The Magic of Masks and Creative Play

This week, I will be parading around in an outfit covered in eyeballs, surrounded by about 20 people in their own eyeball outfits.

I love getting into costumes and characters. This form of play has offered me enormous lessons about both humans and my Self (the Jungian Big S version).

In 2014, I went to the Oregon Country Fair as a part of a costume troupe called Risk of Change that brings parades and ambiance entertainment to the event. Started in the mid-80’s by a group of gay men aligned with the Radical Faeries, it integrates sacred rituals into playful ridiculousness.

In only 3 days, we wear about a dozen different outfits that we prepare ahead. It is no small task to accomplish.

This is what the typical day looks like at fair:

We wake up early and perhaps dress as a gaggle of gnomes to greet at the entry and parade.
We then dress the public up in rainbow or black and white regalia for an afternoon parade. 
Then we might slip into body suits and go out as a barrel of monkeys who dosey-doe with the public.
Finally, we help sweep the public off site, sometimes as a group of eerie Victorian crows, remaining totally silent in black Venetian masks while fabulously freaking people out.

Even when scary, we try to foster interaction. It’s always fun to see how we can ingratiate humans to play with us, even when we look intimidating.

Every human is artistic when they allow themselves to be brave and risk embarrassment through play. 

Building a troll mask also taught me a lot about the creative process. It took close to 40 hours of paper mache and painting.

I had a concept around this character’s love of snails, but I didn’t know who she would be. It’s a lot of work to do without really knowing where you’re going.

As soon as I put on that mask, a persona emerged who is of me, but isn’t a part I normally express. She has a light, whispery voice. Unlike her boisterous brethren, she has a very gentle nature. She still harasses the public by insisting on smearing ‘snail trail’ onto their sun kissed skin (a ‘potion’ made of clear aloe vera), but she’s not as rough and gruff as one would expect from a troll.

My gnome, Oomph Von Ploomph, is closer to my nature, but then, we’re both Germans (my mom is from Berlin).

This year, I came up with the idea of Superhero Wrestling, but then I couldn’t think of my character. A voice said to me, ‘find the outfit first’.

So I dug into my closet and tried on different things, and it seems that I might become a Swamp Siren of some sort. She’s still a work in progress and the fair is just about to begin, but the creative spirit will come through with a completed piece. Or, I will make a fool of myself. But that’s the risk we take when we push outside our norms.

This great effort has shown me layers of myself that I didn’t know belonged to me.

Pretend is wonderful way to find out who we are.

Channeling a character outside your norm reveals things you want to say or express that would not come so freely.

Wearing an unfamiliar mask brings to light the masks we unintentionally wear to function in society.

This gives us the choice to shift our personality more toward who we want to be more of in life.

You can access this yourself by finding a puppet or a mask and interacting with a friend who knows your usual self.

If you want to talk about the masks you wear, reach out for a tarot reading.  

If you’re at the fair this weekend and want to join the fun, come to Energy Park at 2pm, ask for Puppetland (to the right of the stage) and we will dress you up and take you out on a parade at 3pm.

Scroll down for photos of my troupe from previous years!

And please . . . meet my alter-ego, Gary the Unigoat!

Be You in all the Weird Ways,

Jenna Lynne Roberts

Present Path Tarot