Crane Folk
Like the Swans and Bulls, Cranes are priests, but they focus on the craft of ritual itself, on the creation of liturgies. To fulfill this office, the Cranes personify discipline, both physical and mental. There are two Celtic traditions that link the Crane with language and ceremony. The first says that the letters of the ogham were inspired by the shape a crane's legs make as it flies. The second is the (modern) druidic practice of the crane bag, which serves to hold items of power for use in ritual.
Though they are more hermit-like than most of the other tribes, a Crane can be an excellent tutor should they take on a student. The art of spoken prayer and poetry are fostered under their wings. The magics of language, of meter and rhythm are intrinsic to their work. They are a very disciplined and patient people, knowing that it is better to wait for the right moment to spear a fish than to muddy the waters searching for prey. Stillness is one half of their Way.
The other half is movement: Cranes are the sacred dancers of the Ancestors. A Crane will perform the mysteries of a rite, knowing that some secrets can only be conveyed beyond words. Moving meditation is another area in which they excel, balancing motion and stillness to foster inspiration and clarity.
The Crane Folk are a largely solitary bunch, there being a saying that when two cranes are seen together, it is an event to be noted. Cranes have the long, fluid lines of a Balanchine dancer and spend many hours in stillness, before effortlessly moving into action. They do tend to spend more of their time in human form than some of the other tribes, though their interaction with mankind tends to be limited. Cranes embody the saying "Ritual is poetry in the world of acts." Through language and dance, they craft rituals which speak to the occasion and people gathered.
Though they are more hermit-like than most of the other tribes, a Crane can be an excellent tutor should they take on a student. The art of spoken prayer and poetry are fostered under their wings. The magics of language, of meter and rhythm are intrinsic to their work. They are a very disciplined and patient people, knowing that it is better to wait for the right moment to spear a fish than to muddy the waters searching for prey. Stillness is one half of their Way.
The other half is movement: Cranes are the sacred dancers of the Ancestors. A Crane will perform the mysteries of a rite, knowing that some secrets can only be conveyed beyond words. Moving meditation is another area in which they excel, balancing motion and stillness to foster inspiration and clarity.
The Crane Folk are a largely solitary bunch, there being a saying that when two cranes are seen together, it is an event to be noted. Cranes have the long, fluid lines of a Balanchine dancer and spend many hours in stillness, before effortlessly moving into action. They do tend to spend more of their time in human form than some of the other tribes, though their interaction with mankind tends to be limited. Cranes embody the saying "Ritual is poetry in the world of acts." Through language and dance, they craft rituals which speak to the occasion and people gathered.