Newsletter: Death Walker Workshop & Keening Dolls Available
The Story of Squall
Squall
My neighbours are noisy, raucous and engage in gang battles so violent that I’ve seen two bodies left dead on the pavement. This is the world of jackdaws and seagulls. Baby jackdaws often end up on the pavement and are preyed on by seagulls. You might well think these fledglings have been abandoned, but someone is always watching. One swoop of a gull and a clattering of jackdaws rains down like battering hail, which often is enough to send the gull off.
It’s the jackdaws that create the bedlam of the battle, squabbling among themselves reaching such heights of violence that result in a carnage of black feathers and bodies left behind.
My other neighbours, the seagulls - both black backed gulls and herring gulls make nests on the high sloping roofs of tenement buildings. These tall buildings have incredibly sloping roofs, and I feel dizzy while just looking up at these little balls of feathers weathering out high winds and rain.
At some point they have to leave the roofs. You can see subs-adults facing into the wind, stretching our their wings and practicing for that first flight. Unfortunately too many of them come off the roof before they are ready and sustain injuries in the fall. Many of these gulls end up in the back gardens, which at least are protection away from cars. Last year I had to rescue a subadult with a severely broken wing., and a few days ago it was a fledgling who was moving herself around by their wings due to a badly broken leg.
I caught Squall and brought her in, and took her to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre, about a half hour away. Hessilhead is Scotland’s longest-running wildlife centre and treat up to 4,000 wild birds and animals each year.
Arriving at the centre we were met by a friendly old dog, and a pool of barking seals. A staff examination confirmed my fears, a severely broken leg and Squall’s chances of survival from such an injury weren’t looking good, and sadly they had to put her down. At least we gave Squall the best chance possible.
My animals rescue is on a small scale, but it makes the world for the little creature involved.
And so at this time of year, there is a little chick toy on my altar for all those who fall from roofs, get run over by cars, and those who needlessly met their death via human hands.
Also in this newsletter:
Whats next on the Path of the Ancestral Mothers of Scotland
Death Walker - Doll Making Workshop
Keening dolls available
Walking the Path of the Ancestral Mothers of Scotland - Approaching Lunastal
As we approach the season of the talon moon (Lunastal) the ancestral mother is Talieasker, a figure half bird, half human. The guided story takes you to visit her chamber
Her story comes from the Oracle Chamber, and ancient chamber in the earth on the uninhabited side of Eigg, facing the Isle of Skye.
Her story is one of an ancient tradition, of excarnation when bodies were left out for the Goddess in raptor form to pick the bones clean of flesh, in a ritual of removing that which isn’t wanted.
Join me for a gathering inspired by the keening woman’s role as death walker and psychopomp.
When you sign up you’ll have access to the doll making instructions and make your doll in your own time. At our Zoom gathering on Sunday 21st July we will:
Guided story - Death is an Old Woman
A Keening circle - ritual space to express your emotions, sew, write or create the sacred markings for your doll
Collage divination - bring along some collage making materials for a ten minutue divination
CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS & BOOKING
Keening Doll 1
Keening Dolls
Keening dolls are inspired by the Keening Woman, who guided a community through their grief but also guided the soul home. Her role was a ritual of transformation, and a keening doll is offers a means to engage with your grief, your story.
I have two keening dolls available, each is priced at £149.00. If you are interested in either of the dolls just email me with your address and I will create a Paypal invoice and calculate shipping for you (Uk shipping roughly £3 / US shipping roughly £20).
Both dolls are made from a wire armature (half body) with recycled synthetic fabrics. The faces are made from Fimo clay and their hair is sheep wool. Each is embellished with Scottish sea shells.
Keening Doll 1
Total length - just under 60 cm / 23 inches
Widest point - 26 cm / 10 inches (adjustable arms)
This doll is a wall hanging and secures to the wool with a metal hoop
Keening Doll 2
Total length - just under 51 cm / 20 inches
Widest point - 267cm / 11 inches (adjustable arms)
This doll is a wall hanging and secures to the wool with a metal hoop
Both dolls are £149.00, if you are interested reply to this newsletter with your address and I’ll create a Paypal invoice and calculate shipping for you (Uk shipping roughly £3 / US shipping roughly £20).