Shamanic symbolism in the new Snow White films

In my book “The Shaman and Snow White” I deal extensively with the symbolism in Snow White from a shamanic perspective. I am just loving the new photos of Snow White released by Relativity Media today.  Previously we had only seen one photograph of Snow White, but now we get to see the entire cast, including Julia Roberts as the evil queen.

Rather predictably, most of the press has been about Julia Roberts and how she may steal the film.  But I am not so sure.  Just look at this rich shamanic symbolism in both Snow White and the dwarves, in particularly the one with the head dress.

The Swan can be interpreted in terms of animal medicine, and is the symbol of both grace and transformation.

In this still, we have a suggestion of magical staffs, although this may be me seeing too much in the picture.

Looking at the stills from some of the other scenes, it seems that the film promises to be visually stunning.

It remains to be seen how the producers interpret the many shamanic aspects of the fairy tale, including the mirror scenes, Snow White’s descent or escape into the underworld, her deep connection with nature, the plants and the animals, the transformation of the evil witch into an old lady, and the appearance of the prince leading to Snow White’s resurrection.

In addition, 2012 will see the release of another Snow White film, Snow White and the Huntsman, in which the hunter ordered to take Snow White into the forest to kill her, takes her side in a battle to slay the evil witch.  Although fewer stills are available, early shots also look promising, with the Tree of Life standing out on Snow White’s shield.

I really am looking forward to both films, with their radically different takes on one of the most enchanting fairy tales of our times.

The Shaman and Snow White: Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Shamanic States of Consciousness and Certificate 18 Healing is out now on Amazon, in both paperback and Kindle formats.

~ by Simon on October 7, 2011.