The Ancient Art of Wheat Weaving

Wheat Weaving is an ancient cross-cultural tradition dating back to Egyptian times. House Blessings were woven from the last sheaf of wheat harvested from the field to capture the spirit of the wheat.

Weavings were placed on the hearth, the most central location of the home, where family members would most benefit from the blessings of the wheat spirit. In the Spring, house blessings were replanted to return the spirit of the wheat to the field and to insure a bountiful harvest.

The art of wheat weaving was practiced in many parts of the world. There were wheat weavings from Mexico, England, Ireland, Wales, Poland, Africa, Greece, Germany and Scandinavia, to name a few. The grain most important to the survival of a particular culture was the one used for weaving.

The act of weaving is repetitive, requiring a gentle focus, and can be a deeply meditative experience. By approaching this art form with an open heart, and an open mind, we open ourselves to the path of the ancient one

I was first introduced to wheat weaving in 1996.

We were just ready to begin teaching a weekend of herbal classes at Sage Mountain in Vermont, when a wheat weaver from Southern California showed up in an old, white, Toyota pick up truck with a full size harp in the back. She stepped out of the truck dressed in full Renaissance costume.

She had just driven from Southern California to celebrate her 40th birthday on the East Coast, and to deliver two Renaissance costumes to Rosemary Gladstar, owner of Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center.

She stayed the entire weekend, and insisted on teaching me how to weave wheat. It was like meeting a sister from another century. We were instant friends!

I found a book on wheat weaving printed that same year, and taught myself how to weave more elaborate pieces. A local farmer grew wheat for me and I harvested it with a Scythe and dried it in my home. I was in heaven. Using ancient weaving techniques, I wove traditional designs and eventually began creating my own.

Weaving wheat is a meditative experience.  It allows me to be creative and spontaneous, as well as detail oriented in the production of my pieces. I love that I am engaging in an art form that is ancient and cross-cultural. I can’t help but feel connected in a very deep way to those who have woven long before me.

Over the past twenty years I have taught wheat weaving to young children in the school system, to large groups of adults at conferences and every type of group and number of people in between.

My passion is to pass on this ancient tradition, which so easily and deeply connects us with the earth.