→ Isobel Gowdie’s Shapeshifting Song by the Witch of Forest Grove
The Drum I made at the Women’s Red Drum Workshop led by Nikiah was a birthday present for a friend – I didn’t say so in the post because it was a surprise. So I went for a month without a drum and I was feeling the itch! But luckily Nikiah dropped off my own red drum with a cedar frame last thursday in time for a dark moon ritual and also my ritual group’s campover Beltuinn (sorry no pics as it’s a private group even though it’s an amazing ritual). I made a beater for my new drum from a piece of Yew wood, sheep’s wool, and deer leather.
As soon as Nikiah left for home I started singing and I suddenly knew how to sing Gowdie’s shapeshifting chant. So I recorded it as soon as I could so I wouldn’t forget. Here is the second recording along with my new hand drum. It’s sounds like an old phonograph as it was hastily recorded on my little mp3 player instead of the podcast studio recording equipment. Any animal can be added to make your own shapeshifting song for a specific animal. The drum is important as it is a doorway, a horse, an intersection that allows one to cross between worlds. Here are the words:
I’ve also been working on a ritual blade for a friend from Blackthorn and Alder woods. The Alder guard will be carved into raven’s wings, the Blackthorn handle carved with oak leaves, and the finial the head of Pan. A few more long days of carving and it may be done…
Beautiful work Sarah! I had a Tibetan drum once and used it for indoor ceremonies, but it drove our downstairs neighbors bonkers. I no longer use a drum indoors, but still drive them nuts – with my harpsichord.
The Gowdie song puts me in mind of a British folk song called “Twa Magicians” , in which Pagan origins can definitely be seen. Steeleye Span recorded it, as have others. Some of the verses run, “And she became a trout – a trout all in a stream. And he became a water dog and fetched her back to land.” “And she became a hare, a hare upon the plains. And he became a greyhound swift and brought her back again”. And then a Christian take on this of course: “And she became a nun, a nun all dressed in white, and he became a chantry priest and prayed for her by night.”
I love the “devil” reference used in the Gowdie text. “Devil” means “little God”, literally. Witches and Pagans didn’t worship the Christian “devil” of course, but there’s speculation that some witches borrowed the word as an “in your face” affront to the Church which accused them of doing so., giving the appellation to Gods of the woods, heaths and fields.
oh how wonderful. lucky lucky friend.
where did you find the blade? online? or did someone make that for you? I’ve been looking for plain blades but my search parameters must be off.
BB,C
I have a couple of plaine blades I’m looking to destash if you’re interested – they aren’t hidden tang like the ones above though, but just require simple bolts. Send me an email if you likey
Sarah, you are so inspirational and I am very grateful for your musings here… they’re like seeds you plant in all your friends. Thank you.
i’m with this lady.. excellent seeds..
*nods*
I now have the chant stuck in my head!
I loved it, and the drum sounds great, even though the mp3 player didn’t do a great job of recording, lol!
You better be posting pics of the finished blade! Looks lovely already!
Thank you all very much! I hope to record a much better version on an upcoming HedgeFolk Tale.
I’ll definitely be posting more pictures of the crafting process and the finished blade Miaerowyn!
Slàinte!
Sarah
Yay!! I can’t wait to hear the new recording once finished, and see how you turn that blade into a piece of art
I am very excited about my new blade… I am very lucky to have such a master carver accept the difficult task of bringing forth a raven from the blackwoods. XOX