Types of Masks: Animal head masks and skins were common feature of the Celtic rituals performed. I will research Vikings on this as well soon. They were made from various materials from wood, shells, gems, horn, bones, clay, stone, feathers, animal skins, fur, paper, cloth and plants.
Using the Mask for Ritual: Before you start doing this make sure you have kept it honored and sacred. The mask even when it was being made has started to manifest into spirit as to the will of the maker. The wearer will be in direct contact with that spirit force. Don't dabble! The wearer must learn everything about it as he will be exposed to potential personal danger and become affected by the mask. Possessed if you will.
Both the mask maker and the wearer protect themselves by following mandatory protocol. Although the wearer is aware that he is performing a role, he does it in cooperation with the mask's guidance. In other words without the specific posturing and dance and music the mask would not gain any life force.
If you try on a mask at home, you know you feel braver out in public or feel like you want to take on the character the mask portrays right! This is kind of the same thing only more intense. You will know that you've performed correctly when you are donning the mask and you undergo a psychic change and get into a trance that assumes the spirit of the mask. The wearer seems to becomes psychologically attached and loses his own identity, without his own will. Those watching, depending on the character of the mask, get wrapped up and dance for joy or quietly watch and feel the fright or emotion the mask and music brings to them.
Collecting masks: is only been a recent hobby of the late 20th century. Most masks have been obtained through archaeological excavations or in field expeditions, that is, in their place of origin.
Using the Mask for Ritual: Before you start doing this make sure you have kept it honored and sacred. The mask even when it was being made has started to manifest into spirit as to the will of the maker. The wearer will be in direct contact with that spirit force. Don't dabble! The wearer must learn everything about it as he will be exposed to potential personal danger and become affected by the mask. Possessed if you will.
Both the mask maker and the wearer protect themselves by following mandatory protocol. Although the wearer is aware that he is performing a role, he does it in cooperation with the mask's guidance. In other words without the specific posturing and dance and music the mask would not gain any life force.
If you try on a mask at home, you know you feel braver out in public or feel like you want to take on the character the mask portrays right! This is kind of the same thing only more intense. You will know that you've performed correctly when you are donning the mask and you undergo a psychic change and get into a trance that assumes the spirit of the mask. The wearer seems to becomes psychologically attached and loses his own identity, without his own will. Those watching, depending on the character of the mask, get wrapped up and dance for joy or quietly watch and feel the fright or emotion the mask and music brings to them.
Collecting masks: is only been a recent hobby of the late 20th century. Most masks have been obtained through archaeological excavations or in field expeditions, that is, in their place of origin.