biennale of chianciano
Italy 2009
Looking into the Mirror
of the World of Souls
Oil/Acrylic by Melinda McCarthy 2009
Shamans across Central Asia often used mirrors which were said to help them see into the world of souls.
It was thought that when sick, the person's soul was stolen and dragged into the world of souls and must be retrieved to cure the patient.
Looking through this mirror was often an aid in doing this, as was the aid of totem animals, such as the owl which is believed to be able to fly into this realm.