When we join needle to thread and begin stitching, in time, our skills improve and we create more masterful pieces. Our skills are not improving on their own, it is the needle that works along side of us to join the thread to fibers...a co-creating of sorts. Those fallen counterparts (the needles and pins) are "laid to rest" if you will....in a ceremony or festival honoring their work and it is called Hari-kuyo.
Hearing about Hari-kuyo several years ago, I had a desire to have a Festival or Ceremony of my own. Today was "that" day and I did it the same way I do most everything in my life, I winged it. If I were Native American I'm sure I would have been named "flies by seat of pants".
With my limited knowledge and understanding, I gathered the pins and needles from my sharps container and all that were collected from the
IHAN® Needle Exchange Program. A candle was lit and I began focusing my attention on gratitude for all those needles and their joining with me in my quest for improved needle art skills.
Reflecting on all that I've asked those needles to do and being
grateful that not a one of them laughed at me or all my mistakes.
Taking time to think about the gifts that needle work has brought to my
life and how being part of the needle arts community has changed me as a
person....now those needles seem very sacred and treasured parts of my
jouney. Tossing them into the trash seems difficult if not impossible. I will lay them to rest in the flower garden in front of my home where I also have hung bird feeders as a memorial to my mother. Birds will sing over the top of those broken needles...what a wonderful resting place.
This experience has been powerful for me and I'm so glad I participated in Hari-kuyo this year.
Smiles of Gratitude,
Kelly
You can read more about Hari-kuyo from these sources or you can visit the "wise village elder" aka Google:
Stitchtress Stumbles
Audrey Yang at ISSUU
