The fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood"
is a powerful initiation tale
into a Hero's Journey.
It's also a story that can be used
as a roadmap for exploring & healing
early childhood experiences.
Ultimately, Little Red is a tale
about the loss of innocence,
something that happens to all of us
as we move through childhood.
This blog highlights aspects
of Little Red Riding Hood,
along with some of my SoulCollage creations
highlighting how this tale represents
aspects of my personal journey in life.
Little Red is a tale of a young girl,
into a Hero's Journey.
It's also a story that can be used
as a roadmap for exploring & healing
early childhood experiences.
Ultimately, Little Red is a tale
about the loss of innocence,
something that happens to all of us
as we move through childhood.
This blog highlights aspects
of Little Red Riding Hood,
along with some of my SoulCollage creations
highlighting how this tale represents
aspects of my personal journey in life.
sent into the woods by her mother.
She has a basket of goodies
she is taking to her Grandmothers house
which is located deep in the woods.
This is Little Red's first solo venture
into the Wild Woods of Life.
Her mother told her to stay on the path
and go directly to Grandmothers.
However, Little Red veers off course
and explores beautiful flowers
blooming deeper in the woods.
It is in these woods where Little Red
meets a trickster...
a Wolf with devious intentions.
She has a basket of goodies
she is taking to her Grandmothers house
which is located deep in the woods.
This is Little Red's first solo venture
into the Wild Woods of Life.
Her mother told her to stay on the path
and go directly to Grandmothers.
However, Little Red veers off course
and explores beautiful flowers
blooming deeper in the woods.
It is in these woods where Little Red
meets a trickster...
a Wolf with devious intentions.
Little Red in all her innocence
tells the Wolf where she is going
and what she is doing.
Wolf runs to grandmothers house
to get there before Little Red.
He devours the Grandmother,
puts on her nightgown
and waits in bed
for Little Red to arrive.
When Little Red gets there,
she is coaxed into bed with Wolf,
at which time he talks about
all his big body parts.
Then he devours her.
tells the Wolf where she is going
and what she is doing.
Wolf runs to grandmothers house
to get there before Little Red.
He devours the Grandmother,
puts on her nightgown
and waits in bed
for Little Red to arrive.
When Little Red gets there,
she is coaxed into bed with Wolf,
at which time he talks about
all his big body parts.
Then he devours her.
...just in the nick of time,
a Woodsman passing by
sees the carnage taking place.
He kills Wolf,
cuts Grandmother & Little Red
out of its stomach,
and they all live happily ever after.
There's another ending to the tale as well;
once they are cut out
Grandmother & Little Red
trick the Wolf into a pot of boiling water
and they kill him.
Either way, this tale offers an opportunity
to look at times we have veered off course,
the tricksters we have met along the way,
times we have needed rescue,
and the wisdom we have gained
from our life experiences.
My Hero's Journey
a Woodsman passing by
sees the carnage taking place.
He kills Wolf,
cuts Grandmother & Little Red
out of its stomach,
and they all live happily ever after.
There's another ending to the tale as well;
once they are cut out
Grandmother & Little Red
trick the Wolf into a pot of boiling water
and they kill him.
Either way, this tale offers an opportunity
to look at times we have veered off course,
the tricksters we have met along the way,
times we have needed rescue,
and the wisdom we have gained
from our life experiences.
My Hero's Journey
During my childhood, my Grandmother
was a bright light in my world.
was a bright light in my world.
I loved going to her home
and eating food with her.
and eating food with her.
She made darkness in other parts of life
dim for a period of time.
She was an angel to me.
She was an angel to me.
When I was 14, my parents moved me
from San Diego to Oklahoma;
separating me from my Grandmother.
It was a sad separation for both of us.
separating me from my Grandmother.
It was a sad separation for both of us.
I lived with my parents for a few years
in Oklahoma. It was terrible.
I left them and set out on my own.
in Oklahoma. It was terrible.
I left them and set out on my own.
Homeless & Alone for several years
I met several dark wolves along the way,
to which I paid steep prices
for survival & passage.
I met several dark wolves along the way,
to which I paid steep prices
for survival & passage.
This phase of my journey
exposed me to fangs, it drew blood,
exposed me to fangs, it drew blood,
and brought me face-to-face with
that which wanted to consume me.
that which wanted to consume me.
Many wolves pounced & tried to kill me.
Some nearly succeeded.
Eventually, I found my way
back to my Grandmothers house.
Some nearly succeeded.
Eventually, I found my way
back to my Grandmothers house.
She was sick when I found her.
I became her caregiver,
tending to her for years as she prepared to die.
Journeying to Grandmothers house
has been a powerful theme in my life;
both in childhood and throughout my first adulthood.
Here is a SoulCollage card I created
to honor our amazing love & connection.
I became her caregiver,
tending to her for years as she prepared to die.
Journeying to Grandmothers house
has been a powerful theme in my life;
both in childhood and throughout my first adulthood.
Here is a SoulCollage card I created
to honor our amazing love & connection.
Little Red Grows Up
The part left out of the fairy tale of
Little Red Riding Hood
was a glimpse into her life when she grew up,
and all the defense mechanisms
she had as an adult
from her traumas in the woods!!
In my personal story,
pain from the thorns of traveling
through the dark woods of my early life
created a protective container around me.
I had some pretty solid defense mechanisms
in place, all with the objective:
pain from the thorns of traveling
through the dark woods of my early life
created a protective container around me.
I had some pretty solid defense mechanisms
in place, all with the objective:
Keep Wolves (Men) Away.
I guarded the door to my life
quite aggressively...
and during this process,
and during this process,
found a Wolf living inside me.
my inner wolf became a trusted ally,
a sacred protector, a guide & an advisor.
Primal animal instincts within me
that lead the way.
As I grew to love the Wolf within me,
I was then able to see & appreciate
the duality of Wolf inside all of us;
the Wolf that preys
and the Wolf that guides & protects.
Knowing this duality
supported me in opening up to life,
and being a bit more trusting of men.
Utilizing the container of a Fairy Tale
to explore ones life journey
is a wonderful way to find deeper meaning
and inspiration from the experiences you've had.
Creating SoulCollage cards to honor the process
is AMAZING as well.
It bring the fairy tale alive even more,
and supports you with honoring
the mytho-poetic aspect of your Hero's Journey.
is a wonderful way to find deeper meaning
and inspiration from the experiences you've had.
Creating SoulCollage cards to honor the process
is AMAZING as well.
It bring the fairy tale alive even more,
and supports you with honoring
the mytho-poetic aspect of your Hero's Journey.
How does the journey of Little Red Riding Hood
mirror & inspire your life?
- When did you set out into the Wild Woods of Life?
- What wolves did you meet along the way?
- What is your relationship with your grandmother?
- How does your inner wolf protect & guide you now?
You are invited to attend an in-person
SoulCollage Journey experience
through the Fairy Tale of Little Red.
Here is a link to learn more about this
even happening on Feb 29, 2020
in Denver, CO.
SoulCollage Journey experience
through the Fairy Tale of Little Red.
Here is a link to learn more about this
even happening on Feb 29, 2020
in Denver, CO.
Stay Connected
Wonderful retelling of this fairy tale, Raven. Thank you for putting your heart and soul into it.
ReplyDeletethank you for these kind words of support and encouragement.
DeleteI've read parts of your story before. It always brings me tears. Tears of sadness, tears of joy. Delighted that you've found (actually, Created) a happy ending (so far) to your tale. Keep goin', you're doing good...
ReplyDelete