Crane Magic - Corrguineacht -"Cor-gwin-echt"
Crane magic appears to have been a special aspect of Druidic Magic.
Druids were known to have delivered blessings and curses by standing on one leg, arm oustretched with one eye closed - mimicking the way a crane stands in the water.
Heron (Corra-Griothach) - Crane knowledge was used to denote knowledge of the Ogham in particular. In Celtic christian times "A Crane cleric" represented a high level of wisdom amongst priests, such St Columba of Iona. Mannans sking Bag. Pwyll as guardian of underworld 1st branch mabinogion. The cranes dance in circles with 9 steps or take 9 steps before flight, like druids in the magical ring.
The Crane symbolizes secret knowledge, patience and longevity. "Crane Knowledge" was knowledge of the Ogham and arcane science to the Druids. Three cranes guard the entrance to Annwn (the Underworld).
Celtic mythology has both solar and underworld symbolism for the crane. It is associated with the solar deities, especially in
their healing aspect; it is also depicted with weapons and battle objects. It is a supernatural creature and appears riding on the bags
of human-headed horses and in connection with magic cauldrons. On an ancient altar in France three cranes are depicted standing on the back of a bull. But the crane is also a form of Pwyll, King of the Underworld, and as such a herald of death. A completely contrary symbolism obtains in Gallic lore where the crane is a bad omen, depicting meanness, parsimony and evil women. It is an attribute of the Gaulish Mercury and Mars, and as such is connected with war and death. # 454: The crane is no longer native to Britain, but there is a strong Celtic tradition that cranes are people transmogrified into bird-shape, possibly for a penance. Saint Columba turned a queen and his handmaid into cranes as a punishment. One of the wonders of Ireland was supposed to be a crane which lived on the island of InisKea, Co. Mayo; it has been there since the beginning of the world and will live there until the day of judgement. The imperturbable patience of the crane was associated with the Cailleach, and was a secret, magical bird. Its skin went to make
Manannan's Cranebag.
This receptacle for the ancient Hallows of Ireland was owned by Manannan mac Lir. It was formed from the skin of Aoife, Manannan's son's mistress, who had been changed into a crane because of her jealous behaviour. In it were kept Manannan's house, shirt, knife, the belt and smith's hook of Goibniu, the shears of the King of Alba, the helmet of the King of Lochlann, the belt of fish-skin, and the bones of Asal's pig which the son of Tuirenn had been sent to fetch by Lugh. The treasures were only visible at high-tide, at the ebbtide they would vanish. The bag was passed from Manannan to Lugh, then to Cumhal and finally to Fionn. The contents of the crane's bag correspond to the Hallows of Annwn and to the treasures guarded by Twrch Trwyth. The Cor-Bolg or Crane bag is a tool of the modern druid in which magical items are kept.
Lugh
This form of magic is properly called córrguinech. Lugh was a practicioner of Crane Magic, and used this against the Fomorii at the second Cath Maig Tuired (1). In fact, its use in the lore is always martial in context (2). That Crane Magic is associated with the Druids and Filidh of old does not negate the martial applications. There are also examples in the lore of druids and filidh being, or having been, warriors. In addition, Fergus Kelly in The Guide To Early Irish Law makes a statement that helps define it as a magic that kills. Kelly writes:
"...some of their sorcery was effected through córrguinech, a term which seems to mean 'heron (or crane) killing', and apparently involved the recitation of a satire standing on one leg with one arm raised and one eye shut (in imitation of a heron's stance?)."(3)
Cath Maige Tuired, trans Elizabeth Grey, Irish Texts Society, v. 129
Druids were known to have delivered blessings and curses by standing on one leg, arm oustretched with one eye closed - mimicking the way a crane stands in the water.
Heron (Corra-Griothach) - Crane knowledge was used to denote knowledge of the Ogham in particular. In Celtic christian times "A Crane cleric" represented a high level of wisdom amongst priests, such St Columba of Iona. Mannans sking Bag. Pwyll as guardian of underworld 1st branch mabinogion. The cranes dance in circles with 9 steps or take 9 steps before flight, like druids in the magical ring.
The Crane symbolizes secret knowledge, patience and longevity. "Crane Knowledge" was knowledge of the Ogham and arcane science to the Druids. Three cranes guard the entrance to Annwn (the Underworld).
Celtic mythology has both solar and underworld symbolism for the crane. It is associated with the solar deities, especially in
their healing aspect; it is also depicted with weapons and battle objects. It is a supernatural creature and appears riding on the bags
of human-headed horses and in connection with magic cauldrons. On an ancient altar in France three cranes are depicted standing on the back of a bull. But the crane is also a form of Pwyll, King of the Underworld, and as such a herald of death. A completely contrary symbolism obtains in Gallic lore where the crane is a bad omen, depicting meanness, parsimony and evil women. It is an attribute of the Gaulish Mercury and Mars, and as such is connected with war and death. # 454: The crane is no longer native to Britain, but there is a strong Celtic tradition that cranes are people transmogrified into bird-shape, possibly for a penance. Saint Columba turned a queen and his handmaid into cranes as a punishment. One of the wonders of Ireland was supposed to be a crane which lived on the island of InisKea, Co. Mayo; it has been there since the beginning of the world and will live there until the day of judgement. The imperturbable patience of the crane was associated with the Cailleach, and was a secret, magical bird. Its skin went to make
Manannan's Cranebag.
This receptacle for the ancient Hallows of Ireland was owned by Manannan mac Lir. It was formed from the skin of Aoife, Manannan's son's mistress, who had been changed into a crane because of her jealous behaviour. In it were kept Manannan's house, shirt, knife, the belt and smith's hook of Goibniu, the shears of the King of Alba, the helmet of the King of Lochlann, the belt of fish-skin, and the bones of Asal's pig which the son of Tuirenn had been sent to fetch by Lugh. The treasures were only visible at high-tide, at the ebbtide they would vanish. The bag was passed from Manannan to Lugh, then to Cumhal and finally to Fionn. The contents of the crane's bag correspond to the Hallows of Annwn and to the treasures guarded by Twrch Trwyth. The Cor-Bolg or Crane bag is a tool of the modern druid in which magical items are kept.
Lugh
This form of magic is properly called córrguinech. Lugh was a practicioner of Crane Magic, and used this against the Fomorii at the second Cath Maig Tuired (1). In fact, its use in the lore is always martial in context (2). That Crane Magic is associated with the Druids and Filidh of old does not negate the martial applications. There are also examples in the lore of druids and filidh being, or having been, warriors. In addition, Fergus Kelly in The Guide To Early Irish Law makes a statement that helps define it as a magic that kills. Kelly writes:
"...some of their sorcery was effected through córrguinech, a term which seems to mean 'heron (or crane) killing', and apparently involved the recitation of a satire standing on one leg with one arm raised and one eye shut (in imitation of a heron's stance?)."(3)
Cath Maige Tuired, trans Elizabeth Grey, Irish Texts Society, v. 129
