In this multi-episode series, we explore the ancient fairy tale "The Handless Maiden," collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, through the lens of astrologer and mystic Jessica Davidson's brilliant online essays. The story follows a young woman whose father, in a desperate deal with the devil, sacrifices her hands for wealth and convenience. Her subsequent journey through the forest in search of healing reflects the "dark night of the soul" process—a transformative period where individuals confront their deepest wounds and emerge renewed. Through this series, we'll read each of Jessica Davidson's articles as we uncover the tale's profound themes of betrayal, loss, and redemption, exploring how it serves as an archetypal guide for healing and transformation. By understanding the characters as aspects of our own psyche, we'll see how "The Handless Maiden" offers valuable insights into reclaiming our feeling nature, healing old wounds, and finding wholeness in times of darkness.
Covered in Part 3: In the third episode of our series, we delve into "Love in the Underworld," where the maiden, now in the king's orchard, encounters a new chapter of her journey. The king discovers her presence in his garden and captivated by her spirit, marries her despite her bloody stumps. He has silver hands crafted for her, elevating her to the status of queen. However, this new union, symbolizing the sacred marriage between conscious and unconscious, remains incomplete due to the artificiality of the silver hands. We then follow her journey further into the underworld with "The Devil Returns." Despite her newfound love and status, the king is called away to war, leaving his mother to care for the queen, who is now expecting a child. As the devil manipulates messages between the queen and the king, attempting to sow chaos and destruction, the king's mother sees through the trickery and helps the queen flee with her newborn son. Join me as we explore how this episode reveals the maiden's journey toward reconciling her instinctual feminine wisdom with a patriarchal world. We'll discuss the symbolism of the silver hands and how they reflect the disconnect between one's soul and societal expectations. Through the guidance of the king's mother and the persistent attacks of the devil, we'll uncover the archetypal themes of betrayal, renewal, and the struggle for authenticity amidst darkness.
SELECTED READING: “The Handless Maiden: Healing a Dark Night of the Soul” (online essay series by Jessica Davidson – accessible via https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/.)
CONNECT WITH ME + CHECK OUT MORE OF MY WORK: To dive deeper into these themes and explore more of my original work, follow my other podcast, Back From The Borderline, on your favorite podcast player or visit backfromtheborderline.com. You can also connect with me on Instagram @backfromtheborderline, where I share my favorite reads, tools, and all things inner alchemy.
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