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Pagan Portals: The Crane Bag: A Druid's Guide to Ritual Tools and Practices
An introduction to the ritual tools and practices found in the Druid tradition. Held deeply within Celtic mythology, the crane bag is both a symbol of sovereignty, as well as an item containing the ritual tools of the Druid. With the proper use, it can further the Druid in working with the tides of nature, finding his or her own place in the environment, living in balance, harmony and peace. In ritual, these tools and practices can guide one to deeper levels of meaning and understanding within the tradition, helping the Druid on his or her journey through life and towards integration with the natural world.
- GenresPaganism
112 pages, ebook
Published July 28, 2017
About the author
Joanna van der Hoeven
16 books93 followersJoanna van der Hoeven was born in Quebec, Canada. She moved to the UK in 1998, where she now lives with her husband in a small village near the coast of the North Sea.
Joanna is a former Trustee of The Druid Network. She has studied with Emma Restall Orr and the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. She has a BA Hons English Language and Literature degree.
She is regularly involved with charities and working for her local community.
Joanna is a former Trustee of The Druid Network. She has studied with Emma Restall Orr and the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. She has a BA Hons English Language and Literature degree.
She is regularly involved with charities and working for her local community.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 28, 2022
Having previously read van der Hoeven's The Awen Alone, also in the Pagan Portals series, I was happy to pick up The Crane Bag, which explores some of the ritual tools common to contemporary revival druidry. This is an accessible book on the topic, approachable for a total beginner but also containing little gems of wisdom for the more experienced practitioner; it is clearly organized, and the author's tone is friendly, non-judgmental, and encouraging. van der Hoeven makes clear that one does not need tools to practice druidry, but that tools that carry meaning for us as druids can facilitate our experience of ritual. I appreciate that in every book I've read of hers, the author includes concrete practical concerns -- candle safety with pets and kids in the house, ritual sickles/knives and airport security, bringing your staff on public transit, and the importance of weather-appropriate attire -- as well as attention to ethical concerns such as sourcing tools (labour, materials, etc).
My only issue with this book is that, like many contemporary books on Paganism-related topics, very specific cultural terms such as shaman(ism), smudging, and sweat lodge are used in overly broad ways as though they are generic (in several places, for instance, 'smoke cleansing' could easily have been used instead of 'smudging' and it would've been more accurate). The author also makes passing reference to 'ethnic DNA tests' in ways that I don't really appreciate -- these issues are not the main topic or focus of the book, but they could've been better handled or, potentially, left out entirely.
My only issue with this book is that, like many contemporary books on Paganism-related topics, very specific cultural terms such as shaman(ism), smudging, and sweat lodge are used in overly broad ways as though they are generic (in several places, for instance, 'smoke cleansing' could easily have been used instead of 'smudging' and it would've been more accurate). The author also makes passing reference to 'ethnic DNA tests' in ways that I don't really appreciate -- these issues are not the main topic or focus of the book, but they could've been better handled or, potentially, left out entirely.
January 17, 2019
Van Der Hoeven's writing is clear, conversational, and engaging and she often weaves explanatory myths and legends to explain specific instances without overdoing claims to historicity for modern Druidry practices. This volume is a nice length and Van Der Hoeven includes both personal anecdotes and clear references and readings for deeper development. The great majority of the book is about the contents of a crane bag: silver branch, staff, cauldron, drum, fetishes, sickly, robes, altars, fires, and incense. This includes how to make or acquire them, why you would to do so, and brief references to the kinds of ritual use involved. The end of the book on ritual describes them loosely, which is useful for those without orders and but vague enough to still be applicable to those who do.
January 22, 2018
"A Druid can work with nothing more than his mind, if necessary. That said, tools can help us to focus that intention more clearly, and assist us in ritual simply by being physically present." - Joanna Van Der Hoeven
It's easy for new Pagans to fall in love with the exhilaration of finding all their new ritual tools. Witchy shops online and IRL flourish when newbies come flocking to their doors. Yet, we hear over and over again that you don't NEED tools to practice magic or be a Pagan. Those who follow Druidry hear this even more. Most "newbie" books on Druidry will avoid any long winded chapters on tools altogether. Druids and all Pagans still rush to explore what tools they can use because they are just that, tools. Tools help us work more efficiently and make our practices exciting. The Crane Bag by Joanna Van Der Hoeven quickly gets to the meat of what tools a Druid might make/acquire without loosing sight of the important tenant that tools are not NEEDED for any practice.
Like other Pagan Portals by Moon Books, we get a small easy to read guide in The Crane Bag. The author begins by explaining the relevancy of a Crane Bag to Druidry and how it might be used in practice. The bulk of the book goes into detail about the different tools a Druid uses: silver branch, staff, cauldron, drum, fetishes, sickly, robes, altars, fires, and incense. Each tool gets a bit of historical explanation followed by modern examples. I love how brief each section is without sacrificing the important details. I learned something new in this chapter and had other ideas reinforced.
The second half of the book goes into details about Ritual in Druidry. For those who do not use a guide provided by an Druid Order, this primer on ritual will be incredibly useful. Examples are given for each section of ritual and also a short description of why it is included in Druid ritual. The focus on ritual is another way to reinforce the idea that Druids don't need tool, that the intention and process is more important. It's also good to see how tools might be used in a ritual context. They aren't just meant to be pretty things that sit on a shelf!
Finally, there is a brief chapter on altered states. It ties in well with the conversations about ritual in the chapter before and again brings the reader back to intention. Obviously, this chapter in particular could be much longer. Whole books have been written on the topic. This merely stands as an introduction to the topic and gets the newbie started on the right track.
This is a fantastic introduction to Druidry Tools and Rituals perfect for the beginner. I'd also suggest teachers grabbing a copy to lend out to their students. It takes such a short time to read you are unlikely to loose it ;)
Can we also just give Moon Books a round of applause for this awesome series Pagan Portals? Finally, something that gets to the meat of topics while not dragging readers down with too much content. They always leave room for the reader to go out and practice, do, and experience!
It's easy for new Pagans to fall in love with the exhilaration of finding all their new ritual tools. Witchy shops online and IRL flourish when newbies come flocking to their doors. Yet, we hear over and over again that you don't NEED tools to practice magic or be a Pagan. Those who follow Druidry hear this even more. Most "newbie" books on Druidry will avoid any long winded chapters on tools altogether. Druids and all Pagans still rush to explore what tools they can use because they are just that, tools. Tools help us work more efficiently and make our practices exciting. The Crane Bag by Joanna Van Der Hoeven quickly gets to the meat of what tools a Druid might make/acquire without loosing sight of the important tenant that tools are not NEEDED for any practice.
Like other Pagan Portals by Moon Books, we get a small easy to read guide in The Crane Bag. The author begins by explaining the relevancy of a Crane Bag to Druidry and how it might be used in practice. The bulk of the book goes into detail about the different tools a Druid uses: silver branch, staff, cauldron, drum, fetishes, sickly, robes, altars, fires, and incense. Each tool gets a bit of historical explanation followed by modern examples. I love how brief each section is without sacrificing the important details. I learned something new in this chapter and had other ideas reinforced.
The second half of the book goes into details about Ritual in Druidry. For those who do not use a guide provided by an Druid Order, this primer on ritual will be incredibly useful. Examples are given for each section of ritual and also a short description of why it is included in Druid ritual. The focus on ritual is another way to reinforce the idea that Druids don't need tool, that the intention and process is more important. It's also good to see how tools might be used in a ritual context. They aren't just meant to be pretty things that sit on a shelf!
Finally, there is a brief chapter on altered states. It ties in well with the conversations about ritual in the chapter before and again brings the reader back to intention. Obviously, this chapter in particular could be much longer. Whole books have been written on the topic. This merely stands as an introduction to the topic and gets the newbie started on the right track.
This is a fantastic introduction to Druidry Tools and Rituals perfect for the beginner. I'd also suggest teachers grabbing a copy to lend out to their students. It takes such a short time to read you are unlikely to loose it ;)
Can we also just give Moon Books a round of applause for this awesome series Pagan Portals? Finally, something that gets to the meat of topics while not dragging readers down with too much content. They always leave room for the reader to go out and practice, do, and experience!
January 13, 2021
The book was well written and provided a good beginner's overview to the author's interpretation of modern druidry, the title is "The Crane Bag", so I was anticipating a bit more about the druid's crane bag, and ritual tools. Unfortunately, only one of the five chapters in this slender volume is given to info on tools; the bulk of it is information on ritual practice, which isn't what I was looking for.
December 10, 2018
Interesting
This was a nice perspective on the tools that some modern practitioners of druidry use. Our referenced well how the writer uses each tool she mentions and a perspective on it as well. I also love that the writer included a reference bibliography for further study. A good read for those interested in this path and just starting out.
This was a nice perspective on the tools that some modern practitioners of druidry use. Our referenced well how the writer uses each tool she mentions and a perspective on it as well. I also love that the writer included a reference bibliography for further study. A good read for those interested in this path and just starting out.
October 20, 2020
For anyone new to the druid path, this is an excellent beginner book, especially about the different tools and rituals associated with druidry. I discovered a lot of tips about the proper way to create ritual, craft tools and why it's done that way. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a serious interest in the craft of druidry.
December 11, 2018
This book is an excellent beginners guide to learning and understanding methods of divination and protection for Druidry. The blend of story telling of personal experience blends well with the methods described in the book. It can be difficult to find detailed books on Crane and crane medicine.
August 28, 2017
FULL REVIEW TO BE PUBLISHED
March 22, 2019
A book with so much more than just information about the crane bag, this guide covers all the druidic accoutrements, as well as ritual concepts and ideas.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews