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by
Excerpt from
Dolls in the Healing Tradition™
© 1999, Nina Reimer.
All rights reserved.
Dolls
and sculpted figures have been used for spiritual rituals,
rites of passage, healing and celebration in many cultures
around the world, for thousands of years. In American culture
dolls are often used as a part of socialization of young
girls (and boys), as a collector's delight, as artistic
endeavors for designers and sculptors, and as tools for
psychotherapy.
Native American dolls have taught young
girls about their cultural history. Kachina dolls of the
Hopi people, for example, are spiritual dolls used to impart
to the owner the power symbolized by the particular type
of doll.
Dolls originating in Africa and the Caribbean
Islands historically embodied the concept of healing negative
energy while gaining spiritual enlightenment. The ancient
peoples of India, Egypt, Greece and Mexico all used elaborate
sculptured and adorned figures as a way of depicting history,
and maintaining a concrete visual connection to their religious
and spiritual beliefs. Depictions in dolls of the rich
spiritual folklore of Scandinavia, to the aesthetic costumed
figurines of the Japanese culture, attest to the overwhelming
bond between sculpted imagery and culture, as well.
In keeping with this tradition, much of the work I do as a Healing Artist and
doll-maker is for the purpose of spiritual renewal and emotional healing. I
make Intuitive Healing Dolls™, as I have named my work. These are soulful works
of art and healing that I make by my gift of Intuitive Imagery™. Although
I do not need to know recipient of the work nor work from photos, I can create
a realistic portrait and figure that the person receiving the doll can recognize
(such as a friend, family member or someone the recipient can relate to as
a helper.)
Through my intuitive gift, I provide a reading (an uplifting healing
message specific to the person receiving the personal work of art.) The art
seems to generate a feeling of peace, comfort, emotional healing and reassurance
for its owner. Sometimes it creates an opening on the emotional level for cleansing,
rejuvenation, spiritual renewal or deeper dream-work.
Sometimes the portrait created is of a person that has passed over, sometimes
of a person the recipient has not seen for a while, or it can even be one aspect
the recipient her/himself. Sometimes the healing helps those suffering on the
physical plane to gain insight, courage and self-appreciation; other times
the healing helps those that are in physically good health with joy and celebration
in marking an important event...
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* Healing Dolls
featured in Doll Magazine, May 2001, NY
(Profile in Caring, Soul Of
The Doll; Exploring The Therapeutic Side of Doll-Making with Nina
Reimer.)
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All dolls pictured
here are one-of-a-kind doll art; the photos are of original dolls by
Nina Reimer.
Please see order page or
gallery if you are interested in ordering a
doll from Dolls For the Soul™.
Dolls For the Soul.
© 1999-2005, Nina Reimer.
All rights reserved. |
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