The Handless Maiden

Introduction

When we are able to listen to stories together, in community, parts of us are met that we never knew needed seeing.

The handless maiden is a story full of grief, suffering and hardship. And yet, and yet with parts of her lost along her life, the carries on in her journey. She faces undescribable losses and yet she keeps on going. This is one of the ultimate heroine's journeys. For the story of a woman is often different to the story of a man.

“Imagine the feeling of relief that would flood our whole being if we knew that when we were in the grip of sorrow or illness, our village would respond to our need." - Francis Weller, author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow

Listen to a tale of a woman who loses her hands in an act of violence by a person she trusted. She roams the forests filled with wild animals who tend to her. She marries, but don't be fooled - her story does not finish here. We are only half way.

Story Medicine

In this old tale, we will see what it takes to face grief, illness and loss. The Handless mainden is a story of ultimate initiation. A story that allows us to see the helpers along the way, and humble ourselves enough to receive help. A story that highlinghts the importance of the wild spaces, where we can find our own wilderness. 

We will ponder on questions such as 'What does it mean to have your hands cut off?' 'What does it mean to roam the forests for seven years?' 'How can our hands grow back?' We will reflect together on the different symbols and meanings of the story and receive the story's medicine. 

"The Handless Maiden is about a woman's initiation into the underground forest through the rite of endurance. The word endurance sounds as though it means "to continue without cessation," and while this is an occasional part of the tasks underlying the tale, the word endurance also means "to harden, to make robust, to strengthen," and this is the principal thrust of the tale, and the generative feature of a woman's long psychic life. We don't just go on to go on. Endurance means we are making something." - Clarisa Pinkola Estés

Practicalities

Recording

This workshop will be recorded and sent out to all ticket holders. Recordings will be available for 30 days after the event. 

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is for adults of all genders who are interested in the feminine journey in the story. The story and workshop will explore many aspects of symbolism and culture relevant to a woman's life. You do not have to know the story before you arrive. Nana will tell you the story before we explore it together.

Content of Story

This story is for an adult audience. The story will explore themes such as grief, rape, violence and exile. The story will be told and explored sensitively. If you have been personally affected by any of the above themes, please ensure that you feel resourced and supported in order to attend in a way that allows you to remain connected with yourself and the material.

Course Content

The stories and material of the course are for personal use and growth only. Any recordings received are not be shared outide of the group. Any personal stories cannot be shared without the explicit consent of the person who shared them. The content and structure of course cannot be replicated without the facilitator's written consent.

Event Image by: Jeanie Tomanek.