THE SPINDLE

Ancient craft of the Spider's art
Feminine power, magic, and intention
Gather elements Earth, air, water, fire
Rhythm and altered states magical meditation
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Spinning fibers into cordage, yarn, and thread is one of the earliest skills learned by humans in order to create what was needed to survive and thrive.  It is such a critical skill that there is evidence of spun yarn dating back at least 34,000 years.  There is evidence of spinning and fiber processing equipment found in the Caucasus Mountains and other places dating back to Neolithic times.  The drop spindle has been existence for at least 9000 years and probably longer.  In comparison, the oldest spinning wheels were probably developed in ancient India some time around 400 C.E.

The magical art of turning fibers into thread is such a pivotal art that most cultures around the world developed some sort of spinning.  Most of them, sooner or later, developed some sort of spindle.  Most also have myths and legends around the art of spinning involving a mother goddess who taught the art of spinning and weaving.  In Germanic cultures this was Frau Holle.  In Gaelic it was Cailleach.  In ancient Greece it was Athena.  In ancient Egypt they spoke of Tayet.  The Dine' (Navaho) have Grandmother Spider and the Inca have Mama Ugllu.

The magic of the spindle and spinning is found throughout our cultural stories and symbols.  Most of the time, the spindle is associated with the powerful feminine and feminine magic.  Sometimes it is related to the moon and the changes and phases of life.  It is the art of the cycle of life and is one symbol of bringing forth life.  The spindle is the tool worked by the hand with intention.  Spinning is an act that brings together all of the elements into one creative moment.  The fiber is of Earth, The thoughts and skill are of air.  The water is the love, emotion, and heart that goes  into the craft.  The intention is the fire that fuels the spinster.  It all spins together to create beauty and function in the world.

Spinning with a drop spindle is an act of intention and focus that puts the artist into a state of unity with the rhythms of the spindle.  The altered state always puts the magic of the intention, the emotions, and the heart and hand into the yarn or thread and then into the finished cloth or craft.  Spinning is intrinsically an act of magic and power.  It is a spiritual act and process.

Briefly, the spindle itself has several symbolic connotations.  It is a symbol of the goddess and the cycle of life.  It is a symbol of fertility and bringing life into the world.  It is a symbol of feminine power.  It is associated with the flow of time.  To spin a thread is to create abundance and connection.  To spin a yarn is to create stories.  The spindle is the tool of magic and supernatural power.

As a spinner and a weaver, I find spinning to be a meditative process where the rest of the world fades away.  All that is in my world when I am spinning is the spindle, the fiber, my hand, and the heart.  All of my intention and energy flows through my heart and hand.  The spinning process is a dance between the spindle, the fiber, and the hand.  It is a conversational dance.  The conversation starts as my hand and heart hears and feels the stories that are being told by the fiber.  This vibrates in the rhythm of the spindle and the intention of the mind twists into the spirit of the yarn.  Somewhere in the process, the magic happens and flows through the work.  The history of the fiber and my experience comes together in a moment in time to create precious abundance for the future.

The resources used for this article are:
ghorbany.com
hearthandhomewitchery.tumblr.com
woollenwytch.co.uk
Manitu Okahas

Check out my hand spun work here

Hand Spun Fiber Art By Manitu Okahas