This may be a foolish question but my curiosity has gotten the best of me <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> And as a Pisces <img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" /> child--I have a open mind.

I am reading J.D. Robb's (Nora Roberts) Ceremony In Death. Detective Eve Dallas is talking to a Wiccan regarding a murder. The Wiccan likes Dallas and senses that she (Dallas) is troubled on a personal level. The Wiccan offers her a gift, "What is it" Dallas asks, "We'll call it a worry bowl. In this you place all your pain, your sorrow, your worries. Set it aside and sleep without shadows."

My question is, is there any such thing or is Nora Robert taking poetic license here. I have to admit that I like the idea of a 'worry bowl' or whatever the real name is.

Thank much,

V~

There are many cultures that had objects or devices that had the purpose of absorbing or blocking stress. Native Americans had dream catchers, Guatamaleans had worry dolls. I have a Japanese bowl that is used to hold wishes.

I do not know of a specific Wiccan practice having a worry bowl. I'd say the author is taking license here, but what she's doing is a nice neo-pagan touch.

I think a worry bowl sounds jolly useful- as long as you remember to get the worries safely transmuted into light. You don't want worries slopping over the edge! <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Doreen Virtue uses a similar device in a meditation. She asks you to put all your worries & concerns into a bucket & let the angels take it up to the heavens for transmutation.

Rae

Yes it is. Roberts did something in another instance in this same series.

Lauren

I think it is useful as well. And a lovely thought. I believe that I will make a worry bowl for myself. I will use a cystal(sp?) bowl.

Thanks guys for getting back to me.

I think a worry bowl sounds like a lovely thing

I have heard of something similar... A bowl filled with smooth stones. Used similar to a zen garden or worry stone... when you are stressed or worried you would run your fingers through the stones.

I personally have a box that when something is bothering me or I am struggling with something I write it down and put it in the box (it is a little paper mache box painted black). Then I have a 2nd box filled with all of the names of my friends/family/pets/deity/ancestors etc who support me and care about me. After I put the paper int he black box I draw a name from the other box of someone who can help me through whatever it is.

Sometimes it is my cat and maybe I just need to give him a squeeze, sometimes a friend who I can call and talk to about it or just to say hello (Its amazing what insight people have when you DON'T bring up the issue specifically to them)

I don't know that any of these are specifically Wiccan, as Rae said, but we tend to incorporate ideas from a lot of places.

Now that is a great idea Fiona- thanks. I'm going to use that one. <img src="/images/graemlins/music.gif" alt="" />

Does anyone besides me remember worry stones, and those little Guatemalan? worry dolls?

Natvies also have what is called a burden basket, before entering the circle or what have you , you leave all your troubles, gripes, fears, problems etc with this basket. It acts as a little aural cleanser.
I also have a friend who gave me a bell, the theory being that negative energy gets dispersed every time it rings...It has always hung in my car and for some reason whenever I turned the corner to park at my last job it would let out a really loud "DING" haha

firefly- you can still find both on occasion (I see the stones far more often)

Wendy - that is funny about the bell. I am thinking there are days I need one IN my office!