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.

Table of Contents:
Prologue: Wild Horses Kenaz’s Story Raven’s Tale Introduction Part one The Past 1 Metaphysics and History: A Long View of Spirit-Possession 2 The Geography of Spirit-Possession Part two The Present Kenaz’s Story Raven’s Tale 3 Cosmologies 4 Different Riders: Comparing and Contrasting 5 Gathering Culture: When Worlds Collide Part three The Spirits 6 On the Nature of Spirits 7 Spirit and Flesh: How Possession Works 8 Hearing Gods: A Guide for the Head Blind 9 Sacred Spaces: Permanent and Ephemeral Part four Possession Kenaz’s Story Raven’s Tale 10 The Horse: Safety, Sanity, and Consent 11 The Ride: Preparation, Aftercare, and Harmful Possessions Part five The Community Kenaz’s Story Raven’s Tale 12 Keeping the Community Safe 13 Recognizing Fakes and Frauds Part six The Future 14 Touching Gods: The Future of Possession in the Neo-Pagan Community Raven’s Tale Appendix: Asphodel’s Ritual Structure for Public God-Possession Notes Index