Thursday, August 2, 2007

What, exactly, is an amulet bag?

Before we get started with ideas, tutorials, and patterns, let's deal with definitions.

Amulet bags are usually small pouches.

According to Wikipedia, an amulet can mean many things.
"...an object that protects a person from trouble"
or a talisman...consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner.
Potential amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc.;
even words said in certain occasions—for example: vade retro satana—(Latin, "go back, Satan"), to repel evil or bad luck."


According to this site:
"Amulet bags are generally worn at HEART LEVEL. In ancient times they were used by Native tribes to carry herbs or things to ward off evil spirits. In other words, they were sometimes worn for protection. They were also used to carry precious mementos of loved ones, or prayers.

If you have a family member or friend who is going through a tough time you can put prayers in it for them. Every time you look at or touch the bag you will be reminded to send them love and prayers. Love is very powerful for healing the mind, body, or spirit.

Also, if you have small gifts that others have given you, you can put those in the bag. Gifts from family and friends are generally gifts of love, even if it's just a card or a tiny piece of the card. Gifts of love are thought to hold the energy of love for the recipient of the gift. So if you are feeling down or in need of love or just want to be reminded of the fullness of the love that already exists in your life put those special gifts from loved ones in your bag.

Today most people just wear them as jewelry, others sometimes put crystals in them.

Personally I like to fill mine with prayers of love, and peace."


Or, you could make a mojo.(wikipedia)
"Mojo...is a term commonly encountered in the African-American folk belief called hoodoo.
A mojo is a small bag, a type of magic charm, often of red flannel cloth and tied with a drawstring, containing botanical, zoological, and/or mineral curios, petition papers, and the like.
It is typically worn under clothing."


So....what does all this mean to you?
Maybe you can explore symbolism, or your culture, or be introspective spiritually.

Maybe you'd rather make a larger pouch.
You could make a bag to carry your bible, or one for an inspiration journal, runes, etc.
knitted tarot pouch tutorial by Knitting with Laura.

Or you could make this a cathartic statement.
You could make a bag in tribute to someone's (yours?) childhood,
or a memorial to a loved one who has passed away.

You could make some sort of inspirational bag to hang in your home or your car with motivational phrases inside.

Again, make it mean something to you.
Take your time and really give it some thought.

Labels: , ,

3 Comments:

Blogger Susanne said...

Making an amulet bag is a great idea. I haven't thought about doing something for your projects until you announced this. I have been meaning to sew bags for my tarot cards for ages...

August 3, 2007 at 1:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea. My kids are heading back to school soon and I think an amulet bag with reminders of them will keep them close to me. And since my sewing machine is still out of commission, this is a perfect project to do by hand.

August 6, 2007 at 11:20 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I make embroidered amulet/Mojo bags, with lyrics on them, and hand bead some of the designs, dragonfly wings, etc. Also use beautiful beaded fringe for the bottom. Even if you don't embroider you will make lovely bags!
These are easy to do, find a pretty patterned fabric, sew about 3-4 inches of beaded fringe at the bottom, add a cord at the top and you are done!
http://www.uniquebeadedjewelry.com/patterns/amuletbags/moonface.jpg

Good Luck!

April 6, 2008 at 11:57 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home