Myth in the Mojave Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:32:18 -0500 http://mythinthemojave.com en-us © 2026 Myth in the Mojave yes Support this Podcast e34acab7-ddcc-537c-8aad-c2b4a607ddd9 Catherine Svehla episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) myth, mythology, storytelling, Joseph Campbell, fairy tale, Jungian, Catherine Svehla, Myth Matters, depth psychology, Catherine Svehla https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ydsc5w947797pvyuvzbbae0ucvm6?.jpg Myth in the Mojave http://mythinthemojave.com Afflatus: Greg Gilbert’s Poetry for the Love of All Afflatus: Greg Gilbert’s Poetry for the Love of All “Writing is a way of thinking. When I compose poetry, the refining of language, the rhythms and compacted structures and the resultant shaped and cadenced language is a still life that captures an instant of ongoing discovery.” Greg Gilbert

This special edition podcast with poet and writer Greg Gilbert is part of our annual celebration of National Poetry month. In this interview, Gilbert reads some of his wonderful poems and talks about writing as a way of thinking that can lead to empathetic understanding and advocacy for the life experiences of others. 

His poetry is tender and funny, intelligent, and rich with an awareness of the beauty in ordinary life. In the words of poet Cynthia Anderson, “These poems dance on the brink of the apocalypse while urging us to sit together, listen to each other, and transform our world.”  (Anderson’s interview with Myth in the Mojave can be found in the archives).

Greg is a retired English professor, and his many contributions to his students, the college community, and the high desert include the founding of several literary magazines, including CMC’s “Howl.”

Gilbert’s poetry collection, Afflatus,” is available at these high desert locations: Space Cowboy, Rainbow Stew, and Raven’s Books.

Thank you Greg.

Support the show

]]> “Writing is a way of thinking. When I compose poetry, the refining of language, the rhythms and compacted structures and the resultant shaped and cadenced language is a still life that captures an instant of ongoing discovery.” Greg Gilbert

This special edition podcast with poet and writer Greg Gilbert is part of our annual celebration of National Poetry month. In this interview, Gilbert reads some of his wonderful poems and talks about writing as a way of thinking that can lead to empathetic understanding and advocacy for the life experiences of others. 

His poetry is tender and funny, intelligent, and rich with an awareness of the beauty in ordinary life. In the words of poet Cynthia Anderson, “These poems dance on the brink of the apocalypse while urging us to sit together, listen to each other, and transform our world.”  (Anderson’s interview with Myth in the Mojave can be found in the archives).

Greg is a retired English professor, and his many contributions to his students, the college community, and the high desert include the founding of several literary magazines, including CMC’s “Howl.”

Gilbert’s poetry collection, Afflatus,” is available at these high desert locations: Space Cowboy, Rainbow Stew, and Raven’s Books.

Thank you Greg.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1309558 Thu, 18 Apr 2019 16:00:00 -0700 3091 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry, Greg Gilbert 7 7 full false Curiosity, Presence, & Poetry: An Interview with Caryn Davidson Curiosity, Presence, & Poetry: An Interview with Caryn Davidson “Nothing is in the intellect that was not first in the senses.” Aristotle

We celebrate National Poetry month with this special edition interview with high desert poet and writer, Caryn Davidson. Caryn shared the quote (above), which may lead you to ask, “Why would a poet quote Aristotle, the father of modern science?”

According to Davidson, curiosity and attention to sensory experience can be portals into the natural world that illuminate the mysteries of that world, and the meaning one finds there.

Caryn’s poetry and prose blend her deep knowledge and love for the desert with keen observation, a willing heart, and an adventurous mind. She allows the outer world and its sensual gifts to lead her into new lands and fresh insight, and offers practical suggestions for being more present and conscious of place, no matter where you live.

You’ll be refreshed by Davidson’s humor, writing, and reflection. Desert lovers will revel in Caryn’s poetic portraits of the Mojave and the stories she shares from her many years here. 

Thank you Caryn. 


Support the show

]]> “Nothing is in the intellect that was not first in the senses.” Aristotle

We celebrate National Poetry month with this special edition interview with high desert poet and writer, Caryn Davidson. Caryn shared the quote (above), which may lead you to ask, “Why would a poet quote Aristotle, the father of modern science?”

According to Davidson, curiosity and attention to sensory experience can be portals into the natural world that illuminate the mysteries of that world, and the meaning one finds there.

Caryn’s poetry and prose blend her deep knowledge and love for the desert with keen observation, a willing heart, and an adventurous mind. She allows the outer world and its sensual gifts to lead her into new lands and fresh insight, and offers practical suggestions for being more present and conscious of place, no matter where you live.

You’ll be refreshed by Davidson’s humor, writing, and reflection. Desert lovers will revel in Caryn’s poetic portraits of the Mojave and the stories she shares from her many years here. 

Thank you Caryn. 


Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1309540 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:00:00 -0700 3207 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry, Caryn Davidson 7 6 full false To Hell and Back: The Greek Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice To Hell and Back: The Greek Myth of Orpheus and Eurydice “It was an adventure much could be made of: a walk
On the shores of the darkest known river…”
---Mark Strand, from “Orpheus Alone”

The Greek myth of Orpheus, singer of sweet songs, and his beloved Eurydice, has inspired countless artists and lovers of all stripes. The version shared in this podcast is based on Ovid’s telling in Book X of the Metamorphoses. 

This ancient story offers a view of the Greek underworld and underworld journey, and still has the power to move, inspire, and puzzle us with open questions about heroes, love, loss, death, and selflessness.

Support the show

]]> “It was an adventure much could be made of: a walk
On the shores of the darkest known river…”
---Mark Strand, from “Orpheus Alone”

The Greek myth of Orpheus, singer of sweet songs, and his beloved Eurydice, has inspired countless artists and lovers of all stripes. The version shared in this podcast is based on Ovid’s telling in Book X of the Metamorphoses. 

This ancient story offers a view of the Greek underworld and underworld journey, and still has the power to move, inspire, and puzzle us with open questions about heroes, love, loss, death, and selflessness.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1237208 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 11:00:00 -0700 1844 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 7 5 full false Love for the Underworld Journey Love for the Underworld Journey “Everything changes and no thing abides.” Heraclitus

I’ve devoted the last two podcasts to the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, and the connection between the life of the soul and the underworld initiation.

These podcasts generated a lot of comments and questions about Greek ideas of the underworld, and fascination with the underworld experience. 

Whether you are intrigued or frightened by the prospect, the image of the underworld remains a potent metaphor for our descent into the deepest mysteries in human life.

So how is this trip made successfully, and what more can we glean from the Greek perspective?

Support the show

]]> “Everything changes and no thing abides.” Heraclitus

I’ve devoted the last two podcasts to the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, and the connection between the life of the soul and the underworld initiation.

These podcasts generated a lot of comments and questions about Greek ideas of the underworld, and fascination with the underworld experience. 

Whether you are intrigued or frightened by the prospect, the image of the underworld remains a potent metaphor for our descent into the deepest mysteries in human life.

So how is this trip made successfully, and what more can we glean from the Greek perspective?

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1237187 Thu, 07 Mar 2019 14:00:00 -0800 1502 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 7 4 full false Initiation, Innocence, and Soul Initiation, Innocence, and Soul In this podcast, I return to the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone to reflect on the soul’s longing for depth, meaning, and experience, and the violence that may perpetrate on the sunny side ego and the innocent personality. 

These reflections lead me to the telling of an Inuit tale called “Skeleton Woman,” and a few wise words from Jungian Anne Ulanov as well.

If you missed the last podcast with the telling the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, you can find it in the archives on bandcamp or at the Myth in the Mojave website.

“If you will contemplate your lack of… inner aliveness… and impregnate it with the interest born of alarm at your inner death, then something can take shape in you, for your inner emptiness conceals just as great a fullness if only you will allow it to penetrate into you.” C.G. Jung as quoted by Ann Ulanov

Support the show

]]> In this podcast, I return to the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone to reflect on the soul’s longing for depth, meaning, and experience, and the violence that may perpetrate on the sunny side ego and the innocent personality. 

These reflections lead me to the telling of an Inuit tale called “Skeleton Woman,” and a few wise words from Jungian Anne Ulanov as well.

If you missed the last podcast with the telling the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, you can find it in the archives on bandcamp or at the Myth in the Mojave website.

“If you will contemplate your lack of… inner aliveness… and impregnate it with the interest born of alarm at your inner death, then something can take shape in you, for your inner emptiness conceals just as great a fullness if only you will allow it to penetrate into you.” C.G. Jung as quoted by Ann Ulanov

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1237178 Tue, 19 Feb 2019 11:00:00 -0800 1955 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 7 3 full false Demeter and the Groundhog Demeter and the Groundhog How can one summarize a myth as profound as the one I offer you this week? 

The Homeric Hymn to Demeter gave rise to the Eleusinian mysteries, a potent, secret ritual that was performed for millennia, to liberate men and women from their fear of death. 

This story of mother and daughter continues to speak to us today about love, grief, and perpetual renewal. Blessed be the great mother Demeter, giver of all good gifts, and Persephone, the Great Destroyer. May we all move deeper into the sustaining mystery with each turn of the seasons.

Support the show

]]> How can one summarize a myth as profound as the one I offer you this week? 

The Homeric Hymn to Demeter gave rise to the Eleusinian mysteries, a potent, secret ritual that was performed for millennia, to liberate men and women from their fear of death. 

This story of mother and daughter continues to speak to us today about love, grief, and perpetual renewal. Blessed be the great mother Demeter, giver of all good gifts, and Persephone, the Great Destroyer. May we all move deeper into the sustaining mystery with each turn of the seasons.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1237067 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 11:00:00 -0800 1756 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 7 2 full false Leaving Home and Letting Go Leaving Home and Letting Go “A myth is an image in terms which we try to make sense of the world.” Alan Watts

Many stories, old and new, begin with someone leaving home. This leave taking comes in many forms, from answering the call of destiny to running away or being abandoned. Whatever the circumstances or intent, “leaving home” entails letting go of the familiar to engage the mystery.

In this podcast, I explore this image of “leaving home” with the aid of stories and poems, to consider our shared challenge of these crazy, interesting times--- to let go and make room for the new. What does the image of “leaving home” hold for you right now?

“Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself…” John O’Donohue

The poems read in this podcast include:

  •  “Unfold Your Own Myth” (“Shams”) by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks
  • “Self Portrait” by David Whyte
  • “Unlived Life” by Dawna Markova

Support the show

]]> “A myth is an image in terms which we try to make sense of the world.” Alan Watts

Many stories, old and new, begin with someone leaving home. This leave taking comes in many forms, from answering the call of destiny to running away or being abandoned. Whatever the circumstances or intent, “leaving home” entails letting go of the familiar to engage the mystery.

In this podcast, I explore this image of “leaving home” with the aid of stories and poems, to consider our shared challenge of these crazy, interesting times--- to let go and make room for the new. What does the image of “leaving home” hold for you right now?

“Your soul knows the geography of your destiny. Your soul alone has the map of your future, therefore you can trust this indirect, oblique side of yourself…” John O’Donohue

The poems read in this podcast include:

  •  “Unfold Your Own Myth” (“Shams”) by Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks
  • “Self Portrait” by David Whyte
  • “Unlived Life” by Dawna Markova

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1233680 Thu, 10 Jan 2019 19:00:00 -0800 1808 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry 7 1 full false Siblings and the Seven Ravens Siblings and the Seven Ravens “I had no idea that the gate I would step through 
 to finally enter this world 

would be the space my brother’s body made.”

From “The Gate” by Marie Howe 

Many of the most familiar fairytales, and the issues and questions these tales raise, revolve around the happily-ever-after marriage between prince and princess, king and queen. But there is another important male-female pairing and another intimate bond, the one between siblings. 

In this podcast I tell the last in a trilogy of stories about sisters who save their brothers from enchantments, “The Seven Ravens,” collected by the Brothers Grimm. 

Support the show

]]> “I had no idea that the gate I would step through 
 to finally enter this world 

would be the space my brother’s body made.”

From “The Gate” by Marie Howe 

Many of the most familiar fairytales, and the issues and questions these tales raise, revolve around the happily-ever-after marriage between prince and princess, king and queen. But there is another important male-female pairing and another intimate bond, the one between siblings. 

In this podcast I tell the last in a trilogy of stories about sisters who save their brothers from enchantments, “The Seven Ravens,” collected by the Brothers Grimm. 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1215080 Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:00:00 -0800 1694 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 6 127 full false The Twelve Brothers and Threads of Destiny The Twelve Brothers and Threads of Destiny The fairy tale “The Twelve Brothers,” collected by the Brothers Grimm is the story of brothers and sisters, murderous kings, evil queens, and enchantment in various forms. It’s also an interesting meditation on the need for psychic renewal and the process we undergo when that time comes. 

Support the show

]]> The fairy tale “The Twelve Brothers,” collected by the Brothers Grimm is the story of brothers and sisters, murderous kings, evil queens, and enchantment in various forms. It’s also an interesting meditation on the need for psychic renewal and the process we undergo when that time comes. 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1215107 Thu, 13 Dec 2018 12:00:00 -0800 1755 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 6 126 full false Six Swans and the Power of Silence Six Swans and the Power of Silence Seasonal darkness is an invitation to move inward, to do the deep soul work that proceeds all meaningful outer action or personal growth. The holiday culture urges social interaction, busyness and brightness and yet, you may feel the warmth of a tiny spark of a new idea burning deep within, a potential that you can’t articulate.

You may feel a palpable tension between the existing structure of your inner kingdom and the needs of a new paradigm. The gap between the every day world and your private life may seem especially wide.

If this is so, honor the need for introspection and solitude. This is a tremendously creative time, a time to align with the energies of renewal that gather in the earth and the fertile ground of psyche. 

This is a good time for a fairy tale about the power of silence, “the Six Swans,” collected by the Brothers Grimm.

Support the show

]]> Seasonal darkness is an invitation to move inward, to do the deep soul work that proceeds all meaningful outer action or personal growth. The holiday culture urges social interaction, busyness and brightness and yet, you may feel the warmth of a tiny spark of a new idea burning deep within, a potential that you can’t articulate.

You may feel a palpable tension between the existing structure of your inner kingdom and the needs of a new paradigm. The gap between the every day world and your private life may seem especially wide.

If this is so, honor the need for introspection and solitude. This is a tremendously creative time, a time to align with the energies of renewal that gather in the earth and the fertile ground of psyche. 

This is a good time for a fairy tale about the power of silence, “the Six Swans,” collected by the Brothers Grimm.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1215098 Thu, 29 Nov 2018 15:00:00 -0800 2192 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 6 125 full false Nothing is Wasted: Fatima, the Spinner, and the Tent Nothing is Wasted: Fatima, the Spinner, and the Tent “It takes a long time to learn that nothing is wasted. It takes a long time, and a lot of suffering usually, to understand that there is more to life and to poetry than our conscious purposes.” M.C. Richards
  
 Is there value in the collective storms raging around us, and the ups and downs of life?

In this podcast I weave the Sufi teaching story “Fatima the Spinner” with insights gathered from the work of poet and potter M.C. Richards, to offer metaphors and suggestions for a creative response to the inevitable hardships we face.

Support the show

]]> “It takes a long time to learn that nothing is wasted. It takes a long time, and a lot of suffering usually, to understand that there is more to life and to poetry than our conscious purposes.” M.C. Richards
  
 Is there value in the collective storms raging around us, and the ups and downs of life?

In this podcast I weave the Sufi teaching story “Fatima the Spinner” with insights gathered from the work of poet and potter M.C. Richards, to offer metaphors and suggestions for a creative response to the inevitable hardships we face.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054081 Thu, 18 Oct 2018 14:00:00 -0700 1518 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Middle Eastern 6 124 full false Tasting the Honey Tasting the Honey Outrage can be valuable spark for action in these trying times and yet there is another beautiful resource available to us as we endure the collective and personal trials—joy. 

Joy is not denial or looking away. Joy is found in mindful presence, and it can change everything.

Reading poetry is one way to unhook from the habit of dire predictions and negative news, and tap into the sweetness of the present. We need this fuel friends, to participate fully in our shared transformation.

In this program, I read poems by Mary Oliver, Robert Francis, Denise Levertov, and others. Sunrise by Mary Oliver

Waxwings by Robert Francis

The Heart by Maxima Kahn

The Sycamore by Wendell Berry

Lift Off by Constance Crawford

A Blessing by James Wright

September Afternoon at Four O-clock by Marge Piercy

Constellations by Phillip Rosenberg

Making Peace by Denise Levertov

A Blessing for the Senses by John O’Donohue

I Worried by Mary Oliver

Excerpt from This Ecstasy by John Squadra

The painting is Fuchsia and Colibri Flowers By Antonia JG Cardona.

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]]> Outrage can be valuable spark for action in these trying times and yet there is another beautiful resource available to us as we endure the collective and personal trials—joy. 

Joy is not denial or looking away. Joy is found in mindful presence, and it can change everything.

Reading poetry is one way to unhook from the habit of dire predictions and negative news, and tap into the sweetness of the present. We need this fuel friends, to participate fully in our shared transformation.

In this program, I read poems by Mary Oliver, Robert Francis, Denise Levertov, and others. Sunrise by Mary Oliver

Waxwings by Robert Francis

The Heart by Maxima Kahn

The Sycamore by Wendell Berry

Lift Off by Constance Crawford

A Blessing by James Wright

September Afternoon at Four O-clock by Marge Piercy

Constellations by Phillip Rosenberg

Making Peace by Denise Levertov

A Blessing for the Senses by John O’Donohue

I Worried by Mary Oliver

Excerpt from This Ecstasy by John Squadra

The painting is Fuchsia and Colibri Flowers By Antonia JG Cardona.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054075 Wed, 03 Oct 2018 14:00:00 -0700 1686 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry 6 123 full false Practice In the Real World: The Gentle Heart Jataka Practice In the Real World: The Gentle Heart Jataka “Flying has it uses but walking on the ground is not as easy as it looks from up here.” Rafe Martin, from “The Gentle Heart Jataka”

Some days, the boundaries between the turbulence and change in the outside world, and what’s taking place in my own head and heart, are hard to define.  I'm called to question, re-evaluate, and revisit everything, AND to imagine new possibilities, even if my usual methods seem to work just fine.

Transformation is underway and the discomfort is collective and personal. How do we participate? What do we practice?  How can we support and encourage each other?

 My telling of “The Gentle Heart Jataka,” a story of one of Buddha’s incarnations on the path to awakening, is inspired by Rafe Martin’s version in Endless Path.

Support the show

]]> “Flying has it uses but walking on the ground is not as easy as it looks from up here.” Rafe Martin, from “The Gentle Heart Jataka”

Some days, the boundaries between the turbulence and change in the outside world, and what’s taking place in my own head and heart, are hard to define.  I'm called to question, re-evaluate, and revisit everything, AND to imagine new possibilities, even if my usual methods seem to work just fine.

Transformation is underway and the discomfort is collective and personal. How do we participate? What do we practice?  How can we support and encourage each other?

 My telling of “The Gentle Heart Jataka,” a story of one of Buddha’s incarnations on the path to awakening, is inspired by Rafe Martin’s version in Endless Path.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054070 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:00:00 -0700 1836 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Buddhist Jataka 6 122 full false Life Path Mysteries and Meeting Baba Yaga Life Path Mysteries and Meeting Baba Yaga “Life can only be understood backward; but it must be lived forward.” Soren Kierkegaard.

How do we become who we are meant to be? What lends a life its integrity and coherence? How does meeting the Baba Yaga help us along the way? A few questions to bring to a Russian fairy tale called “The Tsar Maiden.”

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]]> “Life can only be understood backward; but it must be lived forward.” Soren Kierkegaard.

How do we become who we are meant to be? What lends a life its integrity and coherence? How does meeting the Baba Yaga help us along the way? A few questions to bring to a Russian fairy tale called “The Tsar Maiden.”

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054067 Thu, 23 Aug 2018 14:00:00 -0700 2052 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 6 121 full false Homer's Odyssey: Book 11 the Underworld Journey Homer's Odyssey: Book 11 the Underworld Journey In Book 11 of The Odyssey, Odysseus tells the Phaeacians how he followed the strong advice of the goddess/sorceress Circe and made a journey to the underworld to consult with the dead seer Tiresias. The ghosts that he meets there remind him, and us, of the important connections between memory, story, and life, and how honoring the past can help us stay aware of what matters most in the present.

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]]> In Book 11 of The Odyssey, Odysseus tells the Phaeacians how he followed the strong advice of the goddess/sorceress Circe and made a journey to the underworld to consult with the dead seer Tiresias. The ghosts that he meets there remind him, and us, of the important connections between memory, story, and life, and how honoring the past can help us stay aware of what matters most in the present.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054063 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:00:00 -0700 1902 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 6 120 full false Homer’s Odyssey: Book 10 & Circe Homer’s Odyssey: Book 10 & Circe At the turning point in his journey, Odysseus and his men land on the island of Aeaea and meet the enchantress Circe. This is my paraphrase of Book 10 of the Odyssey, based on Robert Fagles translation.

“They found Circe’s polished stone palace in a clearing. Mountain wolves and lions roamed around the doorway like dogs, bewitched into gentleness by her drugs. They could hear the goddess inside at her loom, weaving beautiful fabrics and singing in an enchanting voice.”

 


Support the show

]]> At the turning point in his journey, Odysseus and his men land on the island of Aeaea and meet the enchantress Circe. This is my paraphrase of Book 10 of the Odyssey, based on Robert Fagles translation.

“They found Circe’s polished stone palace in a clearing. Mountain wolves and lions roamed around the doorway like dogs, bewitched into gentleness by her drugs. They could hear the goddess inside at her loom, weaving beautiful fabrics and singing in an enchanting voice.”

 


Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054059 Thu, 12 Jul 2018 14:00:00 -0700 1667 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 6 119 full false Circe: Witches, Power, Heroes, and Braids Circe: Witches, Power, Heroes, and Braids Circe, a secondary goddess in ancient Greek mythology, is best known as the sorceress in Homer’s Odyssey who turned the men into swine and later helped the hero Odysseus make a required trip into the underworld. 

Circe’s powers of seduction and evil enchantments have titillated the Western imagination for centuries. Now Madeline Miller gives us Circe’s whole story, told from the perspective of the goddess herself.

Miller skillfully handles the mythological fragments of Circe’s documented past to create an absolutely beautiful story, a story that led me to consider the importance of works that reshape the old stories, and how they can help us deconstruct the dominate paradigm of heroes and heroics and power.

Treat yourself to this book and better yet, listen to the audio version narrated by Perdita Weeks. I hope you enjoy my reflections too.

Support the show

]]> Circe, a secondary goddess in ancient Greek mythology, is best known as the sorceress in Homer’s Odyssey who turned the men into swine and later helped the hero Odysseus make a required trip into the underworld. 

Circe’s powers of seduction and evil enchantments have titillated the Western imagination for centuries. Now Madeline Miller gives us Circe’s whole story, told from the perspective of the goddess herself.

Miller skillfully handles the mythological fragments of Circe’s documented past to create an absolutely beautiful story, a story that led me to consider the importance of works that reshape the old stories, and how they can help us deconstruct the dominate paradigm of heroes and heroics and power.

Treat yourself to this book and better yet, listen to the audio version narrated by Perdita Weeks. I hope you enjoy my reflections too.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054054 Thu, 28 Jun 2018 13:00:00 -0700 2031 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology, contemporary culture 6 118 full false Looking Foolish & Percival’s Quest Looking Foolish & Percival’s Quest What if looking foolish, mistakes and regret are essential to living your purpose?

This famous Arthurian tale provides an interesting backdrop to questions of seeking, destiny, and character.

Support the show

]]> What if looking foolish, mistakes and regret are essential to living your purpose?

This famous Arthurian tale provides an interesting backdrop to questions of seeking, destiny, and character.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054053 Thu, 31 May 2018 13:00:00 -0700 2174 mythology, myth, storytelling, Arthurian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 6 117 full false Not Your Little Mermaid Part 2 of 2 Not Your Little Mermaid Part 2 of 2 This is the 2nd of two podcasts devoted to telling and exploring the fairy tale of "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen. We reach the end of the story with lots of questions and possibilities to consider, questions and possibilities that reflect on us, the listeners.

What was Andersen’s “happy ending” for his Little Mermaid? Can you imagine making such a bargain, simply to gain the opportunity to try to win your deepest desire? What was she after, in the end? How does our/your interpretation of the story reveal the nature of your own quest? Your expectations about women? Death?
 
 Whatever answers you find to the questions raised by this story, I hope you’ll pursue them as valuable reflections of your own heart, mind, and soul.
 
 

Support the show

]]> This is the 2nd of two podcasts devoted to telling and exploring the fairy tale of "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen. We reach the end of the story with lots of questions and possibilities to consider, questions and possibilities that reflect on us, the listeners.

What was Andersen’s “happy ending” for his Little Mermaid? Can you imagine making such a bargain, simply to gain the opportunity to try to win your deepest desire? What was she after, in the end? How does our/your interpretation of the story reveal the nature of your own quest? Your expectations about women? Death?
 
 Whatever answers you find to the questions raised by this story, I hope you’ll pursue them as valuable reflections of your own heart, mind, and soul.
 
 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054052 Thu, 17 May 2018 13:00:00 -0700 1957 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Hans Christian Andersen 6 116 full false Not Your Little Mermaid Part 1 of 2 Not Your Little Mermaid Part 1 of 2 Millions of little girls (and many boys and adults), fell in love with Ariel, the mermaid in Disney’s popular movie, based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. As is often the case, Disney’s version differs significantly from its source. Andersen’s mermaid is nameless, for example (and I won’t say more to avoid spoilers).

My version of the fairy tale follows Andersen. You may be surprised, moved, inspired, or disgusted by this story. You may love it or hate it. All and any of these reactions are opportunities to reflect on important questions with cultural and personal implications.

This is part 1 of two podcasts devoted to telling and exploring this story.

 

Support the show

]]> Millions of little girls (and many boys and adults), fell in love with Ariel, the mermaid in Disney’s popular movie, based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. As is often the case, Disney’s version differs significantly from its source. Andersen’s mermaid is nameless, for example (and I won’t say more to avoid spoilers).

My version of the fairy tale follows Andersen. You may be surprised, moved, inspired, or disgusted by this story. You may love it or hate it. All and any of these reactions are opportunities to reflect on important questions with cultural and personal implications.

This is part 1 of two podcasts devoted to telling and exploring this story.

 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054048 Thu, 03 May 2018 13:00:00 -0700 2053 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Hans Christian Andersen 6 115 full false Moon of Many Petals: A Conversation with Artist Poet Cindy Rinne Moon of Many Petals: A Conversation with Artist Poet Cindy Rinne “Sometimes I dream of hearing the wind.” From "Edges," Cindy Rinne

When the figures in a series of images that she was creating asked Cindy to tell their story, she listened. The result is Moon of Many Petals, a novel in verse that grew from Rinne’s conversation with the Muse.  Set in Manzanar, one of the camps where Japanese-Americans were interned during WWII, the work is a moving meditation on home, exile, family, beauty, and the cost of intolerance. 

In this interview, Rinne talks about the genesis of the work and her process, and reads from the book. She also shares some of the synchronicities and personal experiences that accompanied its creation.

Cindy Rinne creates art and writes in San Bernardino, CA, where she brings myth to life in a contemporary context. Her poetry and fiber art elements inform one another creating a narrative in text and visuals. Moon of Many Petals is her second novel in verse. She is also the author of a full-length collection of poems, two chapbooks, and a full-length collaboration. Rinne is a founder of the PoetrIE literary community. Her poems have been published worldwide. Connect with Cindy and purchase her work at http://fiberverse.com/. Moon of Many Petals is also available at https://www.amazon.com/

 

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]]> “Sometimes I dream of hearing the wind.” From "Edges," Cindy Rinne

When the figures in a series of images that she was creating asked Cindy to tell their story, she listened. The result is Moon of Many Petals, a novel in verse that grew from Rinne’s conversation with the Muse.  Set in Manzanar, one of the camps where Japanese-Americans were interned during WWII, the work is a moving meditation on home, exile, family, beauty, and the cost of intolerance. 

In this interview, Rinne talks about the genesis of the work and her process, and reads from the book. She also shares some of the synchronicities and personal experiences that accompanied its creation.

Cindy Rinne creates art and writes in San Bernardino, CA, where she brings myth to life in a contemporary context. Her poetry and fiber art elements inform one another creating a narrative in text and visuals. Moon of Many Petals is her second novel in verse. She is also the author of a full-length collection of poems, two chapbooks, and a full-length collaboration. Rinne is a founder of the PoetrIE literary community. Her poems have been published worldwide. Connect with Cindy and purchase her work at http://fiberverse.com/. Moon of Many Petals is also available at https://www.amazon.com/

 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054046 Thu, 19 Apr 2018 13:00:00 -0700 2082 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry, Cindy Rinne 6 114 full false Dian Sousa on Poetry, Truth, Marvels, & Praise Dian Sousa on Poetry, Truth, Marvels, & Praise “Pay attention to what rises up in you.” Ranier Marie Rilke

Dian is a former Poet Laureate of San Luis Obispo and co-founder of SLO Code Pink. She was introduced to me as “a poet who could start the revolution” and I’m thrilled that she agreed to speak with me for this podcast. 

Sousa describes herself as “drinking companion and reverend to the heretical and free.” I think you will be inspired and invigorated by her thoughts on poetry, truth, reality, marvels, and praise, and heartened by her vision of the world that we can create together. Connect with Dian on Facebook.

“Life moves through us all and life wants us to be attentive and tell our part of the story.” Dian Sousa

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]]> “Pay attention to what rises up in you.” Ranier Marie Rilke

Dian is a former Poet Laureate of San Luis Obispo and co-founder of SLO Code Pink. She was introduced to me as “a poet who could start the revolution” and I’m thrilled that she agreed to speak with me for this podcast. 

Sousa describes herself as “drinking companion and reverend to the heretical and free.” I think you will be inspired and invigorated by her thoughts on poetry, truth, reality, marvels, and praise, and heartened by her vision of the world that we can create together. Connect with Dian on Facebook.

“Life moves through us all and life wants us to be attentive and tell our part of the story.” Dian Sousa

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054044 Thu, 05 Apr 2018 13:00:00 -0700 2783 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry, Dian Sousa 6 113 full false Hera, Greek Goddess of Marriage Hera, Greek Goddess of Marriage Marriage is a tricky proposition. Many of us long to be part of the “perfect couple” at the same time we fear such a union. In his essay, “Hera, Goddess of Marriage,” James Hillman writes; “Marriage involves two worlds—a world of huge ideals and a world of mundane practicalities.” 

In this podcast I take a look at the archetype of marriage through the image of Hera, and myths of her jealous response to her husband’s many infidelities.

“Other men? I could have had them all. Meteors ripen in the fold of my veil […] But from the beginning I set my eye on him, the god of luminous ether […]”  from “The Seven Wives of Zeus” by Rebecca McClanahan 

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]]> Marriage is a tricky proposition. Many of us long to be part of the “perfect couple” at the same time we fear such a union. In his essay, “Hera, Goddess of Marriage,” James Hillman writes; “Marriage involves two worlds—a world of huge ideals and a world of mundane practicalities.” 

In this podcast I take a look at the archetype of marriage through the image of Hera, and myths of her jealous response to her husband’s many infidelities.

“Other men? I could have had them all. Meteors ripen in the fold of my veil […] But from the beginning I set my eye on him, the god of luminous ether […]”  from “The Seven Wives of Zeus” by Rebecca McClanahan 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054041 Thu, 22 Mar 2018 13:00:00 -0700 1792 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 6 112 full false The (Mythopoetic) Power The (Mythopoetic) Power "Electrifying! Shocking! Will knock your socks off! Then you'll think twice, about everything."   ―Margaret Atwood

Can a novel about women with electrifying power help us create new myths about gender?

The Power by Naomi Alderman is an engrossing read AND a mythopoetic work that invites conversation about our myths of gender and patriarchy. 

Alderman tells a good story. She also asks important and provocative questions. Could the answers we find contribute to a new mythos about men and women and human nature? I hope you'll read it for yourself-- and here are a few thoughts to carry with you to the page.

"I was riveted by every page. Alderman's prose is immersive and, well, electric, and I felt a closed circuit humming between the book and me as I read."―Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times Book Review

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]]> "Electrifying! Shocking! Will knock your socks off! Then you'll think twice, about everything."   ―Margaret Atwood

Can a novel about women with electrifying power help us create new myths about gender?

The Power by Naomi Alderman is an engrossing read AND a mythopoetic work that invites conversation about our myths of gender and patriarchy. 

Alderman tells a good story. She also asks important and provocative questions. Could the answers we find contribute to a new mythos about men and women and human nature? I hope you'll read it for yourself-- and here are a few thoughts to carry with you to the page.

"I was riveted by every page. Alderman's prose is immersive and, well, electric, and I felt a closed circuit humming between the book and me as I read."―Amal El-Mohtar, New York Times Book Review

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054040 Thu, 08 Mar 2018 13:00:00 -0800 1542 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, contemporary culture 6 111 full false As Above, So Below: The Big Dipper & the Greek Myth of Callisto As Above, So Below: The Big Dipper & the Greek Myth of Callisto The Big Dipper is part of the constellation commonly known as Ursa Major, the Great Bear. In this program I tell the Greek myth of Callisto (who is the Bear) and talk about the meaning our ancestors found in these celestial patterns. What significance could they hold for us today?

Note- I have a correction to the story that I tell. Zeus gives the boy Arcas into the care of Maia, one of the Pleiades.


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]]> The Big Dipper is part of the constellation commonly known as Ursa Major, the Great Bear. In this program I tell the Greek myth of Callisto (who is the Bear) and talk about the meaning our ancestors found in these celestial patterns. What significance could they hold for us today?

Note- I have a correction to the story that I tell. Zeus gives the boy Arcas into the care of Maia, one of the Pleiades.


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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054039 Thu, 22 Feb 2018 13:00:00 -0800 1712 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 6 110 full false Strawberries in January: Marouckla and the 12 Months Strawberries in January: Marouckla and the 12 Months The myths and fairy tales that we’ve inherited from anonymous sources in days long past can inspire alternatives for the future. This podcast includes “Marouckla and the 12 Months,” a Slavic fairy tale that utilizes some familiar themes and inspired Neil Gaiman to write the story “October in the Chair.” 

“Stories grow, sometimes they shrink. And they reproduce — they inspire other stories. And, of course, if they do not change, stories die […] Stories should change you — good stories should change you.” Neil Gaiman

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]]> The myths and fairy tales that we’ve inherited from anonymous sources in days long past can inspire alternatives for the future. This podcast includes “Marouckla and the 12 Months,” a Slavic fairy tale that utilizes some familiar themes and inspired Neil Gaiman to write the story “October in the Chair.” 

“Stories grow, sometimes they shrink. And they reproduce — they inspire other stories. And, of course, if they do not change, stories die […] Stories should change you — good stories should change you.” Neil Gaiman

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054037 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 13:00:00 -0800 1960 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 6 109 full false The Silvery Moon The Silvery Moon “What is there in thee, moon! That thou shouldst move my heart so potently?” Keats

Full moons super moons, blood moons; these lunar events at the opening of 2018 inspire a meditation on the moon that includes a Chinese myth about Chang’e, the Woman On the Moon. Happy New Year!

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]]> “What is there in thee, moon! That thou shouldst move my heart so potently?” Keats

Full moons super moons, blood moons; these lunar events at the opening of 2018 inspire a meditation on the moon that includes a Chinese myth about Chang’e, the Woman On the Moon. Happy New Year!

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054035 Thu, 04 Jan 2018 13:00:00 -0800 1908 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 6 108 full false The Season of Letting Go The Season of Letting Go “I want to feel both the beauty and the pain of the age we are living in … I want to possess a light touch that can elevate darkness to the realm of stars.” Terry Tempest Wiliams, from When Women Were Birds

An exploration of the various ways we are called to “let go” in the final days of this autumn season, to reach the state of being described by Terry Tempest Williams. Includes a story about an old woman and a black dog, the descent of Innana, and poetry by James Wright and Jane Kenyon.

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]]> “I want to feel both the beauty and the pain of the age we are living in … I want to possess a light touch that can elevate darkness to the realm of stars.” Terry Tempest Wiliams, from When Women Were Birds

An exploration of the various ways we are called to “let go” in the final days of this autumn season, to reach the state of being described by Terry Tempest Williams. Includes a story about an old woman and a black dog, the descent of Innana, and poetry by James Wright and Jane Kenyon.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054030 Thu, 14 Dec 2017 13:00:00 -0800 1851 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Sumerian mythology, poetry 5 107 full false Truth in a Dark Time: “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Vasilisa the Wise” Truth in a Dark Time: “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Vasilisa the Wise” In “A Ritual To Read To Each Other,” the poet William Stafford writes, “Though we could fool each other, we should consider---lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.”

Many of us long for a stronger connection to the wise intuitive voice that knows the way and truth in our lives. So why don’t we always hear it? How do we fool ourselves? Two fairytales---“The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Vasilisa the Wise”--- provide some clues.

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]]> In “A Ritual To Read To Each Other,” the poet William Stafford writes, “Though we could fool each other, we should consider---lest the parade of our mutual life get lost in the dark.”

Many of us long for a stronger connection to the wise intuitive voice that knows the way and truth in our lives. So why don’t we always hear it? How do we fool ourselves? Two fairytales---“The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Vasilisa the Wise”--- provide some clues.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054027 Thu, 30 Nov 2017 13:00:00 -0800 1532 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 5 106 full false Cerridwen and the Cauldron of Inspiration Cerridwen and the Cauldron of Inspiration A Celtic myth for Samhain, the annual descent into the deep darkness and the season of sleep, which lasts until the Winter Solstice. Everything that dies at this time can be transformed, so say good-bye to something that must be left behind and carefully consider the new seeds that you will plant for the future.

 

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]]> A Celtic myth for Samhain, the annual descent into the deep darkness and the season of sleep, which lasts until the Winter Solstice. Everything that dies at this time can be transformed, so say good-bye to something that must be left behind and carefully consider the new seeds that you will plant for the future.

 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054026 Thu, 02 Nov 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1703 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Celtic 5 105 full false Meeting the Baba Yaga and "Vasilisa the Wise" Meeting the Baba Yaga and "Vasilisa the Wise" Will the chaos and conflict, the emerging truths and challenges of these days, result in cultural transformation and renewal? Or will we settle into a new definition of “normal” and fall back to sleep?

I believe the answer to this question rests with our ability to actively engage with the archetypal feminine and the Great Mother, and that fairy tales like “Vasilisa the Wise” offer us clues about how to proceed. In this program you will meet the Baba Yaga, and remember that cultural transformation includes you too.

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]]> Will the chaos and conflict, the emerging truths and challenges of these days, result in cultural transformation and renewal? Or will we settle into a new definition of “normal” and fall back to sleep?

I believe the answer to this question rests with our ability to actively engage with the archetypal feminine and the Great Mother, and that fairy tales like “Vasilisa the Wise” offer us clues about how to proceed. In this program you will meet the Baba Yaga, and remember that cultural transformation includes you too.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054024 Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1853 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 5 104 full false The Robber Bridegroom The Robber Bridegroom How do we become aware of nefarious, destructive aspects in the psyche and handle them successfully? The fairy tale “The Robber Bridegroom,” collected by the Brothers Grimm, is one of many stories about the dangers that prey on the naïve. 

Here are three variations on this theme as we consider unimaginable acts of violence and their mysterious source.

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]]> How do we become aware of nefarious, destructive aspects in the psyche and handle them successfully? The fairy tale “The Robber Bridegroom,” collected by the Brothers Grimm, is one of many stories about the dangers that prey on the naïve. 

Here are three variations on this theme as we consider unimaginable acts of violence and their mysterious source.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054350 Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:00:00 -0700 1908 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 5 103 full false Frogs, Transformation, and the Three Feathers Frogs, Transformation, and the Three Feathers What frogs can teach us about transformation and “The Three Feathers,” a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm.

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]]> What frogs can teach us about transformation and “The Three Feathers,” a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054021 Thu, 21 Sep 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1814 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 5 102 full false Trust in Life and Jumping Mouse Trust in Life and Jumping Mouse Each of us comes into the world with the longing to fulfill our promise, to realize the potential inherent in our existence. But how do we find and meet our unique purpose?

Inner searching is often part of the process and yet responding to the world outside is required. We must gather our courage and trust life to show us.

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]]> Each of us comes into the world with the longing to fulfill our promise, to realize the potential inherent in our existence. But how do we find and meet our unique purpose?

Inner searching is often part of the process and yet responding to the world outside is required. We must gather our courage and trust life to show us.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054014 Thu, 07 Sep 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1900 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 5 101 full false Solar Eclipse of the Heart Solar Eclipse of the Heart A reflection on the “Great American Solar Eclipse” and the lion heart of Leo, intertwined with the Egyptian myth of Sekhmet, a South African story called “The Flying Lion,” and poetry by Billy Collins and Phillip Rosenberg. 


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]]> A reflection on the “Great American Solar Eclipse” and the lion heart of Leo, intertwined with the Egyptian myth of Sekhmet, a South African story called “The Flying Lion,” and poetry by Billy Collins and Phillip Rosenberg. 


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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054010 Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1884 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Egyptian mythology 5 100 full false Reciprocity and The Boy Who Fed Eagles Reciprocity and The Boy Who Fed Eagles My telling of this story is based on a version collected from the Tlingit-Haida people of Southeast Alaska, a place relatively few of us know well. Yet the spirit of this myth and the truth it contains are easily felt and recognized. What is the source of your abundance, and how can you contribute to the give and take that sustains life?

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]]> My telling of this story is based on a version collected from the Tlingit-Haida people of Southeast Alaska, a place relatively few of us know well. Yet the spirit of this myth and the truth it contains are easily felt and recognized. What is the source of your abundance, and how can you contribute to the give and take that sustains life?

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054008 Thu, 27 Jul 2017 13:00:00 -0700 2147 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Native American 5 99 full false Coyote and the Shadow People Coyote and the Shadow People This program contains a telling of a Nez Perce story about love, life, death, and the Trickster in Mythic Time. Thank you to Archie Phinney, a Nez Perce enthnographer who recorded and translated his mother’s telling of this story in 1929, so it might be more widely shared. 

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]]> This program contains a telling of a Nez Perce story about love, life, death, and the Trickster in Mythic Time. Thank you to Archie Phinney, a Nez Perce enthnographer who recorded and translated his mother’s telling of this story in 1929, so it might be more widely shared. 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054006 Mon, 17 Jul 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1823 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Native American 5 98 full false Cosmic Order, Constellations, and Navajo Stories of the Stars Cosmic Order, Constellations, and Navajo Stories of the Stars How do you experience the transcendent in your daily life? The night sky is a portal into the mystery for me, especially in the summer months when the nights are long and soft. he night sky is a portal into the mystery for me, especially in the summer months when the nights are long and soft. These Navajo myths about the placement of the constellations enhance the beauty.

 

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]]> How do you experience the transcendent in your daily life? The night sky is a portal into the mystery for me, especially in the summer months when the nights are long and soft. he night sky is a portal into the mystery for me, especially in the summer months when the nights are long and soft. These Navajo myths about the placement of the constellations enhance the beauty.

 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054004 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1634 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Native American 5 97 full false Wonder Woman: Panacea or Possibility? Wonder Woman: Panacea or Possibility? Movies are shared stories about life and the world that reflect our collective fears and desires, beliefs and values. Even fantasy films like Wonder Woman, based on comic book superheroes, are part of an important, ongoing cultural conversation. 

Wonder Woman is setting box office records and upsetting industry ideas about the appeal of female protagonists and stories aimed at women. Is this film inspiring and empowering us to explore new possibilities, or reconciling us to the status quo? The answer to that question depends on each of us.

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]]> Movies are shared stories about life and the world that reflect our collective fears and desires, beliefs and values. Even fantasy films like Wonder Woman, based on comic book superheroes, are part of an important, ongoing cultural conversation. 

Wonder Woman is setting box office records and upsetting industry ideas about the appeal of female protagonists and stories aimed at women. Is this film inspiring and empowering us to explore new possibilities, or reconciling us to the status quo? The answer to that question depends on each of us.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1054000 Thu, 15 Jun 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1937 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, contemporary culture 5 96 full false The Wild Man & Iron John Part 2 of 2 The Wild Man & Iron John Part 2 of 2 “Down, down deep into the well that is my own source…”e.g. wise

Part 2 of the  fairy tale “Iron John,” about a mysterious wild man, a boy, and much more. What gifts might a new alliance with the wild man bring you?

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]]> “Down, down deep into the well that is my own source…”e.g. wise

Part 2 of the  fairy tale “Iron John,” about a mysterious wild man, a boy, and much more. What gifts might a new alliance with the wild man bring you?

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053998 Thu, 18 May 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1810 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 5 95 full false The Wild Man & Iron John Part 1of 2 The Wild Man & Iron John Part 1of 2 “We sense there is some sort of spirit that loves birds and the animals and the ants—
perhaps the same one who gave a radiance to you in your mother’s womb.
Is it logical you would be walking around entirely orphaned?”—Kabir, trans. by Robert Bly

Robert Bly made this fairy tale, known as “Iron Hans” by the Brothers Grimm, a cornerstone of the men’s movement in 1990. This story offers a poetic opportunity to reflect on the wounds inflicted by patriarchy that is still timely and important, and extends beyond the needs of contemporary men into the common psychic territory of masculine and feminine, civilized and wild, and the shadow cast by culture.

The images this story evokes in me are beautiful and powerful and I hope it provides the same for you.

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]]> “We sense there is some sort of spirit that loves birds and the animals and the ants—
perhaps the same one who gave a radiance to you in your mother’s womb.
Is it logical you would be walking around entirely orphaned?”—Kabir, trans. by Robert Bly

Robert Bly made this fairy tale, known as “Iron Hans” by the Brothers Grimm, a cornerstone of the men’s movement in 1990. This story offers a poetic opportunity to reflect on the wounds inflicted by patriarchy that is still timely and important, and extends beyond the needs of contemporary men into the common psychic territory of masculine and feminine, civilized and wild, and the shadow cast by culture.

The images this story evokes in me are beautiful and powerful and I hope it provides the same for you.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053995 Thu, 04 May 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1901 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 5 94 full false Revelations From the Edge Poetry Reading Part 2 of 2 Revelations From the Edge Poetry Reading Part 2 of 2 “The palpable sense of mystery in the desert air breeds fables, chiefly of lost treasure.” Mary Austen

The desert is an archetypal landscape, the traditional geography of revelations. In celebration of national poetry month and the desert, these poets read some of their work about the lessons and gifts they have received from the Mojave. Includes a brief telling of the Hopi myth of the creation of the fourth world.

This is part 2 of 2 programs recorded at an open mic hosted by Catherine Svehla at the Beatnik Lounge in Joshua Tree, CA.

Featuring original work read by: Cynthia Anderson, Noreen Lawlor, Mark Evans, Greg Gilbert, and Lisa Mednick-Powell. Thank you poets!

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]]> “The palpable sense of mystery in the desert air breeds fables, chiefly of lost treasure.” Mary Austen

The desert is an archetypal landscape, the traditional geography of revelations. In celebration of national poetry month and the desert, these poets read some of their work about the lessons and gifts they have received from the Mojave. Includes a brief telling of the Hopi myth of the creation of the fourth world.

This is part 2 of 2 programs recorded at an open mic hosted by Catherine Svehla at the Beatnik Lounge in Joshua Tree, CA.

Featuring original work read by: Cynthia Anderson, Noreen Lawlor, Mark Evans, Greg Gilbert, and Lisa Mednick-Powell. Thank you poets!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1073228 Thu, 20 Apr 2017 12:00:00 -0700 2038 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Mojave Desert, poetry 5 93 full false Revelations From the Edge Poetry Reading Part 1 of 2 Revelations From the Edge Poetry Reading Part 1 of 2 “You should not see the desert simply as some faraway place of little rain. There are many forms of thirst.”  William Langewiesche

The desert is an archetypal landscape, the traditional geography of revelations. In celebration of national poetry month and the desert, these poets read some of their work about the lessons and gifts they have received from the Mojave at an open mic at the Beatnik Lounge in Joshua Tree.

Featuring original work read by: Dave Maresh, Gillian Spedding, Anita Harmon, Nanci Campbell, Rich Soos, Steve Braff, George Howell, and Phillip Rosenberg. Thank you poets!

This is part 1 of 2 programs recorded at an open mic hosted by Catherine Svehla at the Beatnik Lounge in Joshua Tree, CA.

Support the show

]]> “You should not see the desert simply as some faraway place of little rain. There are many forms of thirst.”  William Langewiesche

The desert is an archetypal landscape, the traditional geography of revelations. In celebration of national poetry month and the desert, these poets read some of their work about the lessons and gifts they have received from the Mojave at an open mic at the Beatnik Lounge in Joshua Tree.

Featuring original work read by: Dave Maresh, Gillian Spedding, Anita Harmon, Nanci Campbell, Rich Soos, Steve Braff, George Howell, and Phillip Rosenberg. Thank you poets!

This is part 1 of 2 programs recorded at an open mic hosted by Catherine Svehla at the Beatnik Lounge in Joshua Tree, CA.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1073216 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:00:00 -0700 1773 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Mojave Desert, poetry 5 92 full false Homeland Security Homeland Security In this program we explore questions of homeland and security, hospitality and love, with the aid of Odysseus, Ovid, and the Good Samaritan. Can we create a world where the question “What can I do to help,” matters more than “where are you from?”

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]]> In this program we explore questions of homeland and security, hospitality and love, with the aid of Odysseus, Ovid, and the Good Samaritan. Can we create a world where the question “What can I do to help,” matters more than “where are you from?”

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053993 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 13:00:00 -0700 1871 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 5 91 full false In Service to Life: The Egyptian Myth of Isis and Osiris In Service to Life: The Egyptian Myth of Isis and Osiris The ancient Egyptian myth of the goddess Isis and her husband, the god Osiris, is a story about renewal and resurrection, and the necessary partnership of feminine and masculine energies in service to life. I offer this story in the energy of International Women’s Day because we need this wisdom in our current time of change and challenge.

This program is dedicated to my Muslim sisters, and to all the courageous women and men who fight for the human rights and freedom of women around the world.

“Isis, the great One, Mistress of the Gods, Mistress of magic, she is the skilful Healer, in her mouth is the Breath of Life, by her words she destroys pain, and by her power she awakes the dead.”

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]]> The ancient Egyptian myth of the goddess Isis and her husband, the god Osiris, is a story about renewal and resurrection, and the necessary partnership of feminine and masculine energies in service to life. I offer this story in the energy of International Women’s Day because we need this wisdom in our current time of change and challenge.

This program is dedicated to my Muslim sisters, and to all the courageous women and men who fight for the human rights and freedom of women around the world.

“Isis, the great One, Mistress of the Gods, Mistress of magic, she is the skilful Healer, in her mouth is the Breath of Life, by her words she destroys pain, and by her power she awakes the dead.”

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053992 Thu, 09 Mar 2017 13:00:00 -0800 1897 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Egyptian mythology 5 90 full false True Ugliness and the Loathely Lady True Ugliness and the Loathely Lady “In a dark time the eye begins to see,
I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;
I hear my echo in the echoing wood—“

----Theodore Roethke,  from In  A  Dark Time

Like the Norwegian fairy tale, “Prince Lindworm,” the Arthurian story of Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell is a story about the mysterious transformative power found in embracing the un-embraceable. It raises different questions though, questions about the nature of a true king, patriarchy, and our secret ugliness. I’m sending this out to nasty women everywhere, and the men who love and support them.

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]]> “In a dark time the eye begins to see,
I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;
I hear my echo in the echoing wood—“

----Theodore Roethke,  from In  A  Dark Time

Like the Norwegian fairy tale, “Prince Lindworm,” the Arthurian story of Sir Gawain and Lady Ragnell is a story about the mysterious transformative power found in embracing the un-embraceable. It raises different questions though, questions about the nature of a true king, patriarchy, and our secret ugliness. I’m sending this out to nasty women everywhere, and the men who love and support them.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053989 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 13:00:00 -0800 1806 mythology, myth, storytelling, Arthurian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 5 89 full false The Lindworm The Lindworm A Norwegian fairy tale about a king and a queen, a witch and a maiden, a dragon, and a prince in a “once upon a time” kingdom, that holds a potent message about cultural transformation today. May you find some images and ideas that catalyze your imagination and give birth to visions for the future.

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]]> A Norwegian fairy tale about a king and a queen, a witch and a maiden, a dragon, and a prince in a “once upon a time” kingdom, that holds a potent message about cultural transformation today. May you find some images and ideas that catalyze your imagination and give birth to visions for the future.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053987 Thu, 26 Jan 2017 13:00:00 -0800 1729 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Norwegian 5 88 full false Speaking Truth: The Gangamala Jataka Speaking Truth: The Gangamala Jataka “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt

How can we each tell the truth as we see it? This important question faces many of us who are dismayed by the rise in false news and misinformation, and the divisive rhetoric that passes for public debate. My work with “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen led me to “The Gangamala Jataka,” for some insight into this question. I share this Buddhist story in this program.

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]]> “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt

How can we each tell the truth as we see it? This important question faces many of us who are dismayed by the rise in false news and misinformation, and the divisive rhetoric that passes for public debate. My work with “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen led me to “The Gangamala Jataka,” for some insight into this question. I share this Buddhist story in this program.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053986 Thu, 12 Jan 2017 13:00:00 -0800 1813 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Buddhist Jataka 4 87 full false Larger Fields of Time: The Norse myth of Loki and the Death of Balder Larger Fields of Time: The Norse myth of Loki and the Death of Balder “Just to live is holy. To be is a blessing.” Rabbi Abraham Heschel

In this program we use the Norse myth of the trickster Loki and the death of Balder to explore the territory that was staked out in the previous program, “Beauty and Love in the Shadow.” How can this myth help us understand Joanna Macy’s advice to “inhabit larger fields of time?” 

Special thanks to Cynthia Anderson for sharing Deborah Miranda’s poem, “Prayer of Prayers for the Water Protectors at Standing Rock” which is included.

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]]> “Just to live is holy. To be is a blessing.” Rabbi Abraham Heschel

In this program we use the Norse myth of the trickster Loki and the death of Balder to explore the territory that was staked out in the previous program, “Beauty and Love in the Shadow.” How can this myth help us understand Joanna Macy’s advice to “inhabit larger fields of time?” 

Special thanks to Cynthia Anderson for sharing Deborah Miranda’s poem, “Prayer of Prayers for the Water Protectors at Standing Rock” which is included.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053970 Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:00:00 -0800 1888 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Norse mythology full false Beauty and Love in the Shadow Beauty and Love in the Shadow Here are 4 ideas and 11 poems to help you stay connected to the beauty of the world and strengthen your resolve to love what you love in the face of whatever may come.  Insights collected from James Hillman, Pema Chödrön, Joanna Macy, and Rob Brezny are reflected through a handful of poems and thoughts about the way that Tricksters force us all to face the shadow.

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]]> Here are 4 ideas and 11 poems to help you stay connected to the beauty of the world and strengthen your resolve to love what you love in the face of whatever may come.  Insights collected from James Hillman, Pema Chödrön, Joanna Macy, and Rob Brezny are reflected through a handful of poems and thoughts about the way that Tricksters force us all to face the shadow.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053968 Thu, 24 Nov 2016 13:00:00 -0800 1929 4 85 full false The Wise Crow Jataka The Wise Crow Jataka “From now on, never cease to investigate the truth. Take nothing on hearsay, but examine all till you are sure that it satisfies the demands of your own reason.” Rafe Martin and “The Wise Crow Jataka”

Jataka tales are part of classical Buddhist folklore. They are the stories of the Buddhas’ past lives and bodhisattva journey. This program features my version of “The Wise Crow Jataka,” found in the collection Endless Path, Awakening Within the Buddhist Imagination by Rafe Martin. Martin writes, “Whatever we’re going through, the Buddha went through it too. Whatever shortcomings we have, the Buddha had them too.”

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]]> “From now on, never cease to investigate the truth. Take nothing on hearsay, but examine all till you are sure that it satisfies the demands of your own reason.” Rafe Martin and “The Wise Crow Jataka”

Jataka tales are part of classical Buddhist folklore. They are the stories of the Buddhas’ past lives and bodhisattva journey. This program features my version of “The Wise Crow Jataka,” found in the collection Endless Path, Awakening Within the Buddhist Imagination by Rafe Martin. Martin writes, “Whatever we’re going through, the Buddha went through it too. Whatever shortcomings we have, the Buddha had them too.”

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053965 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 13:00:00 -0800 1862 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Buddhist Jataka 4 84 full false The Conference of the Birds The Conference of the Birds “Behind all seen things lies something vaster; everything is but a path, a portal or a window opening on something other than itself. ” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 

Myths and stories can offer such paths and portals—it may be the images they evoke, the power of their metaphors or the questions that they pose. In that spirit, let me tell you my version of The Conference of the Birds, a 12th century epic poem written by the Sufi Farid ud Din Attar.  The poem tells the story of the birds’ quest to find their true king. Attar’s example later inspired Rumi who said, “Attar is the soul itself.” I hope his poem inspires you too.

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]]> “Behind all seen things lies something vaster; everything is but a path, a portal or a window opening on something other than itself. ” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 

Myths and stories can offer such paths and portals—it may be the images they evoke, the power of their metaphors or the questions that they pose. In that spirit, let me tell you my version of The Conference of the Birds, a 12th century epic poem written by the Sufi Farid ud Din Attar.  The poem tells the story of the birds’ quest to find their true king. Attar’s example later inspired Rumi who said, “Attar is the soul itself.” I hope his poem inspires you too.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053957 Thu, 27 Oct 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1842 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Sufi 4 83 full false Bring Your Fire Bring Your Fire Do you ever feel like your contribution to the world is too small? That you should do more, know more, or be better equipped to address the problems of the world and be part of positive change and cultural transformation? 

This program is for you… with thanks to the beautiful people at the Joshua Tree Music Festival who pondered the story of “How Coyote Brought Fire to the People” with me and retrieved these insights.

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]]> Do you ever feel like your contribution to the world is too small? That you should do more, know more, or be better equipped to address the problems of the world and be part of positive change and cultural transformation? 

This program is for you… with thanks to the beautiful people at the Joshua Tree Music Festival who pondered the story of “How Coyote Brought Fire to the People” with me and retrieved these insights.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053955 Thu, 13 Oct 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1798 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 4 82 full false The Emperor’s New Clothes The Emperor’s New Clothes This popular fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen is frequently seen as a tribute to the truth-telling power of an innocent child, a child with whom it’s nice to identify. But there’s more to explore in this “simple” tale as we continue thinking about our current war against the titanic, the nature of consensual reality, for example, and the role of the swindlers.

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]]> This popular fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen is frequently seen as a tribute to the truth-telling power of an innocent child, a child with whom it’s nice to identify. But there’s more to explore in this “simple” tale as we continue thinking about our current war against the titanic, the nature of consensual reality, for example, and the role of the swindlers.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053954 Thu, 08 Sep 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1716 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Hans Christian Andersen 4 81 full false A Cure for the Titanic: Feed the Birds A Cure for the Titanic: Feed the Birds “I turned. And there it was: a bright green parrot with a red beak perched on the ledge of the bird feeder.” Tista Sen, “How a Bird Feeder Revived My Marriage”

The titanic is found in our longing for the unlimited and obsession with the power of the huge and inflated. It does violence to everything that is relatively small, singular, and specific, and leaves us feeling numb, flattened, and stressed. 

The excess of the titanic is a function of its emptiness, and therein lies the cure---filling that emptiness. We do this by recognizing, connecting, valuing, and caring for Others. This practice unites the heart, mind, and imagination, and can begin with a bird feeder.

Full text of the essay “How a Bird Feeder Revived My Marriage” can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/fashion/modern-love-how-a-bird-feeder-revived-my-marriage.html?_r=0

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]]> “I turned. And there it was: a bright green parrot with a red beak perched on the ledge of the bird feeder.” Tista Sen, “How a Bird Feeder Revived My Marriage”

The titanic is found in our longing for the unlimited and obsession with the power of the huge and inflated. It does violence to everything that is relatively small, singular, and specific, and leaves us feeling numb, flattened, and stressed. 

The excess of the titanic is a function of its emptiness, and therein lies the cure---filling that emptiness. We do this by recognizing, connecting, valuing, and caring for Others. This practice unites the heart, mind, and imagination, and can begin with a bird feeder.

Full text of the essay “How a Bird Feeder Revived My Marriage” can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/fashion/modern-love-how-a-bird-feeder-revived-my-marriage.html?_r=0

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053952 Thu, 25 Aug 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1909 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 4 80 full false The Power of Names, Seeing, and the Titanic The Power of Names, Seeing, and the Titanic "We do not have to live as if we are alone." Wendell Berry

The names that we have for things can be labels and replacements for what "is," or a means of seeing and an invitation to deeper knowing of the Other. The natural connections between names and recognition, awareness and affection can enrich our daily lives and populate the titanic emptiness that numbs us and threatens our world today.

With readings excerpted from Wendell Berry, Ursula LeGuin, Annie Dillard, David Abram, and poet Mary Oliver.

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]]> "We do not have to live as if we are alone." Wendell Berry

The names that we have for things can be labels and replacements for what "is," or a means of seeing and an invitation to deeper knowing of the Other. The natural connections between names and recognition, awareness and affection can enrich our daily lives and populate the titanic emptiness that numbs us and threatens our world today.

With readings excerpted from Wendell Berry, Ursula LeGuin, Annie Dillard, David Abram, and poet Mary Oliver.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053951 Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1832 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 4 79 full false Huge is Ugly, Battling the Titanic Today Huge is Ugly, Battling the Titanic Today The gods of the ancient Greeks personify dynamics in the world and the human psyche that are active today. The titanic is experienced as a longing for the unbounded and unlimited, in grandiosity, and phrases like “shock and awe” or “too big to fail.” It takes form in the mega-corporation, in the jumbo supersize, the global economy and global catastrophe. 

These are titanic times. What can we do?

In this program we take a look at titanism today and consider a possible cure proposed by archetypal psychologist James Hillman.

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]]> The gods of the ancient Greeks personify dynamics in the world and the human psyche that are active today. The titanic is experienced as a longing for the unbounded and unlimited, in grandiosity, and phrases like “shock and awe” or “too big to fail.” It takes form in the mega-corporation, in the jumbo supersize, the global economy and global catastrophe. 

These are titanic times. What can we do?

In this program we take a look at titanism today and consider a possible cure proposed by archetypal psychologist James Hillman.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053947 Thu, 28 Jul 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1988 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology, James Hillman 4 78 full false The Titanomachia: War of the Gods The Titanomachia: War of the Gods In the ancient Greek creation myths, as set down by the poet Hesiod, there was a great war between the Titans, who were the first generation of gods, and the Olympians. The battle between the Titan Cronus and Zeus, his son and the Olympian champion, can be understood as an ongoing struggle between two powerful forces and ways of being in the world, a struggle that we are engaged in today. 
 
 What is Titanism and what threat does it pose to us? 
 
 In this program I introduce this question and share the myth of the Titanomachia, the war between the gods.. Listen and get grounded in the story-- then stay tuned for the next program, "Huge is Ugly," where we'll take a closer look at Titanism today with the aid of a provocative essay on the topic, written by James Hillman.

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]]> In the ancient Greek creation myths, as set down by the poet Hesiod, there was a great war between the Titans, who were the first generation of gods, and the Olympians. The battle between the Titan Cronus and Zeus, his son and the Olympian champion, can be understood as an ongoing struggle between two powerful forces and ways of being in the world, a struggle that we are engaged in today. 
 
 What is Titanism and what threat does it pose to us? 
 
 In this program I introduce this question and share the myth of the Titanomachia, the war between the gods.. Listen and get grounded in the story-- then stay tuned for the next program, "Huge is Ugly," where we'll take a closer look at Titanism today with the aid of a provocative essay on the topic, written by James Hillman.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053943 Thu, 14 Jul 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1943 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 4 77 full false The Tao of Trickster Coyote and Chuang Tzu The Tao of Trickster Coyote and Chuang Tzu The word “tao” means “way” and refers to the cosmic order and the way of being, the way of life. Anyone who understands and lives the Tao is in harmony with the great “what is.”

The Trickster called Coyote has a specific way. Coyote’s way is the heart of the stories that are told about him. This program blends several Coyote stories with a couple of short stories about Chuang Tzu, an ancient Chinese Taoist, to explore some of the lessons Coyote might offer about the world that he created for us.

The stories are sourced from Barry Lopez’s collection Giving Birth to Thunder, Sleeping With His daughter: Coyote Builds North America and The Book of Chuang Tzu translated by Martin Palmer with Elizabeth Breuilly, Chang Wai Ming, and Jay Ramsay.

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]]> The word “tao” means “way” and refers to the cosmic order and the way of being, the way of life. Anyone who understands and lives the Tao is in harmony with the great “what is.”

The Trickster called Coyote has a specific way. Coyote’s way is the heart of the stories that are told about him. This program blends several Coyote stories with a couple of short stories about Chuang Tzu, an ancient Chinese Taoist, to explore some of the lessons Coyote might offer about the world that he created for us.

The stories are sourced from Barry Lopez’s collection Giving Birth to Thunder, Sleeping With His daughter: Coyote Builds North America and The Book of Chuang Tzu translated by Martin Palmer with Elizabeth Breuilly, Chang Wai Ming, and Jay Ramsay.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053937 Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1718 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster, Taoism 4 76 full false On Not Being a Hero On Not Being a Hero It often seems that images of the hero and the active stance that implies is the only acceptable model for a person who wants to be responsible and successful in life. The products of popular culture revolve around the “hero’s journey” and stories of the “super hero.” The self-help industry urges us to be the “hero” of our own lives. But one size never really fits all.

The hero is a courageous surmounter of obstacles and a determined problem-solver. Self-sacrifice may be involved. The hero has many admirable qualities but it is only one perspective on life, and like any other notion, it has a shadow side. 

In this program we explore the “heroic” with the aid of a humorous story called “The King Who saved Himself From Being Saved” by John Ciardi. 

“The planet doesn’t need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.” Dalai Lama

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]]> It often seems that images of the hero and the active stance that implies is the only acceptable model for a person who wants to be responsible and successful in life. The products of popular culture revolve around the “hero’s journey” and stories of the “super hero.” The self-help industry urges us to be the “hero” of our own lives. But one size never really fits all.

The hero is a courageous surmounter of obstacles and a determined problem-solver. Self-sacrifice may be involved. The hero has many admirable qualities but it is only one perspective on life, and like any other notion, it has a shadow side. 

In this program we explore the “heroic” with the aid of a humorous story called “The King Who saved Himself From Being Saved” by John Ciardi. 

“The planet doesn’t need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.” Dalai Lama

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053939 Wed, 01 Jun 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1757 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 4 75 full false Trickster Coyote Makes the World Trickster Coyote Makes the World Tricksters are important figures in many mythologies around the world. They embody the ambiguity in the core of human experience and show us, over and over again, that life is a dynamic and often messy process, and that creation is ongoing.

Tricksters have many names and guises. In North America, many Native American groups call him Coyote. Trickster Coyote has a special relationship to human beings. Some say that he created us, or at least created and organized this world on our behalf. He's given us a perfectly imperfect home.

I love sitting with Coyote's stories because they are often funny and also puzzling. I also find them useful tools for meditating on the Judeo-Christian world view that I inherited, a world view and creation story that I've spent decades dismantling in an attempt to rejoin nature and come into communion with my fellow beings. I find more truth and joy living in the posture of "all my relatives" then notions of dominance and exploitation.

I know lots of people feel as I do, but honoring the longing to belong to the world again and figuring out how to live that desire takes more than well-articulated ideas and theories. Intellectual awareness must be married to feeling and heart wisdom, and the imaginal world must shift too. Stories activate us on all of these levels. They give us new ways to think and feel and imagine our reality.

This is why I tell Trickster Coyote stories. I don't pretend to own them or fully understand them or the traditions that birthed them. I come to them asking to be educated, to be opened up to a different way of being in the world.

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]]> Tricksters are important figures in many mythologies around the world. They embody the ambiguity in the core of human experience and show us, over and over again, that life is a dynamic and often messy process, and that creation is ongoing.

Tricksters have many names and guises. In North America, many Native American groups call him Coyote. Trickster Coyote has a special relationship to human beings. Some say that he created us, or at least created and organized this world on our behalf. He's given us a perfectly imperfect home.

I love sitting with Coyote's stories because they are often funny and also puzzling. I also find them useful tools for meditating on the Judeo-Christian world view that I inherited, a world view and creation story that I've spent decades dismantling in an attempt to rejoin nature and come into communion with my fellow beings. I find more truth and joy living in the posture of "all my relatives" then notions of dominance and exploitation.

I know lots of people feel as I do, but honoring the longing to belong to the world again and figuring out how to live that desire takes more than well-articulated ideas and theories. Intellectual awareness must be married to feeling and heart wisdom, and the imaginal world must shift too. Stories activate us on all of these levels. They give us new ways to think and feel and imagine our reality.

This is why I tell Trickster Coyote stories. I don't pretend to own them or fully understand them or the traditions that birthed them. I come to them asking to be educated, to be opened up to a different way of being in the world.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053973 Sat, 14 May 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1758 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 4 74 full false Maleficent & the 13th Fairy Maleficent & the 13th Fairy We commonly evaluate fairy tales on the basis of the role models they provide, especially for girls and young women. One example is the cultural conversation between the films Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie, which reinterprets the character and meaning of the wicked fairy. 

The conscious reworking of this story is important but fairy tales say more than we intend. Has our attention to gender and role models obscured the essential message behind the 13th fairy? Who is she and why do we retell her stories?

 

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]]> We commonly evaluate fairy tales on the basis of the role models they provide, especially for girls and young women. One example is the cultural conversation between the films Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie, which reinterprets the character and meaning of the wicked fairy. 

The conscious reworking of this story is important but fairy tales say more than we intend. Has our attention to gender and role models obscured the essential message behind the 13th fairy? Who is she and why do we retell her stories?

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053935 Sat, 30 Apr 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1878 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 4 73 full false The Princess Mayblossom Part 2 of 2 The Princess Mayblossom Part 2 of 2 Princess Mayblossom is a young woman who takes her future into her own hands. Many of us applaud this energetic determination in a character who is often presented as passive and almost invisible in her own story. Men are usually the ones depicted as the movers and shakers, the heroes, the folks who take life by the horns.

But the story isn't over yet, and I wonder if our attention to gender--important as it is in this patriarchal culture--- might blind us to a deeper, different message about fate and how destiny unfolds?


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]]> Princess Mayblossom is a young woman who takes her future into her own hands. Many of us applaud this energetic determination in a character who is often presented as passive and almost invisible in her own story. Men are usually the ones depicted as the movers and shakers, the heroes, the folks who take life by the horns.

But the story isn't over yet, and I wonder if our attention to gender--important as it is in this patriarchal culture--- might blind us to a deeper, different message about fate and how destiny unfolds?


Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053934 Sat, 16 Apr 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1904 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 4 72 full false The Princess Mayblossom Part 1of 2 The Princess Mayblossom Part 1of 2 If you think that all fairy tale princesses can do is wait for the right prince to kiss, you need to meet Princess Mayblossom. She is cursed by an angry fairy and spends a number of years locked up in a tower, but this handling of familiar motifs contains some surprises.


 

 

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]]> If you think that all fairy tale princesses can do is wait for the right prince to kiss, you need to meet Princess Mayblossom. She is cursed by an angry fairy and spends a number of years locked up in a tower, but this handling of familiar motifs contains some surprises.


 

 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053933 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 13:00:00 -0700 1810 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 4 71 full false The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 5 of 5: Turning Your Ear to the Ground The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 5 of 5: Turning Your Ear to the Ground The goddess Inanna begins her descent to the Underworld when she turns her ear to the ground. This is a unique way to begin such a journey, and it is the moment that this ancient story really comes alive for me. 

In the past 4 programs I have told the story of this Sumerian goddess to you. In this program I share some of my personal reflections on this story and the image of deep listening. Tune in to find out how you can make your soul journey with Inanna as your guide.

 

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]]> The goddess Inanna begins her descent to the Underworld when she turns her ear to the ground. This is a unique way to begin such a journey, and it is the moment that this ancient story really comes alive for me. 

In the past 4 programs I have told the story of this Sumerian goddess to you. In this program I share some of my personal reflections on this story and the image of deep listening. Tune in to find out how you can make your soul journey with Inanna as your guide.

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053921 Sat, 27 Feb 2016 12:00:00 -0800 1964 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Sumerian mythology 4 70 full false The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 4 of 5: Dumuzi’s Dream The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 4 of 5: Dumuzi’s Dream How do feminine and masculine create together and transform each other? What is the nature of true partnership? What gifts do we give to the men and women we accept as lovers and spouses, and these aspects of our own being? 
 
In Part 4 of the myth of Inanna, king Dumuzi is confronted by demons from the underworld, and his fate offers one perspective on these questions. Click here to listen to Dumuzi's Dream, the final episode of the myth of Inanna.

Happy Valentine's Day ... and keep the mystery in your life alive!

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]]> How do feminine and masculine create together and transform each other? What is the nature of true partnership? What gifts do we give to the men and women we accept as lovers and spouses, and these aspects of our own being? 
 
In Part 4 of the myth of Inanna, king Dumuzi is confronted by demons from the underworld, and his fate offers one perspective on these questions. Click here to listen to Dumuzi's Dream, the final episode of the myth of Inanna.

Happy Valentine's Day ... and keep the mystery in your life alive!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053931 Sat, 13 Feb 2016 13:00:00 -0800 1873 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Sumerian mythology 4 69 full false The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 3 of 5: Underworld Rules The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 3 of 5: Underworld Rules Ereshkigal has agreed to let Inanna leave the underworld but there are strict rules about this that must be followed. Will someone else have to take her place, and if so, who?

Part 3 of 5 in the telling of the Sumerian myth of the Goddess Inanna and her journey to the underworld.

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]]> Ereshkigal has agreed to let Inanna leave the underworld but there are strict rules about this that must be followed. Will someone else have to take her place, and if so, who?

Part 3 of 5 in the telling of the Sumerian myth of the Goddess Inanna and her journey to the underworld.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053928 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 13:00:00 -0800 1810 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Sumerian mythology 4 68 full false The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 2 of 5: The Descent The Sumerian Myth of Inanna Part 2 of 5: The Descent One of the most important skills we can develop is the art of descending into the underworld.  The Sumerian myth of Inanna is an interesting meditation on that process and it’s a story that has stood the test of time.

In Part 1 I gave you the backstory on this passionate goddess. In this episode we make the descent with her. She’s going to visit her sister Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Underworld. I wonder what kind of time they’ll have together.

Every culture has an image of that “other” place, the place that is not hospitable to life as we know it. The Sumerian underworld is dusty and dry. There is no beer there! 

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]]> One of the most important skills we can develop is the art of descending into the underworld.  The Sumerian myth of Inanna is an interesting meditation on that process and it’s a story that has stood the test of time.

In Part 1 I gave you the backstory on this passionate goddess. In this episode we make the descent with her. She’s going to visit her sister Ereshkigal, the Queen of the Underworld. I wonder what kind of time they’ll have together.

Every culture has an image of that “other” place, the place that is not hospitable to life as we know it. The Sumerian underworld is dusty and dry. There is no beer there! 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053927 Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:00:00 -0800 1784 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Sumerian mythology 4 67 full false The Sumerian Myth of Innana Part 1 of 5: Queen of Heaven The Sumerian Myth of Innana Part 1 of 5: Queen of Heaven One of the most important skills we can develop is the art of going down; of slipping into the darkness or feeling our way into the underworld. It’s a life-changing psychological/spiritual journey that we all make at least once, and it’s part of the annual round of existence. 

We need good stories to help and guide us, and the Sumerian myth of the descent of the goddess Inanna is one of the best.

In part 1 (this program) I introduce you to the goddess Inanna and provide some of her back story.

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]]> One of the most important skills we can develop is the art of going down; of slipping into the darkness or feeling our way into the underworld. It’s a life-changing psychological/spiritual journey that we all make at least once, and it’s part of the annual round of existence. 

We need good stories to help and guide us, and the Sumerian myth of the descent of the goddess Inanna is one of the best.

In part 1 (this program) I introduce you to the goddess Inanna and provide some of her back story.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053975 Sat, 02 Jan 2016 13:00:00 -0800 1842 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Sumerian mythology 4 66 full false Marta Becket, Solstice, & Shining Your Light Marta Becket, Solstice, & Shining Your Light On the eve of the magical, mystical winter solstice let’s pause to consider the call to let your/our light shine with the aid of a little bit different story– the life story of dancer and artist Marta Becket and the Amargosa Opera House.

The Winter Solstice is a good time to consider the significance of our cyclical journey through the cosmos, and reminds me that everything–every new life, idea, or work— begins in darkness. I find inspiration in Marta Becket’s story and share it with you in the hopes that it sparks something beautiful and gives you the courage to let your light shine.

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]]> On the eve of the magical, mystical winter solstice let’s pause to consider the call to let your/our light shine with the aid of a little bit different story– the life story of dancer and artist Marta Becket and the Amargosa Opera House.

The Winter Solstice is a good time to consider the significance of our cyclical journey through the cosmos, and reminds me that everything–every new life, idea, or work— begins in darkness. I find inspiration in Marta Becket’s story and share it with you in the hopes that it sparks something beautiful and gives you the courage to let your light shine.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053886 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 12:00:00 -0800 1850 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 65 full false Apocalypse and the Middle of the River Apocalypse and the Middle of the River Sometimes you turn on the news or get on-line and what you read makes you want to rage or cry. So much suffering, hatred, and destruction... Is this a time of breakdown or breakthrough? I think it's up to us to decide, and our myths can help us find the way through.

 Includes wise words from the Hopi Elders and poet Naomi Shabib Nye.

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]]> Sometimes you turn on the news or get on-line and what you read makes you want to rage or cry. So much suffering, hatred, and destruction... Is this a time of breakdown or breakthrough? I think it's up to us to decide, and our myths can help us find the way through.

 Includes wise words from the Hopi Elders and poet Naomi Shabib Nye.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053880 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 12:00:00 -0800 1765 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry 3 64 full false Quetzalcoatl & the Day of the Dead Quetzalcoatl & the Day of the Dead From around the world and across time, experiences of the unseen realms and the beings that populate it come down to us in the form of religion, myth, and story. Some of these stories feed living rituals like the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos), that still hold meaning for people today.

I recorded this program on the cusp of the full Hunter’s moon, a few days before Halloween, to honor the powerful, annual transition from light to darkness. May it inspire you to extend an invitation to your ancestors and helpers in the spirit world.

“. . . Is it true one really lives on the earth? Not forever on earth, only a little while here. Though it be jade it falls apart, though it be gold it wears away…”
 —-Nezahualcoyotl, Aztec king and sage from the 15th century

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]]> From around the world and across time, experiences of the unseen realms and the beings that populate it come down to us in the form of religion, myth, and story. Some of these stories feed living rituals like the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos), that still hold meaning for people today.

I recorded this program on the cusp of the full Hunter’s moon, a few days before Halloween, to honor the powerful, annual transition from light to darkness. May it inspire you to extend an invitation to your ancestors and helpers in the spirit world.

“. . . Is it true one really lives on the earth? Not forever on earth, only a little while here. Though it be jade it falls apart, though it be gold it wears away…”
 —-Nezahualcoyotl, Aztec king and sage from the 15th century

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053907 Sat, 31 Oct 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1776 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Aztec mythology 3 63 full false Raven Steals the Light Raven Steals the Light In this program I tell a couple of stories about the Trickster Raven drawn from the Haida tradition in British Columbia. Like Coyote, Raven is present at the very beginning, a reminder that paradox is essential to a dynamic world.

 

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]]> In this program I tell a couple of stories about the Trickster Raven drawn from the Haida tradition in British Columbia. Like Coyote, Raven is present at the very beginning, a reminder that paradox is essential to a dynamic world.

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053906 Sat, 17 Oct 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1757 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 3 62 full false The Shadow & Chiron the Wounded Healer The Shadow & Chiron the Wounded Healer Chiron is a figure in Greek mythology who is best known as “the wounded healer.” He is often evoked in astrological readings as the personification of one’s deepest childhood wounds. 
 
 This interpretation holds a lot of value. But close examination of his story can lead us into reflection on collective attitudes about such wounds, tragedy, and the wise response to what cannot be healed.

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]]> Chiron is a figure in Greek mythology who is best known as “the wounded healer.” He is often evoked in astrological readings as the personification of one’s deepest childhood wounds. 
 
 This interpretation holds a lot of value. But close examination of his story can lead us into reflection on collective attitudes about such wounds, tragedy, and the wise response to what cannot be healed.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053884 Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1748 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 3 61 full false Holy Fools, uncertainty, and beginner’s mind: Viddhi Kooshmandam Holy Fools, uncertainty, and beginner’s mind: Viddhi Kooshmandam This is a beautiful and frightening world. It’s no wonder that so many of us long for certainty, for principles and concepts and moral ground that doesn’t shift too much beneath our feet. But there’s a flip side to everything. 

When we get too certain, too sure, our hearts and minds get rigid. In the Hindu story Viddhi Kooshmandam, the career of a simple young man gives us a glimpse into another alternative.

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]]> This is a beautiful and frightening world. It’s no wonder that so many of us long for certainty, for principles and concepts and moral ground that doesn’t shift too much beneath our feet. But there’s a flip side to everything. 

When we get too certain, too sure, our hearts and minds get rigid. In the Hindu story Viddhi Kooshmandam, the career of a simple young man gives us a glimpse into another alternative.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053894 Sat, 12 Sep 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1824 mythology, myth, storytelling, Hindu, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 60 full false Following Mythic Coyote Following Mythic Coyote  “When we study other people’s myths and rituals we may do so out of pure intellectual curiosity, to see what they believe in and do that we do not believe in or do. But sometimes we may begin to wonder what would happen if we ourselves came to believe those myths…”               —-Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty, Other People’s Myths

In this program I share a couple of Mythic Coyote stories from the creation mythology of the Chemehuevi people. The Chemehuevi are native to the Mojave and have lived here for centuries, primarily near the Colorado River. My telling of these stories is adapted from versions found in Mirror and Pattern by Carobeth Laird.

I originally told these stories as part of a public lecture that was sponsored by the Morongo Basin Historical Society.  I invited that group to reflect on them as a source of information about the Chemehuevi and about themselves. Many of our assumptions and beliefs about life and the world are unconscious. Bringing them to awareness is the first step in truly owning them, living them, and potentially changing them.

I extend that same invitation to you and fear not, you’ll get a laugh or two from this program as well as food for thought. 

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]]>  “When we study other people’s myths and rituals we may do so out of pure intellectual curiosity, to see what they believe in and do that we do not believe in or do. But sometimes we may begin to wonder what would happen if we ourselves came to believe those myths…”               —-Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty, Other People’s Myths

In this program I share a couple of Mythic Coyote stories from the creation mythology of the Chemehuevi people. The Chemehuevi are native to the Mojave and have lived here for centuries, primarily near the Colorado River. My telling of these stories is adapted from versions found in Mirror and Pattern by Carobeth Laird.

I originally told these stories as part of a public lecture that was sponsored by the Morongo Basin Historical Society.  I invited that group to reflect on them as a source of information about the Chemehuevi and about themselves. Many of our assumptions and beliefs about life and the world are unconscious. Bringing them to awareness is the first step in truly owning them, living them, and potentially changing them.

I extend that same invitation to you and fear not, you’ll get a laugh or two from this program as well as food for thought. 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053871 Sat, 08 Aug 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1832 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 3 59 full false Reading as an Act of Contemplation with Dr. Dennis Slattery Reading as an Act of Contemplation with Dr. Dennis Slattery “I remember Alan Watts asked me one day, ‘Joe, what kind of meditation do you do?’ I said, “I underline sentences.” — Joseph Campbell

 In this program, Dr. Slattery talks about what it means to see a book as a friend and teacher, and shares his insight into reading as a contemplative practice. Learn how to open yourself to a text—-whether it be a poem, literary classic, or other written work that captures your interest— to bring yourself closer to your personal myth and encounter the text as an Other, with its own subjectivity, unconscious, and mythic dimension. 

Dennis Patrick Slattery, Ph.D., is Core Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute in the Mythological Studies and Depth Psychology Programs. Honored as Distinguished Professor in 2007, Dr. Slattery is the author of over 200 articles and book reviews, as well as the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 23 books. His recent books are Bridgework: Essays on Mythology, Literature, and Psychology and Creases in Culture: Essays Towards a Poetics of Depth.

For more information about Dr. Slattery’s work visit www.dennispslattery.com.

 

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]]> “I remember Alan Watts asked me one day, ‘Joe, what kind of meditation do you do?’ I said, “I underline sentences.” — Joseph Campbell

 In this program, Dr. Slattery talks about what it means to see a book as a friend and teacher, and shares his insight into reading as a contemplative practice. Learn how to open yourself to a text—-whether it be a poem, literary classic, or other written work that captures your interest— to bring yourself closer to your personal myth and encounter the text as an Other, with its own subjectivity, unconscious, and mythic dimension. 

Dennis Patrick Slattery, Ph.D., is Core Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute in the Mythological Studies and Depth Psychology Programs. Honored as Distinguished Professor in 2007, Dr. Slattery is the author of over 200 articles and book reviews, as well as the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 23 books. His recent books are Bridgework: Essays on Mythology, Literature, and Psychology and Creases in Culture: Essays Towards a Poetics of Depth.

For more information about Dr. Slattery’s work visit www.dennispslattery.com.

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053890 Sat, 01 Aug 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1762 mythology, myth, storytelling, interview, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Dennis Slattery 3 58 full false Day-to-Day Dante: Exploring Your Personal Myth with Dr. Dennis Slattery Day-to-Day Dante: Exploring Your Personal Myth with Dr. Dennis Slattery “This poem is the most sophisticated exploration of anything I’ve ever read, of the way that the soul moves; complexly, and slowly, and with determination, from unconsciousness to consciousness.” — Dr. Dennis Patrick Slattery

Dante’s Divine Comedy is an iconic literary work that has influenced Western culture for centuries. The story of his pilgrimage through Hell and Purgatory to Paradise still resonates with us today, and the image of being lost in a dark wood is familiar to many who have never read the poem.

According to Dr. Slattery, contemplation of the symbolic world that Dante created can reveal the contours of your personal myth. In his book Day to Day Dante: Exploring Personal Myth Through the Divine Comedy, Dr. Slattery guides the reader through the poem and connects Dante’s journey with the contemporary experience.

Dennis Patrick Slattery, Ph.D., is Core Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute in the Mythological Studies and Depth Psychology Programs. Honored as Distinguished Professor in 2007, Dr. Slattery is the author of over 200 articles and book reviews, as well as the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 23 books. His recent books are Bridgework: Essays on Mythology, Literature, and Psychology and Creases in Culture: Essays Towards a Poetics of Depth.

For more information about Dr. Slattery’s work and to buy Day to Day Dante: Exploring Personal Myth Through the Divine Comedy, visit www.dennispslattery.com.

Support the show

]]> “This poem is the most sophisticated exploration of anything I’ve ever read, of the way that the soul moves; complexly, and slowly, and with determination, from unconsciousness to consciousness.” — Dr. Dennis Patrick Slattery

Dante’s Divine Comedy is an iconic literary work that has influenced Western culture for centuries. The story of his pilgrimage through Hell and Purgatory to Paradise still resonates with us today, and the image of being lost in a dark wood is familiar to many who have never read the poem.

According to Dr. Slattery, contemplation of the symbolic world that Dante created can reveal the contours of your personal myth. In his book Day to Day Dante: Exploring Personal Myth Through the Divine Comedy, Dr. Slattery guides the reader through the poem and connects Dante’s journey with the contemporary experience.

Dennis Patrick Slattery, Ph.D., is Core Faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute in the Mythological Studies and Depth Psychology Programs. Honored as Distinguished Professor in 2007, Dr. Slattery is the author of over 200 articles and book reviews, as well as the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 23 books. His recent books are Bridgework: Essays on Mythology, Literature, and Psychology and Creases in Culture: Essays Towards a Poetics of Depth.

For more information about Dr. Slattery’s work and to buy Day to Day Dante: Exploring Personal Myth Through the Divine Comedy, visit www.dennispslattery.com.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053920 Sat, 25 Jul 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1852 mythology, myth, storytelling, interview, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Dennis Slattery 3 57 full false Myth, Murder, and the Other in South Carolina Myth, Murder, and the Other in South Carolina “He who tells the stories rules the world.” Hopi proverb 
 
 On June 17, 2015, nine black Americans were murdered during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. A young white man named Dylann Storm Roof killed them because he believes that “Blacks are taking over the world and someone has to do something about it for the white race.” 
 
 In the aftermath of this tragedy, this insanity – two questions come to the forefront: why did it happen and what can I, can we, do to prevent racial violence, bridge the divide, and heal with Jon Stewart calls “our gaping racial wound?” 

In this program I consider the connection between mythology, images of the Other, and “Us versus Them” thinking, and the opportunity that myth and story work offers each of us to be part of a life-affirming culture and just society.

Support the show

]]> “He who tells the stories rules the world.” Hopi proverb 
 
 On June 17, 2015, nine black Americans were murdered during a Bible study at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. A young white man named Dylann Storm Roof killed them because he believes that “Blacks are taking over the world and someone has to do something about it for the white race.” 
 
 In the aftermath of this tragedy, this insanity – two questions come to the forefront: why did it happen and what can I, can we, do to prevent racial violence, bridge the divide, and heal with Jon Stewart calls “our gaping racial wound?” 

In this program I consider the connection between mythology, images of the Other, and “Us versus Them” thinking, and the opportunity that myth and story work offers each of us to be part of a life-affirming culture and just society.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053870 Sat, 27 Jun 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1801 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 3 56 full false The Sumerian Myth of Gilgamesh Part 3 of 3: Journey to Utnapishtim The Sumerian Myth of Gilgamesh Part 3 of 3: Journey to Utnapishtim This program is the third and final episode in my telling of the ancient Sumerian myth of Gilgamesh, the hero-king of Uruk. Gilgamesh was two-thirds god and one-third human, and the gifts and challenges of this in-between situation are a major theme in the story.

In Part 1, Gilgamesh wreaked havoc instead of being a good king to his people because he had no peers. Without limits he couldn’t fulfill his potential. So the gods provided him with Enkidu the wild man, his foil and friend. In Part 2 I told of their adventures and how they fulfilled Gilgamesh’s destiny to perform heroic deeds and make a name for himself.

But this came at a cost. Enkidu is dead. It seems that this was necessary to maintain the proper balance of power between the gods and the semi-god Gilgamesh, and his mortal companion. And now Gilgamesh will struggle with the ultimate problem presented by his human side….

 

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]]> This program is the third and final episode in my telling of the ancient Sumerian myth of Gilgamesh, the hero-king of Uruk. Gilgamesh was two-thirds god and one-third human, and the gifts and challenges of this in-between situation are a major theme in the story.

In Part 1, Gilgamesh wreaked havoc instead of being a good king to his people because he had no peers. Without limits he couldn’t fulfill his potential. So the gods provided him with Enkidu the wild man, his foil and friend. In Part 2 I told of their adventures and how they fulfilled Gilgamesh’s destiny to perform heroic deeds and make a name for himself.

But this came at a cost. Enkidu is dead. It seems that this was necessary to maintain the proper balance of power between the gods and the semi-god Gilgamesh, and his mortal companion. And now Gilgamesh will struggle with the ultimate problem presented by his human side….

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053917 Thu, 25 Jun 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1821 mythology, myth, storytelling, Sumerian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 55 full false The Sumerian Myth of Gilgamesh Part 2 of 3: Destiny Fulfilled The Sumerian Myth of Gilgamesh Part 2 of 3: Destiny Fulfilled Gilgamesh and Enkidu journey to the Country of the Living and the great cedar forest in pursuit of lasting fame and glory.

They also have a fateful encounter with the goddess Ishtar (also known as Inanna), Queen of Heaven and Earth, and the Bull of Heaven.

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]]> Gilgamesh and Enkidu journey to the Country of the Living and the great cedar forest in pursuit of lasting fame and glory.

They also have a fateful encounter with the goddess Ishtar (also known as Inanna), Queen of Heaven and Earth, and the Bull of Heaven.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053916 Sat, 13 Jun 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1801 mythology, myth, storytelling, Sumerian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 54 full false The Sumerian Myth of Gilgamesh Part 1 of 3: The Creation of Enkidu The Sumerian Myth of Gilgamesh Part 1 of 3: The Creation of Enkidu The myth of the god-king Gilgamesh is one of the oldest literary works in the world, dating back to 2100 BCE. Yet the actions and psychology of this troubled hero are very familiar. How can he reconcile his divine and mortal sides and fulfill his destiny? What does he learn about power, loss, and life?

In this episode you meet Gilgamesh and his friend and foil, Enkidu the wild man who thought that he was a gazelle. 

Support the show

]]> The myth of the god-king Gilgamesh is one of the oldest literary works in the world, dating back to 2100 BCE. Yet the actions and psychology of this troubled hero are very familiar. How can he reconcile his divine and mortal sides and fulfill his destiny? What does he learn about power, loss, and life?

In this episode you meet Gilgamesh and his friend and foil, Enkidu the wild man who thought that he was a gazelle. 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053912 Sat, 06 Jun 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1751 mythology, myth, storytelling, Sumerian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 53 full false The price of transformation: the Greek myth of Artemis and Actaeon The price of transformation: the Greek myth of Artemis and Actaeon The Greek myth of Artemis and Actaeon is supremely simple or deeply mysterious depending on how you choose to read it. Is this a moral teaching about the price of voyeurism or a cautionary tale about the proper protocol for approaching the divine? Or is it an elegant metaphor for transformation and initiation into the great mysteries of life and death? 

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]]> The Greek myth of Artemis and Actaeon is supremely simple or deeply mysterious depending on how you choose to read it. Is this a moral teaching about the price of voyeurism or a cautionary tale about the proper protocol for approaching the divine? Or is it an elegant metaphor for transformation and initiation into the great mysteries of life and death? 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053909 Sat, 30 May 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1733 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 3 52 full false Desert Dweller: A Conversation with poet Cynthia Anderson Desert Dweller: A Conversation with poet Cynthia Anderson “In the hour of deep black,
 when sleep blurs the edge of time,
 the Milky Way spills into space like salt,
 a pillar of light to see by.”

from “They Move at Night” by Cynthia Anderson

The desert is a magical, mythical place where the boundaries between past and present, visible and invisible, are easily blurred if you have the requisite sensitivity and humility. These are gifts that the desert herself will give you, and few poets articulate this exchange as beautifully as Cynthia Anderson.

In this program Cynthia talks about poetry, the desert, and her life as a poet, and reads some of the spare and powerful poems from her latest book, Desert Dweller. If you love the Mojave or want to know her better, listen in, and if you need encouragement to follow your muse, let Cynthia provide some.

Cynthia is the author of two books of desert poetry, In the Mojave and Desert Dweller, and collaborated with her photographer husband Bill Dahl on two others, Shared Visions and Shared Visions II. These books are available on-line at blurb.com and locally at Rainbow Stew in Yucca Valley and Raven’s Bookshop in 29 Palms.

Support the show

]]> “In the hour of deep black,
 when sleep blurs the edge of time,
 the Milky Way spills into space like salt,
 a pillar of light to see by.”

from “They Move at Night” by Cynthia Anderson

The desert is a magical, mythical place where the boundaries between past and present, visible and invisible, are easily blurred if you have the requisite sensitivity and humility. These are gifts that the desert herself will give you, and few poets articulate this exchange as beautifully as Cynthia Anderson.

In this program Cynthia talks about poetry, the desert, and her life as a poet, and reads some of the spare and powerful poems from her latest book, Desert Dweller. If you love the Mojave or want to know her better, listen in, and if you need encouragement to follow your muse, let Cynthia provide some.

Cynthia is the author of two books of desert poetry, In the Mojave and Desert Dweller, and collaborated with her photographer husband Bill Dahl on two others, Shared Visions and Shared Visions II. These books are available on-line at blurb.com and locally at Rainbow Stew in Yucca Valley and Raven’s Bookshop in 29 Palms.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053887 Sat, 25 Apr 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1787 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, interview, poetry, Cynthia Anderson 3 51 full false Poetry and the Myth You Are Living: A Conversation with Phillip Rosenberg Poetry and the Myth You Are Living: A Conversation with Phillip Rosenberg “God is everywhere; in the lampshade and in the worn, brown carpet.” Phillip Rosenberg

In Memories, Dreams, Reflections, C.G. Jung describes his decision to discover the myth that he was living. Tellingly, the title of the chapter is “Confrontation with the Unconscious”  and Jung explains that he didn’t even know how to approach the question. He writes, “I said to myself, since I know nothing at all, I shall simply do whatever occurs to me.”

In Jung’s case, this meant tending his dreams, painting, and working with stone, but many forms of creative work, like writing poetry, invite a meaningful dialogue with the mythic dimension.

In honor of National Poetry month, I asked local songwriter and poet Phillip Rosenberg to talk about the experience of writing his book Raised in the Shadow.

In this program we use Phillip’s experience and poetry to explore these questions:

  • How is writing poetry a way of knowing self and world?
  • How does/can writing poetry lead to the creation (or discovery) of personally meaningful images?

For more information about the songs and poetry of Phillip Rosenberg (aka Rags and Bones) visit: http://www.ragsandbonesmusic.com/

Support the show

]]> “God is everywhere; in the lampshade and in the worn, brown carpet.” Phillip Rosenberg

In Memories, Dreams, Reflections, C.G. Jung describes his decision to discover the myth that he was living. Tellingly, the title of the chapter is “Confrontation with the Unconscious”  and Jung explains that he didn’t even know how to approach the question. He writes, “I said to myself, since I know nothing at all, I shall simply do whatever occurs to me.”

In Jung’s case, this meant tending his dreams, painting, and working with stone, but many forms of creative work, like writing poetry, invite a meaningful dialogue with the mythic dimension.

In honor of National Poetry month, I asked local songwriter and poet Phillip Rosenberg to talk about the experience of writing his book Raised in the Shadow.

In this program we use Phillip’s experience and poetry to explore these questions:

  • How is writing poetry a way of knowing self and world?
  • How does/can writing poetry lead to the creation (or discovery) of personally meaningful images?

For more information about the songs and poetry of Phillip Rosenberg (aka Rags and Bones) visit: http://www.ragsandbonesmusic.com/

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053842 Sat, 18 Apr 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1831 mythology, myth, storytelling, interview, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry, Phillip Rosenberg 3 50 full false Percival’s Quest for the Grail Part 3 of 3: The Fisher King Percival’s Quest for the Grail Part 3 of 3: The Fisher King Our minds, bodies, feelings, relationships are all informed by our questions. What you ask is who you are. What you find depends on what you search for. And what shapes our lives are the questions we ask, refuse to ask, or never think of asking.”  —Sam Keen

This episode is the conclusion of this famous Arthurian story about the quests and questions that determine our lives, character, and destiny.

“It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” ~Joseph Campbell


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]]> Our minds, bodies, feelings, relationships are all informed by our questions. What you ask is who you are. What you find depends on what you search for. And what shapes our lives are the questions we ask, refuse to ask, or never think of asking.”  —Sam Keen

This episode is the conclusion of this famous Arthurian story about the quests and questions that determine our lives, character, and destiny.

“It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.” ~Joseph Campbell


Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053903 Sat, 04 Apr 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1838 mythology, myth, storytelling, Arthurian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 49 full false Percival’s Quest for the Grail Part 2 of 3: The White Rose Percival’s Quest for the Grail Part 2 of 3: The White Rose “What is it we are questing for? It is the fulfillment of that which is potential in each of us. Questing for it is not an ego trip; it is an adventure to bring into fulfillment your gift to the world, which is yourself. There is nothing you can do that’s more important than being fulfilled. You become a sign, you become a signal, transparent to transcendence; in this way you will find, live, become a realization of your own personal myth.”  ~ Joseph Campbell, Pathways to Bliss

 Part 2 of a famous story about the quest and destiny.

 

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]]> “What is it we are questing for? It is the fulfillment of that which is potential in each of us. Questing for it is not an ego trip; it is an adventure to bring into fulfillment your gift to the world, which is yourself. There is nothing you can do that’s more important than being fulfilled. You become a sign, you become a signal, transparent to transcendence; in this way you will find, live, become a realization of your own personal myth.”  ~ Joseph Campbell, Pathways to Bliss

 Part 2 of a famous story about the quest and destiny.

 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053901 Sat, 28 Mar 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1798 mythology, myth, storytelling, Arthurian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 48 full false Percival’s Quest for the Grail Part 1 of 3: Leaving Home Percival’s Quest for the Grail Part 1 of 3: Leaving Home What is the purpose of your life? Is there some promise, gift, or need that you are destined to fulfill?  

These questions lie in the heart of the mystery that surrounds our lives. A few people are born with answers, but for most of us the search is part of a long quest. A quest for truth, for meaning, for completion. . . for consciousness, for Self knowledge.

It’s possible to ignore these questions of life purpose and refuse the quest. Contemporary Western society encourages us to limit our explorations to shopping malls and commercial entertainments. But if you are seeking, the story of Perceval is a valuable one to contemplate. 

This is an old story, as is the cultural conversation about authenticity, love, and self-determination that we are having today, and that gave birth to this story. 

There’s more to this story than knights and swords, which came into written form at the same time that folks were contemplating some radical ideas about what it means to be a fully realized human being.

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]]> What is the purpose of your life? Is there some promise, gift, or need that you are destined to fulfill?  

These questions lie in the heart of the mystery that surrounds our lives. A few people are born with answers, but for most of us the search is part of a long quest. A quest for truth, for meaning, for completion. . . for consciousness, for Self knowledge.

It’s possible to ignore these questions of life purpose and refuse the quest. Contemporary Western society encourages us to limit our explorations to shopping malls and commercial entertainments. But if you are seeking, the story of Perceval is a valuable one to contemplate. 

This is an old story, as is the cultural conversation about authenticity, love, and self-determination that we are having today, and that gave birth to this story. 

There’s more to this story than knights and swords, which came into written form at the same time that folks were contemplating some radical ideas about what it means to be a fully realized human being.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053899 Sat, 14 Mar 2015 12:00:00 -0700 1812 mythology, myth, storytelling, Arthurian, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 3 47 full false Ensoulment & the Quest for the Feminine with Loris Simon Salum Ensoulment & the Quest for the Feminine with Loris Simon Salum My special guest this week is Loris Simon Salum, writer and director of the award-winning documentary film Ensoulment: A Diverse Analysis of the Feminine in Western Culture.

We had the privilege of screening Ensoulment in Joshua Tree, where it inspired a very lively discussion about the nature of “the feminine,” the common confusion between the archetypal feminine and gender roles, and what might constitute a “feminine” approach to the topic of The Feminine. 

In this interview, Loris responds to some of these challenges and talks about what she’s learned. This is my second conversation with Loris. The first, Ensoulment: A Diverse Analysis of the Feminine in Western Culture with filmmaker Loris Simon Salum, is part of the Matter & Psyche album also posted on bandcamp.

For more information about the film and to watch the trailer visit Ensoulment at http://www.ensoulmentfilm.com/

“When there is no judgment present, what is alive in you? What wants to be lived inside of you?”

Support the show

]]> My special guest this week is Loris Simon Salum, writer and director of the award-winning documentary film Ensoulment: A Diverse Analysis of the Feminine in Western Culture.

We had the privilege of screening Ensoulment in Joshua Tree, where it inspired a very lively discussion about the nature of “the feminine,” the common confusion between the archetypal feminine and gender roles, and what might constitute a “feminine” approach to the topic of The Feminine. 

In this interview, Loris responds to some of these challenges and talks about what she’s learned. This is my second conversation with Loris. The first, Ensoulment: A Diverse Analysis of the Feminine in Western Culture with filmmaker Loris Simon Salum, is part of the Matter & Psyche album also posted on bandcamp.

For more information about the film and to watch the trailer visit Ensoulment at http://www.ensoulmentfilm.com/

“When there is no judgment present, what is alive in you? What wants to be lived inside of you?”

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053896 Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:00:00 -0800 1839 mythology, myth, interview, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Loris Salum 3 46 full false Sleeping Beauty?: The Tale of Briar Rose Sleeping Beauty?: The Tale of Briar Rose Western culture has a love-hate relationship with fairy tales. They are trivial entertainment, guilty pleasures left over from childhood, and they are cultural dynamite we attempt to defuse with a range of feminist critiques and socio-psychological commentaries. We long for the “happily ever after” and also deride this sweet and simple view of life. 

Fairy tales trouble us. That is one of their cultural functions, and our endless reworking and revising tells us something about our hopes, tensions, and fears.

In this program I tell the fairy tale Briar Rose, collected by the Brother’s Grimm. It’s an older version of Sleeping Beauty that I find puzzling and fascinating. There is a beautiful princess, a spindle, and a long period of sleep, but this is not a romantic tale of “true love” and a powerful kiss from a handsome prince.

Support the show

]]> Western culture has a love-hate relationship with fairy tales. They are trivial entertainment, guilty pleasures left over from childhood, and they are cultural dynamite we attempt to defuse with a range of feminist critiques and socio-psychological commentaries. We long for the “happily ever after” and also deride this sweet and simple view of life. 

Fairy tales trouble us. That is one of their cultural functions, and our endless reworking and revising tells us something about our hopes, tensions, and fears.

In this program I tell the fairy tale Briar Rose, collected by the Brother’s Grimm. It’s an older version of Sleeping Beauty that I find puzzling and fascinating. There is a beautiful princess, a spindle, and a long period of sleep, but this is not a romantic tale of “true love” and a powerful kiss from a handsome prince.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1072580 Sat, 14 Feb 2015 17:00:00 -0800 1784 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 3 45 full false The Fisherman and His Wife The Fisherman and His Wife The folk tale is the primer of the picture-language of the soul.”  — Joseph Campbell

The story of “The Fisherman and His Wife,” collected by the Brother’s Grimm, is often explained as a parable about the consequences of greed. But is the sole subject and lesson in this story, or is something deeper going on? A fisherman goes down to the sea and catches a flounder, who claims to be an enchanted prince… and this stirs the ambitions of the fisherman’s wife…

Listen to the story and see what you discover in the depths of this stormy sea.

 

Support the show

]]> The folk tale is the primer of the picture-language of the soul.”  — Joseph Campbell

The story of “The Fisherman and His Wife,” collected by the Brother’s Grimm, is often explained as a parable about the consequences of greed. But is the sole subject and lesson in this story, or is something deeper going on? A fisherman goes down to the sea and catches a flounder, who claims to be an enchanted prince… and this stirs the ambitions of the fisherman’s wife…

Listen to the story and see what you discover in the depths of this stormy sea.

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1058025 Sat, 13 Dec 2014 16:00:00 -0800 1856 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Grimm Brothers 2 44 full false Gratitude, Creative Gifts, and Being in the Flow: The Shoemaker & the Elves Gratitude, Creative Gifts, and Being in the Flow: The Shoemaker & the Elves This week on Myth in the Mojave: "The Shoemaker and the Elves" by way of the Brothers Grimm. An honest shoemaker falls on hard times and receives magical help from a pair of elves. But when he thanks them they disappear, never to be seen again.

Was gratitude a mistake? Listen to the story and find out what this has to do with creativity.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening! 

Support the show

]]> This week on Myth in the Mojave: "The Shoemaker and the Elves" by way of the Brothers Grimm. An honest shoemaker falls on hard times and receives magical help from a pair of elves. But when he thanks them they disappear, never to be seen again.

Was gratitude a mistake? Listen to the story and find out what this has to do with creativity.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening! 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053837 Sat, 06 Dec 2014 12:00:00 -0800 1792 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Brothers Grimm 2 43 full false Birth of Taliesin Birth of Taliesin A meditation on creative inspiration inspired by a story from the Welsh tradition, found in the Mabinogi.

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]]> A meditation on creative inspiration inspired by a story from the Welsh tradition, found in the Mabinogi.

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]]> Catherine Svehla Buzzsprout-16027923 Tue, 11 Nov 2014 12:00:00 -0800 1828 2 35 full false Mythic Models: Hephaestus, Creativity, and Brokenness with Allison Stieger Mythic Models: Hephaestus, Creativity, and Brokenness with Allison Stieger Cast off and crippled, the Greek god Hephaestus is the master craftsman and a patron saint of human culture and creativity. As god of the forge and the creative spark, he made objects of value and beauty despite—or maybe as a result of— his brokenness.

What can we learn about the creative process from ancient myths? Join me for an exploration of this question with special guest mythologist and author, Allison Stieger.

Allison writes, lectures, and coaches people in the use of myth and the creative process. She has a master’s degree in Mythological Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute and is the founder and director of Mythic Stories Education. Allison is currently working on her first book, Mythic Creativity: What Myth Can Teach Us About Our Creative Lives and is passionately interested in the intersection between myth, creativity, innovation, and culture.

Learn more and contact Allison about her coaching and lectures at https://mythicstoriesconsulting.com/

Support the show

]]> Cast off and crippled, the Greek god Hephaestus is the master craftsman and a patron saint of human culture and creativity. As god of the forge and the creative spark, he made objects of value and beauty despite—or maybe as a result of— his brokenness.

What can we learn about the creative process from ancient myths? Join me for an exploration of this question with special guest mythologist and author, Allison Stieger.

Allison writes, lectures, and coaches people in the use of myth and the creative process. She has a master’s degree in Mythological Studies from Pacifica Graduate Institute and is the founder and director of Mythic Stories Education. Allison is currently working on her first book, Mythic Creativity: What Myth Can Teach Us About Our Creative Lives and is passionately interested in the intersection between myth, creativity, innovation, and culture.

Learn more and contact Allison about her coaching and lectures at https://mythicstoriesconsulting.com/

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053868 Sat, 25 Oct 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1809 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology, creativity, Alison Steiger 2 42 full false Finding Gold in the Darkness: the Old Thief and the Plum Seed Finding Gold in the Darkness: the Old Thief and the Plum Seed We generally look for solutions to our problems in what we consider to be our strengths and the light aspects of our character. This is also where we expect to find our gifts. But the story of “The Old Thief and the Plum Seed” shows us the value in bringing forth what is buried, and of finding the gold in the darkness.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> We generally look for solutions to our problems in what we consider to be our strengths and the light aspects of our character. This is also where we expect to find our gifts. But the story of “The Old Thief and the Plum Seed” shows us the value in bringing forth what is buried, and of finding the gold in the darkness.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053827 Sat, 18 Oct 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1814 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Joseph Campbell, Middle Eastern 2 41 full false Dr. Catherine Svehla: Mythic Coyote and his Dance with Synchronicity Dr. Catherine Svehla: Mythic Coyote and his Dance with Synchronicity “Chance and chance alone has a message for us. Everything that occurs out of necessity, everything expected, repeated day in and day out, is mute. Only chance can speak to us. We read its messages much as gypsies read the images made by coffee grounds at the bottom of a cup.” Milan Kundera

The weekend of Sept 12-14th was the first annual Synchronicity: Matter and Psyche Symposium. It was a very rich event, combining perspectives from science, psychology, the arts, and archaeology. I brought Mythic Coyote to the event to help us answer the question: how can we consciously engage with the phenomenon called synchronicity?

Our experience of synchronicity belongs to the mythic dimension of our lives. The mythic dimension is where matter and psyche, visible and invisible, what we typically call inner, and outer- meet, reflect, shape, create, converse. What we call “mythology” is the narrative and artistic form that we have given to our experience of this exchange.

In mythic dimension we might call synchronicity “opportunity,” and we might say that someone who notices, uses, harmonizes with the power of synchronicity has “smart luck.” This leads us to a character  called the Trickster, and here in the Mojave, trickster is Coyote… who the Chemeheuvi’s call “Mythic Coyote.”

In this program I talk about Mythic Coyote and tell the story of Coyote and Buffalo Bull.

 

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]]> “Chance and chance alone has a message for us. Everything that occurs out of necessity, everything expected, repeated day in and day out, is mute. Only chance can speak to us. We read its messages much as gypsies read the images made by coffee grounds at the bottom of a cup.” Milan Kundera

The weekend of Sept 12-14th was the first annual Synchronicity: Matter and Psyche Symposium. It was a very rich event, combining perspectives from science, psychology, the arts, and archaeology. I brought Mythic Coyote to the event to help us answer the question: how can we consciously engage with the phenomenon called synchronicity?

Our experience of synchronicity belongs to the mythic dimension of our lives. The mythic dimension is where matter and psyche, visible and invisible, what we typically call inner, and outer- meet, reflect, shape, create, converse. What we call “mythology” is the narrative and artistic form that we have given to our experience of this exchange.

In mythic dimension we might call synchronicity “opportunity,” and we might say that someone who notices, uses, harmonizes with the power of synchronicity has “smart luck.” This leads us to a character  called the Trickster, and here in the Mojave, trickster is Coyote… who the Chemeheuvi’s call “Mythic Coyote.”

In this program I talk about Mythic Coyote and tell the story of Coyote and Buffalo Bull.

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053841 Sat, 20 Sep 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1810 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Native American, synchronicity, Trickster 2 40 full false Death Makes Life Possible: A conversation with Dr. Marilyn Schlitz Death Makes Life Possible: A conversation with Dr. Marilyn Schlitz “Life and death are important. Don’t suffer them in vain.” Bodhidharma

What is your relationship death? Do you ever think about it or wonder what–if anything—will come next?

The film "Death Makes Life Possible" considers these questions from a wide range of perspectives, bridging culture, science, and healing to show us how engaging with the topic of death and dying in a deep and meaningful way informs the way we live our lives. Although death is our common human ground, people have many different ways of thinking about dying, consciousness, and the prospect of an afterlife.

Dr. Marilyn Schlitz, President Emeritus and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, wrote and co-produced Death Makes Life Possible with Deepak Chopra. In this program Marilyn talks about the film and our evolving cultural conversation about death and dying. 

Marilyn is a leader in the field of consciousness studies. Her research focus is, among other topics, personal and social transformation and mind body medicine. She is currently the Founder and CEO of Worldview Enterprises, serves on the board of Pacifica Graduate Institute, and is also a Senior Scientist at the California Pacific Medical Center, where she focuses on health and healing.

To watch a trailer and learn more about the film, visit www.deathmakeslifepossible.com.

Fore more information about Marilyn and her work, visit www.marilynschlitz.com.

Support the show

]]> “Life and death are important. Don’t suffer them in vain.” Bodhidharma

What is your relationship death? Do you ever think about it or wonder what–if anything—will come next?

The film "Death Makes Life Possible" considers these questions from a wide range of perspectives, bridging culture, science, and healing to show us how engaging with the topic of death and dying in a deep and meaningful way informs the way we live our lives. Although death is our common human ground, people have many different ways of thinking about dying, consciousness, and the prospect of an afterlife.

Dr. Marilyn Schlitz, President Emeritus and a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, wrote and co-produced Death Makes Life Possible with Deepak Chopra. In this program Marilyn talks about the film and our evolving cultural conversation about death and dying. 

Marilyn is a leader in the field of consciousness studies. Her research focus is, among other topics, personal and social transformation and mind body medicine. She is currently the Founder and CEO of Worldview Enterprises, serves on the board of Pacifica Graduate Institute, and is also a Senior Scientist at the California Pacific Medical Center, where she focuses on health and healing.

To watch a trailer and learn more about the film, visit www.deathmakeslifepossible.com.

Fore more information about Marilyn and her work, visit www.marilynschlitz.com.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053840 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1864 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, synchronicity, Dr. Marilyn Schlitz 2 39 full false Listening to the Wisdom of Your Heart with Stephen Linstead Listening to the Wisdom of Your Heart with Stephen Linstead In this program I talk with Stephen Linsteadt, the founder of Scalar Heart Connection®, a simple process that connects you with your heart’s innate knowing. Your heart knows what is happening in your life before your brain. You can literally “follow your heart” to a more positive way of living.

The science of Heart Math has uncovered important connections between the sensory capacity of the heart, positive emotions, and your ability to make good decisions. Stephen has taken these discoveries, along with his understanding of the geometry behind the Quantum Healing Codes, to create the Scalar Heart Connection process. 

The awareness and mathematical structure of this process is profound but it is easy to use and practice for yourself.

Stephen has a doctoral degree in natural health and studied bioresonance in Germany based on the principles of Oriental Medicine. He is the author of three books: Scalar Heart Connection, The Heart of Health: the Principles of Physical Health and Vitality, and Quantum Healing Codes, and lectures extensively on the subject of the mind-body connection. He also conducts workshops in the area of physical health and emotional well-being.

To learn more about Scalar Heart Connection and try the process on-line, visit www.scalarheartconnection.com

Support the show

]]> In this program I talk with Stephen Linsteadt, the founder of Scalar Heart Connection®, a simple process that connects you with your heart’s innate knowing. Your heart knows what is happening in your life before your brain. You can literally “follow your heart” to a more positive way of living.

The science of Heart Math has uncovered important connections between the sensory capacity of the heart, positive emotions, and your ability to make good decisions. Stephen has taken these discoveries, along with his understanding of the geometry behind the Quantum Healing Codes, to create the Scalar Heart Connection process. 

The awareness and mathematical structure of this process is profound but it is easy to use and practice for yourself.

Stephen has a doctoral degree in natural health and studied bioresonance in Germany based on the principles of Oriental Medicine. He is the author of three books: Scalar Heart Connection, The Heart of Health: the Principles of Physical Health and Vitality, and Quantum Healing Codes, and lectures extensively on the subject of the mind-body connection. He also conducts workshops in the area of physical health and emotional well-being.

To learn more about Scalar Heart Connection and try the process on-line, visit www.scalarheartconnection.com

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053849 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1834 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, synchronicity, Stephen Linstead 2 38 full false Toko-pa Turner: Belonging and the Dream Toko-pa Turner: Belonging and the Dream “Belonging spins itself out from the center of the Self in the form of dreams and synchronicity. These living images call the dreamer forward, step by tentative step along their gossamer threads, into an increasingly intimate conversation with our lives and embodiment of our soul’s values until we find ourselves anchored in a meaningful life.” —Toko-pa

Sometimes called a “midwife of the psyche,” Toko-pa has been working with dreams for over 15 years.  Her approach to dream work is influenced by the work of Jung and grounded in the mystical tradition of Sufism in which she was raised.

She will be speaking at the Matter and Psyche Symposium in Joshua Tree.

In 2001, Toko-pa founded the Dream School from which hundreds of students have now graduated. She wrote Awake and Dreaming, a documentary series for Vision TV and has been interviewed by CNN News and BBC Radio. In this program she talks about the dream as a gift from the invisible world, a connection to the inner divine, and a pathway to the unique, instinctual self that belongs in this world.

You can learn more about Toko-pa and her work at www.toko-pa.com 

Support the show

]]> “Belonging spins itself out from the center of the Self in the form of dreams and synchronicity. These living images call the dreamer forward, step by tentative step along their gossamer threads, into an increasingly intimate conversation with our lives and embodiment of our soul’s values until we find ourselves anchored in a meaningful life.” —Toko-pa

Sometimes called a “midwife of the psyche,” Toko-pa has been working with dreams for over 15 years.  Her approach to dream work is influenced by the work of Jung and grounded in the mystical tradition of Sufism in which she was raised.

She will be speaking at the Matter and Psyche Symposium in Joshua Tree.

In 2001, Toko-pa founded the Dream School from which hundreds of students have now graduated. She wrote Awake and Dreaming, a documentary series for Vision TV and has been interviewed by CNN News and BBC Radio. In this program she talks about the dream as a gift from the invisible world, a connection to the inner divine, and a pathway to the unique, instinctual self that belongs in this world.

You can learn more about Toko-pa and her work at www.toko-pa.com 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053855 Sat, 02 Aug 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1820 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, synchronicity, Toko-pa 2 37 full false Life Affirming Mythologies: Blackfoot myth of the Buffalo Dance Life Affirming Mythologies: Blackfoot myth of the Buffalo Dance “Life isn’t meant to be happy. That’s not what it’s about. Ah, the damage that is caused by that attitude. All life is sorrowful. Sorrow is the essence of life. But can you handle it? Are you affirmative enough in your relationship to life to say ‘yea’ no matter what happens?”                                —Joseph Campbell

One of the functions of mythology is to help us establish our relationship to life, to provide the context and meaning for experiences of all sorts. According to Campbell, a life-affirming mythology is one that makes room for both the joy and sorrow in life and treats them both as inevitable.  

In this program I tell a Blackfoot myth about the buffalo that Campbell often used as one example of a life-affirming mythology. It provides a way for people to accept all of it—death and killing and the fact that life feeds on life— and find beauty, sacredness, and connection.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> “Life isn’t meant to be happy. That’s not what it’s about. Ah, the damage that is caused by that attitude. All life is sorrowful. Sorrow is the essence of life. But can you handle it? Are you affirmative enough in your relationship to life to say ‘yea’ no matter what happens?”                                —Joseph Campbell

One of the functions of mythology is to help us establish our relationship to life, to provide the context and meaning for experiences of all sorts. According to Campbell, a life-affirming mythology is one that makes room for both the joy and sorrow in life and treats them both as inevitable.  

In this program I tell a Blackfoot myth about the buffalo that Campbell often used as one example of a life-affirming mythology. It provides a way for people to accept all of it—death and killing and the fact that life feeds on life— and find beauty, sacredness, and connection.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053824 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1784 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Native American, Joseph Campbell 2 36 full false Ensoulment: A Diverse Analysis of the Feminine in Western Culture with filmmaker Loris Simon Salum Ensoulment: A Diverse Analysis of the Feminine in Western Culture with filmmaker Loris Simon Salum Ensoulment is a film is about finding your true self and how to connect to the feminine without losing the masculine. It’s about the challenge facing men and women today, to live a full and satisfying life as a complete (ensouled) human being.

This documentary film weaves an animated journey into the inner life of Loris (created by award winning animator Patrick Smith) with commentary and insights from an impressive list of experts and academics with roots in Jungian psychology—including Dr. James Hollis, whose books are on my shelves. Ensoulment has received a Golden Palm award at the International Film Festival of Mexico and recently won the Grand Jury Prize at the Barcelona International Film Festival.

In this interview, Loris talks about the major themes in the film and a few of the things that she learned along the way. 

For more information about the film and to watch the trailer visit Ensoulment at http://www.ensoulmentfilm.com/

“When there is no judgment present, what is alive in you? What wants to be lived inside of you?”

Support the show

]]> Ensoulment is a film is about finding your true self and how to connect to the feminine without losing the masculine. It’s about the challenge facing men and women today, to live a full and satisfying life as a complete (ensouled) human being.

This documentary film weaves an animated journey into the inner life of Loris (created by award winning animator Patrick Smith) with commentary and insights from an impressive list of experts and academics with roots in Jungian psychology—including Dr. James Hollis, whose books are on my shelves. Ensoulment has received a Golden Palm award at the International Film Festival of Mexico and recently won the Grand Jury Prize at the Barcelona International Film Festival.

In this interview, Loris talks about the major themes in the film and a few of the things that she learned along the way. 

For more information about the film and to watch the trailer visit Ensoulment at http://www.ensoulmentfilm.com/

“When there is no judgment present, what is alive in you? What wants to be lived inside of you?”

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053822 Sat, 12 Jul 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1790 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, synchronicity, Loris Salum 2 35 full false Psyche, Matter, and Meaningful Coincidence: A conversation with Gary Bobroff Psyche, Matter, and Meaningful Coincidence: A conversation with Gary Bobroff “We live in a world “which in some respects is mysterious; things can be experienced which remain inexplicable; not everything which happens can be anticipated. The unexpected and the incredible belong in this world. Only then is life whole. For me the world has from the beginning been infinite and ungraspable.” – C. G. Jung

C. G. Jung developed the term "synchronicity" to describe the common experience of "meaningful coincidence." Studies of synchronicity are unsettling some of the powers that be and raising questions about the integrity of scientific inquiry. 

Gary Bobroff, chief instigator and organizer of the Matter and Psyche: 2014 Synchronicity Symposium in Joshua Tree, CA, talks about synchronicity and the upcoming symposium. He provides a little background for the concept of synchronicity and shares his thoughts about why this could be a game-changing event. 

Gary Bobroff is author of Crop Circles, Jung, and the Reemergence of the Archetypal Feminine. For more information about Gary and his work, visit http://gsbobroff.com/.

 

Support the show

]]> “We live in a world “which in some respects is mysterious; things can be experienced which remain inexplicable; not everything which happens can be anticipated. The unexpected and the incredible belong in this world. Only then is life whole. For me the world has from the beginning been infinite and ungraspable.” – C. G. Jung

C. G. Jung developed the term "synchronicity" to describe the common experience of "meaningful coincidence." Studies of synchronicity are unsettling some of the powers that be and raising questions about the integrity of scientific inquiry. 

Gary Bobroff, chief instigator and organizer of the Matter and Psyche: 2014 Synchronicity Symposium in Joshua Tree, CA, talks about synchronicity and the upcoming symposium. He provides a little background for the concept of synchronicity and shares his thoughts about why this could be a game-changing event. 

Gary Bobroff is author of Crop Circles, Jung, and the Reemergence of the Archetypal Feminine. For more information about Gary and his work, visit http://gsbobroff.com/.

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053832 Sat, 28 Jun 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1848 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, synchronicity, Gary Bobroff 2 34 full false Summer Solstice and Midsummer Visitors Summer Solstice and Midsummer Visitors “I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was.”–Shakespeare “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year---and it marks the beginning of our return to the lingering darkness. Many people across time and cultures believed that the invisible world behind our familiar material plane was particularly accessible at this time. This meant that you could communicate with your ancestors and other members of the spirit world, as well as elves and fairies.

This idea is often pooh-poohed these days, as a relic of a less sophisticated time. But is it ridiculous to believe in fairies? Or are we taught to ignore or discount experiences that are rare and/or difficult to describe?

In this program I explore this question a bit, aided by a scholarly work on the topic, The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W. Y. Evans-Wentz. I also tell the story, “The Fairies of Merlin Craig” and a few anecdotes about folks who befriend fairies. These and other Scottish folk tales can be found at www. compassrose.org. 

Support the show

]]> “I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was.”–Shakespeare “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year---and it marks the beginning of our return to the lingering darkness. Many people across time and cultures believed that the invisible world behind our familiar material plane was particularly accessible at this time. This meant that you could communicate with your ancestors and other members of the spirit world, as well as elves and fairies.

This idea is often pooh-poohed these days, as a relic of a less sophisticated time. But is it ridiculous to believe in fairies? Or are we taught to ignore or discount experiences that are rare and/or difficult to describe?

In this program I explore this question a bit, aided by a scholarly work on the topic, The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W. Y. Evans-Wentz. I also tell the story, “The Fairies of Merlin Craig” and a few anecdotes about folks who befriend fairies. These and other Scottish folk tales can be found at www. compassrose.org. 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053850 Sat, 21 Jun 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1784 2 33 full false Siddhartha’s “fairy tale” Quest for Enlightenment Siddhartha’s “fairy tale” Quest for Enlightenment All of us are looking for something at some point in our lives. You might be searching for love, truth, wholeness, or self-realization. Myths and fairytales can teach us a lot about the quest and they follow a similar pattern. Even the story of how Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha. 

In this program, I tell the story of how Siddhartha became enlightened and draw a few parallels between his journey and fairytales like “Valemon the White Bear King.” 

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> All of us are looking for something at some point in our lives. You might be searching for love, truth, wholeness, or self-realization. Myths and fairytales can teach us a lot about the quest and they follow a similar pattern. Even the story of how Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha. 

In this program, I tell the story of how Siddhartha became enlightened and draw a few parallels between his journey and fairytales like “Valemon the White Bear King.” 

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053846 Sat, 14 Jun 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1766 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 2 32 full false Valemon the White Bear King (Part 2 of 2) Valemon the White Bear King (Part 2 of 2) This program includes Part 2 (that’s the ending) of the Norwegian fairy tale “Valemon the White Bear King.” Here is the central question: Where do you enter this story? The details that grab your attention provide the clue.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> This program includes Part 2 (that’s the ending) of the Norwegian fairy tale “Valemon the White Bear King.” Here is the central question: Where do you enter this story? The details that grab your attention provide the clue.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053859 Sat, 07 Jun 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1764 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 2 31 full false Valemon the White Bear King (Part 1 of 2) Valemon the White Bear King (Part 1 of 2) A Norwegian fairy tale similar to “The Maiden King” and to “Psyche and Eros,” in the archetypal nature of the metaphors and narrative structure. Much may be revealed when you listen to an old story like “Valemon the White Bear King”  and allow yourself to be drawn in.

I particularly love this story for the image of the white bear, and the reversal of gender roles…. but don’t let me give too much away. 

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> A Norwegian fairy tale similar to “The Maiden King” and to “Psyche and Eros,” in the archetypal nature of the metaphors and narrative structure. Much may be revealed when you listen to an old story like “Valemon the White Bear King”  and allow yourself to be drawn in.

I particularly love this story for the image of the white bear, and the reversal of gender roles…. but don’t let me give too much away. 

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053858 Sat, 31 May 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1807 2 30 full false Goddesses: Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Joseph Campbell with Dr. Safron Rossi Goddesses: Mysteries of the Divine Feminine and Joseph Campbell with Dr. Safron Rossi In The Hero With a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell shared one his best known and most widely used ideas— the mythic pattern of the Hero’s Journey—, which has led some of us to ask about the Heroine and to wonder about Campbell’s views of the feminine.

We received one answer to this question, in the form of recently published book titled Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine, edited by Dr. Safron Rossi. This book is part of the ongoing work of the Joseph Campbell Foundation to organize and publish Campbell’s scholarship on a wide range of mythological topics.

I had the good fortune and privilege of talking with Dr. Rossi about Campbell’s view of the divine feminine and the possible significance of this book for our time. She also shares her insight into Campbell and the transformational energy of the divine feminine.

Support the show

]]> In The Hero With a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell shared one his best known and most widely used ideas— the mythic pattern of the Hero’s Journey—, which has led some of us to ask about the Heroine and to wonder about Campbell’s views of the feminine.

We received one answer to this question, in the form of recently published book titled Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine, edited by Dr. Safron Rossi. This book is part of the ongoing work of the Joseph Campbell Foundation to organize and publish Campbell’s scholarship on a wide range of mythological topics.

I had the good fortune and privilege of talking with Dr. Rossi about Campbell’s view of the divine feminine and the possible significance of this book for our time. She also shares her insight into Campbell and the transformational energy of the divine feminine.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053825 Sat, 17 May 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1800 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Joseph Campbell, Dr. Safron Rossi 2 29 full false Quests, tests, and the Baba Yaga: The Maiden King Quests, tests, and the Baba Yaga: The Maiden King "The Maiden King" is another classic Russian fairy tale that features the Baba Yaga, only this time the hero is a young man named Ivan who is assisted in his quest by the Baba and the magical Firebird.

The Baba Yaga is a dangerous crone who has no patience for the naive and stupid. She is a guardian of the mysteries of life and death and maybe a face of the Great Mother Goddess herself--- and all of us must meet her and pass her tests to become mature human beings.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> "The Maiden King" is another classic Russian fairy tale that features the Baba Yaga, only this time the hero is a young man named Ivan who is assisted in his quest by the Baba and the magical Firebird.

The Baba Yaga is a dangerous crone who has no patience for the naive and stupid. She is a guardian of the mysteries of life and death and maybe a face of the Great Mother Goddess herself--- and all of us must meet her and pass her tests to become mature human beings.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053853 Sat, 10 May 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1848 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 2 28 full false Vasilisa the Beautiful and the Symbolic Life Vasilisa the Beautiful and the Symbolic Life In the Russian fairy tale “Vasilisa the Wise,” a dying mother gives her little daughter a doll and tells the girl to turn to it for help and comfort. The doll’s guidance turns out to be essential, which raises the question: what is the doll?

When C.G. Jung was a boy, he carved a little manikin out of wood, dressed it in a wool coat, and kept it in his pencil case. He developed a set of rituals around the doll and the thought of it comforted him. The manikin personified his secret connection to psyche and the life-force. Jung describes his experience in Memories, Dreams, Reflections. “No one could discover my secret and destroy it,” he writes. “I felt safe, and the tormenting sense of being at odds with myself was gone.”

Jung’s experience and the tale of Vasilisa speak to the importance of the symbolic life, an imaginative connection to psyche that enables us to move forward in life. Maybe this story will motivate you to experiment with a “doll” of your own.

Support the show

]]> In the Russian fairy tale “Vasilisa the Wise,” a dying mother gives her little daughter a doll and tells the girl to turn to it for help and comfort. The doll’s guidance turns out to be essential, which raises the question: what is the doll?

When C.G. Jung was a boy, he carved a little manikin out of wood, dressed it in a wool coat, and kept it in his pencil case. He developed a set of rituals around the doll and the thought of it comforted him. The manikin personified his secret connection to psyche and the life-force. Jung describes his experience in Memories, Dreams, Reflections. “No one could discover my secret and destroy it,” he writes. “I felt safe, and the tormenting sense of being at odds with myself was gone.”

Jung’s experience and the tale of Vasilisa speak to the importance of the symbolic life, an imaginative connection to psyche that enables us to move forward in life. Maybe this story will motivate you to experiment with a “doll” of your own.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053860 Sat, 03 May 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1780 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 2 27 full false Poetry Is A Form of Revolution Poetry Is A Form of Revolution Poetry is the language of our time. It is a verbal excavation, digging us into and under that which is inarticulate, that which cannot be said but can be felt, that which cannot be stated but can be conjured. Poetry is a form of revolution. It arranges our thinking, our perception, our dialogue. It takes us out of the literal so that we can see what is real.”     Eve Ensler

How do you open your heart, feed your soul, and challenge your mind in a matter of minutes? What can break up the concrete of our habitual perception and turn our trusty assumptions on their head?

A poem.

In this program we explore the relationship between the poetic form, language, and truth, and celebrate the power of poetry to subvert conventional assumptions and dogmas. I read some of the poems that are moving me right now, including:

Poetry by Pablo Neruda

King of the River by Stanley Kunitz

Split the Sack by Rumi (trans by Coleman Barks)

Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye

Annunciation by Marie Howe

Against Certainty by Jane Hirshfield

Meditation at Lagunitas by Robert Haas

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]]> Poetry is the language of our time. It is a verbal excavation, digging us into and under that which is inarticulate, that which cannot be said but can be felt, that which cannot be stated but can be conjured. Poetry is a form of revolution. It arranges our thinking, our perception, our dialogue. It takes us out of the literal so that we can see what is real.”     Eve Ensler

How do you open your heart, feed your soul, and challenge your mind in a matter of minutes? What can break up the concrete of our habitual perception and turn our trusty assumptions on their head?

A poem.

In this program we explore the relationship between the poetic form, language, and truth, and celebrate the power of poetry to subvert conventional assumptions and dogmas. I read some of the poems that are moving me right now, including:

Poetry by Pablo Neruda

King of the River by Stanley Kunitz

Split the Sack by Rumi (trans by Coleman Barks)

Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye

Annunciation by Marie Howe

Against Certainty by Jane Hirshfield

Meditation at Lagunitas by Robert Haas

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053844 Sat, 26 Apr 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1778 mythology, myth, storytelling, poetry, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 2 26 full false Metaphor, Myth, and Poetry with poet Phillip Rosenberg Metaphor, Myth, and Poetry with poet Phillip Rosenberg “Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has well been said that mythology is the penultimate truth— penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words. It is beyond words.” Joseph Campbell

Mythology and poetry are both attempts to express experiences that can’t be conveyed in any other way. They have the power to to stir our imagination and even open a door to the transcendent.

In episode #21, I talked with Joshua Tree-based poet and songwriter Phillip Rosenberg about how to read a poem. In this episode we round out that conversation by considering the similarities and differences between these two forms, and some reasons why early myths were so often created as poems.

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]]> “Mythology is not a lie, mythology is poetry, it is metaphorical. It has well been said that mythology is the penultimate truth— penultimate because the ultimate cannot be put into words. It is beyond words.” Joseph Campbell

Mythology and poetry are both attempts to express experiences that can’t be conveyed in any other way. They have the power to to stir our imagination and even open a door to the transcendent.

In episode #21, I talked with Joshua Tree-based poet and songwriter Phillip Rosenberg about how to read a poem. In this episode we round out that conversation by considering the similarities and differences between these two forms, and some reasons why early myths were so often created as poems.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1056803 Sat, 12 Apr 2014 14:00:00 -0700 1855 mythology, myth, storytelling, poetry, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Phillip Rosenberg 2 25 full false Who the #@! was Medusa? (Part 2 of 2) Who the #@! was Medusa? (Part 2 of 2) Medusa is a big topic and a figure that is as hard to pin down as her wriggling hair. In this program we take a longer look at some of Medusa’s mythological compatriots (the Hindu goddess Kali, the Sumerian demon Humbaba) and think about our ongoing fascination with this dangerous feminine power.

We are fascinated and we are afraid— with good reason. Facing this awful, awesome presence is the challenge.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!


Support the show

]]> Medusa is a big topic and a figure that is as hard to pin down as her wriggling hair. In this program we take a longer look at some of Medusa’s mythological compatriots (the Hindu goddess Kali, the Sumerian demon Humbaba) and think about our ongoing fascination with this dangerous feminine power.

We are fascinated and we are afraid— with good reason. Facing this awful, awesome presence is the challenge.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!


Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053864 Sat, 15 Mar 2014 12:00:00 -0700 1709 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 2 24 full false Who the #@! was Medusa? (Part 1 of 2) Who the #@! was Medusa? (Part 1 of 2) Medusa is a fascinating and powerful figure from ancient Greek mythology. Her snakey hair and petrifying gaze have inspired countless images and stories over the centuries but we have yet to pierce her mystery. 

Who was Medusa, and who is she today? Where is Medusa in our 21st century collective psyche?

In this program I tell Medusa’s story from the perspective of the ancient Greeks. You may be surprised by some of the details.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Medusa is a fascinating and powerful figure from ancient Greek mythology. Her snakey hair and petrifying gaze have inspired countless images and stories over the centuries but we have yet to pierce her mystery. 

Who was Medusa, and who is she today? Where is Medusa in our 21st century collective psyche?

In this program I tell Medusa’s story from the perspective of the ancient Greeks. You may be surprised by some of the details.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053863 Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:00:00 -0800 1802 2 23 full false Transformed by Love: The Frog Prince (a Musical) Transformed by Love: The Frog Prince (a Musical) We know that love transforms us. But is it always through a kiss? That’s the popular version of this story but it’s not the original. 

This week’s program is a fairy tale called “The Frog Prince,” a story that is frequently doctored to match our love illusions. Here is my musical version of the original, taken from the Brothers Grimm, the result of collaboration with songwriter Phillip Rosenberg. This is a story that Joseph Campbell often told and his work spurred my interest in it

 “It is also good to love: because love is difficult. For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation.” 

—Ranier Marie Rilke from Letters to a Young Poet

 MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> We know that love transforms us. But is it always through a kiss? That’s the popular version of this story but it’s not the original. 

This week’s program is a fairy tale called “The Frog Prince,” a story that is frequently doctored to match our love illusions. Here is my musical version of the original, taken from the Brothers Grimm, the result of collaboration with songwriter Phillip Rosenberg. This is a story that Joseph Campbell often told and his work spurred my interest in it

 “It is also good to love: because love is difficult. For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation.” 

—Ranier Marie Rilke from Letters to a Young Poet

 MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053831 Sat, 22 Feb 2014 12:00:00 -0800 1842 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Brothers Grimm, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, 2 22 full false How to Read a Poem with Phillip Rosenberg How to Read a Poem with Phillip Rosenberg “. . . a metaphor is a myth in brief.” Giambattista Vico

Many of the ancient myth are poems, Homer’s Odyssey and the Norse Poetic Edda, for example, and the Sumerian myths of Inanna, Dumuzi, and Gilgamesh. These old stories were also songs or hymns. Today we typically tell stories in prose but the link between mythology and poetry is still vital and relevant. That link is metaphor.

Metaphors reach beyond what is known, into the mystery. We can learn to use and understand metaphor by studying poetry. Joseph Campbell said that studying poetry was one way that we can experience the transcendent. I’ve certainly found this to be true. 

In this conversation with Joshua Tree poet and songwriter Phillip Rosenberg, we’ll talk about how to read a poem, and open the door to new truths and forms of experience.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> “. . . a metaphor is a myth in brief.” Giambattista Vico

Many of the ancient myth are poems, Homer’s Odyssey and the Norse Poetic Edda, for example, and the Sumerian myths of Inanna, Dumuzi, and Gilgamesh. These old stories were also songs or hymns. Today we typically tell stories in prose but the link between mythology and poetry is still vital and relevant. That link is metaphor.

Metaphors reach beyond what is known, into the mystery. We can learn to use and understand metaphor by studying poetry. Joseph Campbell said that studying poetry was one way that we can experience the transcendent. I’ve certainly found this to be true. 

In this conversation with Joshua Tree poet and songwriter Phillip Rosenberg, we’ll talk about how to read a poem, and open the door to new truths and forms of experience.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1053836 Sat, 25 Jan 2014 12:00:00 -0800 1835 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, poetry, Phillip Rosenberg 2 21 full false Janus, January 1st, and the "New" Year Janus, January 1st, and the "New" Year This jam-packed mythological season has led us through an exploration of elves, Odin, Light, generosity, and little matchgirls. In this program we consider the New Year holiday, time, calendars, the two-faced god Janus, and one other “wrinkle.”

I hope you enjoy this blend of ancient and contemporary reflections on the nature of time– and Happy New Year!

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> This jam-packed mythological season has led us through an exploration of elves, Odin, Light, generosity, and little matchgirls. In this program we consider the New Year holiday, time, calendars, the two-faced god Janus, and one other “wrinkle.”

I hope you enjoy this blend of ancient and contemporary reflections on the nature of time– and Happy New Year!

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045732 Sat, 28 Dec 2013 15:00:00 -0800 1817 mythology, myth, storytelling, Catherine Svehla, Greek and Roman mythology 1 20 full false "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen "The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen The Solstice is the most celebrated day of the year. The annual descent into long, dark nights comes to an end, offering the opportunity for renewal, rebirth, and redemption. These themes are present in this week’s story,  “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen. 

I also read “Twas the Night before Christmas”— because we’re almost there! And if you listen carefully, you’ll hear traces of Odin and The Wild Host in this poem. Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas to you.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> The Solstice is the most celebrated day of the year. The annual descent into long, dark nights comes to an end, offering the opportunity for renewal, rebirth, and redemption. These themes are present in this week’s story,  “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen. 

I also read “Twas the Night before Christmas”— because we’re almost there! And if you listen carefully, you’ll hear traces of Odin and The Wild Host in this poem. Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas to you.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045731 Sat, 21 Dec 2013 15:00:00 -0800 1738 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Catherine Svehla, Hans Christian Andersen 1 19 full false Three Bags of Gold, an Eight-Legged Horse, & Magic Mushrooms Three Bags of Gold, an Eight-Legged Horse, & Magic Mushrooms What’s the mythological link between these three things? Santa Claus. 

In this program I talk about some possible predecessors to the jolly guy we know and tell a couple of stories from Norse mythology. That’s where the eight-legged horse comes in.

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]]> What’s the mythological link between these three things? Santa Claus. 

In this program I talk about some possible predecessors to the jolly guy we know and tell a couple of stories from Norse mythology. That’s where the eight-legged horse comes in.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045729 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 15:00:00 -0800 1876 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Norse mythology 1 18 full false The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen (Part 2 of 2) The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen (Part 2 of 2) The conclusion of Andersen’s fairy tale about a learned man and his independent shadow.

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]]> The conclusion of Andersen’s fairy tale about a learned man and his independent shadow.

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045724 Sat, 26 Oct 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1858 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tale, Catherine Svehla, Hans Christian Andersen 1 17 full false The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen (Part 1 of 2) The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen (Part 1 of 2) Andersen lived a kind of fairy tale life, the sort that starts off with the precocious son of a poor shoemaker and ends with a widely esteemed (albeit neurotic) writer of tales to entertain children and princes. In his stories, Andersen reworked older tales and themes from folk traditions and wove in autobiographical threads and personal concerns. 

The result is both familiar and idiosyncratic.

Andersen wrote this story about a learned man and his independent shadow for an adult audience. It doesn’t include any fairies, thinking toys, magical cloth, or other fantasy beings but there is plenty of mystery and Andersen’s signature humor. I really like the eerie, interior quality of this story.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!


Support the show

]]> Andersen lived a kind of fairy tale life, the sort that starts off with the precocious son of a poor shoemaker and ends with a widely esteemed (albeit neurotic) writer of tales to entertain children and princes. In his stories, Andersen reworked older tales and themes from folk traditions and wove in autobiographical threads and personal concerns. 

The result is both familiar and idiosyncratic.

Andersen wrote this story about a learned man and his independent shadow for an adult audience. It doesn’t include any fairies, thinking toys, magical cloth, or other fantasy beings but there is plenty of mystery and Andersen’s signature humor. I really like the eerie, interior quality of this story.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!


Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045710 Sat, 19 Oct 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1813 mythology, myth, storytelling, fairy tales, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Hans Christian Andersen 1 16 full false The Crescent Moon Bear The Crescent Moon Bear The 50th anniversary of the March on Washington this past week brings to mind the power of collective action to bring about positive change. I’m especially inspired by the ability of those activists to transform their sorrow, outrage, and anger into a potent, peaceful, and unstoppable force. 

This is a skill we can all use today, and I’ve got a fairy tale that provides some insight and ideas about how this can be accomplished.

A young woman tries to reconnect with her husband when he returns from war in this Japanese story called "The Crescent Moon Bear." The ending may surprise you.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> The 50th anniversary of the March on Washington this past week brings to mind the power of collective action to bring about positive change. I’m especially inspired by the ability of those activists to transform their sorrow, outrage, and anger into a potent, peaceful, and unstoppable force. 

This is a skill we can all use today, and I’ve got a fairy tale that provides some insight and ideas about how this can be accomplished.

A young woman tries to reconnect with her husband when he returns from war in this Japanese story called "The Crescent Moon Bear." The ending may surprise you.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045720 Sat, 07 Sep 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1783 mythology, myth, storytelling, Catherine Svehla, Japanese, folk tale 1 15 full false Stephen Gerringer: Myth, Landscape & Salmon Boy (Part 2 of 2) Stephen Gerringer: Myth, Landscape & Salmon Boy (Part 2 of 2) In Part 2 of this two-part series, Stephen Gerringer of the Joseph Campbell Foundation shares his thoughts about mythology, landscape, Native American stories, science, and his mythic connection to Modesto. He also reflects on the connection between poetry and mythology, the song of the universe, and the source of a new myth.

If you aren’t familiar with the important work of the JCF, please visit the Joseph Campbell Foundation website and take a look around.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> In Part 2 of this two-part series, Stephen Gerringer of the Joseph Campbell Foundation shares his thoughts about mythology, landscape, Native American stories, science, and his mythic connection to Modesto. He also reflects on the connection between poetry and mythology, the song of the universe, and the source of a new myth.

If you aren’t familiar with the important work of the JCF, please visit the Joseph Campbell Foundation website and take a look around.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045716 Sat, 24 Aug 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1846 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Native American, Joseph Campbell 1 14 full false Stephen Gerringer: Myth, Landscape & Salmon Boy (Part 1 of 2) Stephen Gerringer: Myth, Landscape & Salmon Boy (Part 1 of 2) Stephen Gerringer is one of the principle players (and I do mean play) at the Joseph Campbell Foundation, where he is captain of community outreach. He is also a fellow storyteller. 

In this two-part series, Stephen tells the Haida myth of Salmon Boy and shares his thoughts about mythology, landscape, Native American stories, science, and his mythic connection to Modesto. He also reflects on the connection between poetry and mythology, the song of the universe, and the source of a new myth.

This is marvelous stuff from a thoughtful myth-maker. 

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> Stephen Gerringer is one of the principle players (and I do mean play) at the Joseph Campbell Foundation, where he is captain of community outreach. He is also a fellow storyteller. 

In this two-part series, Stephen tells the Haida myth of Salmon Boy and shares his thoughts about mythology, landscape, Native American stories, science, and his mythic connection to Modesto. He also reflects on the connection between poetry and mythology, the song of the universe, and the source of a new myth.

This is marvelous stuff from a thoughtful myth-maker. 

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

 

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045711 Sat, 17 Aug 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1830 mythology, myth, storytelling, Catherine Svehla, Native American, Joseph Campbell 1 13 full false Grandmother Spider: A Creation Story Grandmother Spider: A Creation Story Grandmother Spider is a central figure in the Hopi creation myths. Each of us has a creation myth. Whether we find our myth in religion, mythology, or science, we all adopt a story, a narrative that explains how this world came into being and makes sense to us personally. 

Our creation myths are very important because they influence our ideas about the meaning and significance of life, and how we should behave while we’re here. Whether or not the creator is masculine or feminine, or a male-female pair, continues to be an important mythological question with far-reaching cultural implications.

In this episode of Myth in the Mojave, I tell my version of the Hopi creation myth of Grandmother Spider. I also share an Apache creation story about a man and a dog that always makes me smile.

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]]> Grandmother Spider is a central figure in the Hopi creation myths. Each of us has a creation myth. Whether we find our myth in religion, mythology, or science, we all adopt a story, a narrative that explains how this world came into being and makes sense to us personally. 

Our creation myths are very important because they influence our ideas about the meaning and significance of life, and how we should behave while we’re here. Whether or not the creator is masculine or feminine, or a male-female pair, continues to be an important mythological question with far-reaching cultural implications.

In this episode of Myth in the Mojave, I tell my version of the Hopi creation myth of Grandmother Spider. I also share an Apache creation story about a man and a dog that always makes me smile.

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045706 Sat, 13 Jul 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1826 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Native American 1 12 full false The King & the Corpse (Part 2 of 2) The King & the Corpse (Part 2 of 2) The conclusion of this Persian tale from a collection by Heinrich Zimmer (edited by Joseph Campbell), called The King and the Corpse: Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil.

 

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]]> The conclusion of this Persian tale from a collection by Heinrich Zimmer (edited by Joseph Campbell), called The King and the Corpse: Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil.

 

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]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045703 Sat, 06 Jul 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1783 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Joseph Campbell, Middle Eastern 1 11 full false The King & the Corpse (Part 1 of 2) The King & the Corpse (Part 1 of 2) Like Abu Kasem’s Slippers, this is another great Persian tale from a collection by Heinrich Zimmer (edited by Joseph Campbell), called The King and the Corpse: Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil. “Soul’s conquest of evil?” you ask.

Part of maturing and evolving our consciousness is continually challenging our cherished self-image. It’s rather hard to do this, I mean, I’m mostly perfect, aren’t you? But luckily for us, life often conspires to bring us the lessons we need and offers up treasures in the most banal wrappings. Sometimes they come in the form of a good story.

One of my favorite things about this story is the riddling tales that it contains. Riddles have long been a tool wielded by mysterious creatures and spirits (the sphinx for example) to test the mettle of would-be heroes.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Like Abu Kasem’s Slippers, this is another great Persian tale from a collection by Heinrich Zimmer (edited by Joseph Campbell), called The King and the Corpse: Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil. “Soul’s conquest of evil?” you ask.

Part of maturing and evolving our consciousness is continually challenging our cherished self-image. It’s rather hard to do this, I mean, I’m mostly perfect, aren’t you? But luckily for us, life often conspires to bring us the lessons we need and offers up treasures in the most banal wrappings. Sometimes they come in the form of a good story.

One of my favorite things about this story is the riddling tales that it contains. Riddles have long been a tool wielded by mysterious creatures and spirits (the sphinx for example) to test the mettle of would-be heroes.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045700 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1778 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Joseph Campbell, Middle Eastern 1 10 full false Shadow and Light Go Together: Abu Kasem's Slippers Shadow and Light Go Together: Abu Kasem's Slippers I found this Persian tale in a collection by Heinrich Zimmer (edited by Joseph Campbell), called The King and The Corpse: Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil.

I know “Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil” has a rather ominous sound but this is a humorous story about a miserly merchant a troublesome pair of shoes, and much more. This tale gives you a lot to ponder if you like to approach story images from a Jungian perspective.

I don’t want to give anything away so will leave you with this quote:  “Always you will find that within you the shadow and the light go together… It is up to you to know how to utilize the one to realize the other.” -Sri Aurobindo

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]]> I found this Persian tale in a collection by Heinrich Zimmer (edited by Joseph Campbell), called The King and The Corpse: Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil.

I know “Tales of the Soul’s Conquest of Evil” has a rather ominous sound but this is a humorous story about a miserly merchant a troublesome pair of shoes, and much more. This tale gives you a lot to ponder if you like to approach story images from a Jungian perspective.

I don’t want to give anything away so will leave you with this quote:  “Always you will find that within you the shadow and the light go together… It is up to you to know how to utilize the one to realize the other.” -Sri Aurobindo

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045698 Sat, 22 Jun 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1847 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Joseph Campbell, Middle Eastern 1 9 full false Understanding the Story of Psyche & Eros (Part 3 of 3) Understanding the Story of Psyche & Eros (Part 3 of 3) “We live between the act of awakening and the act of surrender.” John O’Donohue

Half myth, half fairy tale, this story was first told by Apuleius in the 2nd century but it stills speaks to the mysteries of love and the challenge of finding your Self in relationship with an Other. Are we talking about men and women? Sure. Are we talking about the inner masculine and feminine? Right again. There are many levels and angles to contemplate in this story, and many faces of the Other, divine and otherwise. 

In parts 1 and 2 I tell the story. In part 3 we walk back through the myth and talk about the psychological implications of the story. Along the way I’ll offer one interpretation of the metaphors and symbols in this tale of love found, lost, and found again.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> “We live between the act of awakening and the act of surrender.” John O’Donohue

Half myth, half fairy tale, this story was first told by Apuleius in the 2nd century but it stills speaks to the mysteries of love and the challenge of finding your Self in relationship with an Other. Are we talking about men and women? Sure. Are we talking about the inner masculine and feminine? Right again. There are many levels and angles to contemplate in this story, and many faces of the Other, divine and otherwise. 

In parts 1 and 2 I tell the story. In part 3 we walk back through the myth and talk about the psychological implications of the story. Along the way I’ll offer one interpretation of the metaphors and symbols in this tale of love found, lost, and found again.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045690 Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1741 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 1 8 full false Sorting Seeds & Other Impossible Tasks: Psyche and Eros (Part 2 of 3) Sorting Seeds & Other Impossible Tasks: Psyche and Eros (Part 2 of 3) Half myth, half fairy tale, this story was first told by Apuleius in the 2nd century but it stills speaks to the mysteries of love and the challenge of finding your Self in relationship with an Other. Are we talking about men and women? Sure. Are we talking about the inner masculine and feminine? Right again. There are many levels and angles to contemplate in this story, and many faces of the Other, divine and otherwise.

In parts 1 and 2 I tell the story. In part 3 we walk back through the myth and talk about the psychological implications of the story. Along the way I’ll offer one interpretation of the metaphors and symbols in this tale of love found, lost, and found again.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Half myth, half fairy tale, this story was first told by Apuleius in the 2nd century but it stills speaks to the mysteries of love and the challenge of finding your Self in relationship with an Other. Are we talking about men and women? Sure. Are we talking about the inner masculine and feminine? Right again. There are many levels and angles to contemplate in this story, and many faces of the Other, divine and otherwise.

In parts 1 and 2 I tell the story. In part 3 we walk back through the myth and talk about the psychological implications of the story. Along the way I’ll offer one interpretation of the metaphors and symbols in this tale of love found, lost, and found again.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045685 Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1882 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 1 7 full false Psyche & Eros: Is Love Blind (Part 1 of 3) Psyche & Eros: Is Love Blind (Part 1 of 3) Half myth, half fairy tale, this story was first told by Apuleius in the 2nd century but it stills speaks to the mysteries of love and the challenge of finding your Self in relationship with an Other. Are we talking about men and women? Sure. Are we talking about the inner masculine and feminine? Right again. There are many levels and angles to contemplate in this story, and many faces of the Other, divine and otherwise.

In parts 1 and 2 I tell the story. In part 3 we walk back through the myth and talk about the psychological implications of the story. Along the way I’ll offer one interpretation of the metaphors and symbols in this tale of love found, lost, and found again.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Half myth, half fairy tale, this story was first told by Apuleius in the 2nd century but it stills speaks to the mysteries of love and the challenge of finding your Self in relationship with an Other. Are we talking about men and women? Sure. Are we talking about the inner masculine and feminine? Right again. There are many levels and angles to contemplate in this story, and many faces of the Other, divine and otherwise.

In parts 1 and 2 I tell the story. In part 3 we walk back through the myth and talk about the psychological implications of the story. Along the way I’ll offer one interpretation of the metaphors and symbols in this tale of love found, lost, and found again.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045682 Sat, 01 Jun 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1718 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Greek mythology 1 6 full false She Who Rides With the Wind: Myth, Music, and Oya She Who Rides With the Wind: Myth, Music, and Oya It’s been a somewhat stormy week in the Mojave with lots of dramatic afternoon clouds, rogue winds, high humidity, and a few drops of rain. This monsoon season is a good time to make a bow in the direction of Oya, the Yoruban goddess of wind and storms. 

In this program I tell a story about Oya and Shango. I also talk about the dynamics between masculine and feminine energies in music. This show features a couple short examples of the drumming used to honor and call the goddess Oya.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> It’s been a somewhat stormy week in the Mojave with lots of dramatic afternoon clouds, rogue winds, high humidity, and a few drops of rain. This monsoon season is a good time to make a bow in the direction of Oya, the Yoruban goddess of wind and storms. 

In this program I tell a story about Oya and Shango. I also talk about the dynamics between masculine and feminine energies in music. This show features a couple short examples of the drumming used to honor and call the goddess Oya.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045667 Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1959 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Goddess, Yoruban 1 5 full false Prometheus and the Gift of Fire (Part of 2) Prometheus and the Gift of Fire (Part of 2) You know the saying, “To the victor goes the spoils.” Well gold and jewels, land, slaves, and beautiful women are fine and good but what is even more valuable is the stories. Whose version of history gets told? Whose culture survives? This is one thread running through this episode.

Part Two contains the conclusion of Prometheus’s story. I also tell a story about Anansi, a West African Trickster spider who brings stories of all types to earth.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> You know the saying, “To the victor goes the spoils.” Well gold and jewels, land, slaves, and beautiful women are fine and good but what is even more valuable is the stories. Whose version of history gets told? Whose culture survives? This is one thread running through this episode.

Part Two contains the conclusion of Prometheus’s story. I also tell a story about Anansi, a West African Trickster spider who brings stories of all types to earth.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045660 Sat, 11 May 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1855 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 1 4 full false Prometheus and the Gift of Fire (Part 1 of 2) Prometheus and the Gift of Fire (Part 1 of 2) In this episode we turn to the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus to continue our exploration of the archetypal Trickster. Prometheus is a trickster-like Titan who angered Zeus by giving fire to human beings. The connection between his mythological legacy and our impulse to innovate, create new technologies, and constantly, creatively fiddle with the world is contained in the term “promethean.”

Tricksters aren’t afraid to break the rules or mess with the big gods. But tricky as he is, Prometheus is not quite a Trickster with a capital “T.” He suffers for his love of mankind.

This is Part One of a two-part series. In this program I tell the story of Prometheus and the theft of fire. I’ll also explain this distinction between “Trickster” and “trickster-like.”

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> In this episode we turn to the ancient Greek myth of Prometheus to continue our exploration of the archetypal Trickster. Prometheus is a trickster-like Titan who angered Zeus by giving fire to human beings. The connection between his mythological legacy and our impulse to innovate, create new technologies, and constantly, creatively fiddle with the world is contained in the term “promethean.”

Tricksters aren’t afraid to break the rules or mess with the big gods. But tricky as he is, Prometheus is not quite a Trickster with a capital “T.” He suffers for his love of mankind.

This is Part One of a two-part series. In this program I tell the story of Prometheus and the theft of fire. I’ll also explain this distinction between “Trickster” and “trickster-like.”

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045654 Sat, 04 May 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1780 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 1 3 full false Lessons from a Trickster: Eshu's Cap Lessons from a Trickster: Eshu's Cap The archetypal Trickster is a fascinating figure in many mythologies. He is the embodiment of change, paradox, and the tensions in life that keep us moving, growing, vital. Tricksters occupy the middle ground between black and white, and they are divine messengers who move between heaven, earth, and hell (however those realms are imagined).

In this program I tell a couple of stories about Eshu, a Trickster from West Africa. This is a Trickster who knows how to lend you a hand or really mess you up, and the lesson that is conveyed in this story is an important one. You might recognize this motif as it’s popular in African mythologies.

Eshu also appears under different names, Papa Legba, for example, in diasporan traditions like Vodoun and Santeria.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> The archetypal Trickster is a fascinating figure in many mythologies. He is the embodiment of change, paradox, and the tensions in life that keep us moving, growing, vital. Tricksters occupy the middle ground between black and white, and they are divine messengers who move between heaven, earth, and hell (however those realms are imagined).

In this program I tell a couple of stories about Eshu, a Trickster from West Africa. This is a Trickster who knows how to lend you a hand or really mess you up, and the lesson that is conveyed in this story is an important one. You might recognize this motif as it’s popular in African mythologies.

Eshu also appears under different names, Papa Legba, for example, in diasporan traditions like Vodoun and Santeria.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045646 Sat, 27 Apr 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1659 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 1 2 full false Coyote Keeps His Name and The Eye Juggler Coyote Keeps His Name and The Eye Juggler This episode includes two stories about one of my favorite mythological characters—the trickster known as Old Man Coyote. Trickster figures are very common in mythologies all over the world because we couldn’t have this lively, ever-evolving, ever changing, perfectly imperfect world that we live in, without him.  This first story is “Coyote Keeps His Name,” based on a version told by the Okanagon people of the Pacific Northwest, adapted from Barry Lopez collection titled “Giving Birth to Thunder.”

The second story is “The Eye Juggler.” I first came across this story in a book titled “Trickster Makes the World” by Lewis Hyde and is attributed to the Jicarilla Apache of northern New Mexico.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> This episode includes two stories about one of my favorite mythological characters—the trickster known as Old Man Coyote. Trickster figures are very common in mythologies all over the world because we couldn’t have this lively, ever-evolving, ever changing, perfectly imperfect world that we live in, without him.  This first story is “Coyote Keeps His Name,” based on a version told by the Okanagon people of the Pacific Northwest, adapted from Barry Lopez collection titled “Giving Birth to Thunder.”

The second story is “The Eye Juggler.” I first came across this story in a book titled “Trickster Makes the World” by Lewis Hyde and is attributed to the Jicarilla Apache of northern New Mexico.

MITM theme music by Travis Rosenberg. Thanks to Radio Free Joshua Tree for providing MITM a home on internet radio-- and thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Catherine Svehla, PhD Buzzsprout-1045632 Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:00:00 -0700 1725 mythology, myth, storytelling, Joshua Tree, Catherine Svehla, Trickster 1 1 full false