I saw the movie Ladyhawke many years ago. In this fantasy tale, a man is trapped in the body of a wolf by night, and his lady lover, is trapped in the body of a hawk by day. They can never be in each other’s arms; they only see each other in a glimpse of time at sunrise when she flies away and he becomes a man, and again at sunset, when he becomes a wolf, and she transforms into a woman again. It is beautiful medieval tale of love.
At the time I thought by myself that she is trapped in the body of a hawk, but I am trapped in the body of a human. Oh, how much I would like to fly!
The symbolism in this shawl is all about that, and more.
The granny cluster rows are what gives this shawl the very therapeutic and meditative quality. It is perfect to crochet during those times when we feel overwhelmed. It symbolises our struggling in the darkness of the problems, waiting for a change, a breakthrough, a sunrise.
A few solid rows follow, as symbol of the very coldest and darkest time of the night, right before the sunrise. In trials and tribulations, the very last period is the hardest. It is then that we contemplate giving up. It is then that we simply cannot see ourselves making it for one more day.
But then, the sun rises in golden glory. And the lady is free to fly away. This is symbolised in the elaborate border of the shawl.
I hope the crocheting of this shawl will be as healing to you, as it was to me.