Pysanky

Psanky is popularly known as Ukrainian Easter Eggs. The word pysanky, derived from the word pysanky, which means to write. A tool called a kistka, which in its most basic form is a small stick with a copper funnel wrapped around the stick with copper wire, is used to make symbols on eggs in a wax resist process. The upper part of the kistka’s funnel scoops up a bit of bees wax and is then heated by a candle allowing the wax to flow thru to the point of the funnel to make the marks. The egg is than place in a dye, and the process continues until the design and colors are complete. Pysanky symbology can be traced back to the Neolithic era (1350-1500 BC).

When Christianity was adopted, revision of the meaning of symbols evolved. During the Russian era practicing pysanky was forbidden. While almost all of the current books available teaching pysanka methods refer to the pagan roots, they uniformly rename the tree of life a floral motif, and nearly all omit naming any acknowledgement of the Goddess symbolism. With some research it is easy to find references that show a good 80 percent of the markings are related to the Goddess or the Tree of life.

Psyanky happens every year, generally from late Feburary to early April. Send an email if you wish to participate in a class or studio session.

What Is To Be Offered

Ukrainian women

decorate eggs

at a certain time of year: late winter

at a specific time of day: night.

They have made dyes,

recipes secreted mother to daughter

from onion skin, lichen,

woad, and buckwheat husks

collected and strained beeswax

and after the chores and children are put to bed,

a good clean egg is chosen

and a design—

eight-sided rose pattern—

with a border of sieves to sort impurities,

a long life of meanders and perhaps

wolves' teeth for loyalty, wisdom and a firm grip.

Each mark

heating of the kistka

in the candle, a dip in the wax

a line on the egg.

By the end, it is nearly

black with wax

memory of the design obscured

perfection surrendered.

The egg has sat in yellow

been daubed with green

it lingered in red, purple,

in black.

Before the Ukrainians,

Neolithic Trypillains had only

brown, brick red and black;

the designs, fish for its sacred self,

or a yin/yang divided

almost beyond recognition.

We make eggs for our men,

for newlyweds, crops, goats

a boost

in the rugged physical world.

We do this every year,

millions of eggs, holding strong

the chains shackling evil

to the mountain.

I remember:

form comes out of a dark place,

tools surround us.

I make the choice

with my hands.

Pysanka happens every year, mostly from late Feburary to late March- send an email if you are interested in participating in a workshop or studio session.