Young women are at a critical point in their lives where their sense of self is coming into question. Carol Gilligan’s theory of moral development suggests that gender socialisation and societal norms are leading to a potential loss of voice in young women that results in a disconnection from their authentic selves.

From traditional Christianity to TikTok affirmation videos, many people turn towards different forms of spirituality to seek emotional grounding. Famous psychotherapist Carl Jung bridged the gap between psychology and the occult, arguing for the utility of spiritual practices in creating a dialogue with the subconscious. Art therapy is an empirically tested method that reflects a similar concept: the act of expressing nuanced emotions in a way that can’t be done with words alone.

Woven Spirits is a textile design ritual kit that guides a tangible, emotionally-driven design process for crafters looking to elevate their making aesthetically and expressively. This toolkit teaches about Latvian pagan symbols and their meanings to crafters, many of whom come from cultures with similar symbology and mythos. By associating one’s feelings, intentions and experiences with the stories behind these symbols, they take on clear physical forms that can be made into textile. Woven Spirits has been successfully tested with individual participants and groups to design a series of approachable-to-make tapestries reported to be emotionally connecting, visually pleasing and somewhat healing.