The Collecting of the Self
By Adam Kane

One of the most important tools used in Native American spirituality is the medicine bag. The medicine bag is a pouch made of leather, hide, or fabric. It contains objects that are sacred for the person to whom the bag belongs.

The objects in the bag are usually a variety of different herbs, stones, shells, feathers, claws, teeth, and pieces of hide. However, the bag will contain almost anything. Any object that holds a special memory to the person will be found in a medicine bag. In modern times it is not uncommon to find lucky pennies, pieces of jewelry, guitar picks, or even bicycle gears in a persons bag.

The medicine bag is a vessel of a person's power and identity. It is not a symbol of them, it is them. It is a collection of many memories of events that have shaped that person's personality and taught him or her the lessons of life.

A medicine bag is considered very powerful and very sacred for the individual; they may draw energy from it.

Just as a person can change so can the contents of his or her medicine bag. Items may be obtained during powerful periods of time in a person's life or given as gifts to them. A person may also give something from their medicine bag to someone else; this is considered a very powerful and generous act.

It is important to remember that the objects in a medicine bag are not actively sought out. Your sacred objects will naturally find their way to you. When it feels appropriate put an object in your bag, or give one away. You will know the right times for each.