There is a certain ritualistic feeling here-for example, coming of age by facing your physical fears. The shield of Mars is a sign of drawing courage from your higher self and tapping into the warrior archetype. Though the young warrior is armorless and equipped with only a staff, he makes full use of his survival instincts and innate agility to overcome the dangers of the natural world. Essentially his survival is based on the total integration of many minor skills with the intensity of his defense.