The Crane Bag

 

Druid implements continue to captivate us in contemporary times. And why wouldn't they? Many of them possess an enigmatic quality when compared to the instruments we utilize today. Additionally, there is that entire allure surrounding the absence of any written guidance on their usage. This leaves the majority of their purpose to conjecture and perhaps even a hint of romanticism regarding their significance.

It’s magic. What is there not to contemplate, right? The Crane Bag is an entity we can explore through legend, hence there are various narratives associated with it. Not entirely in the sphere of feasibility if taken literally, yet there are some accounts.

According to the tale, the deity of the sea, Manannán, appears to have fashioned the original Crane Bag from the hide of a crane, and it harbored specific treasures. Legends enumerate these as: Manannán’s shirt and blade; the belt and hook of the smith, the god Goibniu; the shears of the monarch of Alban; the helmet of the king of Locklann; a belt crafted from the hide of a colossal whale; and the bones of Asal’s pig, introduced to Ireland by the three sons of Tuireann. Oh, and Manannán’s very own abode.

I believe we can all concur that’s some rather fantastical contents. Let’s categorize it as symbolic, since, you know, logic. The ancient texts are not particularly clear, but there exists a passage that implies the contents were concealed, which contradicts the other legends since the treasures within have been documented. This presents the dilemma with legends. They are not always explicit regarding the specifics, but that’s primarily because they endeavor to convey something significant, instead.

A Crane Bag was said to be crafted from the skin of a crane and to contain the “treasures. ” But what does this signify? Symbolically speaking, the Crane Bag is not merely a vessel for holding items. The notion is actually more akin to the Irish interpretation of the Grail. According to legend, it appears and vanishes, shifts custodianship, and even transitions between realmsfrom sea to land, from deity to hero. The crane is linked with death and rebirth and the intricate path between dimensions. Thus, upon contemplation, the concept ultimately encompasses all realms and planes, emerging as a representation of the interconnection of everything and the unity and harmony among all entities within one.

The reason writing became so esteemed and feared, as did those who possessed the ability to employ it, is embodied in the Crane Bag. We connect letters and the alphabet with the crane, serving as a clue to the poetic wisdom the “bag” encompasses. Poetic wisdom? Druids were the poet-warriors, and their verse constituted divination by words. Poetry, in that context, becomes the sacred inspiration and a conduit to truth and wisdom.

The “treasures” within the bag are, in fact, the symbols of the five Forfeda (forhedha) of the Ogham alphabet. What this fundamentally signifies is that the Crane Bag of legend is not a bag in the conventional sense. Rather, it represents the Ogham alphabet itself. The alphabet embodies the “treasures,” serving as the pathway or the “way” through which we access sacred inspiration (referred to as the Awen), revealing the truth of the synergy among all entities.

One of the remarkable aspects of Druidry is its capacity for evolution, thereby permitting growth and freedom of expression within a broad, inclusive spectrum. This indicates that while we honor historical context, we facilitate the evolution of those concepts, ensuring they remain meaningful in our current lives. The Crane Bag exemplifies this principle.

In contemporary Druidic practice, although we comprehend its significance as a focal concept, we now utilize the Crane Bag as a vessel for spiritual artifacts or instruments. This can be likened to the medicine bag of an indigenous holy man. There are certainly notable parallels to be drawn regarding the contents, which represent the deeply personal spiritual tools with which a shaman or mage engages. In alignment with tradition and in respect to the past, many Druids employ one to store their Ogham sticks, as this seems to be the appropriate application for them. However, it is essential to note that there is no singular method for utilizing a Crane Bag.

In several contemporary Druid orders such as the OBOD (The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids), AODA (the American branch of the Ancient and Archaeological Order of Druids), or the BDO (The British Druid Order), students are guided through the exercise of creating or acquiring and dedicating a Crane Bag at some point in their coursework. Modern Crane Bags differ in size, contingent upon the necessity for portability and the number of items an individual feels compelled to carry. Someone who frequently attends ceremonies might possess one large enough to accommodate a wand, a flute, a small candle and holder, along with a bundle of sage, in addition to their preferred divination system such as tarot cards or a scrying bowl.

As for my own Crane Bag, though I did not craft it myself, I supported an artisan practicing fair trade who created it. Upon encountering it, I felt an immediate connection and recognized it as precisely what I required. It has now become well-worn through use, yet I perceive this as a sign of character rather than wear. It narrates a story through its unique character.
My Crane Bag resembles a small messenger bag and contains several personal spiritual amulets, a few stones and crystals that assist in my concentration, a couple of acorns, a feather, some shells, and various miscellaneous items.

This arrangement leaves my hands unencumbered, allowing me to connect with trees, stones, and anything else that captivates me. There is a YouTube video of my showing my Crane Bag. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbDh4Soa_Zo

Some individuals carry a field kit. Others an “adventure” bag. Contemporary Druids possess a Crane Bag. It becomes less enigmatic once its purpose is understood.