What are Devotional Arts?

"What are Devotional Arts?" is a question that periodically comes in, and I'd like to answer with something more than an elevator speech or passing social media comment. If you too have been curious, hopefully I can satisfy your interest in this wee post.

For me, two aspects must interplay during the creation process to infuse and inform a piece if I am to refer to it as Devotional Art, and both can be found within the definition of the word "Devotion". So let's start with that, a dictionary. Yep, bear with me a minute, it's worth it.
​How about Merriam - Webster..

Devotion
noun

1. a) religious fervor : PIETY
   b) an act of prayer or private worship —usually used in plural
   during his morning devotions
2. a) the act of dedicating something to a cause, enterprise, or activity : the act of devoting
   the devotion of a great deal of time and energy
   b) the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal
   her devotion to the cause

While we are at it, lets follow this thread a little more...
Art
noun

1. skill acquired by experience, study, or observation
   the art of making friends
2. a) a branch of learning:
       1) one of the humanities
       2) arts plural : LIBERAL ARTS
3. an occupation requiring knowledge or skill
   the art of organ building
4. a) the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects
   the art of painting landscapes
   b) FINE ARTS

"Divine Feminine" handmade ritual ink from ceremonial fire charcoal & menstrual blood - by Juliette Jarvis

Thereby, Devotional Arts, require varying layers of personal devotion and dedication in both physical process as well as of a spiritual nature during its creation and/or intended use.

Traditional slow crafting skills are just that - slow. In a time of instant messaging and same-day shipping, spending a year simply growing and processing the fibre one needs to even begin weaving fabric for say, a heritage quality shirt, is almost unheard of, yet it is absolutely the sort of soulful and environmentally restorative remedy for what ails much of today's world.

Think of it, a garment made by human hands in a manner that heals the soil and brings community together, which gets comfier with use - that will also last 100+ years? How about with prayers made while the seeds were sown, heartsong captured as the fibre was spun, and with blessings woven right into the fabric? mmmm.... I say YES to this!

Tapping into old world methods of Making organically connects us to ancestral wisdom. Utilizing the natural elements around us fosters reciprocal relationships with the earth, wind, fire, and spirit of a place. The zen of repetitive or quiet work lends itself well to calming our nervous system and receiving insight, but also other realm workings such as prayer, Sight, spirit journeys, divination, spell work, and blessing.

What better way to honour a tree we love, than to delight in the hidden colour its shed leaves give our dye vats.
How wonderful to integrate a powerful experience at the Solstice fire by grinding ink from the charcoal then writing a poem, vow, or declaration with it.
Knitting a sweater for our loved ones with protective prayers in each stitch is old old magic that was once commonplace.
The cup crafted from mud and carved with runes or ogham, reminds us each morning as we wake that our spiritual side continues to be nourished, even as we pack lunches and ready for work.

These sorts of workings can be felt, seen, and affect change in the world. It scratches an itch that often is missed by technology heavy methods, mainstream religion, and even popular spiritual workshops or retreats. It gives us something mindfully, carefully, crafted with love and intention, to hold, wear, or use either in our own ritual work or in ordinary daily doings. These ways bring us closer, rather than continue to disconnect us, from what matters most.

When we think of the arts as being more than only Fine Art, it brings awareness to the many branches of skill and knowledge that bring healing, nuance, and wisdom to humankind, as well as how we relate with each other, with nature, and the divine; however that might personally look.

As a Devotional Artist, my making process involves real honest time and dedication to the craft at hand while including some element of soul tending or other realm workings. My pieces either support your (or my) innermost personal healing, or spiritual and ritual practices.

It might look like:

• handwoven ritual wear for rites of passage, holding ceremony, or covertly integrating spirit work during everyday use
• natural ink crafted for sacred documents or intentional painting
• wool spun with specific energy for prayer ties/clooties, cord cutting, binding, or other spell work
• paintings that invoke deities, change, or healing essence
• ceremonial ceramics for altars and shrines
• rattles and drums to aid with spirit journeys or group ceremony
• poppets, corn dolls, and talismans to carry, burn, or bury
• books, articles, and videos sharing sacred teachings and spiritual mentorship
• co-creating ceremony tailored to an individual's needs, culture, and beliefs

I've been deeply honoured support the tending of such private issues as:

• facilitating palliative care and healing after deep loss
• commemorating significant life events
• embodying one's spirituality
• reclaiming and integrating lost aspects of oneself, soul parts, and life affirming beliefs
• navigating conflict or times of transition
• cultivating a soulful lifestyle that brings depth and meaning
• extracting unwanted influence, curse unraveling, or energetic cleansing
  
  

When we have something tangible connected with our soul tending, it provides us a potent means of bringing our unseen workings out into the ordinary world around us. It anchors it. Integrates it. Makes it feel more real. And gives us solid reminders that the work really is being done, or importantly, has completed. Particularly helpful when doubts, deleterious habits, or worry creeps in to sit beside us, or that post-weekend retreat glow wears off.

If you haven't met me yet, Hello! I'm Juliette Jarvis, a sacred living mentor, best selling author, and devotional artist here to help you navigate life while cultivating your spiritual nature.
If this work feels supportive to you, do have a look through the pages of www.selkiesanctuary.com or follow along as intentionally crafted pieces are created at @selkie_sanctuary on Instagram.