SPIRIT DOLLS

These inspiring  Spirit Dolls are handmade by local artist, Martha Haskins.
 I love each and every one of them! 

Mythic Forest Creations

Assemblage art Spirit Dolls

$32 each

Etain

Goddess of transformation.

She is associated with butterflies and is called upon in times of change and renewal.

"As an artist I have always been influenced by the natural world.  Spending much of my time in the woods as a child I was aware of the spirits in all the things that surrounded me, the trees, rocks, ponds and sky.  I have created these totem dolls with those spirits in mind.  To prepare myself to create them I will often go into the woods and open my heart. These dolls come out of this communing.  I start with an apple branch as the heart of the doll and allow the spirit to influence my choices of fabrics and fibers and often add hand painted wings. The reason I use apple branches is the association of the apple tree with the Faerie Realm. The apple tree is symbolic of feminine creation, and to me is one of the most magical of trees. I often will give them the names of ancient Celtic goddesses . I believe that in nature we find the most profound and deepest spirituality I and hope to give that gift to all who choose these totems."  

These magical figures are made from many found and fabric things, beads and shells. Each one is different and are individually inspired. I have tried to capture a bit of the many natural spirits that inhabit the New England woods and the domestic spirit of home and hearth. These Spirit Dolls make wonderful kitchen witches, Feng Shui companions, or shrine dolls."

                                                                              Martha Haskins

 

        Brighid

Goddess of hearth and home. It was believed that Brighid possessed an apple orchard in the otherworld where her bees would go to collect magical honey. 

Totem of the love of home.

 

Airmid

Celtic goddess of healing arts and  herbal medicines. She is associated with family loyalty,, the  green gifts of earth and learning.

A totem of the healing power of the earth

Danu

Danu is a Celtic goddess of wisdom and abundance. She is associated with water and fertility. She represents enlightenment from the deepest wells of ourselves.

Flidais

Goddess of the forests and wild creatures. It is believed that she inhabits the forests as a tree and that the birds land on her branches for protection.

SPIRIT OF MARDI GRAS

This little Spirit Doll Evokes the magic and celebration of Mardi Gras. 

A Spirit Doll to remind us to relax, have fun, and explore the mysterious side of life!

 

Erce

Earth mother and Goddess of the harvest and magic pertaining to the earth. The turning of the leaves is a signal of her stirring.  

Totem of change.

Arienhod 

Her name means silver wheel, she is 

The goddess of beauty, the moon and fertility
She is a shape shifter and is the mother
Aspect of the triple goddess.
A totem of fertile life and re-invention.

 

Branwen 

CELTIC GODDESS OF LOVE AND BEAUTY
A LITTLE DOLL TO CELEBRATE LOVE AND PASSION IN YOUR LIFE. THE WELSH WORSHIPPED BRANWEN AS THE DAUGHTER OF THE SEA, AND THE GODDESS OF LOVE AND BEAUTY

Feng Shui Thought:

In Feng Shui practice we often place objects to act as ' Home Protectors'. They are thought to energetically protect our homes whether we're at home or away. Sometimes if we're lucky, we may have protectors outside the house, particular trees, large bushes or other beings of the natural world that 'protect' us from negative chi (energy). If none are there we can plant something that grows perennially (not annual plants) or place objects outside our front entrance, or in the front yard with clear Feng Shui intention. 

Denise Linn

"Our homes are mirrors of ourselves. Through them we can interface with the universe."
Everything in the universe is composed of constantly changing energy, including your home and its contents. This energy can profoundly influence your ability to be healthy, loving, creative and abundant. By clearing and enhancing this energy you can transform your home into a sanctuary which radiates positive energy in ever-expanding circles.
In this fascinating and unusual book, Denise Linn shows you how you can dramatically change your life by changing the environment in your home or office. She combines information from her own Native American heritage with material she has personally collected from native traditions around the world to bring you practical, easy-to-use exercises for balancing the physical, emotional and spiritual energies in your home, including how to:
* Diagnose and solve problems with stagnant home energies.
* Use sacred sound, spirit smoke, mystic symbols and purifying fire for
clearing home energy.
* Discover the personal numerology of your home.
* Use the ancient art of Feng Shui for the placement of objects in your
home.
* Call house angels and totems as home protectors.
* Use rituals to rid your home of unwanted spirits.
* Instantly uplift the energy in your home.
Your home can resonate, sing and pulse with Light energy that can touch the lives of everyone around you. Your home can become Sacred Space.

I was fortunate to attend a workshop with Denise Linn hosted by Amy Mims Director of the New England School of Feng Shui  in Southbury CT. It was called ' The making of Miracles'. it was truly inspiring and Life Changing! I say fortunate, because apparently she rarely teaches son the East Coast.

Tarot Inspiration:

These little Spirit Dolls can help to remind us of the spirit of Nature that is around us at all times. How many times a day do we consciously connect with the natural world? How many hours go by each day where we haven't even looked up to the sky to observe what shade of blue it is? Or how fast the clouds are moving or not seeming to move at all? When was the last time you stood in the woods alone, unobserved by other human beings and listen to the sounds of the forest? When was the last time you had an encounter with what you might have called a nature spirit? If it's been a long time, ask yourself why you are so busy, so preoccupied, that you have disconnected yourself from the inspiration and wisdom that is always available to us on this beautiful planet earth.... 

!

3 of Pentacles

"The angelic figure with rainbow-colored wings on this card represents the guide that each of us carries within. Like the second figure in the background, we may sometimes be a little reluctant to trust this guide when it comes to us, because we are so accustomed to taking our cues from the outside rather than from the inside. The truth of your own deepest being is trying to show you where to go right now, and when this card appears it means you can trust the inner guidance you are being given. It speaks in whispers, and sometimes we can hesitate, not knowing if we have understood rightly. But the indications are clear: in following the inner guide you will feel more whole, more integrated, as if you are moving outwards from the very center of your being. If you go with it, this beam of light will carry you exactly where you need to go."

 www.osho.com

Magical Boxes and Bottles

Purple Glass Box and Bottle

Box $28  Bottle $36

Vessels have been used throughout time to contain and to hold precious items: jewelry, trinkets, oils, keepsakes, herbs, coins, hair adornments, found objects, ashes, incense, beach shells... whatever we consider valuable, sentimental, useful or worthy of safe keeping.

Late Summer is ruled by the Element of Earth in 5 Element Theory of Chinese Medicine.

Earth is associated with vessels or containers.

Just as our Body is a vessel for our Life force  energy, or Chi, and contains our precious organs that govern our well -being and overall health, our homes are the vessels that contain our bodies and our physical belongings.

Feng Shui Thought:

If we consider what we put into our bodies for optimum health, wouldn't be also then want to consider what we put into our surroundings? Surrounding ourselves with inspiring, beautiful, and uplifting objects lifts our chi and outlook on life. If we are surrounded by too much clutter, negative imagery, old, worn out items or objects that we feeling nothing for or that actually depress our attitude or outlook, we may become lethargic, unhealthy, and unmotivated. 

Keeping things organized and contained will also allow the chi to move more easily through our homes. Boxes are a simply way of putting smaller items together so they are not scattered across our surfaces. Clean surfaces allow us to imagine the future and leave room for what may come next. Horizontal surfaces are symbolic of the horizon, when we can see a bit further it allows us to open up to new possibilities and invite inspiration into our lives!

Boxes

Bronze collection trinket box 5"x 4" - $48

Goddess reclining with Butterfly

Crushed Gemstone wooden Buddha Box 4.5" x 3.5" x 1.5"

This is a very unusual painted box, the pigment is actually made from crushed gemstones!

Amethyst, Chalcedony, Carnelian Agate, Garnet, Red Aventurine, Red Jasper, Sodalite, Yellow Agate, Green Aventurine, Blued Stone -  $20

Painted Resin Mermaid Heart Shaped Box 

5" x 4" x 2"

$32

This beautiful trinket or jewelry box is exquisitely painted with delicate ocean hues!

             

Paper 'Book' Box with Yellow Flowers - 8.5" x 6" x 2"

This old fashioned sturdy box can be placed on your book shelf  keeping your special letters, notes or personal writings safe and hidden from wandering eyes!  

$12

Bottles

Purple Ceramic Bottles 12"x 3.5"  - $16 each

Lovely Iridescent high gloss glaze gives these bottles a unique and mystical finish. 

       

American Collection reproduction Glass Bottles

Green - 16.5" x 4" - $24

Blue - 18" x 4" - $26

Amber - 14" x 6" - $22

These wonderful bottles are made with hand blown glass techniques. Tiny air bubbles set them apart from commercial glass, and give then a flair of times of the past. Set them by a window to truly appreciate their vibrant colors!

Earth Element

 LATE SUMMER

THE SEASON OF EARTH

Once summer has reached its height, the year's cycle begins its inevitable decline into the season of late summer - the season of Earth.

 The work done on ourselves during the earlier part of our lives - the growth and strengthening of the body, cultivating meaningful relationships, challenging and developing the intellect, spiritual practice - all determine the quality of the harvest we reap - and what we have to share with others. 

. Physically and spiritually, this period of late summer is a time for slowing down and gathering in. It is a time when we recognize and hold the fruits of our labor.

Suggestions for living in harmony with the late summer season

• Enjoy the abundance of fruits and fresh vegetables
  Be aware of their special qualities, each succulence different from the next. Carrots are crisp, cucumbers cool, tomatoes luscious, peaches sweet. Look at the seeds, and reflect on the fact that within each harvest lie the seeds of the next.
• Be thoughtful of how you can nourish others.
  In this season when nature gives her bounty, we also rejoice in giving, with attention to the special needs of others. You need not wait until you can give a "great gift." A word, a courtesy, a thoughtfulness - given today - is a great gift.
• Be conscious of the harvest of your life.
  Think about yourself, your relationships, and your work. What parts of your life are bearing fruit? Where is the harvest rich? Where do you find it stunted?
• Consider what you need to do to make ready for the letting go of autumn.
  Holding your harvest in mind, ask what is overgrown or unneeded. What distracts you from your dearest concerns? What might you wish to simplify in yourself or in your life?
• www.5elements.com  

Tarot Inspiration: 

9 Pentacles (Rainbows)

Ripeness

Commentary:

When the fruit is ripe, it drops from the tree by itself. One moment it hangs by a thread from the branches of the tree, bursting with juice. The next moment it falls--not because it has been forced to fall, or has made the effort to jump, but because the tree has recognized its ripeness and simply let it go. When this card appears in a reading it indicates that you are ready to share your inner riches, your 'juice'. All you need to do is relax right where you are, and be willing for it to happen. This sharing of yourself, this expression of your creativity, can come in many ways--in your work, your relationships, your everyday life experiences. No special preparation or effort on your part is required. It is simply the right time.

www.osho.com

When we are ready, (like the apple that has ripened on the tree and is ready to fall from it), all of what we have experienced previously prepares us for the next step. Earth season of late Summer asks us to be prepared to transition or transform during this cycle, so we may know more clearly what we may need to let go of or refine during Fall or the season of metal that begins on the Fall Equinox Sept 22, 2012 (Northern Hemisphere).