The Evolution of the Emotional Support Poppet

The Emotional Support Poppet of ESP (*chuckle*) for short started out, well, short. Only 6 to 8 inches tall. I imagined them being used to represent the Goddess on people's altars. Several have been sold or given as gifts and I'm sure they have served their purpose.

Small Goddesses 6-8 inches tall--------------->

Lately, however, the dolls have grown (literally) to include other uses. I've been making them more like 16 to 18 inches tall. I've seen them used as throw pillows and decorative pieces. But, of course, my favorite use is as the ESP. When I crochet them I keep this in mind and load them with many hugs before they are sent off to their new homes. Sometimes it's hard to see them go. Ah, such is life. My children must leave the nest.

Here's what my little poppets have grown up to be...

Green goddess... this ESP has to be your go-to for healing hugs. If you custom made one of these babies you could have leaves, flowers, maybe even a dragonfly in her hair.

Unicorn... this hugger is going to take you straight to Fantasyland. Is there something you're going for that might be just out of your reach normally? This poppet might put you right over the edge, in a good way.

Goth goddess... we all want to be accepted for exactly who we are and you will have the confidence to expect that after hugging this Diva of Darkness

Teen green... the horned God in his adolescent form provides all the strength and bull-headedness necessary to get the job done. As the goddess said to the Stag drinking by the lake "You are not a stag, you are a god".

Mandrake... Have you ever just wanted to scream? This little guy knows exactly how you feel. Just hold him close, hug him tight and scream. Then root yourself back into the Earth and get down to business.

Mermaid... and last but not least the mermaid. The collector of all treasured things. Hug her and make your wish. It will come true.

My husband and I have a greeting ceremony of sorts. Usually, this takes place by the front door. It happens when one of us comes home to the other one or we both get home at the same time. We could have been out with each other all day long but when we enter our house we hug. This is not a quick hug, no, not by any means. This is one of those 45 second hugs where you breathe deeply, relax your whole body, and become one person. It's the best moment of my day and usually ends with my husband giving me a third eye kiss which, he knows, are my favorite type of kisses.

Studies have shown apparently that this is a very good practice of ours. It affords us a lot of benefits both physical and mental, as well as, emotional. Who knew?

I think on some level we all do but, let's look at just a few things that hugging does for us. You might find a few new reasons to hug it out as often as possible.

Reasons to Hug (as if we needed them)

1. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety,

opens the way for honest communication.

2. Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels,

heals feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.

3. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one's serotonin levels,

elevating mood and creating happiness.

4. Hugs strengthen the immune system by

activating the Solar Plexus Chakra and the thymus gland.

5. Hugging boosts self-esteem and connects us to our ability to self-love.

6. Hugging relaxes muscles and releases tension in the body.

7. Hugs teach us how to give and receive while love flows both ways.

8. Hugs teach us to let go and be present in the moment.

9. The energy exchange between the people hugging is an investment in the relationship.

“We need four hugs a day for survival.

We need eight hugs a day for maintenance.

We need twelve hugs a day for growth.”

-Virginia Satir-

We are lucky to be part of a community that does so much hugging. Most days we have no trouble getting our 8 to 12 in. But if you're ever looking for a backup just to make sure I make "Emotional Support Poppets" that could be the answer. Better safe than sorry.

Go on you know you want a hug. Blessed Be

Stay crafty, Opal Luna