Sacred Art-The Russian Myth of Vasilisa the Brave/Doll Making

The Vasilisa story has commonalities with our Cinderella; and evil stepmother, ugly step sisters and a beautiful and kind girl given impossible tasks. However, Vasilisa isn’t saved by a fairy godmother and a handsome prince. She is saved by her own intuition and her mother’s blessing: both encapsulated in a small doll gifted to her by her dying mother.

All participants will be given a small doll to stuff (with both magical herbs and natural fibers), decorate and dress. We will discuss the Baba Yaga/Vasilisa story and relate it to our individual struggles as we create and bless our beautiful dolls.

Some basic stitching experience will be helpful but not necessary. Come if you are called to. We’ll help you navigate the needle and thread.

MICHELLE VANDERHOUWEN
Michelle VanderHouwen is the owner of Oak and Hawthorn and provides the plant babies for Ritualcravt’s annual plant sale.

Throughout all her years, she has studied art as a window into Spirit and the psyche, and Nature has been her church. Michelle believes that our hands are magnificent communicators. When we let them dig, sculpt, draw, scrape, tie and sew, we are sending messages to and from Heart Center. Our hands, full of sensation but devoid of reasoning, can create pure, honest prayer. In Michelle’s classes she teaches, with a variety of tools, different ways of accessing Spirit using our hands and hearts. Her goal is to help us all access the knowing we had at birth. Michelle is deeply knowledgeable about the spiritual wisdom of nature, studied Shamanic Herbalism with Darcey Blue, and walks with the soul of a Witch. Discover her creations at www.etsy.com/shop/OakandHawthorn and connect with Michelle via Instagram @oakandhawthorn