Drawing Down the Spirits
The Traditions and Techniques of Spirit Possession
Kenaz Filan and Raven Kaldera
Published by Destiny Books, 2009
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.
Kenaz Filan (Houngan Coquille du Mer) was initiated in Société la
Belle Venus in March 2003 after 10 years of solitary service to the Haitian
Vodou Iwa. The managing editor of newWitch magazine, Filan is the author of
The Haitian Vodou Handbook and Vodou Love Magic and lives in New York City.
Raven Kaldera is a Northen Traditional Pagan Shaman and lives in Massachusetts.
(The text above comes from the back of the book)