What is it about myths?
Myths have been described as man’s oldest way of describing the world and human beings. For millennia they have informed communities on how to live and have provided imaginative explanations of the origins of life and existence. Joseph Campbell studied world myths and religions in depth, he discovered that, ‘All over the world you find similar stories and myths arising from very different cultures, with similar themes or journeys or characters, so what does this tell us? There are universals connections, through what Jung called the collective unconscious and archetypes. These are primal patterns or templates’ (1968).
When we enter into the world of stories and myths, for example with the phrase, ‘Once upon a time…’ we are indicating a realm outside time and space; a realm outside the one we ordinarily inhabit. The themes are embedded in the primal patterns and energies of the ‘archetypes’. Jung defined these as instinctual forms of human functioning and are common symbols, images, motifs, and themes portraying universal human experiences (1959). We find typical portrayals such as good and evil, or overcoming obstacles. It is these themes which are timeless and which continue to permeate our culture today. Moreover, the characters in myths and stories are recognisable to us, we can identify with them, as we see from the popularity of mythic figures in movies.
Myths can be viewed on different levels: the cosmic or transpersonal level where they give explanations for creation and connect us to nature, the cycle and seasons, its death and rebirth. On a sociological level they describe the transition from one cultural epoch to another, for example the transition from matriarchy to patriarchal and from hunter gatherer to agriculture-based societies.
We can ask, what is the myth that society needs as a guide today?
On a psychological level, myths can explain the phases of life of a person and are a guide for the journey of the Self, awakening us to our inner life and identity.
Why use a myth and stories to help us explore our inner selves?
I have been fortunate to have trained with Clarissa Pinkola Estes (of Woman Who Run With The Wolves) who writes wisely on how stories can hold women to reconnect to their instinctual, wild nature. Stories are medicine. Stories allow the individual into realms in which reason does not journey. Our personal story and experiences can connect with mythic themes; we are taken beyond what we already know about ourselves and gain a different, wider viewpoint. It mirrors our experiences and can show potential ways to proceed to new ways of being. It activates our imagination and can speak to the unconscious, via the images and symbols contained in it. Imagery is more emotionally evocative than language-based thought, thereby enabling our creativity to be ignited or renewed. Stories provide nourishment and a map for the soul, capable of providing awareness, healing, and inspiration. We then have the opportunity to expand the possibilities of our life, our community and environment.
In my work as a Psychotherapist and as founder of Creative Soul Journeys®, I draw on myths and stories to enable people to awaken and hear the echoes of deeply held soul expressions. It enables a broader perspective of ones struggles and as a means for inner exploration and transformation. Crisis, the loss of innocence, facing the monster or shadow, despair, hope and maturation; the life/death/life cycle – are all are common experiences that we all face as human especially at this turbulent time. It is vital for us today to have inner resources to meet the challenges and one way is to be supported on a journey of initiation, the hero’s/heroine’s journey, to become more of who we can be in our life.
Isabella Florschutz (MA, UKCP) is an integrative Psychotherapist and Founder of Creative Soul Journeys ® and runs workshops and retreats exploring myths as a journey of self development, which is supported with art and VitalDanza ® movement. Her next retreat is October 15th – 16th in East Sussex. Contact her at bellaflorschutz@gmail.com www.creativesouljourneys.co.uk
