TARA M DAKINI
witches stitches
heal, create, inspire
The Scottish Witch Hunts
pockets of love
Commemorating the women accused of witchcraft during the Scottish Witch Hunts
A gift from us to them
Around 4000 people were tried for Witchcraft in Scotland between 1563 & 1736 when the Scottish Witchcraft Act was in Law, and 85% of those accused were women. It was an astonishing act of misogyny and intolerance. The accused were scapegoated for everything from bad weather, sickness and famine. They were accused by both the Church and State, tortured, tried and convicted. Some were branded and exiled, but most were hung or strangled and their bodies burned. In some cases, their husbands and children were charged for the cost of the trial and execution.
Become a Pocket Maker
The Pockets of Love project aims to commemorate each individual woman who was accused during the Scottish Witch Hunts. I have chosen a simple object that would have been familiar to the women – a tie-on pocket, and the beautiful, healing craft of embroidery to honour each woman. Women’s tie-on pockets were in common use between the 16th & 19th Centuries and symbolised women’s power and sexuality.
In 2025 I will be looking for the first volunteer Pocket Makers to lovingly hand stitch Pockets of Love for the women of Ayrshire and beyond.
Tara sketching an original 17th Century pocket at Glasgow Life Museums. Photographer: Joan Hollywood
“ This is a lovely way to remember these persecuted women” – Valerie
Witches & Weeds
At the very beginning of my research into the Scottish Witch Hunts, I was sitting in my garden sketching and noticed that I was surrounded by flowers. I had let the grass grow uncut and now my garden was full of beautiful wildflowers. It occurred to me that you need only label a plant a ‘weed’ and generations of people will seek to eradicate it. Likewise, when women were labelled ‘Witch’ generations of people allowed them to be removed from society and killed.
This led me to decide that each Pocket of Love would be decorated with embroidered wildflowers, symbolising the beauty and uniqueness of each accused woman. I have chosen to make a Pocket of Love for Jonette Boyd, who was tried for Witchcraft on 6th April 1658. Almost 400 years later, in April 2023, as I walked through the place that she had lived I noticed the Celandines were flowering and the Ivy was bearing berries. These would have been the last flowers & berries that she would have seen as she was taken away for trial.
more about pockets of love
Creativity is a journey, and I am your guide
I offer live and pre-recorded art classes exploring different themes relating to Witches & Weeds
Weaving community through creative practice
Connect with others who feel passionate about the injustice of the Witch Hunts
Explore the synthesis of creativity and spirituality
Dive deeper into your inner world, and let me stimulate your intellect
Hi, I’m Tara
My creative practice is rooted in the deep consideration of beauty, love and connection
These have been the golden threads of joy, inspiration and healing that run through my life.
I am a visual artist, dancer & performer. I am a devotional artist integrating spirituality into all aspects of my work. I have decades of experience teaching bellydance and creativity to adults at all levels. I take a growth-oriented approach to my teaching work, supporting my students to flourish creatively and helping them to form connections and friendships with like minded souls.
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Wheel of the Year Newsletter
I invite you to take a gentle stroll with me through the changing seasons. I’ve embarked on a slow project to make an artist’s book of the Wheel of the Year. Sign up to my mailing list to see the project unfold and get inspired to respond creatively to the Earth’s natural cycles.
You’ll receive an email from me once or twice per festival period, reflecting on the energy of the changing seasons and sharing the work in progress on the book.
I’ll also share with you news from my studio and updates about the Witches Stitches: Pockets of Love project.
