ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the shaman’s mask as an attribute of daimonic power in relationships, including psychotherapy. Mask is described as an ‘intermediate reality,’ facing in two different directions at once (concealing and revealing), thus touching both original (sacred) and ordinary (profane) time, thus giving the attribute tremendous power in the psychotherapy situation to bring the patient into the ‘new beginning’ of pretraumatic experience. Masking and the realities of projection onto unexpressive faces (father, analyst) are explored, and the still face experiment is described. The author presents her own experiences of being unmasked in psychoanalytic work, what it feels like to be mirrored accurately in psychotherapy, and how the self-erasure that results from false or inaccurate mirroring can be healed. Finally, the reality of inner mirroring by the self archetype is described with reference to the ancient goddess Aditi, and two examples from the author’s own experience are presented, with dreams that helped her claim her essential ‘face’ and true selfhood.
