What is Shamanism?

What is Shamanism?

The word Shamanism came out of the Mongolian word for their spiritual priest and healer. The word became popular from the studies done by various Western anthropologist. It is my understanding that Mongolians prefer the word Tengerism instead of Shamanism because Shamanism means worshiping the Shaman. The Shaman is respected for his or her abilities to bring balance to the world which is given to them from their spirit helpers but the Shaman is not worshiped.

Because of anthropologist all sorts of spirituality got called Shamanism and they are from totally different cultures and are different from the Mongolian pathway.

This also happened to Native Americans as well with people thinking all Native Americans are exactly the same. People don’t seem to understand that the different Nations have different religions and different cultures. It would be like saying the Germans are exactly like the Americans in culture and that is not true.

There is also core shamanism which was developed by the well known anthropologist Michael Harner who says he took all of the aspects of shamanic pathways that were the same and therefore got to the core of the spirituality without the culture.

The Shaman

In Mongolia as with the Native Americans there are many types of healers. Bone setters, herbalist, etc which are also important. The Shaman was the one with an extra soul that was called since birth. Therefore not everyone is a Shaman.
The main function of the shaman is to restore and maintain balance in his community. Shamans conduct blessings, rituals of protection, hunting magic, and divination. They also cure sicknesses that have spiritual causes such as spiritual intrusions, spiritual pollution, soul loss, and curses. Shamans are also the caretakers of traditional culture. Because of their knowledge of ancient tradition, their counsel has been sought throughout the ages.

Dreamcatchers

What is a Dreamcatcher?

A dreamcatcher is a traditional Ojibwa object called asabikeshiinh (dream catcher) or bawasjige nagwaagan (dream snare). These objects were handmade on a willow hoop on which a loose net or web is woven and it is decorated with personal and sacred items such as feathers and beads.

What happened to Dreamcatchers?

Dreamcatchers originated in the Ojibawa Nation and during the pan- Indian movement of the 1960s and 1970s were adopted by Native Americans of other Nations. They had at one time became a general symbol of identification with peoples from Native American or First Nations cultures. However during the New Age movement they became an object of popular culture.

Traditional use of Dreamcatchers

The traditional Ojibwa dreamcaters was made from a web of sinew tyed around a round or tear-shaped frame of willow. The completed dreamcatcher would be hung above the bed of the children as a charm to protect them from nightmares while sleeping. According to Terri J. Andrews in the article "Legend of the Dream Catcher", about the Ojibwa nation in the magazine World & I, Nov. 1998 page 204, "Only good dreams would be alowed to filter through ... Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day.
To see our dreamcatcher earrings please click on the Dreamcatcher earring link.
Dreamcatcher earring link

Natural Cleaners

Natural Cleaners
A lot of the modern cleaners are full of noxious chemicals. Here is a list of some natural sustainable cleaners to use as an alternative. They are safe natural items that are healthier for human, animal and Earth. I feel as a Shaman it is my duty to teach people about better more natural ways of life to help them, Earth, and all the creatures and the rest of the invironment. As a Shaman all things have spirit and must me respected.

Baking Soda: Use baking soda as a replacement for cleanser. It is a mild abrasive and deodorizer.

White Vinegar: Naturally deodorizes by abosorbing odors and not just coverning them up. The vinegar smell dissipates with drying.

Salt: For rust stains and soap scum, salt is a wonderful abrasive. Just sprinkle on and then scrub with your sponge soaked in essential oil water. sweet orange oil is an excellent degreaser and works well on soap scum too.

Cornstarch: Deodorizes by absorbing odors in fibers.

Borax: Cleans, deodorizes and disinfects.Essential oils: Lemon and Sweet Orange cut through dirt and grease. Eucalyptus oil kills dust mites and airborne bacteria.

Tea tree oil is antibacterial and antifungal.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda inside toilet on al surfaces. Mist with a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 1/2 oz tea tree essential oil. Let sit for a few minutes and then scrub with toilet brush. For tough stains, make a paste with lemon juice and borax and apply to stain. Let sit for 5 minutes and then scrub with brush.

All Purpose Cleaner: Dissolve 1/4 cup of baking soda in warm water along with 1/4 ounce of sweet orange or lemon oil. Use on counter tops and floors.

Furniture Polish: Mix 1 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup lemon juice. Shake well and apply to a cleaning cloth. Use a dry cloth to remove excess oil from furniture.

Carpet Freshener: Pour a box of cornstarch into a jar along with 1/4 oz of lemon essential oil. Shake well and then let sit for 24 hours. Punch holes in the jar top so you can sprinkle it using a hammer and nail. Lightly sprinkle the powder on your carpets, let sit for 15 minutes and then vaccuum.

Natural Cleanser: For areas where something a bit abrasive is needed, sprinkle baking soda onto area and then scrub using a damp sponge. For a little more cleaning power, mist the baking soda with a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and 1/4ounce lemon essential oil.

Dust Mite Prevention: Dust mites, a leading cause of allergies, can be contianed with eucalyptus oil. to kill dust mites in bedding, wash linens in hot water and add 1/4 ounce of eucalyptus oil to the cold or warm rinse cycle. Mist the mattress pad and/ or mattress with pure eucalyptus essential oil before putting on clean sheets.

We carry pure essential oils in our ceremonial oil section. These essential oils come in convient packaging with droppers. Please if used on skin be sure to dilute. Use one to two drops in one ounce of jojoba oil. Here's a link to get your lemon and sweet orange essential oils. Lemon Essential Oil, Sweet Orange Essential Oil.

Disclaimer: L. & T.A. Frank and Family is not responsible for any illness or allergies that result from using the above information. Check with your doctor before using to make sure it will not affect your health.

Handmade Natural Goat Milk Soap

About Handcrafted Soap

The concepts of "handcrafted", "soap" and "soap maker" frequently mean different things to different people.

"Soap"

"Soap" has several definitions, depending on how exact you want to get.
The technical definition of soap is "the result of a chemical reaction between a fatty acid and an alkali solution." Fatty acids are the actual fat content of animal or vegetable oils; there are many different fatty acids which combine to make up different oils. The alkali solution is commonly known as lye and is usually sodium or potassium hydroxide. By this definition, soap must be made from animal or vegetable fats/oils and lye. However, note that in the finished product there is no free lye - it is all combined into the resulting soap.
In the 1940's chemists discovered how to change the molecular structure of some naturally occurring substances and also how to synthesize necessary components. What they discovered was called "detergent" (to differentiate it from soap). The big advantage to detergents then and now is that they work well in cold or hard water and can be formulated to clean specific types of dirt and stains.
Modern detergents (known as synthetic detergents) have become quite sophisticated and are seen in many, many forms. In fact, the majority of the cleaning products on the market are actually detergents of some type or another. Even commercial bar soaps commonly contain all or part detergents.
As a result of these developments, a common definition of soap has emerged. The common definition of soap refers to any product that bubbles and cleans, particularly if it is in a bar form.

Cold and Hot Process Soaps

Cold and hot process soaps are made by mixing oils, lye and water. "Melt and Pour" soap is made by the use of a commercially produced soap base which may or may not contain detergents.
For additional clarification, products that are technically soap (a blend of fatty acids and alkali) may also be referred to as "natural soap" or "soap from scratch".
A "soap maker" within the HSMG is one who takes bulk ingredients and produces a unique and individualized soap. The ingredients can be oils and lye or commercial soap base; both are considered "bulk ingredients".
"Handcrafted"
The process of making and selling soap is complex and involves many steps. These include creating the recipe; measuring and mixing the soap; adding scent and color; creating the shape by molding, cutting and/or trimming; designing and creating packaging; and finally marketing, displaying and selling the final product. Depending on the methodology of the individual, some of these steps are done "by hand" and with creative and artistic involvement and some are done automatically or mechanically.

About L. & T. A. Frank Goat Milk Soap

Our soap is completely handmade using the fresh whole goat’s milk from our lovely family goats. We use the cold process method and use only natural ingredients. We care about the environment and the health of our customers. It is only right for a Shaman and the Shamans family to produce high quality natural body care products.

Our Goat Milk Soap Ingredients

Our soaps are made from the following saponified ingredients.

Goat Milk- The benefits of goat milk are legendary. It has been used for centuries as a luxurious beauty aid. The low pH level of goat milk is close to our skin's pH, making it a very gentle cleanser. Goat milk also contains alphahydroxyl acids, which are known for their restorative and rejuvenating qualities.

Olive Oil- Every bar is rich in olive oil, which has so many benefits for your skin. It is an emollient, which softens and soothes. Olive oil produces nourishing hard, mild, high quality bars.

Soybean Oil - Soybean oil is a good moisturizer that adds firmness to our soaps.

Safflower and Canola Oils - Safflower and Canola oil is moisturizing and gives our soaps a beautiful creamy lather.

Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is a good moisturizing oil that makes lots of large bubbles in our soaps lather.

We don't use any sulfates, pork products, or any preservatives in our soaps. We do not do any animal testing what so ever. We use natural honey, herbs and natural cosmetic grade minerals (to color soaps).Our pure and simple line has no scents and no colors. It is pure soap and depending on which one you choose may have honey, ground natural herbs, natural aloe vera gel, and sometimes extra cream added.

If you have any other questions about our products, please email us at info@navajosoap.com

You can see all the kinds of soaps we have by clicking the soap link. Soap Link

Navajo Protection Bracelets

The Navajos have many types of protection. They have various types of wild tobacco that grow on the reservation that are smoked for protection. One can also use arrowheads for protection. They are said to split off the negativity but these must be blessed by a medicine man before they can be used. There are certain herbs like Ch il Diche but this herb can be difficult to find. And there are cedar berries bracelets. The Cedar Berries in this bracelet are from the Navajo. Legend has it that they have been worn for hundreds of years as protection from evil spirits and bad dreams. They never have to be taken off.

Our Navajo protection bracelets used to be made for us but the business that made them went out of business. The good news is that our Navajo Jewelry maker who is pure blood Navajo is going to be making them. They will now come in three sizes small medium and large. They will be made with turquoise chips and wild crafted cedar berries that he drills holes in his self to allow them to be beaded. He will use three colors of glass seed beads, crystal, turquoise, and red and red pony beads too. It will use the metal jewelry wire. This will also include a shamanic blessing for protectiona as well. We hope you will enjoy this new product.

Please click on the protection jewelry link to see our protection bracelets: Protection Jewelry Link

Our Navajo Jewelry Maker

Our Navajo Jewelry Maker
I'm a full blooded Navajo from the Shiprock area of the Navajo Nation. My grandfather was an accomplished traditional Navajo silversmith. I learned from him how to choose the best turquoise and silver materials. I didn't care much for silversmithing but loved jewelry. I got a chance to take a beading class from a local teacher where I learned loom beading, peyote stitch, and how to bead around stones. I learned how to make loom beaded bracelets with Native American designs from a Lakota lady. I've also studied with other contemparary beaders where I learned modern techniques and designs. My goal is to merge the Navajo and Native American traditions, with the modern to create my own unique style of Navajo jewelry. Please take a look at my gallery here at L. & T.A. Frank Natural Body Care Products and Shaman Metaphysical Store and please return often as new items will present themselves as I continue my journey in jewelry making.L. G. FrankNavajo Jewelry Link

Navajo Jewelry

Navajo Jewelry
Feared for their fighting prowess, a decision was made by the U. S. Government in 1861 to round up the Navajo Nation from their four corners homeland of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, to dispatch them to a wasteland in east/ central New Mexico. In 1864 U. S. militia led by Kit Carson prevailed. The Navajo surrendered and began the grueling 300 mile "Long Walk" to Bosque Redondo Reservation. When their farms failed, white men began issuing families stamped copper food ration tickets. Taught by Mexican silversmiths called Plateros, the Navajo soon began forging exact copies of their ration tickets. In 1870, following four terrible years in which a quarter of their population died, the Navajo people were permitted to return to "Dinetah," which was reduced to approximately 1/5 their original homeland. Although many skills were lost, the Navajo had brought with them a new trade: jewelry making. Indian silversmiths acquired high status.Prior to 1920, the Navajo jeweler procured his silver by melting down coins received in trade. Turquoise and other stones were used as a means of complimenting the silver. Engraving and stamping was accomplished by chisel, shaped steel piping, awl, and punch. The design was strongly influenced by geometric patterns found on Mexican leatherwork. Traditional Navajo jewelry is symmetrical, repetitive and balanced in design. And nowdays Navajo can be found to create contemporay jewelry in other media. Our Navajo jewelry makers specializes in dreamcatcher earrings, pipe bone jewelry, peyote stitch jewelry, and we also have Navajo protection bracelets. Just click on the Navajo Jewelry link to see what we have. Navajo Jewelry Link

Why a Shaman Metaphysical Store

My wife Amy started her shamanic journey a long time ago while a young adult when the spirit of her great grand mother came to her and told her to walk the good red road. Since then Amy has been on journey learning from many medicine people and shaman. She learned from the Lakota, Pima, Navajo, Hochunk, and Mongolian and from this multi- cultural and multi-perspective learning has come to call herself an Earth Shaman. She believes that these important ways and teachings are for all the people of Earth no matter what race or culture the person comes from. As she says in her own words,


“I'm a first level Shaman. I consider myself an Earth Shaman. Looking for being inclusive of all peoples and not just one culture or peoples.”


So we have added the Shaman Metaphysical Store to provide a place to get information and products of relevance to daily shamanic lifestyle and worship.


We have added many spiritual products to our website as a result, such as, pendulums, crystals, rose water, smudges (sweet grass, sage) , ceremonial essential and fragrance oils, singing bowls, mirrors, journals, Mongolian Tarot card reading, voodoo dolls and poppets, wooden boxes, totem jewelry, patterns to make cloth menstruation pads and natural body care products.


Amy now does a Shamanic ritual to remove negative energies on everything that enters our home and business. Then for all items we make ourselves, she does a continuous Shamanic blessing ceremony so that all of our soaps, body care products, hand made bags, amulet bags, totem stones, jewelry, etc. have the energy in them to bless you with positive, affirming energy from the Cosmos.





Amy also blesses all of the items we sale on our website so whether you choose a handmade item or one of our other items not hand made by us you can be sure to gain positive, affirming energy from the Cosmos.


To have a look at all of our products click on the Shaman Metaphysical Store Link. Shaman Metaphysical Store Link


L. G. Frank

Lone Star Quilt Master Quilter

Our Master Hand Quilter And Patchwork Quilter
Wanda Cunningham - Master hand quilter and patchework quilter of New Mexico is 55 years old and has been quilting since the age of 16. She quilted with your grandma and mom and all of her quilting experience was learnt from them. She tells her own story in the next few paragraphs. I'm a native of New Mexico born and grew up in New Mexico. My Mom and Grandma are natives of Arkansas. Now about my quilts. The batting is poly-fil. I like this batting because it adds longer life to the quilt and never separates or bunches like the cotton battings. The tops are all made with 100% cotton or polyester cotton. I prefer the 100% cotton because this is more traditional for American quilts, however; sometimes I have to use a polyester cotton to match the colors appropriately, All the edgings on my quilts have prairie points, they are entirely hand quilted and hand hemmed. We have 10 stitches per inch in our hand quilting. My baby and crib quilts are backed with flannel. They are also polyfilled and are either, fabric printed with sashing, hand embroidered, or patchwork. All have prairie points and are hand quilted. Click on the link to look at the quilts I'm presently selling. http://www.navajosoap.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=134

The Spiritual Significance of the Lone Star Quilt

Native American Lone Star Quilt, Morning Star Quilt, or Star QuiltA large single 8-pointed star in the center of a quilt top is sometimes called a "lone star quilt", but many Native Americans refer to them simply as "star quilts" or “Morning Star Quilts”. The Star Quilt took on the role of replacing the buffalo robe in ceremonial and religious life. Death, birth and other important events are a time for giving and sharing of these Star Quilts at ceremonies. As explained "The most important use of star quilts in contemporary Lakota society is as gifts at a memorial for the dead called a "Giveaway". The Giveaway is a time to share food, quilts and goods at a memorial for the dead.





The mythology as well as the traditions of North American Indian tribes shows a religious observance of the stars and a reverence for all the heavenly bodies. The Milky Way is called the "Pathway of Departed Souls." After death it is believed, by many Indian Americans, that the spirit of the deceased passes on this pathway to the Southern Star, the abiding place of the dead. It is thought that to the Stars, the Great Spirit gave the power to watch over mortals on earth and impart to them spiritual blessings. The Star Quilt is given today as a token of this belief. Southwest Peoples call this Gods Eye.To see our wonderful collection of lone star quilts please click on the lone star quilt link LONE STAR QUILT LINK

Totem Spirit Vest Project

Spirit Totem Vest
In many cultures around the world, where they have Shaman, they have special clothing they wear that carry symbolism for their spirituality. They often have totems embroidered or sewn on, pieces of various metals, various pendants, hairs of various animals, bells, mirrors, twisted strands, etc. All of these elements have meaning to the Shaman, such as protection, protecting or focusing vital force, spirit assistants, guides, etc. Because of the spiritual power of these clothes, I have decided to design a modern version that modern people in any culture can utilize. I made this vest for myself because I wanted a reminder of what my spirit totem guides do for me.There are various ways to find your own spirit guides. I've been on many pathways over the years, and have had many teachers. One teacher told me to pray and that the next day I'd have my spirit guide come to me. It was a coyote, in the middle of Los Angeles, early in the morning. I was off to work and he blocked my car and stared at me for a long while before taking off. The raven has always been important to me. Always when I've been stressed out, confused, not knowing where to turn, within hours ravens would turn up at my door step over and over again over the years. Some are just important for my very existence and are parts of the family, like the cats, sheep, and goats. Some have given me peace and comfort every time I've seen them, like the prairie dog and rabbits. One of the most important guides for me is the butterfly. I was watching another kill a butterfly when I was a child. The incident touched my soul and let me know to follow the Earth Based spiritual pathway.You can use any favorite vest you already have or purchase one from a thrift store or other store. You could also sew one yourself from the many patterns on sell at various stores and websites. After you have your vest, think about which animals, plants, insects, etc that resonate with you. After you have chosen your totems you can either draw pictures of them or find books that have line drawings of animal at the library for artist to copy. They have special pencils at craft and sewing stores that allow you to draw on a piece of paper and then iron transfer the design to fabric. After you get your, vest , totems and drawings you will have to decide on how to put your totems on your vest. I like to embroider so I embroidered mine on, but you could use fabric paint, applica, etc. Choose a method that feels comfortable for you that you like doing. Next you can add anything that makes you feel good, like small bells, mirrors, feathers, strands of clothe, leather, stones, etc. You can also augment your wonderful vest with a pair of totem earrings. Just click on the totem earrings link to see what we have. Totem Earrings LinkNow you have a finished Spirit Totem Vest. Wear it proudly, feeling good about having your totem spirit guilds with you.