Dolls and poppets are used by many cultures around the globe as talismans for good luck or to ward off bad energies. Many believe that the uglier the doll, the more powerful it will be in it's protection of the home. In many practices of witchcraft sentimental objects are often used in spells as they are thought to hold powerful magick, which would make once loved toys extremely powerful. In combining these two traditions I hope to make dolls that would serve as strong talismans in protection of the home.
Here is a list (that I'm going to keep adding to, so check back later for more) of dolls used in rituals around the world.
Teru teru bōzu
(Japanese: てるてる坊主, literally "shine shine monk")
A teru teru bōzu is a small traditional handmade doll made of white paper or cloth that Japanese farmers began hanging outside of their window by a string. They take the typical shape of ghost dolls, such as those made at Halloween. This talisman is supposed to have magical powers to bring good weather and to stop or prevent a rainy day.