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The Medicine Bag: Shamanic Rituals & Ceremonies for Personal Transformation
One of the main tenets of shamanism is a belief in the power of ceremony to manifest change in the physical world. Virtually all shamanic traditions use a variety of ritual practices as tools for personal transformation, healing, and celebration. Now, in this exciting and practical book, Toltec shaman and New York Times best-selling author don Jose Ruiz introduces and explains a wealth of these shamanic rituals and ceremonies, and provides a detailed and accessible guide to performing them on your own. This book will teach you how Choose and create power objectsBuild a personal altar and medicine wheelAlign your life with the cycles of natureFind and work with your spirit animalsHonor your ancestors, undertake power journeys, and much more Like the medicine bag itself, this book is a potent tool kit of spiritual practices meant to open you to a world of beauty, exploration, and transformation. By offering step-by-step instructions in each chapter, don Jose Ruiz has made these rituals and ceremonies accessible to everyone who feels called to travel the shamanic path.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2020
902 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
Jose Ruiz
100 books59 followersDon Jose Ruiz, son of Miguel Ruiz and brother of Miguel Ruiz Jr, was born in Mexico but moved to the USA when he was 21.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 8, 2020
A famous book that I wasn’t aware of. Written by the same family of Toltecs who wrote the four agreements.
Full of Toltec rituals for shamanic training.
Full of Toltec rituals for shamanic training.
February 4, 2020
A book of real magic
I have been a student and practitioner of ritual for a long time. I think this is the first book I’ve read that makes the process of developing personal rituals so understandable.
Many approaches are filled with arcane or complex ideas—and a sense that you had better get everything right or risk tearing a whole in the universe or something. This book is about reconnecting with life and using this connection to heal your own life in every sense.
I loved the personal stories and how the author wove in the lore of his Toltec tradition. I bought this book in Kindle form but will now order the hard copy because it’s one that will need to be dogeared, marked, and reread.
I have been a student and practitioner of ritual for a long time. I think this is the first book I’ve read that makes the process of developing personal rituals so understandable.
Many approaches are filled with arcane or complex ideas—and a sense that you had better get everything right or risk tearing a whole in the universe or something. This book is about reconnecting with life and using this connection to heal your own life in every sense.
I loved the personal stories and how the author wove in the lore of his Toltec tradition. I bought this book in Kindle form but will now order the hard copy because it’s one that will need to be dogeared, marked, and reread.
November 11, 2020
It is a very well written, welcoming guidebook for shamanism. The author welcomes all different cultures to modify his own rituals and beliefs to suit your own needs and purposes. Just reading it fills me with hope and positivity. I will definitely keep this one in mind and re-read it every once in a while.
February 18, 2020
Bought the paperback because I want it in my hands for reference at any time or place. Grateful the Ruiz family knows how to keep things slim, simple and to the point.
Don Jose brings sense to practical rituals that can be practiced by anyone easily, without fear, judgment, condemnation, gurus or community even.
The action of ritual brings empowerment through focus into my life, allowing me to move forward or make adjustments. Interestingly enough, my home is full of altars that remind me of what I love and value, and that I am an intuitive human that loves life.
I am looking forward to the workshop in PDX with the Dons Jose and Miguel, in particular dissemination rituals to feel more whole, complete and in alignment with my own dreams and aspirations.
Don Jose brings sense to practical rituals that can be practiced by anyone easily, without fear, judgment, condemnation, gurus or community even.
The action of ritual brings empowerment through focus into my life, allowing me to move forward or make adjustments. Interestingly enough, my home is full of altars that remind me of what I love and value, and that I am an intuitive human that loves life.
I am looking forward to the workshop in PDX with the Dons Jose and Miguel, in particular dissemination rituals to feel more whole, complete and in alignment with my own dreams and aspirations.
September 4, 2022
My sister gave me this book as a gift when I was going through a rough patch. It is very spiritual in that it teaches some of the Toltec traditions about communing with nature and the “nagual”, or life force. The medicine wheel and energy from inanimate objects is a bit far out there for me at this point. However, I really like the ideas of becoming more grounded, making an altar and, of course, a medicine bag. Thanks, Sister!
August 26, 2020
The medicine bag is a great little book. It breaks down the principle in easy and approachable steps, and the rituals described in this book are simple, so it's great for beginners who might be intimidated by more complex rituals and spells. It was very digestible and light to read, without losing its meaning.
February 23, 2020
A wonderful and explicit guide on shamanic rituals!
January 1, 2021
A confirmation of the Quest experience and ritual that I lead and for my medicine wheel, I built high on my southern ridge.
September 19, 2024
Uplifting. Easy to follow. Hard to put down.
The caption pretty much says it all. No matter where you are on your journey, this book will help to move you along. If you're just starting out this is a great guide. If you're advanced you'll find the book will refresh memories that have faded. I loved the sample chants and prayers. I jotted many of them down. I bought the e-book. Will be getting a hard copy or two. I'm on fb. Look me up. Can't have too many like minded friends.
The caption pretty much says it all. No matter where you are on your journey, this book will help to move you along. If you're just starting out this is a great guide. If you're advanced you'll find the book will refresh memories that have faded. I loved the sample chants and prayers. I jotted many of them down. I bought the e-book. Will be getting a hard copy or two. I'm on fb. Look me up. Can't have too many like minded friends.
September 15, 2020
I’m not sure what to say about this book!
I didn’t like it, nothing inside that I didn’t already know, and I don’t really fancy doing the exercises.
Just bored me to be honest and wasted my money
I didn’t like it, nothing inside that I didn’t already know, and I don’t really fancy doing the exercises.
Just bored me to be honest and wasted my money
November 26, 2025
I thought my own metaphysical conceptions could have never embrace this approach, until it happened. Suddenly, my transcendent experiences during meditation allowed me to see the power of physical and behavioral rituals to deepen and strengthen my spiritual growth and journey. For me, this book is treasure. I highly recommend the audiobook, although I bought the kindle too, for reference. It’s not long. It’s also modular, both k of which make it more accessible. Powerful, beautiful stuff!
September 10, 2020
I enjoyed this read - so much that I reread several chapters. Learning about Toltec shamanism has been a powerful experience. I particularly enjoyed Chapter Three: The Medicine Wheel and the Moon, and Chapter Seven: Divination Tools and Ceremonial Practices. There are many rituals that are explained in detail, leaving the reader comfortable with adopting them into their personal practice.
October 12, 2021
Great and easy read
The shamanic bag is a collection of practices and tools based on toltec shamanism, meant to offer aid as we navigate the spiritual path. Some practices were new to me while others are known in many traditions. I enjoyed reading this book and learning new practices.
The shamanic bag is a collection of practices and tools based on toltec shamanism, meant to offer aid as we navigate the spiritual path. Some practices were new to me while others are known in many traditions. I enjoyed reading this book and learning new practices.
January 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is a short read with lots of good ideas. I haven’t done any of the rituals yet but I do plan to do them. One thing I really like about this is that it empowers each individual to take responsibility for their own personal growth and gives the tools to work at developing those skills.
April 27, 2022
A great book about healing, Shamanic ceremonies and rituals. It is always interesting and enlightening to know about ancient cultures practices . This book will help you connect better with nature, surroundings and yourself. Also, you will get introduced to Animal Wisdom, Power Objects, Ancestors..etc.
كن واعيًا وخذ منه ما يناسبك
كن واعيًا وخذ منه ما يناسبك
August 16, 2022
This book has been on wish list for a while. I came across it because his father has written books that I have read. I really like the book. There were serval themes like communication with nature, the medicine wheel, animals, honouring the ancestors, divination and ceremonial activities. This book took me time to read but well worth it
January 10, 2025
Don Jose Ruiz, a shaman in the Toltec tradition who comes from an illustrious, shamanic family. For many generations, they have preserved the rituals and traditions of their shamanic ancestors.
This book is very easy to understand, approachable and filled with exercises that help develop the concepts he’s sharing from his ancestors tradition.
Will read more than once!
This book is very easy to understand, approachable and filled with exercises that help develop the concepts he’s sharing from his ancestors tradition.
Will read more than once!
July 20, 2021
The door has been opened
This author was fantastic. There was nothing added that shouldn’t be there. It was written with powerful insight and a loving authority. This is a book for me to cherish, because it opened the door to my spiritual life that has been neglected for too long. Thank you.
This author was fantastic. There was nothing added that shouldn’t be there. It was written with powerful insight and a loving authority. This is a book for me to cherish, because it opened the door to my spiritual life that has been neglected for too long. Thank you.
September 25, 2024
I am the artist of my life!
I read these words and they struck such a chord with me. The rituals and insights in this book are healing. Learning about the Power Jouney has given me important guidance for my next steps.
I read these words and they struck such a chord with me. The rituals and insights in this book are healing. Learning about the Power Jouney has given me important guidance for my next steps.
August 11, 2025
Love this book is exceptional 👌.
This book is very good 👍 two thumbs up.
It's very easy to read and understandable.
Very well written 👏 and comprehensive.
I recommend an excellent book.
This book is very good 👍 two thumbs up.
It's very easy to read and understandable.
Very well written 👏 and comprehensive.
I recommend an excellent book.
October 2, 2025
this was a perfect reading. so useful and practical. fun even. throughout the whole book i was just thinking and feeling how lucky i was to get to this knowledge.
from the first page you can start seeing your perception being transformed.
thank you🙏
from the first page you can start seeing your perception being transformed.
thank you🙏
October 13, 2025
Repeatative
It was repeatative. Hard to read and see myself doing these things. A little too out of the ordinary for me. Not in my personality to get into having alters or medicine bags. Chanting or doing ceremonial rituals.
It was repeatative. Hard to read and see myself doing these things. A little too out of the ordinary for me. Not in my personality to get into having alters or medicine bags. Chanting or doing ceremonial rituals.
March 13, 2020
Great book for learning to move to a more spiritual life. Medicine bag instructions, and ideas plus personal journeys.
😀
😀
March 31, 2020
Amazing and extremely informative!
July 11, 2020
Great author. Very knowledgeable on the subject matter and explains it well.
January 9, 2021
Mindblowing
February 3, 2021
Insightful and educative. Worth reading.
May 21, 2021
Great resource for shamanistic ritual magic. It includes history, tips and deep insights into the usefulness of shamanism--both in mind and in physicality. Highly recommend.
July 27, 2021
Decent read
Very good intro book. Snippets of generalized information. A few elaborated pieces with specifics. Definitely great for beginners. Wonderful place to start.
Very good intro book. Snippets of generalized information. A few elaborated pieces with specifics. Definitely great for beginners. Wonderful place to start.
November 20, 2021
We need more books on that
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews