PART 1

The following sequence if exercises is designed to assist in the naming process of the shadow mask. The yechniques are simple; guided imager and sacred artistry. These will be the keys to finding your shadow masks.

Guided imagry takes you out of the critical mind, the anallytical part of us all that judges, analyzes, and edits. Guided images is like having a dream that someine else creats for you. The images used here are based on the symbols of myths.

The Unconscious speaks in symbols, archetypes, and imagery. It does not understand words, but the meaning of words and the meaning behind words are claer to the unconscious.

To get the fullness out of this lesson it is suggested that you tape record the Meditation section below, or how a friend/partner read it to you. Start by finding a confortable possission either lying down or sitting what ever your preference is, and close your eyes. Try to relax you body and try and keep any movent to a minimum.

The sex part of this section of lessons will be secred artistry. The images that you see in the meditation will form the basis for your art. Creating in this way is important to your magical process because it effects are similar to the guided imagery. Art can be a non-linear way of exploring your spiritual self. The this process you will find the sacred artist within, (it matter not if you can not even draw a stick figure, this is your creative process no one elses.). You are finding a way to tap into your unconscious, dark material. Once this is brought into the concious light, it can be named.

You might have more then one shadow mask, but there is only one that is your primary mask. This is the one you will work with for this excercise. Other aspects or masks of your shadow can be named as well, but be sure to work on only one aspect at a time.

Also keep in mind that focused concentraation onshadow work for too long a period of time can lead to a psychic imbalance. Remember as the changing of the cycles, there is always a time to explore the dark, and to explore the light. If the work with your shadow side becomes too unconfortable, leave it alone for a time till you are ready to resume your learning, do not push yourself when you are not confortable with what you are doing, no good will come of it. Once you are redy to resume you will find that things might be clearer and you might understand more where before you where struggling to understand.

Meditation

Close your eyes and imagion that a soft glow is forming at your feet. It begins to swirl around you. If lifts you up and takes you on a journey to the core of your being.

The misty glow sets you down and dissapates to reveal a marbal staircase that spirals downwards. The light inthe staircase comes from candles flickering in small carved niches along the walls. The staircase walls are made smooth, cold marble that you occasionally touch as you continue to journey downwards.

As you work your way down the stairs, notice on the walls that there are occasionally sigils, magical symbols formed out of metal and embeded into the stone walls. These are the symboles of your shadow masks. Take note of which ever one is most prominent. This is the symbol for your primary shadow mask.

Reach up and touch the symbol of your primary shadow mask and you'll find that it comes loose from the wall. As you hold it in your hands, you can feel the cold weight of the metal symbol and you can see it from all sides. Hold on to this symbol as you continue down the stairs.

When you reach the botton, you find before you a great golden door. You try the door, but it is locked. Look at the keyhole and you will find that it is oddly shaped. Slip the metal symbol you hold into the keyhole and you'll find that it unlocks the door. Open the door and enter the room.

The room is cold and quite dark, except for a single point of illumination that emanates from the far side of the room. The light come from a mask that hangs on the far wall. Go to it and look at it. You'll notice that it is well within your reach, so you take is down and examon it completly. On the inside of the mask is its name, make a mental note of it.

After you've examoned the maas, place it upon your face and ask: "How do I resolve this shadow mask?" Liston Carfully to the answer.

Once you've heard the message, ask: "What do I have to learn from this Shadow Mask?" Once you have recieved an answer, there is one more question to ask: "What does the Shadow Mask keep me from doing?"

After you've questioned the mask, take it off and replace it on the wall. eae the room and lock it with the metal symbol you have retained. As you clime the stairs, you can replace the symbol anywhere along the wall and it will set itself within the marble. Continue to head to the top pf the stairs, this time moving much more quickly than before.

Once you have reached the top, the white glow enfolds you once again, lifts you up, and brings you back to your body.

When you have arrived back fully, takke a moment to contemplate your experience. Using the next part of this lesson, Part 2.

PART 2

1.) Get a pice of paper or use one of your Computer Drawing programs (Corel Draw, MacDraw, Painter, PhotoShop, Paint Shop Pro, etc.) and draw the symbole of your primary shadow mask.

2.) Now Draw your shadow mask. This will help your in creating your mask in the following lesson.

3.) What is the name of your shadow mask? -- Note if you do not wish to alow anyone other then yourself to know its real name, choose a public name that your confortable with.

4.) What part do you play in keeping this shadow mask alive?

5.) What are the effects of the shadow mask on your life?

6.) What does this shadow mask keep you from accomplishing?

7.) What action must you take in prder to resolve your primary shadow mask?

8.) What have you learned from this shadow mask?