The Masked Sorcerer

Taken from How to Meet & Work with Spirit Guides by Ted Andrews

A prevalent symbol associated with Shamanism, its image is taken from a prehistoric cave painting. Early man, surrounded by mysterious forces, responded to them through imitation. Man attempted to bring the divine into accord with the will of humanity. Priests used totems and images to assist in coming ace-to-face with the mystery. Through dance, costume, etc the priests or priestess would take complete identity with the deity and its powers. This is the symbol of the prophet, medicine person and the manifestation of the powers of nature. Images such as this invoke a presence which helps one to transcend the physical. Wearing the skins of the animal was a means of appeasing its spirit and honouring its power.

Birds were often symbols of the soul. Their ability to fly reflects the ability within us to rise to new awareness. It reflects the ability to bridge the physical world with the heavens. As totems, they each have their own peculiar characteristics, but they all can be used to align us with the spirit guides who stimulate inspiration, hope and ideas.

Aquatic life can also be a totem. Water is a symbol of the astral plane experience and the creative element of life. Various fish and other forms of aquatic life symbolise the guidance that comes from our intuitive or feminine side. Those guides who work through these images will help us to awaken that aspect.

Insects are a part of nature and can also be spirit totems. Michael Harner warns against their use, but they have a strong symbology associated with them. F rom the bee or fertility in Egyptian myths to the Mantis of the African bushmen and the many tales of the Spider Woman who created the universe, they are as much a part of working with spirit totems as any animal.

By studying and reading about the animals, birds, fish and insects, you can learn much about the qualities and characteristics of the guide that is working with you through that image. You also will learn much about which qualities this guide will help you to unfold. Keep in mind that each species has its own powers. An ant may not seem as glamourous as a bear totem, but it is industrious and it has a strength that far exceeds its size, a strength that, proportionately, the bear does not have.

If you talk to the animals
they will talk with you
and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them,
you will not know them,
And what you do not know
you will fear.
What one fears
one destroys.
-Chief Dan George.