Crane bag dedication
This short rite dedicates the bag you have made to its purpose and
"transforms" it to the Crane Bag.
Items Needed:
image or symbol of Manannan
alter cloth
Symbols for Land, Sea and Sky (I use my Circle of Stones to represent all 3)
milk or other offering liquid
libation vessel
Your completed leather bag.
Preparation:
Place your alter cloth on the ground with the Realm items arranged as such:
Sky object is at the north. Sea is at the southwest. Land is at the southeast.
If using the Circle of Stones, place it in the southeast, as it takes up a lot
of room. The symbol of Mannanan should be to the north. Place the libation
bowl, with the liquid offering in it, nearby. I put it in the southwest. Your
completed bag should be in the center of the triangle formed by the Realm
objects, or in the center of the cloth.
The Center Point:
Stand quietly facing the north and relax with your hands resting at your
sides. Clear your mind and concentrate on your breathing. Breathe in and out
slowly and follow along with this meditation, which will place you in the
center of the cosmos.
"I am at the center of the world"
Exhale, move to one knee with palms on the ground before you
"I stand firmly upon the land"
Inhale and rise to your feet, moving the hands behind at hip height, palms up,
cupping. Exhale and move the hands in an arc until they meet in front.
"The sea always surrounds me"
Inhale, move the hands to the sides, spread the fingers wide, palms forward.
Exhale and raise the arms, bringing the hands together above the head, thumb &
forefinger meeting to create a triangle.
"The sky spreads itself above me"
Inhale, lower the hands to the heart again.
"I am at the center of the Three Realms."
Exhale and lower the hands to the sides
Invocation:
Manannan mac Lir, Lord of the Mist, Ruler of Tir na mBam, Guardian of the gate
of the Otherworld. I come to ask your assistance in the creation of my Crane
Bag. I ask you to open the gate to the Otherworld to allow my family and
freinds to witness this rite. Spirits of the world, join us in this rite and
witness the creation of a Crane Bag.
Dedication:
[Insert your own dedication here.] (pick up your bag)
Mannanan, I ask you to bless this bag and infuse it with the nature of your
own bag.
Just as Fion wore the Crane Bag of Mannanan Mac Lir, so shall I.
Close:
Manannan a Thiarna, thank you for this blessing, it is a gift that I shall
wear close to my heart. Go in peace with my family. Spirits, thank you for
your attendance (pour libation) and depart in peace.
Ruadha/n