Making a corn dolly is an ancient tradition used in harvest rituals to honor the spirit of the grain and bring blessings for the coming year. Corn dollies are simple figures made from the last sheaf of corn, wheat, or other grain. They can be used as offerings, decorations, or for seasonal celebrations like Lammas, Mabon, or Saturnalia.
Before you start, gather your materials. You will need:
- Two small handfuls of corn stalks, wheat, or similar dried grasses. If you can’t find corn stalks, wheat or rye straw works just as well.
- Green and yellow wool or cotton thread for binding.
- Trailing greenery, such as ivy or grape vine, for decoration.
- Ribbons in colors that match your ritual or intention—red or orange are traditional for Lammas, but you can choose what feels right for you.
Tip: Soak your corn stalks or straw in warm water for about 30 minutes before starting. This makes them more flexible and less likely to break as you work.
Step 1: Take one handful of corn stalks and align the ends so they are even. Just below the top, use the yellow cotton to bind the stalks tightly together. This will form the top of the dolly’s head. Make sure the binding is secure, but not too tight.
Step 2: About 3 to 5 centimeters below your first binding, wrap the yellow cotton around the stalks again. This creates the head of your corn dolly. Tie off the thread securely.
Step 3: Now, carefully divide the bound bundle into four sections. The two outer sections will become the arms, and the two middle sections will form the body.
Step 4: Gently bend the outer sections outward to form the arms. Bind each arm near the end with yellow cotton to keep them in place. Trim the arms to your desired length if needed.
Step 5: Take the two middle sections and bind them together, crisscrossing the cotton to create a body about 10 to 15 centimeters, or 4 inches, long. This forms the torso of your dolly.
Step 6: To make legs, use green cotton to bind the two lower middle sections separately. This gives your dolly a more human shape. If you prefer a skirt, leave the bottom unbound for a feminine figure.
At this point, you can personalize your corn dolly. Ask for a blessing from an agricultural god or goddess, or simply focus your intention on gratitude and abundance. You might say:
“God of plenty, bless now this image of your fertility.”
Decorate your dolly with ribbons and trailing greenery. Wrap the ribbons around the body, arms, or legs, and weave in ivy or grape vine for extra symbolism and beauty. Use colors and plants that resonate with your purpose or the season.
For a feminine deity, leave the bottom section free so it looks like a skirt. For a masculine figure, create two legs. You can use your corn dolly at Lammas to celebrate the first harvest, at Mabon for the autumn equinox, or at Saturnalia in December.
Traditionally, the old corn dolly is burned at Homstrom to release the spirit of the grain and make way for new growth. Lammas is the perfect time to craft a new dolly to keep over the winter, serving as a symbol of hope, protection, and the cycle of life.
Variation: Try adding small charms, dried flowers, or even a tiny face to your dolly for extra meaning. Each dolly you make can be unique to your path and intention.
With patience and creativity, your corn dolly will become a cherished part of your witchcraft practice, connecting you to the rhythms of the earth and the wisdom of the ancestors.
