Customer Reviews

Sacred Mask Sacred Dance (Llewellyn's Craft Series)

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I originally bought this book because I was interested in techniques for making ritual masks. The various processes for making masks are included here but that is just the jumping off point. There is also much information here to engage one in the actual use of masks and the history of the practice. I was drawn in.

The book touches on the shamanistic origins and modern adaptations of mask usage, their deeper meaning and the human transformations that can happen when our subconscious finds resonance with the symbology in the mask. That symbology is created with the choosing of an animal or other creature, and is brought to "life" with the building and wearing of the mask. Identification with your chosen character happens when logic and reason is put on hold with the rhythm and repetition of the dance and we become immerced in the process, like our ancestors did.

This book is a very powerful "do-it-yourself" aid to to ritual trance work, via ancient and effective methods, sans drugs or fasting, as explained by the authors whose group did the actual mask making and dancing. As usual, Llewellyn does not disappoint.