Slavic Dolls-talismans. Create Talismans with Your Own Hands

By Elena Kryuchkova and Olga Kryuchkova

Slavic dolls-talismans not only decorated the interior or played in childhood, they were always very powerful helpers in everyday life, in the social and personal life of the ancient Slavs. Dolls were made on the occasion of folk festivals, as gifts or ritual symbols to celebrate family events, such as a wedding or the birth of a child, and were also simply made as companions-guardians of peace, health, prosperity, love. With the help of this book, you can create a doll-talisman for specific needs. The book contains more than thirty protective dolls for different occasions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elena Kryuchkova
• Release date: Oct 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005271411

Elena Kryuchkova

Elena Kryuchkova started her creative path in 2012. She writes in different genres, such as: esotericism, fantasy, Slavic fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, post-apocalyptic and others. Has several graphic works. A number of her novels were co-authored with Olga Kryuchkova.She is inspired by various fantasy and science fiction.Loves cats and draws.

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How were Protective Slavic Dolls Created?

Protective dolls were always made without a face, instead of a face there was a white fabric - so that through this doll it was impossible to transfer evil thoughts and deeds to its owner, and also the white color symbolically expressed the spiritualization and purity of the thoughts of the owners. Protective dolls have always been made without the use of needles, preferably without scissors, knives, and so on, so as not to harm those whose health and welfare they will then keep. The strings were broken by hands or bitten with teeth, and if something had to be cut, they were first cut, and then applied to the doll.

When creating dolls, in no case was the presence of male energies in the room where they were created, and if there were little boys in the room at the same time, then they had to be busy with their own affairs, they were by no means allowed to be near and look at the creation process. Protective dolls were made only by women, who endowed the dolls with their powerful positive energy. During the creation of dolls, women said prayers to the Bereginias.

Bereginias are characters with unclear functions in Slavic mythology. There is speculation that Bereginias were associated with plant crops. According to other versions, the Bereginia is an air maiden who protected people from dark forces, in particular from ghouls. The ancient Slavs believed that Bereginias live near the house and protect its inhabitants from evil spirits. It was believed that Bereginias lived in the water. They could go out on land and sing songs. Bereginias were portrayed as attractive girls. At the beginning of summer, at the full moon, the Bereginias came out of the water, danced round dances and sang songs. According to a number of sources, Bereginias had magical combs. And when the Bereginias combed their hair with them, water flowed from their hair. The ancient Slavs believed that if the Bereginia's hair dries out, she will die.

The most important thing in creating doll was not the technique itself, but the thoughts and feelings that were put into this process. For example, a craftswoman makes a neat head for a doll