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Drawing Down the Spirits: The Traditions and Techniques of Spirit Possession
An insider’s view of the inner workings and prevalence of spirit possession in our modern world
• Provides practical techniques for preparation, safety, aftercare, and aborting harmful possessions
• Reveals the forms of ritual possession present throughout the world--including Uganda, Nepal, Korea, Bali, Greece, Turkey, Scandinavia, and France
Drawing Down the Spirits presents an insider’s view of the inner workings, sacred traditions, and prevalence of spirit possession existing in our modern world. Spirit possession is an integral part of shamanism as well as many neo-pagan forms of worship that draw down deities or invite spirit possession. However, spirit possession is not for the unprepared. In Drawing Down the Spirits , Kenaz Filan and Raven Kaldera, both initiated and experienced in shamanic and Vodou traditions, present the practical guidance needed to participate in ritual possession.
Addressing the benefits and the dangers that await the naive, Filan and Kaldera show that there is no such thing as a guaranteed “safe” possession because spirits have their own agenda--and they are much more powerful than we are. The authors provide a variety of techniques to prepare for possession and abort possession and to promote the safety of the possessed as well as the spirits and witnesses present. With a wide-ranging look at the historic forms of ritual possession found throughout the world--including Uganda, Nepal, Korea, Bali, Greece, Turkey, Scandinavia, and France--the authors also include numerous firsthand accounts collected from witnesses of modern spirit possession.
• Provides practical techniques for preparation, safety, aftercare, and aborting harmful possessions
• Reveals the forms of ritual possession present throughout the world--including Uganda, Nepal, Korea, Bali, Greece, Turkey, Scandinavia, and France
Drawing Down the Spirits presents an insider’s view of the inner workings, sacred traditions, and prevalence of spirit possession existing in our modern world. Spirit possession is an integral part of shamanism as well as many neo-pagan forms of worship that draw down deities or invite spirit possession. However, spirit possession is not for the unprepared. In Drawing Down the Spirits , Kenaz Filan and Raven Kaldera, both initiated and experienced in shamanic and Vodou traditions, present the practical guidance needed to participate in ritual possession.
Addressing the benefits and the dangers that await the naive, Filan and Kaldera show that there is no such thing as a guaranteed “safe” possession because spirits have their own agenda--and they are much more powerful than we are. The authors provide a variety of techniques to prepare for possession and abort possession and to promote the safety of the possessed as well as the spirits and witnesses present. With a wide-ranging look at the historic forms of ritual possession found throughout the world--including Uganda, Nepal, Korea, Bali, Greece, Turkey, Scandinavia, and France--the authors also include numerous firsthand accounts collected from witnesses of modern spirit possession.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 2, 2009
Kaldera and Filan provide a fascinating introduction to spirit possession as it is practiced by contemporary religious communities. Their perspective is unique in that both are experienced "horses" who have direct experience of divine possession.
This is *not* a how-to guide. In fact, the authors state again and again that spirit possession is an intense and potentially dangerous undertaking, one which should be ventured only by those who have been called by the gods, lwas, or other spirits.
Instead, they describe what we know of spirit possession historically and cross-culturally, types and degrees of divine possession, purposes for possession, how to discern when someone is faking a possession, what to do when an unwelcome entity takes over, what it's like to experience as a horse and as a ritual participant, and how to plan a possession ritual if your spiritual community has one or more horses.
This is *not* a how-to guide. In fact, the authors state again and again that spirit possession is an intense and potentially dangerous undertaking, one which should be ventured only by those who have been called by the gods, lwas, or other spirits.
Instead, they describe what we know of spirit possession historically and cross-culturally, types and degrees of divine possession, purposes for possession, how to discern when someone is faking a possession, what to do when an unwelcome entity takes over, what it's like to experience as a horse and as a ritual participant, and how to plan a possession ritual if your spiritual community has one or more horses.
December 14, 2011
Extremely interesting book: by literary style, logical approach to the problem, encyclopedic in amount of topics involved, epic by scope, and leaving a world view changing impression.
Complex, intelligent, passionate and reasonable, this book is a rare gem between occult books.
For me, as a layman who has nothing to do with a world of spirits, was interesting to learn about living in their world, world of those who are involved. Especially if a narrative was quite seriously told by very intelligent, sincere, and not condescending or arrogant people. I appreciate that.
They experienced possessions first hand, being chosen by their deities, and learned how to deal and live with it. They are not a solitary sufferers from whatever happened to them, and are involved with very different spiritual organizations and many other people with similar experiences, whose multiple opinions are voiced in the book also. Extensive research, probably decades long, was done; in very depth - own life was at stake.
But for me the most interesting was cross-religion and cross-school (how would you classify magick and Faes?) cosmology and specifics of different worlds, existing side by side, as real for participants as this world is for the rest of us. Never saw this done before, and certainly would like to see another their book, covering solely this aspect in greater depth. If you know such, recommend, please.
This was a warning that the world beyond ours is not filled by absolute love with your best interests in mind, and if you call for the helpful spirit or deity, the opposite may come. Precautions that should be made, and stories when things went wrong. Warnings about becoming open for spirits without previous preparations and precautions, as if you put sight "For Rent" on your forehead - somebody will come, quite possibly an opposite to what you expected, and this is as wise as giving own credit card to complete stranger from the street (from the book). Permissions, given or implied, possessions, voluntary or not, by gods or spirits; the small ones could be put on as a hat by shaman (for healing) and trying to do the same with a god (not a major, remote one, but one of pantheon) is like trying to put on refrigerator as a hat (again from the book). Amazing.
The thought about calling "generic" Goddess or Mother-Goddess, as a surname for a group of gods or sharing the same occupation, you never know which one will come. And many similar interesting concepts. Ethics of calling souls, animal spirits and smaller spirits against their will to answer you or do any errands for you.
For those, who are interested in possessions, all humanly possible advice how to handle it and prepare for it, was given; and for those who are not agree to become possessed, procedure how to abort it, or at least what could be done. Do not works with gods, too powerful. Advice for those who are close to possessed (pray and look for specialist in exorcism, but do not try to do it themselves, too dangerous).
I could only wish that how the mass monotheistic religions and magick fit in this grandiose scheme of things were described in more details. Just interesting: where the unconditional love and help of the first and real power of the other fit. Myth or real, if only grain of it is true, which one. Plain curiosity.
Excellent reading. As interesting as the best of fiction.
Complex, intelligent, passionate and reasonable, this book is a rare gem between occult books.
For me, as a layman who has nothing to do with a world of spirits, was interesting to learn about living in their world, world of those who are involved. Especially if a narrative was quite seriously told by very intelligent, sincere, and not condescending or arrogant people. I appreciate that.
They experienced possessions first hand, being chosen by their deities, and learned how to deal and live with it. They are not a solitary sufferers from whatever happened to them, and are involved with very different spiritual organizations and many other people with similar experiences, whose multiple opinions are voiced in the book also. Extensive research, probably decades long, was done; in very depth - own life was at stake.
But for me the most interesting was cross-religion and cross-school (how would you classify magick and Faes?) cosmology and specifics of different worlds, existing side by side, as real for participants as this world is for the rest of us. Never saw this done before, and certainly would like to see another their book, covering solely this aspect in greater depth. If you know such, recommend, please.
This was a warning that the world beyond ours is not filled by absolute love with your best interests in mind, and if you call for the helpful spirit or deity, the opposite may come. Precautions that should be made, and stories when things went wrong. Warnings about becoming open for spirits without previous preparations and precautions, as if you put sight "For Rent" on your forehead - somebody will come, quite possibly an opposite to what you expected, and this is as wise as giving own credit card to complete stranger from the street (from the book). Permissions, given or implied, possessions, voluntary or not, by gods or spirits; the small ones could be put on as a hat by shaman (for healing) and trying to do the same with a god (not a major, remote one, but one of pantheon) is like trying to put on refrigerator as a hat (again from the book). Amazing.
The thought about calling "generic" Goddess or Mother-Goddess, as a surname for a group of gods or sharing the same occupation, you never know which one will come. And many similar interesting concepts. Ethics of calling souls, animal spirits and smaller spirits against their will to answer you or do any errands for you.
For those, who are interested in possessions, all humanly possible advice how to handle it and prepare for it, was given; and for those who are not agree to become possessed, procedure how to abort it, or at least what could be done. Do not works with gods, too powerful. Advice for those who are close to possessed (pray and look for specialist in exorcism, but do not try to do it themselves, too dangerous).
I could only wish that how the mass monotheistic religions and magick fit in this grandiose scheme of things were described in more details. Just interesting: where the unconditional love and help of the first and real power of the other fit. Myth or real, if only grain of it is true, which one. Plain curiosity.
Excellent reading. As interesting as the best of fiction.
February 13, 2010
Although this is not a book about how to accomplish possession trance, it is a book about how individuals and groups can cope with it. I found it insightful, thought provoking and honest. I particularly liked the discussion of the archetypist approach and how problematic it can be.
October 23, 2016
This is a must-read for anyone whose Work includes divine possession, or for anyone wishing to explore this kind of Work. This book is wonderful and had immensely useful information about possession.
I had to read it slowly over time because each time I sat down to read I got a little possessed, so I wanted to be sure that every time I picked up the book I was in a good headspace and in a position to be ready & willing to do Work if called upon (which did happen a couple times).
I had to read it slowly over time because each time I sat down to read I got a little possessed, so I wanted to be sure that every time I picked up the book I was in a good headspace and in a position to be ready & willing to do Work if called upon (which did happen a couple times).
July 30, 2020
Wow! So glad that I purchased this! Can't give more than 5 stars up above so I will add on some hearts! 💗💗💗💗💗
August 17, 2020
Well worth the read
April 9, 2021
Fascinating primer on a less appreciated and poorly understood aspect of modern paganism. Even if it’s not a practice that fits you it’s worth looking at to understand it
September 28, 2021
If you're interested in learning more about spirit possession this is a great book to start. The authors speaks very clearly and directly about the dangers (and benefits) of it, featuring commentary from spiritual leaders of different faiths and traditions.
November 1, 2022
Really interesting read. Very informative, a good mixture of personal experiences and wider research.
November 23, 2016
a good read, lots of interesting footnotes to follow
November 21, 2015
As with all that I've read from these two authors, their work is imminently readable knowledgeable, and well-referenced.
Once more taking a very broad and complex topic, then placing it well between personal experience and what others have said about the same so as to offer a more rounded reading of a diverse subject.
I found the attention to as many general aspects as possible about the phenomenon allowed for a solid grounding in the subject for cases of private experience, and public ritual interactions.
Personally, I appreciated most the inclusion of a list of types of 'possession', to better give a modern Western reader a firm grasp on what is precisely being discussed. The prevalence of the act through time, and varied cultures also answered what may be most important to a Western observer is WHY does this happen. What benefit is there, then or now, for the gods, ancestors spirits, elementals, heroes, and the dead to bother with such direct, and sometimes violent to view, contact.
Reading about how different cultures, even within the emerging Modern Western religionists that often call upon the divinities of lost belief systems, experience the communication for the channel, and for the gathered. Quite enlightening. I shall read the companion book shortly.
Once more taking a very broad and complex topic, then placing it well between personal experience and what others have said about the same so as to offer a more rounded reading of a diverse subject.
I found the attention to as many general aspects as possible about the phenomenon allowed for a solid grounding in the subject for cases of private experience, and public ritual interactions.
Personally, I appreciated most the inclusion of a list of types of 'possession', to better give a modern Western reader a firm grasp on what is precisely being discussed. The prevalence of the act through time, and varied cultures also answered what may be most important to a Western observer is WHY does this happen. What benefit is there, then or now, for the gods, ancestors spirits, elementals, heroes, and the dead to bother with such direct, and sometimes violent to view, contact.
Reading about how different cultures, even within the emerging Modern Western religionists that often call upon the divinities of lost belief systems, experience the communication for the channel, and for the gathered. Quite enlightening. I shall read the companion book shortly.
December 26, 2014
Kaldera, with help from blogger and Haitian Vodou initiate Kenaz Filan, discusses the practical side of a controversial but increasingly prevalent practice in modern paganism: Possession by deities or spirits. The book is not a manual for those who want to experience divine possession, but rather a guide for those who *are* experiencing it whether they want to or not. Both authors have worked extensively with this form of magic and spiritual devotion, and they are frank about both its dangers and its rewards. I have no experience with possession and no desire to do so, but from that perspective, this looks like an excellent book. Kaldera's writing is always frank and engaging, and so is Filan's, to judge by his blog.
June 12, 2014
Excellent book. Must read for anyone contemplating doing this work.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews