Now that you have been reunited with your animal guide it is the perfect time to learn as much about them as you can. Google them and learn about their habitat in the wold, their migration patterns, the foods they eat and behaviours. Much of this information can be useful in solving the puzzle of why this animal stepped forward to work with you during this 13 month journey. Print out an image of your guide and place it on your altar and keep your crystal close to you for the next few weeks as the two of you establish your relationship. Also try to have at least one journey with your guide before our first lesson.
Here are some questions you may try asking: What is your name?{if you did not get it before}
Do you have any messages for me at this time?
Is there anything I can do to prepare me for my 13 month journey?
How can I honour you before saying goodbye when I am journeying to meet you?
This last question needs to be very specific, as you are not asking them what they want from you, but more of asking for guidelines around being respectful. Sometimes the drum calls us back before we feel fully finished with the journey and we end up leaving without so much as saying good bye, so it is helpful to know how you can be as respectful as possible. For example, I often carry seeds other treats in my pockets when I journey and make these small offerings to my guides, or I begin the journey with petting and greeting them in a wonderful way, then at the end of the journey simply saying "goodbye and thanks you" is enough, especially if I am called out of the journey before I have time to really give a heartfelt offering of thanks.
Journey music: Shamanic Journey Drumming By: Frauke Rotwein-This is a great cd full of different times for drumming, and callbacks. It also has a wonderful opening track of just morning birds by a stream that is great for settling in and preparing for your journey work. I bought it on i-tunes.
MindfulBear.com a great app for the iphone, hopefully coming soon for all phones! From the iTunes store: I love the cd Shamanic Journey Drumming by Frauke Rotwein because it has a beautiful opening with morning birds that helps me to clear my mind and get me ready for the first drumming sequence, which also has a proper call-back.
Lastly this is a five minute track I made with a call-back so if you would like to use this to get started it available to you anytime.
Video's and Pod-Casts on Journeying and living an animist life: Why Shamanism now: This is a radio show created by one of my mentors and teachers, which is also an elder in my shamanic tradition Christina Pratt. Below I have listed some of the best of her shows that focus specifically on shamanic living, journeying etc...
How to Craft a Good Shamanic Journey Question-Part 1:Shamanic journeying is an art that requires practise and that we learn how to create a good and effective questions to take to our guides.
How to Craft a Good Shamanic Journey Question-Part 2:Shamanic journeying is an art that requires practise and that we learn how to create a good and effective questions to take to our guides.
Doing research on your ancestral lineage:Discover the migration paths your ancient ancestors followed hundreds—even thousands—of years ago, with an unprecedented view of your ancestral journey. Learn what percentage of your genome is affiliated with specific regions of the world.