The Sacred Clown A Journey Through Ritual And Performance

The Sacred Clown: A Journey Through Ritual and Performance

Journey into the captivating world of the sacred clown, a figure of mystery, laughter, and profound cultural significance. This comprehensive and engaging book explores the sacred clown's origins, evolution, and multifaceted role in ritual, performance, and society across the ages. From the earliest rituals of indigenous tribes to the frenzied energy of the modern-day circus, the sacred clown has been a constant presence in human history. This book delves into the sacred clown's role as a symbol of transformation, renewal, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through laughter and ridicule, the clown challenges societal norms, exposes hypocrisy, and provides a cathartic release from the constraints of everyday life. Uncover the sacred clown's deep roots in ancient ceremonies and festivals, where it embodied the spirit of play, chaos, and liberation. Explore its connection to the divine, its association with fertility and healing, and its function as a bridge between the worlds of the living and the dead. Witness the sacred clown's evolution on stage and screen, from the bawdy humor of Commedia dell'Arte to the poignant musings of Shakespeare's fools. Trace its journey from the raucous laughter of silent films to the sophisticated satire of contemporary television. Delve into the psychology of the clown, its complex relationship with the audience, its use of humor and ridicule, and its potential for therapeutic healing. Discover how the clown's exaggerated mannerisms, colorful costumes, and unpredictable behavior provide a window into our deepest fears, desires, and vulnerabilities. This book is a celebration of the sacred clown, a figure that has captivated audiences for centuries. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of performance, the psychology of humor, or the enduring power of ritual and symbolism in human society. If you like this book, write a review!

Ritual Passage, Sacred Journey

Riding Spirit Horse: A Journey Into Shamanism

In this visionary memoir, author Michael Drake recounts his spiritual journey into shamanism. Drake's engaging narrative moves from his first ecstatic experience as a youth at a church revival to his mystical shamanic awakening, transformational pilgrimages to sacred places, working with indigenous wisdom keepers, to the experiences that prompted his writing, particularly his trance experiences "riding the drum" or Spirit Horse. Studying with Native elders and shamans, Drake discovered his shamanic gifts as a drummer, storyteller and ceremonialist. Riding Spirit Horse takes readers on a transcendent pilgrimage of the soul through birth, death, rebirth, ritual and ceremony to the frontiers of expanded consciousness.