Skin Spirits by Lupa

Skin Spirits Reviews

• 
  Alicia

  Fan-freekin-tastic book on the basics of using animal parts in spiritual practices.
  
  Lupa gives great basic instructions for every step of the way. From getting to know the spirit of the animal you are working with, to the working with the parts themselves, how to rehydrate and reform ears on animal masks, to a patterns for some basic (and not so basic) items. She touches on places to find supplies, as well as the ethics of working with animal parts. There are many very handy and easy to understand tips for the physical aspects of stitching too.
  
  This really is a must-have for people who are interested in incorporating animal parts into their practices. It encompasses so much you don't really find anywhere else.
  
• 
  Wolf Force

  Just finished this book; this is definitely a great read (and reference to keep on hand!) for anyone who wants to get into crafting with animal parts, and have a relationship with it. It's also good if you just want to work with parts without a relationship, I suppose, there's good practical info in there with visuals to assist in comprehension. While I haven't read it personally, this seems to be a great book to pair with "Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone". This books is very practical, easy to read, and you can take from it what you need. What I love is how open Lupa is, and how everything comes off as advice rather than direct orders (plenty of wiggle room for your own experience is suggested constantly throughout the text). If you're looking for some loose guidance for spirit work, I feel Lupa's books (this one included) are a great place to start. They're guides, but not "you must do this" kind of instructions. As far as the practical aspects go, a lot of things I have already figured out on my own when it comes to crafting, but some techniques explained in this book were either new to me, or cleared up questions I had. If you're concerned about ethical or legal aspects of working with fur, leather, bone, or feather, fret not, for that's talked about as well! (and anyone working with animal parts SHOULD be mindful to the legal aspects!) Whether you're looking for advice on care, crafting, or following your spiritual path, this is an excellent book for you. Easy to read and follow, and easy to love.
• 
  Rachel

  Lupa has impressed me once more with this practical manual that covers pretty much every aspect of working in a respectful and loving manner with animal remains.
  This isn't simply a book of woo, it's also a primer in cleaning and caring for the bones, feathers, and skins involved in the work, and includes numerous DIY crafts for creating ritual tools and jewelry. Chapter 2 goes into the legal and ethical considerations that need to be kept in mind when going about acquiring animal remains. I can't stress the importance of the subject enough; possessing the remains of specific protected species (no matter the method of acquisition) carries heavy fines and, in some cases jail time.
  It's also important to fully research just where sellers are sourcing their remains. I think I can get away with making a broad statement in that nobody on an earth-centric spiritual path wants to inadvertently contribute to the illegal slaughter of animals by adding to the market base purchasing those ill-gotten pieces. Lupa is kind enough to provide an appendix listing of merchants who have all their legal ducks in a row.
  If you are a Neo-Shaman or a Witch who is shamanic-adjacent in your practice, and you want to engage in spirit work with animals using their remains, pick this book up along with Fang and Fur, Blood and Bone. I doubt you will be able to find comparative works that are written as compassionately and thoroughly as these.
• 
  ReD

  
  Review on Mookychick