A Medicine Bag... what is it?
A medicine bag is a spiritual container which often takes the shape of a small bag made of leather. It can be filled with just one or several sacred objects and worn around the neck in order to keep them close to the wearer's heart.
We offer a great selection for sale at our Etsy Shop online http://www.Etsy.com/shop/SpiritRhythmandBone
Or just be inspired by the mixed media pieces at my Art Gallery website - "Spirit, Rhythm & Bone" http://spiritrhythmbone.weebly.com/
Purchases may be made at my Art Gallery website too.
We offer a great selection for sale at our Etsy Shop online http://www.Etsy.com/shop/SpiritRhythmandBone
Or just be inspired by the mixed media pieces at my Art Gallery website - "Spirit, Rhythm & Bone" http://spiritrhythmbone.weebly.com/
Purchases may be made at my Art Gallery website too.
Maybe a person who feels a strong connection with Nature or an affinity for a particular animal, tree or plant...
A person returning from a vision quest with a new medicine... A Shaman... A business person, a person reading this article
and of course myself, "the Wolf Lady".
A person returning from a vision quest with a new medicine... A Shaman... A business person, a person reading this article
and of course myself, "the Wolf Lady".
What is it for?
When you feel a kinship with someone or something as I do with Wolves, a Medicine Bag containing sacred objects can strengthen that connection.
I closely identify with Wolves as Animal Guides because they chose to work with and teach me.
A token can be put into your medicine bag to represent and enhance your animal-human relationship. This item then acts as a connection to the power of that animal or ally. Instant contact can be established for healing oneself and others. Shaman's often carry medicine bags with items inside that represent their helping Spirits.
A healing bag might help the Shaman remove an intrusion in an emergency situation because it holds special Plant medicines. While visiting someone who is sick, the Shaman might lay their bag upon the illness or broken leg to help facilitate the healing process. The Spirits might use the bag as a conduit or for temporary storage of an energy.
I wear different medicine bags that I have made which are appropriate to specific occasions - when I am teaching my Grandmothers Wolf Medicine workshops,
conducting a Healing Circle, facilitating shamanic drumming journeys or leading a WolfWalking Journey Circle. Each bag is unique and carries the relevant medicine connections that help me focus on the task at hand. I also fall in love with some of the bags I make and I just don't want to part with them.
I closely identify with Wolves as Animal Guides because they chose to work with and teach me.
A token can be put into your medicine bag to represent and enhance your animal-human relationship. This item then acts as a connection to the power of that animal or ally. Instant contact can be established for healing oneself and others. Shaman's often carry medicine bags with items inside that represent their helping Spirits.
A healing bag might help the Shaman remove an intrusion in an emergency situation because it holds special Plant medicines. While visiting someone who is sick, the Shaman might lay their bag upon the illness or broken leg to help facilitate the healing process. The Spirits might use the bag as a conduit or for temporary storage of an energy.
I wear different medicine bags that I have made which are appropriate to specific occasions - when I am teaching my Grandmothers Wolf Medicine workshops,
conducting a Healing Circle, facilitating shamanic drumming journeys or leading a WolfWalking Journey Circle. Each bag is unique and carries the relevant medicine connections that help me focus on the task at hand. I also fall in love with some of the bags I make and I just don't want to part with them.
How big should it be?
It is not the size of the bag that counts, but what it contains. Medicine bags can be as small as one inch by one inch and worn close to the body. They can be the size of a paperback book or a deck of cards, or big enough to hold a drum, whatever object or medicine tool it has been designed to hold. Red wool has traditionally been used to wrap larger objects into bundles and keep the medicine tucked safe inside. This is because spiritual power often needs containment and boundaries or it can leak and affect it's surroundings. The color and fabric also serve to protect the spirit of the medicine and "put it to sleep" until it is time to open the bag and "awaken" the helping spirit once more. You can purchase a small leather pouch or make your own medicine bag from a piece of hide or natural colored canvas. The color of the outside of your bag can be important or any color you like. You can decorate the outside of your bag with beads, fur, symbols or drawings of animals, whatever feels right and true in your knowing.
What do I put in it?
Any object that you feel a special attraction to or resonate with, that has a personal meaning. Your bag might hold leaves or herbs such as sweetgrass, sage, cedar, lavender, seeds, beans or berries plus any other objects you consider significant. Have you ever met up with a small item such as a quartz crystal, a shell from the seashore or a feather that seemed to be waiting for you to pick it up? You carry it home but then you don’t know what to do with it... Ask yourself why you wish to carry this item with you in this way. Bless Mother Earth, her creatures and the Spirits for providing this gift for you by leaving a pinch of tobacco or a strand of hair in it's place. Before placing your items in your bag, take a moment to bless them too and acknowledge their meaning in your life.
Why carry it close to my heart?
For a quick, easy connection to guidance and healing, protection and a reminder of the spiritual strength waiting within. Your medicine bag is a personal or holy item. It should not be opened by someone else. Show part of the contents to another only if you feel compelled to do so or for a good reason. It contains your sacred items, those that help you heal or offer you protection, those items that connect you with your Power Animals, Guides and Angels. The essences of these special items create an energy in your field and that energy is the force that represents you or assists you. Think of how each item represents your own power to heal, maybe to guide and assist or protect others. Carrying a medicine pouch on your hip or wearing one close to your heart will increase awareness of your own sacredness or the proximity of a particular Guide. As you grow through life you may find yourself giving an item away or receive a new gift to put inside your medicine bag. This is your empowerment, your connection to your spiritual nature.
Where can I find one ready made?You can make your own easily enough, find one in a store or market place
or purchase a bag from an artist who makes them such as myself. To view my portfolio http://spiritrhythmbone.weebly.com/medicine-bags.html To view what is currently for sale and make a purchase http://www.Etsy.com/shop/SpiritRhythmandBone Prices range from plain - $35 to decorated with fur $45 - $60 add beads, fringes and more $95 - $120 Thank you! your purchases support the educational programs at ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary |
The samples above are all plain.
All bags shown on this page were made by Sonara |