In this multi-episode series, we explore the ancient fairy tale "The Handless Maiden," collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, through the lens of astrologer and mystic Jessica Davidson's brilliant online essays. The story follows a young woman whose father, in a desperate deal with the devil, sacrifices her hands for wealth and convenience. Her subsequent journey through the forest in search of healing reflects the "dark night of the soul" process—a transformative period where individuals confront their deepest wounds and emerge renewed.

Through this series, we'll read each of Jessica Davidson's articles as we uncover the tale's profound themes of betrayal, loss, and redemption, exploring how it serves as an archetypal guide for healing and transformation. By understanding the characters as aspects of our own psyche, we'll see how "The Handless Maiden" offers valuable insights into reclaiming our feeling nature, healing old wounds, and finding wholeness in times of darkness.

Covered in Part 4 (Final Episode):

In this last and final episode of our series, we explore the final chapters of "The Handless Maiden" through the themes of "Wandering and Waiting" and "Inner Marriage." In "Wandering and Waiting," the queen, now with silver hands and a newborn child, is forced to leave the castle due to the devil's manipulative schemes. She returns to the forest, guided by an angel to a cottage bearing the sign "Here All Dwell Free." Here, a maiden in white cares for her every need. For seven years, the queen lives in solitude, regaining her instinctual nature and reconnecting with her soul. Her tears of devotion to her child lead to the miraculous regrowth of her hands, symbolizing her reclaimed sovereignty and authentic touch on life.

In "Inner Marriage," the king returns from war only to discover his wife and child missing. Devastated, he wanders the forest for seven years, veiling his face in grief. Finally, he arrives at the cottage where the queen resides and, guided by spirit, is reunited with his wife and son. This sacred marriage represents the harmonious union of the conscious and unconscious, where the king and queen embody a balanced partnership of the masculine and feminine within the psyche.

Join me as we uncover how this final episode reveals the transformative journey of the king and queen, their seven-year wanderings through the forest, and the union that brings their fractured souls back together. We'll discuss the profound archetypal themes of healing, rebirth, and the sacred marriage, culminating in the ultimate integration of the self through the dark night of the soul.

SELECTED READING: “The Handless Maiden: Healing a Dark Night of the Soul” (online essay series by Jessica Davidson – accessible via https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/.)

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST: Follow the podcast on Instagram at @nightnightb1tch. To make a one-time or recurring donation to support the continued production of NNB, visit https://ko-fi.com/nightnightbitch.

Disclaimer: episodes of Night Night, Bitch are for the purpose of research, study, entertainment, meditation, sleep, and discussion. The views and opinions expressed in each episode belong to the original author(s)/creator(s)/speaker(s) and may not necessarily reflect those of Night Night, Bitch, its host, or its affiliates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this multi-episode series, we explore the ancient fairy tale "The Handless Maiden," collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, through the lens of astrologer and mystic Jessica Davidson's brilliant online essays. The story follows a young woman whose father, in a desperate deal with the devil, sacrifices her hands for wealth and convenience. Her subsequent journey through the forest in search of healing reflects the "dark night of the soul" process—a transformative period where individuals confront their deepest wounds and emerge renewed.

Through this series, we'll read each of Jessica Davidson's articles as we uncover the tale's profound themes of betrayal, loss, and redemption, exploring how it serves as an archetypal guide for healing and transformation. By understanding the characters as aspects of our own psyche, we'll see how "The Handless Maiden" offers valuable insights into reclaiming our feeling nature, healing old wounds, and finding wholeness in times of darkness.

Covered in Part 3:

In the third episode of our series, we delve into "Love in the Underworld," where the maiden, now in the king's orchard, encounters a new chapter of her journey. The king discovers her presence in his garden and captivated by her spirit, marries her despite her bloody stumps. He has silver hands crafted for her, elevating her to the status of queen. However, this new union, symbolizing the sacred marriage between conscious and unconscious, remains incomplete due to the artificiality of the silver hands.

We then follow her journey further into the underworld with "The Devil Returns." Despite her newfound love and status, the king is called away to war, leaving his mother to care for the queen, who is now expecting a child. As the devil manipulates messages between the queen and the king, attempting to sow chaos and destruction, the king's mother sees through the trickery and helps the queen flee with her newborn son.

Join me as we explore how this episode reveals the maiden's journey toward reconciling her instinctual feminine wisdom with a patriarchal world. We'll discuss the symbolism of the silver hands and how they reflect the disconnect between one's soul and societal expectations. Through the guidance of the king's mother and the persistent attacks of the devil, we'll uncover the archetypal themes of betrayal, renewal, and the struggle for authenticity amidst darkness.

SELECTED READING: “The Handless Maiden: Healing a Dark Night of the Soul” (online essay series by Jessica Davidson – accessible via https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/.)

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST: Follow the podcast on Instagram at @nightnightb1tch. To make a one-time or recurring donation to support the continued production of NNB, visit https://ko-fi.com/nightnightbitch.

Disclaimer: episodes of Night Night, Bitch are for the purpose of research, study, entertainment, meditation, sleep, and discussion. The views and opinions expressed in each episode belong to the original author(s)/creator(s)/speaker(s) and may not necessarily reflect those of Night Night, Bitch, its host, or its affiliates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this multi-episode series, we explore the ancient fairy tale "The Handless Maiden," collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, through the lens of astrologer and mystic Jessica Davidson's brilliant online essays. The story follows a young woman whose father, in a desperate deal with the devil, sacrifices her hands for wealth and convenience. Her subsequent journey through the forest in search of healing reflects the "dark night of the soul" process—a transformative period where individuals confront their deepest wounds and emerge renewed.

Through this series, we'll read each of Jessica Davidson's articles as we uncover the tale's profound themes of betrayal, loss, and redemption, exploring how it serves as an archetypal guide for healing and transformation. By understanding the characters as aspects of our own psyche, we'll see how "The Handless Maiden" offers valuable insights into reclaiming our feeling nature, healing old wounds, and finding wholeness in times of darkness.

Covered in Part 2:

In the second episode of our series, we continue where we left off: three years after the devil made his deal. He returns to claim his payment—the maiden. Despite her father's compliance and his attempt to sever her hands, the maiden’s tears become a powerful force of purification and protection, frustrating the devil's plans. Furious, the devil orders the miller to cut off his daughter's hands, but even this gruesome act cannot dim her light.

We then explore the symbolism behind "Entering the Forest," as the maiden leaves her parents and embarks on a journey into the underworld. Her wounds bandaged in white, she finds herself guided by an angel to a royal garden filled with pear trees. Despite her dismemberment, the maiden finds solace in nature and is nourished by a single pear offered by the Tree of Life.

Join me as we uncover how the severing of her hands symbolizes the betrayal of the feminine and loss of innocence, and how her journey into the forest represents a descent into the underworld, where she reconnects with her instinctual nature and inner wisdom. We'll discuss the deeply rooted archetypal themes of sacrifice, dismemberment, and renewal, setting the stage for the next chapter of her transformative journey through the dark night of the soul.

SELECTED READING: “The Handless Maiden: Healing a Dark Night of the Soul” (online essay series by Jessica Davidson – accessible via https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/.)

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT THE PODCAST: Follow the podcast on Instagram at @nightnightb1tch. To make a one-time or recurring donation to support the continued production of NNB, visit https://ko-fi.com/nightnightbitch.

Disclaimer: episodes of Night Night, Bitch are for the purpose of research, study, entertainment, meditation, sleep, and discussion. The views and opinions expressed in each episode belong to the original author(s)/creator(s)/speaker(s) and may not necessarily reflect those of Night Night, Bitch, its host, or its affiliates.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.