This is just some general information I picked up. As I don't have a full set of tools yet and am still collecting them, I'll leave the positions and reading of feathers and other things for later...since I haven't cast any Bones at all yet and learned the positions myself.

Feather

The meaning of any feather varies according to 3 main aspects, what species the bird the feather belonged to, how and when the feather was found/extracted and what spiritual connotations are connected to the feather.

Feathers are most often not aggressive signs, they are guides to show how things progress and develop as time goes by, and also hint at the basic motivation of a subject and give insight into how swiftly or slowly an event can occur.

In general feathers are often connected to the elements of the sky and signify freedom and the ability to see situations from above, from a distant viewpoint. They can convey emotion, but in a diluted detached way as they show the flow of things and often the reasons for this flow rather than unnecessary things that are rooted into the matter.

Feather types

Often once a general overview of he subject has been made, specific aspects of the reading need a more in depth view. This is when the caster is urged to use one of three specific feather types:

A full natural feather signifies a gentle flow between one thing and another, an exchange of energies without specific force or impediment.

A fletched feather (stripped from the base upwards, but with the upper end left in tact) is an indicator of direction, sharp and precise and often shows of one thing naturally leading to another in its own time.

A feather stripped of its vane’s is a bridge or connection that can be used only through a choice or decision of sorts. It is a well controlled medium with stern limitations and its effect can be accelerated with simple willpower.

Manipulations

Fletched feathers often have notches cut into them, these notches signify time and speed.

Stripped feathers have notches too, often three thick evenly spaced with a further two more closely spaced between each of them. These notches represent the soul, mind and body, as well as degrees of emotion involved.

Full feathers often have a charred, marked or severed lower tip, which ensures that a feathers connection with the bird it came from has been severed so as not to cause accidental harm to the living bird. A feather without any of these marks is from a dead bird who has agreed in spirit to be a guide to the Caster and play a part in the casting of the Bones, the feather will become unruly and break if the bird wishes to cease their service.

Hope that made sense.