Tag: Spirits

Spirit Dolls

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A spirit doll is a sacred connection to a spiritual entity. It might embody the energy of a tree or a river, it could be made as an offering to a eceased loved one, or it may even be an homage to a spirit guide or patrong god or goddess. They’re particularly appropriate for Samhain, simply because the veil is thinnest.

Spirit dolls are not a modern practice; they date beack for centuries and are practiced by many cultures, but recently they’re seeing a resurgence in popularity. Perhaps people are hungry to connect with something meaningful that returns the mto their roots. It does not matter what path you walk or how you make the doll. The most imoprtant thing is your intent. Remember, you are calling an entity to come and dwell in the doll; create a comfortable and meaningful habitat.

Materials

It’s hard to instruct you on exactly what to get, because every doll is different. The materials do not need to be expensive, and most can be found either in popular craft retailers or online shops. The list below is a sample of what might be used; the actual componets are left to your creativity, and not everything listed will be needed.

Something for the face: An old doll head or perhaps a form made from a mold.

Fabric or wadding for the body: Straw, polyester, or scraps of material all work.

Fabric or other materials to dress the doll: Let your imagination run with this one!

Something for hte stability: Any kind of stick – and this might even be optional.

Inclusions: What you want to put in the doll – herbs, crystals, amulets.

A needle and thread: Sharp needles and quilter’s thread recommended.

Glue: I like Elmer’s or tacky.

Embellisments: Think about charms or other items that help identify the doll’s purpose.

Cost: From absolutely nothing to over $50; it’s subject to what you have and what you want to spend.

Time spent: Anywhere from an hour to several days, depending on how deeply you want to involve yourself.

Birth Your Doll

As you start to gather the materials, think carefully about the spirit you want to embody in the doll. Is it a nature spirit? A guide or guardian? An ancestor? Just as different people have different personalities, your spirit doll needs to reflect the personality of the spirit you are inviting. Of course, allowing any glue or additional paint to dry.

You might want your spirit doll to be made up of natural components – although if you arelady have polyester stufffing and nylon fabric you’re not breaking any rules. Intent is everything. Many items can be wild-harvested, especially if you ive in a rural area. Ensure you have permission either from the landowner or from the nature spirits to take what calls to you.

The doll requires a sturdy form from the materials to be wrapped around. Sticks work, as do dowel rods if sticks are not available. I’m an avid knitter and I have a plethora of odd or wonky knitting needles and crochet hooks – yard sale finds, or or given to me by others when they were getting rid of their craft items, etc. They are the “bones” of my spirit doll.

The doll also needs a body, something to give it form and shape. I have seen straw and florist moss used, but I wonder about the durability of these, especially if the spirit doll has to last longer than a season or two. I’m keen on recycling, so I tend to scavenge old t-shirts from friends and family, cutting them into long strips and them wrapping them around the stick form until I get the desired shape. It’s possible to gvie the spirit doll arms by attaching a smaller stick perpendicular to the larger one, but I don’t bother with this. By the time I have clothed my spirit doll, the additional limbs are not missed.

Inclusions such as herbs or crystals or charms should be added now, wrapping them in the body materials and making sure they are secure. Anything that helps you to tell the story of the doll or enhance its purpose is appropriate. I can’t say it enough: it all comes down to intent. I frequently add sage or cedar to the spirit dolls I make. According to Scott Cunningham, sage represents protection, longestivey and wisdom (Cunningham 1985, n.p.). Cedar offers protection and purification (Cunningham 1985, n.p.). My Cherokee friends say cedar represents the ancestors.

Once the doll has form, it’s time to add the face. This is probably the most important part of the doll, for this is where it gets its character. Being a potter, I make clay faces for my dolls and attach them to the wrapped t-shirt with a bit of glue – or, more recently, I’ve been making holes in the clay before firing it, so I can sew the faces onto the body. It’s possible to use old fashioned doll faces, or make an original face out of clay; air-dried clay works just fine. Free form the face or use a mold – usually available in the same section of hte craft store as the polymer clay. The face could even be stitched or painted directly on the body fabric; there’s no right or wrong way to do this.

Finally, the doll needs dressing. This is the fun part! Add bits of lace, crochet, knitting, fabric, moss, leaves, twigs, beads; the choices are infinite. Let the doll reflect both you as its creator and hte spirit you are honoring. The face gives the doll expression, but the clothing is where hte doll comes to life with personality and purpose. If the fabric seems to need more shape or form, it can be starched or immersed in watered-down glue or even have florist’s wire threaded through it. Add any accoutrements for the doll to wear at this time, such as jewelry, charms, or other items.

Does the doll want wings or multiple limbs or mother than one head? Let your imagination run riot and see where it takes you. You’re connecting with the other realms; as the spirits what they seek of you , then let your hands reflect the message. It’s been my experience that making the dolls doesn’t just connect me to another entity; each one also allows me to explore a different aspect of myself.

Your spirit doll has the potential to become your friends, confidant, and ally. After all, it is an expression of your true nature; it is something you have created with your heart and your soul as well as your hands. It was born from an idea in your mind and came into being through your own actions. Treat it with respect and see it as an extension of both yourself and your faith. [1]

Further Reading

The Healing Doll Way: A Guided Process Creating Art Dolls For Self-Discovery, Awareness, and Transformation by Barb Kobe, 2018.

How to Create a Spirit Doll by Chris Flynn, 2014.

Soul Mat Dolls: Dollmaking as a Healing Art by Noreen Crone-Findlay, 2000.

Reference

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopeda of Magical Herbs. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1985.

Resources

[1] Llewellyn’s 2022 Sabbats Almanac: Samhain 2021 to Mabon 2022

The Creation and Uses of Spirit Houses by Kelden

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There are many ways to connect with spirits, and there are just as many by which we can help foster hte growth of a budding relationship. One of my favorite methds for working with and honoring a specific spirit is to create them their very own home. The building of these homes, which are generally called spirit houses, can be found in many different cultures around the world. Perhaps one of the best known examples come from Thailand. Here, people construct dwellings known as san phra phrum that are often placed on or near one’s property. Another example comes from Iceland, where you will find quaint miniature homes known as alfhol, which are built for the purpose of houseing hte Huldufolk, or elven folk. Universally, spirit houses are created in order to provide ethereal creatures with shelter in hopes that they might in turn bestow protection, luck, abundance, or other blessings. Depending upon the temperament of the spirit, these houses are also believed to help keep unruly beings busy, and thus preventing them frm causing chaos elsewhere.

Today, whenever I want to create a more permanent structure, I will often tulize the small, plain birdhouses which you can find at most craft stores. These pinewood birdhouses come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are typically pretty inexpensive. Because of their bare-bones design, the birdhouses can be decorated in an endless variety of ways even better if done in accordance to the spirit’s preferences. I recommend using natural items such as moss, twigs, rocks, bark, shells, and bones to adorn the structure. Additionally, the house can be filled with attractive baubles such as small bells, colorful knotted cords or ribbons, mirror disks, vibrant glass beads, and shiny coins. These items are meant to entertain the spirit and provide them with a beautiful environment, which they are sure to enjoy.

When completed, a spirit house can be placed in a sacred or special spot indoors or outdoors. If placeing hte house inside, you might want to rest it upon an altar and set candles and bowls for offerings nearby. Make sure, though. to keep the area around the house neat and tidy, including dusting away dirt and keeping away any clutter. If placing the house outside, you could very well build it into your garden or put it on an outdoor alatar. However, depending upon the location and the materials used to bulid the house, be prepared for it to slowly break down over time as it’s exposed to the elements.

Creating a Spirit House

If there is a particular otherworldly being that you work with who you believe would enjoy having a space of their own, you can try your hand at buildilng a spirit house.

You will need:

  • Plain wooden birdhouse. You can find unfinished pine birdhouses in various shapes and sizes at most craft stores.
  • Paint or wood stain in any colors you so desire
  • Brushes or rags to apply paint or stain
  • Wood burner (optional)
  • Natural decorations (moss, twigs, rocks, bark, shells, bones, etc.)
  • Hot glue gun or other sturdy fixative
  • Attractive baubles (small bells, colorful knotted cords or ribbons, mirror disks, vibrant glass beads, shiny coins, etc.)

Begin by applying an even layer of paint or stain to your house, allowing ample time for it to dry before applying a second coat if need be. Once the house has been painted or stained, you may wish to add different symbols, such as any sigil associated with teh spirit who will reside within the house, using additional paint or with a wood burner. Next, use the hot glue gun or with fixative to add natural elements to the house. For example, you might with to glue a layer of moss on the roof or create siding using twigs or rocks. Finally, fill the house with attractive baubles by passing them through the entrance hole. Don’t worry if these items fall inside haphazardly, as this will only add to the spirit’s joy and entertainment.

Ritual to Enchant Your Spirit House

When your spirit house is ready to be inhabited, you can perform the following riutal to bless and enchant the home, effectively inviting hte spirit to take up residence.

You will need:

  • Your spirit house
  • White votive candle
  • Offering (a bit of bread, honey, whiskey, or whatever else your spirit may have a preference for)

Begin by placing your spirit house in its designated spot, such as upon your altar, by your front door, or soe other auspicious location. Next, place the votive candle to one side of the house (be careful, making sure not to put it too close!) and hte offering on the other. Now, light the candle, which will act as a magical beacon to draw the intended spirit to its new house. As hte candle burns, recite hte following incantation thrice: 

I built this house, both fine and best, 
For a kindly spirit to dwell and rest.  
That it may be their rightful home, 
IA living space to call their own.

Close your eyes and reach out to your spirit ally, informing them of the new space that you have created just for them. Invite the spirit to inhabit the house and to make it tehir own. Then, once you feel ready, open your eyes. You will want to give the spirit some space in order for them to enter the house and explore a bit. Although, you will want to be nearby so that you can keep an eye on the burning candle! The candle should burn for an hour (or less if it naturally burns out), at which time you may extinguish it. If, for whatever reason, your spirit has not found its way to their new house, perform the ritual again the following night.

Black Cat Witch’s Amulet

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Black cats are universally associated with witchcraft and the occult. A black cat is often portrayed as the ultimate witch’s familiar and is believed by some to house a spirit or otherworldly being. Sometimes they’re considered good luck, other times bad luck. Over time, the image of the black cat has become a repository of witchy attributes and associations.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a cat person, you can make and wear this amulet to call upon the archetypal trats of the famous black cat: luck, connection to spirits, mysticism, and, of course, witchcraft power. This amulet is meant to increase magickal abilities, aid in occult studies, and generally bring out your inner witch.

You will need:

  • Small tiger’s eye crystal that will fit in the bottle
  • Small glass bottle with a cork, available at craft shops
  • Pinch of dried catnip
  • 3 strands of hair from a black cat
  • Glue
  • Piece of cord or string long enough to go around your neck

On the night of the full moon, find a quiet place ot make your amulet. It’s preferable that you’re able to see the moon, but if you can’t, visualize it in your mind instead.

Hold hte tiger’s eye up toward the moon. Think about how a cat’s eye glows in the dark just like the moon does, and say: 

Cat's eye, cat's eye, 
Moon shining bright.  
Guide my way in darkness 
Like a black cat in the night.

Add it to the bottle. The stone represents your inner vision, helping you see mystical undercurrents and increasing your psychic senses.

Put the catnip in the bottle. Catnip attracts most cats and is a favorite tempting treat for them. Say: 

Fetch and summon, come to be.  
Black cat spirit, come to me.

Place the cat hairs in the bottle. Say, 

Black cat power is here with me, 
With secrets, luck, and wile.  
A witch's companion spirit
Now lives wihtin this vial.

Put the cork in the bottle and glue it in place. When it’s dry, string it on the cord and wear it as an amulet during rituals and spells or in situations when you need extra power form the black cat spirit.

Lily (Lilium spp.)

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New moon, Imbolc. Ruled by the moon and the element of water. Sacred to Adonis, Astarte, Athena, Attis, Ceres, Isis, Jupiter, Kundalini, Lakshmi, maiden goddesses, moon goddesses, Osiris, Psyche, Sophia, and Venus. [1]

If you want to keep the evil eye, negative spirits, and unwanted visitors away from your threshold, plant a few lily bulbs. These tall beauties grow three to four feet high. Not only will they bring protection to your doorstep, but they’ll also add charm. As a bonus, their trumpet-shaped flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds. [2]

Resources

[1] The Hearth Witch’s Compendium: Magical and Natural Living for Everyday by Anna Franklin

[2] Llewellyn’s 2022 Magical Almanac by Chi Cicero

Bean (Fabaceae / Leguminosae spp.)

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Death, spirits of the dead, funerals, banishing negativity and evil. Ruled by the planet Mercury and the element of air. Sacred to Blodeuwedd, Cardea, Carnea, and Demeter. [1]

Resources

[1] The Hearth Witch’s Compendium by Anna Franklin

Apple (Malus spp.)

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Bury in the garden on Samhain as food for the departing spirits, love (share an apple with the one you love), health, attracts unicorns, associated with Friday. [Green Witchcraft]

Fertility, lust, love, marriage, immortality, fidelity, harvest, initiation, wisdom. Ruled by the sun and Venus, the element of water, and the sign of Taurus. Sacred to Aphrodite, Apollo, Bel, Ceridwen, Demeter, Diana, Eve, Flora, Godiva, Herakles, Hesperides, Iduna, Inanna, Kore, Lugh, Meliae, Morgana, Nehallenia, Olwen, Perspephone, Pomona, sun gods, Titaea, Venus, and Zeus. [1]

Resources

[1] The Hearth Witch’s Compendium by Anna Franklin