Re: Crane Bags Taliesin_2 shane@cais.com Sat Sep 12 21:26:04 1998 Topaz Owl wrote,*br*: Any soft and pliable leather will do. I have deerskin. John *br*: Matthews gives instructions for his version of a crane bag *br*: in his book "The Celtic Shaman." There are other *br*: ways to make one too. You can take a piece of round leather *br*: about the size of your fist and make holes all around and *br*: thread two thongs through in opposite directions to make a *br*: drawstring. It can be any color that pleases you. You can *br*: make any significant symbols on it that you like, or not, as *br*: you please or as the spirits inspire you. Some will have *br*: beads, some will be embroidered, and some will have symbols *br*: that are not apparent to the eye.*br*:*br*: Remember that the Crane Bag contains the Druid's *br*: "toolkit," and it is rather like a medicine pouch, *br*: and as such, its manufacture and contents are very personal. *br*: There are people who will tell you what it should look like *br*: and how you should make it and even what should go into it, *br*: but they are basically guessing.*br*:*br*: One thing though -- when you start collecting things *br*: for your crane bag (items of personal power), you may find *br*: that it's too small to hold some of those special items. *br*: Make sure you leave room enough for feathers and stones. *br*: (Feathers are especially problematic.) I have one that goes *br*: around my neck, but it proved to be too small, so now I also *br*: have one that hooks to my belt at the hip that is larger. *br*:*br*: And BTW -- never show *anyone* what it holds!*br*:*br*: If you have any more questions, ask. But right now I *br*: have to go.*br*:*br*: Leigh*p*Deerskin sounds nice. Is it available commercially??? I would love to make Crane Bag out of a animal sacred to the Druids. It might be that much more powerful as a spirtual tool if it was... Re: Crane Bags Topaz Owl 172 Sat Sep 12 13:02:01 1998