evening dinner, a family reunion or such gatherings in this way; discuss a specific topic or just touch bases. A talking stick can help keep the peace and direct the will of a group. Special events can be marked on a talking stick for the sake of memory. Adding trinkets and decorations can turn a family talking stick into a scrapbook of sorts, and also adds a tactile sense; it can be easier for some people to speak in a public situation if they've something to do with their hands by toying with hanging charms, stones or beads. Thus the talking stick takes on the role of a therapy devise.

Once you or your group has a talking stick you'll need to decide on a reasonable amount of time to allow each talker. The amount of time depends greatly on the type of talking activity. A fast paced debate, where many have opinions or information to share, might require a short span of perhaps two to five minutes per person. You might allow open time for family chats or situations where participants may have a small story to tell. The group might also agree to raising hands to indicate a desire to speak. It's reasonable to assume this is a more traditional method of deciding when to passing the stick, as there weren't many stop watches or kitchen timers in the old days. This isn't an activity for an uncooperative group of individuals; sticks can hurt! If you're working with a group of small children, you might try making a talking stick from a flexible Nerf-like material for safety.

The person starting the conversation, or the keeper of the talking stick begins. After stating the purpose of the gathering and having his or her "turn" the stick should be passed. Let the stick be passed to the right for creative conversations where positive energy is being made, or pass to the left if you're working out problems; removing negative energy. Having gathered the group in a circle, only the holder of the stick should be permitted to speak, and only those in the circle should participate. Interruptions from people not involved in the entire conversation or activity -- the circle -- should not be allowed. If you might want to contribute to the conversation you'd better join the circle at the start! You don't HAVE to speak if the stick is passed to you. It's a matter of fairly controlling the flow of energy, so if you feel the group needs to cool down a bit just use your turn with the talking stick to create a little quiet time.You may also pass the talking stick quietly if you've nothing at all to say. The choice is always your own, but you must wait until you have the stick for your turn to decide. The talking stick should then continue to be passed in this manner until all agree that what can be spoken has been said. The stick is finally returned to the leader of the group, or a voted "keeper", for safe storage.

A talking stick can also function as a wand to direct energy both in a group settings and/or for a private individual. It will absorb positive energy over time and store it until discharged. This can be saved or dispersed to fulfill the groups goal or need -- just as a wand. But as a talking stick it will also absorb negative energy, such as from heated group conversation, and transmute it into positive energy allowing communication within the group to improve. It may be programmed to disperse any negativity from the conversation appropriately out into the universe. This would be achieved with a prayer or declaration of release stated at the end of the circle.

With both spiritual grace and physical appeal, the talking stick easily takes on the role of a therapy devise, magick wand, scrapbook of memories, and an interesting conversation piece of home decor. Get talking!

©T. Pruitt, not to be used for profit, personal gain, or commercial web sites. Contact this site for personal BLOG use permission.

*The example shown in photograph here is made of white willow, topped with a blue phantom quartz crystal. The phantom is caused by the soft image of another minerals inclusion within the crystal center. The handle end of this talking stick also has a horse hair tassel. Horse represents a journey, and here is used to mark the journey of a girl to womanhood and was used in a young girls club.

Hand Crafted Ceremonial Ritual Rattle Selections

"Seeds of Wisdom", Lotus Personal Meditation Rattle

This item is, in effect, a worked spell waiting for the right person. Each of the materials used were gathered for the combined purpose of not just raising a higher spiritual energy, but to help the energy be used in a balanced manner. A path of personal discovery can be revealed!

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*Portions of this website have been/may be reprinted under the Fair Use Doctrine of International Copyright Law, as educational material without benefit of financial gain. http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode17/usc_sec_17_00000107----000-.html All images and artwork copyright Tree Pruitt and James Pruitt, unless otherwise stated, and MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED without prior written consent from the individual artist. CONTACT FOR PERMISSIVE BLOG USE. No parties associated with the site may be held responsible for incidents related to the use of the contents of the web site. Persons submitting materials for publication on this site assume sole responsibility for the content. We make no claims as to the accuracy of information, advice, or remedies on this site. All content is intended as opinion or entertainment. We claim no authenticity to Native American items, but make use of the term as a style descriptive devise. No one associated with this site warrants that a person may legally purchase, possess, or carry any specific items offered, according to federal, state or local laws. By purchasing any item from this site the buyer grants that he/she is in compliance with local and state laws and legally able to purchase those items. We make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to any matter not expressly provided herein, including without limitation, the condition, quality, design, or fitness of any animal based product, knife, sword, or staff for use for any particular purpose. Purchaser uses or displays items at his/her own risk. By acceptance of product/creation, purchaser agrees that The Mystic Griffin site, J. or T. Pruitt, or Freewebs Corp. , shall have no liability to purchaser or any person whatsoever for any claim, loss, damage or expense arising from handling, use, display, or storage of said products/creations.