Shaman’s PLUMA
Shaman’s Pluma, Kopal and Box for Kopal and
In marketing we call it great storytelling. For Shamans it is weaving purpose and intention into everything they do so that it carries the desired energy. Whether that means singing a joyful song when making a meal, or declaring clear intentions for every item added to an altar or a despacho.
The Wind, the Bone, and the Song of the Green Parrot: A Sacred Amulet’s Journey
I was fascinated by Tony’s Pluma. Both because of its visual beauty but because I felt its power cutting and removing the stale energies during every Sananga ceremony. A Pluma is a sacred amulet made primarily of feathers (plums in Spanish). It is designed to command the energies during various ceremonies and rituals. The way this amulet was put together though explains its powerful effects.
The Whisper of Seagull Feathers
It began with the feathers—seagull feathers hold the essence of coastal winds, always moving, always shifting, teaching us the wisdom of perspective. When the gull soars, it sees beyond the immediate, beyond the waves, into the infinite horizon. This is the lesson they bring: to look ahead, to understand the currents, and to trust the unseen forces guiding us forward.
The Green Parrot’s Call
In the dance of the wind, the Green Parrot sings—a song of color, a song of rebirth. This bird, a messenger of transformation, weaves energy into vibrant motion, reminding us that even the strongest winds carry the promise of renewal. The presence of the parrot in this amulet infuses it with purification, clearing the path for vision, clarity, and a deeper understanding of life’s unfolding journey.
The Mountain’s Gift: A Bone from the Wild
The next piece of this amulet’s story came in the mountains. Two days of walking, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath my feet, the crisp breath of high-altitude air filling my lungs. And there it was—a bone, resting in the silence of the wilderness. I believe it belonged to a coyote, though I do not work with bones often. But this one… this one was different. It asked to be honored, to be lifted with reverence, to be carried forward with prayer.
Coyotes are tricksters, teachers, survivors. They know the balance between the sacred and the wild, between wisdom and play. This bone, once part of a living being, now carries the imprint of that spirit—an energy that cannot be ignored.
The Guardian Stone: Onyx
Every amulet needs a guardian. This one holds onyx, a stone of deep protection. Onyx absorbs the weight of darkness, shielding the wearer from unwanted energies. It is a quiet, powerful force, like the night sky holding the wisdom of the cosmos. In ceremonies, I have prayed over this amulet, offering it to the fire, to the moon, to the ancestors, ensuring that it holds only what serves the highest good.
Cleansing and Honoring the Amulet
A tool like this is alive—it breathes, it shifts, it listens. Keeping it clean is essential. After each spiritual work, the amulet must be purified, allowing its energy to remain clear and strong.
When cleansing, always move from bottom to top, sweeping away what no longer serves. A little smoke of Palo Santo, sacred tobacco, or Florida water will do. And then, present it to the four directions:
East – The rising sun, new beginnings
West – The place of introspection, deep waters of the soul
North – The wisdom of ancestors, the steady path
South – The fire of passion, the movement of life
And then, three more:
Heart of Heaven – The divine connection
Heart of Earth – The grounding force
My Heart – The center of my being
With each cleansing, the amulet deepens its bond with its keeper. It is not just an object—it is a relationship, a bridge between seen and unseen, between what was and what will be.
A Living Power Tool
This amulet did not come together by accident. It is a living embodiment of the elements—wind, earth, spirit. A messenger of vision, protection, and transformation.
May it remind us that power is not about possession, but about connection. That sacred tools, like sacred paths, require care, respect, and devotion.
And that sometimes, the wind itself is enough to carry us forward.
