Doll Making as a Spiritual Journey Part Three
Tree Spirit:
Tree Spirit appeared without planning. When I was a child, I talked to trees and swore I could hear them answer me. As I made Tree Spirit, he seemed to advise me to once again listen with child’s ears and see with child’s eyes. His teaching is that sun, trees, and everything on and inside the earth is interconnected and interdependent.
Mermaid:
Mermaid swims forward in the water and then reverses her direction. Sometimes she doesn't swim at all, but allows the currents to carry her. At the time I made her, I'd started reading doll books and magazines. I wanted my dolls to look more like the ones other people were making so that they would fit in and be accepted. Mermaid is my effort to do that. She seemed to take forever to make. There is a stiffness and sadness to her that reminds me that even though I can muster the energy to conform, doing so drains energy from me and my work.
Starchild:
Starchild emerged as a symbol of innocence and beginner's mind. Like the fool in the Tarot deck, he starts his journey in the world with a clean slate. Both masculine and feminine energy made him, and although he resembles his parents, he is unique. Because he is so young, he will stumble and fall, but he will pick himself up. This is how we learn to walk in the world. He is my creative self in that moment.
Crone:
Crone appears humble and simple when I look at her head on. Stooped and white-haired, she is almost invisible. Once I feared images like hers, especially in my bathroom mirror - because she is who I am becoming. She emerged with an invitation to know her. Only after I form a solid friendship with this aspect of myself, will I receive and understand her shawl of wisdom. She teaches me that age and beauty are not mutually exclusive.