Master or Mistress of Animals – Shamans in many cultures are required to mediate between their community and the powerful other-than-human persons who control the existence and movements of animals. Offenses against animals or against the Master or Mistress of Animals (or of particular animal species, e.g., seals or reindeer) may result in the absence of animals, the failure of hunting, and severe famine. This is also an aspect of the role of shamans as resource managers. Among the best known controllers of animals is an Arctic underwater otherworld female known to Inuit and related peoples by various names, but now most often as Sedna.
SOURCE:
Historical Dictionary of Shamanism by Graham Harvey and Robert J. Wallis 2007
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