The voice of Spirits

What is commonly known as the bull roarer is another noise making instrument that has been used by humankind all over the world from prehistory into modern times.

Consisting of a flat, oval piece of wood, bone, stone or antler, carved to taper at both ends and sides, it was often notched, grooved and painted with various patterns serving as symbolic markings and giving this instrument different sounds while twirling it by an attached cord.

Bull Roarers have magical properties and such carvings and painted designs contributed to such properties. Some were used as magical weapons.

For some the bull roarer’s sound is the voice of spirits, ghosts of ancestors, or of the person or tribe to whom it belongs. They can be used to summon spirits and help to sway weather conditions. Some Australian tribes use the bull roarer in their coming into manhood rituals. Women twirled bull roarers as well, but all over the world, women's are usually smaller than those of men, some sounding like the buzzing of bees. Although still twirled by some American Indians, much of the bull roarer’s magical properties have been forgotten in North America except by a few medicine people.

One that I made early on will never be twirled again after only one twirling. A case of youthful inexperience and the near tragic misfortune of calling in something in that was rather powerful and scary.

Thank you for sharing your research.

If I may offer an opinion (from a personal perspective)--it seems to me that you have a Medium's Gift of Summoning--what you require is research into the art of focusing this Gift and calling upon only the Spirits you choose.

Peace and Love on the path of your choice...

Blessed be...

[norseman]

I am surrounded by Nature Spirits all the time. No need to call them

Originally Posted by norseman

I am surrounded by Nature Spirits all the time. No need to call them

I think that is wonderful!

However--I think that some of us are pre-disposed and called upon to deal with the Shadow-side of Nature--it can be frightening for those who are just starting out.

I remember when I was first confronted with my Gifts and felt compelled to use them. I attracted all sorts of things--until I learned how to focus and direct the Gift in a more controlled fashion. I wished (many times) that I would cross paths with someone who could understand and was willing to compare notes and (in the Spirit of all the stumbling around in the dark that I had to endure) I try to be of service where and when I am able.

Peace and Love on your path through the Realm of Faery...

Blessed be...

Originally Posted by norseman

I am surrounded by Nature Spirits all the time. No need to call them

Are you quite sure that your distant ancestors did not use such an instrument?

Of course I'm talking before spangenhelms, scale mail, longships and Odin.

Perhaps when your ancestors could still knap flint and before they gave human-like features to their deities ?

Originally Posted by LadyTerra

Thank you for sharing your research.

If I may offer an opinion (from a personal perspective)--it seems to me that you have a Medium's Gift of Summoning--what you require is research into the art of focusing this Gift and calling upon only the Spirits you choose.

Peace and Love on the path of your choice...

Blessed be...

Research or common knowledge ?

What I require can only be attained by my own free will and not by the proddings of others.

But hey, I'm talking bull roarers and not so much me.

Originally Posted by Wisa'ka

Research or common knowledge ?

What I require can only be attained by my own free will and not by the proddings of others.

But hey, I'm talking bull roarers and not so much me.

You must always do what feels right to you!

Peace and Love on the path of your choice...

Blessed be...