Spirit Masks
By W. Lyon Martin

The turning of Summer into Fall brings colder weather, shorter days and longer nights. As we head toward Mid-Winter, the Veil thins and spirits wander freely among the living. Wiccans celebrate this holiday as Samhain. Secular celebrations of Halloween also use images of the dead in decoration and tales.


This craft activity is fun by itself, plus it can be worn to honor the spirits during the ritual for the Dearly Departed.

You will need:
Paper plate
Construction paper in black and red
White glue
Feathers in red, black and white
Scissors
Elastic cord or 1/4 inch wide black ribbon
Beads or small buttons

Old newspaper to keep work area clean

How to make a spirit mask:
Cut a mask shaped base from the paper plate.

Tear small strips of paper from the white and black construction paper. You’ll need about six or seven pieces of each color. Glue the strips of paper onto the paper plate mask. On top of the colored paper add feathers around the perimeter of the plate.

Cut out the eye mask pattern from the remaining black construction paper. Glue this on top of the paper and feathers on the lower third portion of your mask. Using a quarter, trace two circles on the white construction paper. Cut them out and glue them on top of the black bandit portion of the masks where your eyes will be.

Allow the glue to dry. Use the scissors to cut out holes to look through. Thread the ribbon or elastic through a bead and the edge of the plate then another bead. Tie a knot in the ribbon on both sides of the mask to keep the ribbon in place.

BACK