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Crafting the Sacred
A Transformational, Intuitive Journey through the Art of Medicine Spirit Dolls
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Treading Dark Waters ~ Stories of the Medicine Spirit Doll
Needle Felted Spirit Doll / SacredSpiritWeavers.com
““The healing path is not a straight line; it’s a spiral. You continually come back to things you thought you understood and see deeper truths.””
Being cast out and estranged can be an emotional roller coaster of dysfunction, heartbreak and confusion. It comes with a mountain of trauma and lasting side effects that hijack one’s sense of safety and a stable foundation. I find that the more I allow my heart to open and fully trust, the greater the risk of getting hurt again. Is it worth it? A resounding yes for me, but it’s certainly not easy, is it?
I did allow myself to open up, be vulnerable, and trust again. Truth be told, I did it because I simply want to live in a state of openness, vulnerability, and love. That kind of space feels so good to me. Tremendous healing transformed years of pain, and I was enjoying the freedom to be my true Self.
I set down my guard. My body relaxed. My fear and anxiety subsided.
It felt so good to be safe and seen for what felt like, the first time ever.
the Trickster Coyote Comes Calling
The Coyote spirit animal has been with me since I was a young girl. I have a deep love for coyote, but she is hard on me. She is all about teaching the magick lesson of illusion and sudden awakenings. Once I get the joke, she makes me laugh at the irony. This is a constant dance through life that we share with one another.
I was suddenly blindsided by a sharp, energetic shift in the relationship and found myself treading water in an all too familiar deep sea of confusion. Old patterns of behavior and beliefs stepped right back in and there I was, trying to stay afloat by grabbing onto a familiar friend named ‘Abandonment’. Her clear intention is to pull me down into the dark waters of Self-betrayal.
She’s the one who carries all my Self-doubt and shame. She holds the parts of me that feels unseen, unwanted, and rejected. She lives in the cold, comfort zone of dark shadows and can be hard to find at times, because she has gotten really good at hiding.
I want my abandoned Self to know that I see her and love her. I want Her to know that I won’t ignore her, or look away from her ever again. I want Her to know that she no longer needs to believe that another’s dis-ease belongs to Her. I want Her to remember all the years that I have stood by her side and dedicated my life to healing deep wounds that were never caused by any fault of my own.
I am not alone. My truth, honor, Self-respect, and the ability to Self-mother is what keeps me safe and protected. Comforted and nourished. I am deeply connected to those in my life who do see me as I am with loving compassion, and for that, I am blessed.
When I slow down, get quiet, and turn within, I remember. This is how I find the inspiration to weave a new story, often held and witnessed by the Medicine Spirit Doll.
The Medicine Doll’s Sacred Altar of Manifestation
I love to work with the intention and Healing Powers of a Medicine Doll by creating a special altar for her. I find it to be a powerful way to focus your energy and manifest a desired change or outcome.
She stands on the white ‘Altar of the North’ to seriously contemplate and integrate the lessons she has learned, and to release to Spirit for further assistance, guidance, and support.
The Altar Candle activates the energy of her prayer so that the healing spirits know where to find her.
She carries the element of water within her blue dress, hair, and seashell. Deep feelings and emotions are called forth to be fully felt and witnessed, and then released back into the flow of life.
Obsidian keeps her grounded and Amethyst connects her voice to Spirit.
Her Selenite Wand helps to cut through the bullshit of what no longer serves or helps, with absolute clarity and resolve.
The Coyote Skull animal totem reminds her that things are not always as they seem. Let go of the need for a fixed outcome and stay open to the element of surprise. Most importantly, keep your sense of humor and call in what make’s you laugh again. Laughter is healing!
Deer Medicine accompanies the shadow journey into Self and reminds you to be gentle and kind to yourself. Especially now.
Spider weaves a new story, where dreams are possible. Create a web of pure manifestation.
A Crow’s Feather will assist the flight through the darkest shadows that lead back out to a greater understanding.
Her Reflective Mirror asks her to face truth and fear, in both their darkness and light, without looking away. They are only parts of her, wanting to be acknowledged.
A live Plant reminds her that when the lessons are learned, growth is always imminent.
"Medicine Dolls (aka Spirit Dolls, Healing Dolls) are archetypal symbols of the sacred connection and natural intelligence. They are special containers made to hold the energy and focus of our prayers, self-expression, gratitude, and healing. They also represent our intention for change, clarity, and transformation. In fact, Medicine Dolls set the energy of change in motion."
Jerri Shelton
Mother of Grief
I created this needle felted Medicine Doll as a loving, heartfelt witness to my beloved friend who has been called to sit with the Death Mother of Grief.
‘Mother of Grief’ - Jerri Shelton @ SacredSpiritWeavers.com - 2021
Mother of Grief
I created this needle felted Medicine Doll as a loving, heartfelt witness to my beloved friend who has been called to sit with the Dark Mother of Grief. During the summer of 2020, Luna’s only son Hunter died at the age of 21. There was no preparation. Only a sudden descent into profound grief and loss.
The Death Mother has drawn her deep down into an inner journey of Self discovery to uncover who she is now asked to become. Luna has chosen to openly share her journey through grief with all who care to listen and learn from her. She asks that we lean in and face death, no matter how far it takes us to the brink of our own descent through fear.
We have been taught for far too long to look away, shut down, not speak, not feel, not share, not reach out or even ask. Most of us don’t know how to be with or support someone who is going through such tragic pain and loss. It brings up our own discomfort. Death has a way of creating separation and isolation from those closest to us and within the community, even though it is the natural cycle of being alive.
Death Mother of Grief wears the color of orange as she most favors sitting in the second chakra sacral energy. This is where she finds the truth of her emotions, her creativity, sensitivity, sexuality, intimacy, emotional well-being and self-expression.
The spiraling cycle of life, love and death has become undeniable and we hear this in her keening heart song.
The porcupine offers its quills for boundaries and protection through this harrowing journey because her strength is vulnerable.
Her snakeskin is the shedding of her old self, before death came and demanded a rebirth.
Rabbit snuggles her neck, offering comfort and nurturing for the sadness and fear of the unknown.
Butterfly is gently released from her hand as a loving nod to Hunter, who is now seen in all the butterflies.
The baby she carries on her back has named her the Eternal Mother. With her and of Her till the end of time. The three garnet stones on her baby’s swaddle radiates the immense love between Mother, Child and Self.
Blessings and Love,
Jerri Lynn Shelton
Learn more about Luna Jaffe’s Journey through grief and loss @ Altered By Grief
Acceptance
Acceptance asks you to stop and stand still and quietly listen. I mean really listen to the part of yourself that you tend to numb out to because it’s uncomfortable. Invite her in and dive deeper into the threads of your story to find out what is really relevant and meaningful and to face the shadow fears that present as resistance.
ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance comes in and asks you to take her hand as she walks you onto a path of self-discovery. Trust her and accept the gift.
For me personally, stepping into the year of 2020 and beyond, the time of global pandemic, climate crisis and political unrest, has been about the teaching of Acceptance. I’m not talking about passive acceptance. Not the “oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it, so I might as well accept it” kind.
Acceptance / MedicineDoll.com
I’m talking about the kind of acceptance that asks you to build a meaningful and present relationship with the journey she wants to take you on. The journey back towards Self.
Can you stop resisting and pushing up against forces that you cannot change? Can you let go of blaming or using these outward forces as a distraction that keeps you from the true heart of the matter?
Acceptance asks you to stop and stand still and quietly listen. I mean really listen to the part of yourself that you tend to numb out to because it’s uncomfortable.
Invite her in and dive deeper into the threads of your story to find out what is really relevant and meaningful and to face the shadow fears that present as resistance.
The Invitation
For some time now, our world has been building up into a swirling, transitional, uncomfortable energy that has been hard to live in. It feels like Mother Earth got tired of the collective human race’s inability to pay attention, so she shifted us into opportunities that challenge us individually.
She is inviting each one of us to slow it down and return back into what lies in the shadows of our inner self for a time. What is calling to be seen?
Opportunities, exciting as they may be, are often uncomfortable and can take you out of your comfort zone. They will ask you to check within to see if it’s a journey you are willing to take. They come with questions such as ‘have you gained the skills necessary to step into this’ or ‘why does this scare me so much’?
There are great lessons and gifts to be found should you choose to accept the opportunity laid before you. Can you see it? You recognize this because it feels like a nudge or even better, a shove. An invitation to step in.
What can you choose to change that will bring more peace and balance?
What feels kind and loving to you?
Can you put your time and energy into creating a new vision that supports who you really want to be?
What if some of the things falling away, that feel so scary, are actually a magical gift? It doesn’t mean it’s easy, but have you looked for the opportunity to create something built from the ashes that will bring you so much closer to the essence of your truth?
For me, acceptance means opening myself up and allowing the rawness of vulnerability. To let myself be seen a little more. I vow to create beautiful, sacred space around me so that I know I am intentional, protected and safe while I sit in this energy. It’s a knowing that peace will accompany the choice, even if it’s a little raw at times, because I walk into the journey with integrity and an open heart that is fully grounded in self-love and a desire for greater joy and release.
Please enjoy the Current Offerings available to purchase here.
Jerri Shelton / MedicineDoll.com
I love working with women who seek personal empowerment and authenticity by incorporating a feminine, spiritual worldview that reflects and affirms embracing her true self.
Women need and long for a deeper spiritual connection to the Divine Mother Earth.
My work as a nature and spirit artist and communal workshop leader encourages women to step into a journey that will take her deeper into her herself to acknowledge, heal and transform those things that linger in the shadow and hold her back. She hears the call and knows when she is ready.
Return to The Mother
‘Return to The Mother’ is the Mother of Self. She carries her inner child lovingly on her back. The baby is her. The mother and child both carry beautiful plant medicine bundles woven into their wombs. These bundles hold her prayers and strength to now reclaim the birthright of what was once lost or broken long ago.
Return to The Mother
Some of us had mothers who nurtured and protected us. Some of us had mothers who did not know how to mother. Some of us had no mothers at all.
How well have we learned to mother ourselves as grown women? How well have we learned how to nurture and protect?
Do you wrap your arms around your heart on a regular basis and say ‘I love you’?
I was recently asked a question that took me down deep into the shadow self and ‘Return to The Mother’ is what manifested into the weaving of the doll who answered.
How different might it have looked?
“How as a child, might it have been different if you knew when, where and how to express your fear and vulnerability with a knowing that you were safe, acknowledged and accepted? If you had been taught how to properly channel and transform your pain or shame into something that grew and made you stronger, rather than internalizing, withdrawing and numbing yourself?
It is time to put down the burden and carry ourselves in our own protection and self-love.
‘Return to The Mother’ is the Mother of Self. She carries her inner child lovingly on her back. The baby is her. The mother and child both carry beautiful plant medicine bundles woven into their wombs. These bundles hold her prayers and strength to now reclaim the birthright of what was once lost or broken long ago.
I love working with women who seek personal empowerment and authenticity by incorporating a feminine, spiritual worldview that reflects and affirms embracing her true self.
Women need and long for a deeper spiritual connection to the Divine Mother Earth.
My work as a nature and spirit artist and communal workshop leader encourages women to step into a journey that will take her deeper into her herself to acknowledge, heal and transform those things that linger in the shadow and hold her back. She hears the call and knows when she is ready.
Jerri Shelton / MedicineDoll.com