The Leather “Shield”

I put the word “Shield” in quotation because for the purpose of this article, a shield is not a protective tool in the physical sense. A shield, in this application is a spiritual tool that tells a story in pictures and symbols. This is what I do much of my artwork on.

I have been doing leather work off and on for most of my life. This technique is the result of experimenting with hides that I got tired of throwing away when I was butchering. After a lot of trial and error, study, and mistakes, I learned how to tan hides and use them for a number of crafts. This medicine shield is one of them. In this case, I am using raw hide goat skin, but I have also done this with tanned goat skin, deer leather, and elk leather. When I do this, I usually start with a full hide and work from the largest to the smallest. I recommend that you start a bit smaller. I consider this to be an intermediate level project.

Materials: Raw hide goat skin, Grape vine ring or other ring, Artificial sinew, cordage, or leather lace.

Tools: A tote or bucket for soaking hide, Sharp scissors, Leather or paper punch, Pencil, Ruler, Blunt tapestry needle, Spray bottle

1) Soak the hide over night.

2) Lay out a towel on your work surface. Smooth the hide out flat on top of the towel.

3) Lay the ring on top of the hide.

4) Cut shield out of the hide, slightly smaller than the ring

5) Measure and mark where the holes will be punched.

6)Punch the holes with a paper punch or leather punch.

7) Cut the cordage. Diameter of the ring x 7 = the length to cut.

8)Sew the hide onto the ring. Start with the top hole and work around back to the top using half hitches.

9) Start at the bottom and work to the top. Pull the lacing cord snug and even around the ring. Do this a second time to give the hide a slight stretch. In this picture, the top of the shield is at the bottom.

10) Pull the ends tight and tie the ends of the cord around the ring with a surgeon’s knot.

11) Create you hanger and dry the shield for about a week. After it is cured, I spray it with a sealant.

For complete instructions, go to my Buy Me a Coffee page by clicking the link below.

What did I Here?

January for me is usually a quiet time. It is a time for contemplation, healing, and recharging my batteries. I do my best at this time to slow down and sit, journal, walk, and to listen. Sometimes this is more aspiration than reality. Life is what it is. That said, the important part is settling down and digging deep into the heart. It is a time for deep listening and to hear, to the best of my ability, what is really here. What are the aspirations that truly touch my heart. What is needed to bring them forward. What needs to be left in the past. What the world needs of me in this moment.

Every article is this newsletter cycle speaks something of the idea of hearing, The whale speaks of communication and deep cellular wisdom. Sassafras teaches of deep connections with spirit, nurturing, and healing; of knowing what is dear and to be protected. Obsidian (an article on my website) is a stone of deep connection with the energies that are at play around us. Even the how-to article this month speaks to the deep connection that we have with the world around us.

Every part of this beautiful world is speaking in a language all its own. Everything is a part of the cycle and rhythm of life. Each piece of the puzzle has wisdom to teach. At first, learning all of these languages seems overwhelming, but it is not as difficult as it seems. It just takes slowing down a bit and taking time. Time to experience the moment and and the world in the moment as it is. Time to stay in the cycle of life. Make your mistakes. Bandage your scraped knees. Get up and try it again.

Learning the language of grapevine takes snapping some vine, harvesting some grapes, and scuffing knuckles. Learning the language of the hide takes a few tears and tangles. The learning curve is full of life’s lessons, if you take the time to work through the frustration. In the end, the reward is a new or renewed respect for the preciousness of the resources, and a learned ability to hear the languages that are here.

You might even find that around you a beautiful symphony sings of the abundance that is available when you respect and honor the cycle of life and the energy that infuses every aspect of this earth with vibrancy.

Transformation

I do not give you permission to define me.

Not once have you heard those words from me.

Once upon a time,

I did not stand up and say no,

For I did not even know

How to stand.

You did not see,

For it was not in your interest to teach me.

I had to teach myself

To stand

To speak

To own my own truth.

Now I fly strong

Above the trees

Withstanding the winds of trial,

Now I speak my truth,

With the strength of a song.

For you do not define me.

You never could.

For now I live my life

In harmony

With the truth

That was always there.

I am sacred

I am art

I am love

I am truth

I spread my wings and fly.

And for a little bit more

Calendar

January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr Day

January 18 - Winnie the Poo Day

January 25 - Full Moon

January 27 - National Seed Swap Day

February 2 - Ground Hog Day

February 9 - New Moon, Next newsletter

Sassafras

Iconic sassafras (Sassafras albium) has a long and storied history of use in North America. Some Native American names for this tree are Winauk, Konbu, and Weyonoke, depending on the nation and region. It was considered to be the mother tree and the healing tree. There are many stories an legends tracing far back into the mists of time of Native American spiritual traditions.

This tree was used as a spring tonic to help cure winter’s ailments. It was used by both Native Americans and European colonists to treat a wide range of health issues. It also served as a spice, a thickener, and a flavoring for drinks. Some Native Americans considered it to be one of the trees that protected the community.

Sassafras is an important species in the Eastern Woodlands of North America. It provides food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife. It can help bring damaged land back to health. It can help improve the fertility and health in the garden.

One of the methods of propagation for sassafras is suckering from the roots of the mother tree. This tendency can create thickets of sassafras. Harvesting suckers is one sustainable way of wild crafting this herb.

Caution: The roots and wood of sassafras contains safrole and has been banned in the U.S. for consumption.

To read the larger article on my website click below

Whale

Beautiful, gentle, and graceful, whales have captured the imagination of humans as long as humans have walked the earth. Of the over 90 living species identified, 10 whales are classed as the largest animals on earth. Most, if not all, of the species of these beautiful animals are in decline. I would consider these iconic mammals to be one of the indicator species of our planet’s health.

As whales are found in every ocean on earth, there are legends and myths in most cultures about the whale. Symbolically, these mammals represent ancient wisdom and knowledge. They are believed to be the keepers of earth’s ancient records. Some people believe that they are psychic and an aid to accessing your own ancient records. The whale also represents communication. Not just communication with your family, but communication with both the natural and spiritual world.

There is much more in the full whale article on my website.

The art in this newsletter is work in progress. To find digital versions of my art click below.

And I'm Not The Only One

Here is a of place to find more information.

The Druid’s Garden is one of my favorite sources of information for both practical an esoteric information on herb. Dana ‘O Driscoll is a druid, herbalist, permaculture designer, and more. thedruidsgarden.com

Some one I'm following:

Leah Lamb is one of my favorite story tellers. She tells beautiful medicine stories and teaches sacred story telling. I recommend that you find her story “When We Where Whales”. You can find it on her YouTube channel.