NMR ISSUE 41

And Ye Harm None
Astrological Forecast 41
Candlemas Ritual
Editorial 41
Elephant
Esoteric Symbology of the Tarot
Flora Faery
Hummingbird
Letters 41
Moon
Mother Earth
Mythic Image
Perseverance
Spirit Doll Charms
The Big Book o' Shadows
The Kabalah in Everyday Use
The Legend of the Maiden
The Magic of Receiving
The Wise Woman Energy
Walking into Animal Presence
Weekend with Hans

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Spirit Doll Charms

By Susan Baxter of Starwood

This tiny doll can be used in many ways and can represent a very wide variety of deities, emotions, Elements, people, or wishes. They may be kept in charm bags, magickal boxes, or worn as pins, pendants, hung in cars and homes, set on shelves, or hung in festive garlands with their hands stitched together. Make them for yourself, your children and friends. Give them as protectors, thank-yous, encouragement to strive for goals, awards for reaching goals, congratulation on personal events. You can also make them for magickal purposes for yourself or others if they request help.

You will need felt—in flesh tones (to match intended person) or colored (to reflect a Direction or magickal purpose). You don't need large amounts of fabric or trims, so they are very economical to make. I keep a box on hand with several small pieces of felt, many odd beads, feathers, tiny bells, charms, unusual snips of yarns and embroidery threads. A couple of cotton balls is enough stuffing for each doll. A needle or two and half a dozen pins will be enough. Every doll should have a heart—this can be a bead, a sequin, embroidery, cut out of fabric and glued on, or painted on. You can put facial features on the doll or leave the face place. You can leave your doll plain or you can add little touches like clothing, jewelry, hair, hat and trinkets in their hands.

The basic doll: Trace the doll pattern on paper. Cut it out. Pin it to two layers of felt. Cut out the felt. If you wish to embroider the heart, facial feature and such, you can do that before you sew it together or after—whatever suits you.

Starting at one shoulder sew tiny overcasting stitches down the arm and around the side and one leg. Now use a pencil to help push cotton ball segments into the arm and leg. Now over cast the other leg and arm, and stuff cotton through neck into the other arm and leg and the body. If this doll is for magickal use, you may fill the belly with herbs and felt scrap with a dab of oil if you wish.

Now sew the side of the head to ear level and begin adding hair in the seam, if you wish. Loops of yarn, threads or feathers can be sewn between stitches over to ear level on other side. Stuff the head then stitch it closed. You can sew beads on the hair, face, wrists, neck or body. Stitch on a fringe skirt, or a bit of gathered lace or fabric could work. Ribbon can make shoulder straps if you like. Charms can be stitched to the ends of the hands, or a tiny scroll with wishes or prayers can be tied to arm with ribbon or thread.

You can sew a pin-back on your doll, or sew a loop on the head to hang it from a necklace. Or just place it in a pouch, as a charm. Write a little booklet to explain to a friend the meaning of this gift. Write a little prayer or ritual to go with it, too. If you are doing this for a magickal purpose, you may wish to burn incense and a candle while your work is in progress. Use colors and fragrances that match your intention. Remember, giving good to others will always bring good home to you.

For Starwood's catalog of craft patterns for Pagans send $1 and a long self-addressed, stamped envelope to: RR2 Box 51-A, Morgantown IN 46160