Description
Drawing Down the Spirits offers a direct and unfiltered look at spirit possession as a lived practice across multiple traditions, rather than something symbolic or romanticised.
Drawing from their own initiatory experiences within shamanic and Vodou-based systems, Kenaz Filan and Raven Kaldera explore what it means to enter into ritual possession, both practically and ethically. The book makes it clear from the outset that possession is not inherently safe or controlled. Spirits are understood to have their own agency, intentions, and levels of power, which must be approached with respect and preparation.
Rather than presenting possession as something to aspire to casually, this work focuses on readiness, boundaries, and responsibility. It outlines how practitioners may prepare for possession work, how to recognise when something is not right, and how to safely stop or redirect a working if needed.
Alongside practical guidance, the book places possession within a wider global context, examining traditions from regions including Africa, Asia, and Europe. These examples reinforce that possession is not a niche or modern concept, but part of longstanding spiritual systems where the body is used as a vessel for communication, healing, and ritual function.
First-hand accounts from witnesses and practitioners are included throughout, offering insight into how these experiences are perceived in real settings, rather than theoretical discussion alone.
• Explores spirit possession across global traditions and practices
• Shares practical guidance on preparation, safety, and aftercare
• Addresses the risks, boundaries, and realities of possession work
• Includes real-world accounts from practitioners and witnesses
• Written by initiated practitioners with lived experience
This is a book for those who want to understand spirit work beyond surface-level ideas, particularly where the body, consent, and spiritual agency intersect.
