mythic - Blog - SCOCO Network2024-03-29T10:41:00Zhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/mythicBuilding a new sound symbol library for global community storytelling. Videos (3) + Lesson Planning + PDF. By Willi Paul, NewMythologist.comhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/building-a-new-sound-symbol-library-for-global-community-story2013-12-15T17:00:00.000Z2013-12-15T17:00:00.000ZWilli Paulhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/WilliPaul<div><h2 style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-4" style="color:#993300;"><strong>Building a new sound symbol library for global community storytelling. </strong></span></h2><h2 style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1"><strong>Videos (3) + Lesson Planning + PDF. By Willi Paul, NewMythologist.com</strong></span></h2><p></p><p><a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2156"><img alt="3sound" src="http://openmythsource.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/3sound.png?w=325&h=717" width="227" height="502" class="align-center" /></a></p><p><strong>Project Outline</strong></p><p></p><p>Introduction</p><p>Building with Sound in Phases</p><p>Archetypical Sounds and the Symbols Library</p><p>Integrating Alchemy, New myth, Nature and Sound?</p><p><strong>SoundTrack Videos 1 -3:</strong></p><p>Mythic Soundtrack 1 – Primitive Man Era – Nature<br /> <a title="http://youtu.be/IQ2D8wmE5-E" href="http://youtu.be/IQ2D8wmE5-E">http://youtu.be/IQ2D8wmE5-E</a></p><p>Mythic Soundtrack 2 – Industrial Era – Oil Profiteers<br /> <a title="http://youtu.be/VEOJsbFcbv8" href="http://youtu.be/VEOJsbFcbv8">http://youtu.be/VEOJsbFcbv8</a></p><p>Mythic Soundtrack 3 – Rock & Roll Era – Up Consciousness<br /> <a title="http://youtu.be/dJr40D4dQAA" href="http://youtu.be/dJr40D4dQAA">http://youtu.be/dJr40D4dQAA</a></p><p>A New Sound Symbol Library for Global Community Storytelling</p><p>Lesson Planning:</p><p>Questions for Teachers & Students</p><p>Additional Educational Resources</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p></p><p>“The alchemical process is a physical ritual that projects an inner state onto physical elements.” “Yes, I believe I understand how alchemy can work in the sound and visual arts; what’s just as clear is that today’s technology has definitely upped the ante.”</p><p></p><p>From: <strong>“Journey into Joseph Campbell Rising.”</strong> <a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1660">PlanetShifter.com Magazine Interview</a> with Stephen Gerringer, Community Relations @ Joseph Campbell Foundation</p><p></p><p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>‘As many writers have discussed in PlanetShifter.com Magazine interviews, this sound is an alchemical or transmutation process, where the recombining of elements and the interactive process is more important than the product. Also examine myth as soundscape – or how the imagination of each listener both creates and recombines a story and how the meanings evolve as each collaboration changes the forces. These fragments can be re-mixed as each new group is created.</p><p>Differing from other musical composition, here sound is no longer the background but the foreground as the evolving sound collage drives the listener experience; sound is now a new story that we process and interpret individually and collectively.’</p><p><a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1619">Sound as Myth: Initiation and Journey at the Sonic – Human Interface</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Building with Sound in Phases</strong></p><p>Integrating sound symbols and short soundtracks into longer pieces could take multiple phases. There are many ways to go and relationships to consider. Three phases to consider include:</p><p></p><p>Phase One: Sound fragments > new interpretations > Alchemic Translation > Sound Symbol Recorded > Collected Symbols > (Story Buildings) New Myth > New Ritual</p><p></p><p>Phase Two: Building an Integrated soundtrack with new sound symbols via group collaboration</p><p></p><p>Phase Three: Joining the soundtrack(s) into a story or new myth (as in hearing the three SoundTracks in this study consecutively.</p><p></p><p><strong>Archetypical Sounds and the Symbols Library</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>natural sounds</strong><br /> wind, fire, water, storm, lightning + thunder</p><p><strong>animal sounds</strong><br /> bark, howl, scratch, chew</p><p><strong>human sounds 1</strong><br /> pain cry, grunt, laugh, shriek, baby born</p><p><strong>human signals</strong><br /> scent<br /> hand gestures<br /> symbolic language</p><p><strong>human – nature sounds</strong><br /> building shelter<br /> damming stream<br /> planting crops</p><p><strong>human sounds 2</strong><br /> machine / industrial sounds<br /> formal languages<br /> storytelling</p><p><strong>electronic sounds</strong><br /> rock music + live concert ritual<br /> sampling<br /> personalized stereo + equalization</p><p></p><p><strong>Integrating Alchemy, New Myth, Nature and Sound?</strong></p><p></p><p>The sounds that we hear in Nature or play in our devices are embedded in our educational and cultural experiences to name two. The following new story foundation values and ethics are recommended as we integrate and act on many of the critical environmental issues like nuclear power, fracking, and climate change.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://youtu.be/hfPS5EJxocM">8 Key Elements in the New Mythology</a> include:</p><p></p><p>1. Localization – back to sustainability and community; self-sufficiency<br /> 2. Nature- Centric<br /> 3. Spiritual<br /> 4. Future-based<br /> 5. Universal themes(s) and message<br /> 6. Para-Normal in conflict or characters<br /> 7. Initiation, Journey and Hero<br /> 8. Permaculture & Transition: values and principles</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p></p><p><strong>SoundTrack Videos 1 -3:</strong></p><p>The three short project videos support sounds for the new library and include 4 – 12 pairs of Sound Symbols with a corresponding Alchemic Translation. Each pair is approximately 4 seconds with no graphics and has a theme (Era) and a subtitle:</p><p></p><p><strong>Mythic SoundTrack 1</strong><br /> <strong>See Video: <a href="http://youtu.be/IQ2D8wmE5-E">Primitive Man Era – Nature</a></strong></p><p></p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> stream + crickets<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> hydration + food + bathing</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Wind + Fear<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Storm Coming + The Unknown</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Lightning + Thunder<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Wonderment + Hysteria + Fire Starter</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Fire + Fire Pit + Warmth<br /> ALCHEMICAL TRANSLATION<br /> Safety + Cooking + Community</p><p></p><p><strong>Mythic SoundTrack 2</strong><br /> <strong>See Video: <a href="http://youtu.be/VEOJsbFcbv8">Industrial Era – Oil Profiteers</a></strong></p><p></p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Factory Production Noise<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Sweat + Labor + Profit</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Train Whistle + Wheels on Tracks<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Settlements + Stolen Land + Capitalist Exploitation</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Digging + Shovel<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Diamonds + Slaves</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Bubbling Gas + Machinery<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Fracking + Poisoned Land + Community Lost</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Ocean Drilling<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Greed + Pollution</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Nuclear Plant Siren<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Planetary Warning + Poison</p><p></p><p><strong>Mythic SoundTrack 3</strong><br /> <strong>See Video: <a href="http://youtu.be/dJr40D4dQAA">Rock & Roll Era – Up Consciousness</a></strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Alchemic Sound Fragments from</strong>: Robyn Hitchcock, Yes, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Richard Butler, Steve Tibbetts,<br /> Pink Floyd, & Bruce Cockburn</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Guitar<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Running thru the grass + sunshine</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Drums, guitar & Synth<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Bridge to another place</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Drums, Guitars, Bass & Samples<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Dreaming – then Awake!</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Complete Rock Band<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Proclamation</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Organ<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Hover, Reflect, Claim</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Percussion<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Run, Wave Chant</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Synth & Voice<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Hold hands, kiss & smile</p><p><strong>SOUND SYMBOLS</strong><br /> Machine Samples + Guitar<br /> ALCHEMIC TRANSLATION<br /> Sirens & Ghosts</p><p></p><p><strong>A New Sound Symbol Library for Global Community Storytelling</strong></p><p></p><p>The proposed sound database or symbol library should have <a href="http://us.creativecommons.org/">creative commons</a> support, with collaborative tools for members to upload, transform and produce new soundtracks solo or together. It is envisioned that these musical works could assist in the development of new rituals and storytelling. The vision for this new sound symbol library is not the same as <a href="https://soundcloud.com/">SoundCloud.com</a> or <a href="http://www.freesound.org/">Freesounds.org</a> because of its innovative alchemy + myth engine.</p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p><strong>Lesson Planning:</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Questions for Teachers & Students</strong></p><p></p><p>a) If we can get the power of myth from storytellers and the printed page, then why not from SoundTracks?<br /> b) Can a “Sound Myth” be a series of integrated sounds that combine to have a universal themes and message?<br /> c) How do we translate or transmutate sound into visual cues, messages, initiation and global meaning?<br /> d) How do we map the sound alchemy (transmutation) process as it supports other elements of the New Myth?<br /> e) Describe the relationship between sound alchemy and initiation?<br /> f) What is initiation in the Myth Lab process as Joseph Campbell describes it?<br /> g) Are sound symbols or fragments connected to memories and new feelings?<br /> h) Is initiation like a meditation? How?<br /> i) What is a mythic experience?<br /> j) Does a Sound Myth require a new language, code, or key?<br /> k) Can silence be a sound symbol?</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2018">http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2018</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Additional Educational Resources</strong></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2010">water sound symbol myth: building new nature-based myths (Video). willi paul, openmythsource.com</a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1659">Mixing alchemy and Mythology – Symbols and Spirit. A PlanetShifter.com Magazine [ open myth source ]</a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2090">“Transition Prayer Percussion Ritual” by Willi Paul, NewMythologist.com</a></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2018">sound symbols, archetypes & the power of myth: an alchemic journey with Nature begins, Willi Paul, openmythsource.com</a></p></div>“Collapsed Time Stress Disorder & Mythic Time” by Willi Paul, Planetshifter.com Magazinehttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/collapsed-time-stress-disorder-mythic-time-by-willi-paul2013-12-04T17:39:54.000Z2013-12-04T17:39:54.000ZWilli Paulhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/WilliPaul<div><p style="text-align:center;"><br /><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.planetshifter.com/uploads/imagecache/standard/centerspace_34.PNG" /></p><p style="text-align:center;"></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-4"><strong>“<a title="“Collapsed Time Stress Disorder & Mythic Time” by Willi Paul, Planetshifter.com Magazine" href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2154" target="_blank">Collapsed Time Stress Disorder & Mythic Time</a>” by Willi Paul, Planetshifter.com Magazine</strong></span></p><p></p><p><strong>“Time is a dimension in which events can be ordered from the past through the present into the future, and also the measure of durations of events and the intervals between them.” WIKI</strong></p><p></p><p>But most of us have had some unusual experiences in between, in combination of, and/or beyond past, present and future time. If we can choose the right time for the purpose at hand, we may be more effective readers, writers and collaborators and have a more effective long-term life experience. What about Mythic Time?</p><p></p><p><span><strong>Four Categories of Time</strong></span></p><p></p><p><strong>[A] Past Time –</strong></p><p>Full of memories, past time is represented to a large degree by photos, diplomas and special events. As with Future Time, Past Time fades in our consciousness as we age to nothingness or “no time”.</p><p></p><p><strong>[B] Current Time –</strong></p><p>Current Time, aka Project Time, is a short-term, linear, “plan - go - stop - evaluate - repeat” experience. Current Time is dominated by 24/7, 7:00 AM, the calendar date, “everythingness” all at once.</p><p></p><p><strong>[B.1] Searching (Internet) Time</strong></p><p>The computer and Internet is a combination of Current Time, Past and Future Time. While suspension of a linear experience is possible, Searching Time can include the first two stages of *Mythic Time: we usually have some overt need to satisfy and some initiation to undergo during the search.</p><p></p><p><strong>[C] Future Time –</strong></p><p>Future Time is Fictional, filled with our hopes, dreams, desires; expectations and plans. Future time integrates the other time categories but eventually fades to nothingness or “no time” like Past Time.</p><p></p><p><strong>[D] *Mythic Time –</strong></p><p>Mythic Time owes a debt to <a href="http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php?categoryid=83&p9999_action=details&p9999_wid=272">Joseph Campbell’s</a> Hero’s vision; a non-linear or looping experience that incorporates stages that can often blend or support (benefit or distort) Past Time, Current Time, & Future Time. An artistic, spiritual and / or community practice can result from Mythic Time that transcends the profit and loss; a timeless multi-culture hero figure is a potential result.</p><p></p><p><span><strong>Categories of Mythic Time</strong></span></p><p></p><p>• Need: We first need to understand what we need and our goal(s)</p><p>• Initiation: Alchemy and trust play a large role in our transformational journey in Mythic Time</p><p>• Trek: Walk up the hills and in the swamps; it’s a “marathon for wisdom”</p><p>• Overcoming: Tackling and conquering obstacles is critical; patience rules the way</p><p>o Learning: Keep notes in your tablet; study the journey; teach others with your wisdom</p><p>• Feedback: Back home, whether a blog or a community event, Mythic Time requires your evaluation and outreach</p><p></p><p><span><strong>Points to Consider</strong></span></p><p></p><p>Experiencing Past, Current and Future Time at same time is <strong>Collapsed Time Stress Disorder</strong> (TCSD). A confused voided time space (think day dreaming or being high on marijuana). In this state we are easily manipulated consumers, unproductive and uncommunicative.</p><p></p><p>Isn’t life experience a synthesis or continuum of all of the types? Remember that “those destined to repeating history…” mantra?</p><p></p><p>Don’t we need some amount of Past Time to fuel the other two? Are we not a product of our short-term and long-term memories?</p><p></p><p>Mythic Time returns us to a vision-drenched, open-ended path that prioritizes and harmonizes our way in contrast to many corporate jobs and their single minded, trickle-down politics and limited, pigeon-hole experiences.</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p></p><p><strong>Willi Paul</strong><br />New Mythologist & Transition Entrepreneur<br />newmythologist.com | PlanetShifter.com Magazine | openmythsource.com<br />@planetshifter @openmythsource @newmythologist<br />415-407-4688 | pscompub at gmail.com</p></div>“Mythography & the Universal Human” : Interview with Allison Stieger, Principal at Mythic Stories (Seattle) by Willi Paul, NewMythologist.comhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mythography-the-universal-human-interview-with-allison-stieger-12013-09-03T15:00:00.000Z2013-09-03T15:00:00.000ZWilli Paulhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/WilliPaul<div><h2><b>“Mythography & the Universal Human” : Interview with Allison Stieger, Principal at <a href="http://mythicstories.com/">Mythic Stories</a> (Seattle) by Willi Paul, <a href="http://newmythologist.com/">NewMythologist.com</a></b></h2><p><a href="http://openmythsource.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/garden-basket.jpg"><img class="wp-image-3456 alignnone" alt="Garden-basket" src="http://openmythsource.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/garden-basket.jpg?w=450&h=338" width="450" height="338" /></a></p><p><b> </b>“<b><a href="http://www.theopinionatedartist.com/2013/06/the-new-mythology-of-life.html">Just before his death</a></b> Joseph Campbell was interviewed by Bill Moyers and that interview was later turned into the documentary, “The Power of Myth.” In this interview he postulated the idea that humanity was in need of new mythologies. Ones that were not rooted in the ancient world as all our current ones are. But myth’s that would help us navigate this new and strange world we are creating.”</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p></p><p><b> </b><b>Interview with Allison by Willi</b></p><p></p><p><b>W: Can a community be a Hero?</b></p><p>A: I don’t think the word hero is one I would use to describe a community. When I read heroic myths, particularly from the classical world, I see an individual who leaves the community behind (separation), is changed by a descent (initiation), and returns to the community with the boon (return), which can be an actual object or an idea or mental construct. It is an individual’s pursuit to go on “the hero’s journey”. I would say that a community can exhibit traditionally “heroic” qualities, but the hero’s journey requires that stage of initiation or descent.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Can you provide evidence that classic myths are energizing the permaculture, occupy or Transition movements in Seattle?</b></p><p></p><p>A: I don’t know if those movements are being energized by myths, because I’m not a member of those communities, but I would argue that they are being archetypally energized. The hero is one archetype, and the heroic qualities of that archetype may be in play with these movements, but other archetypes should be considered. Such as:</p><p></p><p>Samaritan<br /> Messiah<br /> Martyr<br /> Pioneer</p><p>Permaculture:<br /> Teacher<br /> Father<br /> Visionary<br /> Servant</p><p>Occupy:<br /> Liberator<br /> Warrior<br /> Visionary<br /> Avenger</p><p>Transition:<br /> Teacher<br /> Father<br /> Visionary</p><p></p><p>These are only a few examples, but you see what I’m getting at. The hero is only one archetype among many.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Who or what are some of the current alternatives to Campbell’s constructs and visions? Is he still as important as ever?</b></p><p></p><p>A: I think Campbell’s work is definitely still resonating with people. In the years I’ve spent working with the Joseph Campbell Foundation (9) I’ve met many people who find a great deal of meaning in Campbell’s work, as I do myself. However, Campbell passed more than 25 years ago now, and there is exciting work being done in the field of myth. The JCF is starting to profile the work of up and coming mythologists, which is exciting. The Myth program at Pacifica Graduate Institute is training new mythologists every year. Not all of them go on to have an impact on culture, but over the next 10 years or so I predict that some of them will become well known for bringing myth work to a wider audience.</p><p></p><p><b>W: What is a mythologist? Are there common goals and trainings (or just individuals and multiple agendas?)</b></p><p><b><br /></b> <br /> A: A mythologist (or mythographer, as some prefer) is simply an expert on ancient myth. The study of myth can be approached from different perspectives. For example, one can approach the study of myth from a religious perspective, a depth psychological perspective, an anthropological perspective, or a literary perspective. The graduate program in myth at Pacifica has classes from all of those perspectives. It is also possible to educate oneself in myth without a degree program, much as Campbell did. He had an MA in Medieval Literature from Columbia, but he also spent several years after his formal education was completed reading world myths (he spent five years in solitary study during the Great Depression).</p><p></p><p><b>W: Many</b> <b>champion the Hollywood Hero these days: Iron Man, Bat Man. There seems to be a lot of testosterone flowing there! Please read and react to<a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2096">my critique of Popmythology.com</a> – a blog by written by Daniel Jun Kim:</b></p><p><b><br /></b> <br /> A: The Hollywood Hero as described here is entertaining, without a doubt, but I don’t believe that this character in film can be considered mythic. There are other mythologists who would disagree with me, I’m sure. I know many screenwriters are familiar with the hero’s journey, and try to touch the points of the monomyth in their screenplays, but in my opinion it takes more than a “connect the dots” approach to heroic myth to resonate with filmgoers. Both “Ironman” and “The Matrix” outwardly conform to the pattern of the hero’s journey, but (again, in my opinion) only “The Matrix” can qualify as mythic filmmaking.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Please share a few of your favorite modern day <a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1908">Nature-based symbols</a>.</b></p><p></p><p>A: I’m particularly interested in the symbolism of different animals. If a certain animal or insect appears to me, I’ll take a moment to reflect on the symbolism of the particular animal, and treat the appearance as a spirit animal, in a sense. For example, on Saturday I was attending the wedding of a dear friend. She went through a difficult divorce about two years ago, and I was so thrilled that she has found a new happiness with her new husband. During the reception, a garter snake appeared where I was sitting, and it got me thinking about the symbolism of snakes.</p><p></p><p>Snakes are an ancient symbolic force, going back to pre-Christian goddess traditions. They are seen as symbols of renewal, which seemed so appropriate at the wedding of someone “renewing” her life with a new partner. </p><p></p><p><b>W: How do you use alchemy?</b></p><p></p><p>A: Myth is, at its core, about transformation. Alchemy is about the pursuit of transformation, and Carl Jung uses the symbolism of alchemy to describe the transformation of the individuation process. I’ve studied the use of alchemical symbolism as part of my education, in reading the work of Jung and Marie Louise von Franz, so I would say that alchemy has influenced my work, but it isn’t a significant aspect of it, at least at the moment. This could change in the future, but for now, I’m focusing on other things.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Please select a <a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1855">new myth</a> from my work and offer a critique?</b></p><p></p><p>A: I’ve read through about a dozen of your new myths, and I now have a better sense of what you’re attempting by writing new myths. A couple of questions: What is Cascadia? Is it an imagined new country/new state in Northern California? Are your new myths an attempt to introduce a new vision for being in the world?</p><p></p><p>Reading them, it makes me think about the difference between stories and myths. From my perspective, what you’ve written are stories, and if they resonate deeply with the culture and community, they will become myths. Myths are the stories that survived, right? We don’t know about the stories from the ancient world that didn’t get told and retold. Myths speak to something deep within us.</p><p></p><p>Campbell, in his writing, mentions two different German words: “Elementargedanken”, and “Völkergedanken”. The first means, essentially, elementary ideas, and the second, ethnic ideas. (Here’s a link to a page describing <b><a href="http://www.mythicjourneys.org/newsletter_dec06_campbell2.html">both terms</a></b>).</p><p></p><p>I teach the difference between these two ideas to my Comparative Mythology students. When we look at a culture’s myths, which exist to explain an elemental function of that particular culture (e.g. stories about snow for the Inuit), and which myths speak to something that is universally human?</p><p></p><p><b>So, my question for you is, what can your stories teach us about what it means to be universally human? Those are the</b> <b>myths that have meaning.</b>“<b>What is Cascadia? Is it an imagined new country/new state in Northern California? Are your new myths an attempt to introduce a new vision for being in the world?”</b></p><p></p><p>W: Yes, exactly! Please see my vision for <b><a href="http://newmythologist.com/raw-ideas/">Cascadia</a></b>; my new myths are visions driven by the present global crisis.</p><p></p><p><b>A: So, my question for you is, what can your stories teach us about what it means to be universally human? Those are the myths that have meaning.</b></p><p></p><p><span>W: First, here are 8 elements of my new myths:</span></p><p></p><p>1. Localization – back to sustainability and community; self-sufficiency<br /> 2. Nature- Centric<br /> 3. Spiritual<br /> 4. Future-based<br /> 5. Universal themes(s) and message<br /> 6. Para-Normal in conflict or characters<br /> 7. Initiation, Journey and Hero<br /> 8. Permaculture & Transition: values and principles</p><p></p><p><b><a href="http://openmythsource.com/myth-lab/">Myth Lab</a></b> is how I combine science and myth in a tool kit to create new (stories) myths. My use of the Artifact is indeed my attempt to deliver universal messages:</p><p></p><p>A. Overcoming environmental damage from war and Capitalist greed<br /> B. Creating a new non-toxic agricultural system<br /> C. Promoting a sharing economy<br /> D. Clean water for all</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p></p><p><b>Allison’s Bio -</b></p><p>Allison Stieger is a mythologist, writer and teacher who is passionate about myth and what it has to teach us about living a more fulfilled life. She holds a bachelors in English and Writing, and a masters in Mythological Studies in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. In 2004 she founded Mythic Stories, and since then she has been teaching workshops on myth, creativity and writing for adults. She founded the Seattle Roundtable group of the <strong><a title="Joseph Campbell Foundation" href="http://jcf.org/new/index.php">Joseph Campbell Foundation</a></strong> in 2004, and led the group until 2012. Allison also teaches yoga teacher trainees how to incorporate myth-inspired narrative structure into their yoga sequences, and will be leading a trip to Greece in 2014 with Sattva Yoga.</p><p></p><p>She blogs on topics related to mythology at mythicstories.com, and is a contributing columnist for The Creativity Post, writing on the intersection between myth, creativity and innovation.</p><p></p><p><b>Connections –</b></p><p>Allison Stieger, Principal</p><p><b><a href="http://mythicstories.com/">Mythic Stories</a></b></p><p>Allisonstieger at yahoo.com</p></div>“Mythography & the Universal Human” : Interview with Allison Stieger, Principal at Mythic Stories (Seattle) by Willi Paul, NewMythologist.comhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mythography-the-universal-human-interview-with-allison-stieger2013-09-03T15:00:00.000Z2013-09-03T15:00:00.000ZWilli Paulhttps://sustainablecoco.ning.com/members/WilliPaul<div><h2><b>“Mythography & the Universal Human” : Interview with Allison Stieger, Principal at <a href="http://mythicstories.com/">Mythic Stories</a> (Seattle) by Willi Paul, <a href="http://newmythologist.com/">NewMythologist.com</a></b></h2><p><a href="http://openmythsource.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/garden-basket.jpg"><img class="wp-image-3456 alignnone" alt="Garden-basket" src="http://openmythsource.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/garden-basket.jpg?w=450&h=338" width="450" height="338" /></a></p><p><b> </b>“<b><a href="http://www.theopinionatedartist.com/2013/06/the-new-mythology-of-life.html">Just before his death</a></b> Joseph Campbell was interviewed by Bill Moyers and that interview was later turned into the documentary, “The Power of Myth.” In this interview he postulated the idea that humanity was in need of new mythologies. Ones that were not rooted in the ancient world as all our current ones are. But myth’s that would help us navigate this new and strange world we are creating.”</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p></p><p><b> </b><b>Interview with Allison by Willi</b></p><p></p><p><b>W: Can a community be a Hero?</b></p><p>A: I don’t think the word hero is one I would use to describe a community. When I read heroic myths, particularly from the classical world, I see an individual who leaves the community behind (separation), is changed by a descent (initiation), and returns to the community with the boon (return), which can be an actual object or an idea or mental construct. It is an individual’s pursuit to go on “the hero’s journey”. I would say that a community can exhibit traditionally “heroic” qualities, but the hero’s journey requires that stage of initiation or descent.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Can you provide evidence that classic myths are energizing the permaculture, occupy or Transition movements in Seattle?</b></p><p></p><p>A: I don’t know if those movements are being energized by myths, because I’m not a member of those communities, but I would argue that they are being archetypally energized. The hero is one archetype, and the heroic qualities of that archetype may be in play with these movements, but other archetypes should be considered. Such as:</p><p></p><p>Samaritan<br /> Messiah<br /> Martyr<br /> Pioneer</p><p>Permaculture:<br /> Teacher<br /> Father<br /> Visionary<br /> Servant</p><p>Occupy:<br /> Liberator<br /> Warrior<br /> Visionary<br /> Avenger</p><p>Transition:<br /> Teacher<br /> Father<br /> Visionary</p><p></p><p>These are only a few examples, but you see what I’m getting at. The hero is only one archetype among many.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Who or what are some of the current alternatives to Campbell’s constructs and visions? Is he still as important as ever?</b></p><p></p><p>A: I think Campbell’s work is definitely still resonating with people. In the years I’ve spent working with the Joseph Campbell Foundation (9) I’ve met many people who find a great deal of meaning in Campbell’s work, as I do myself. However, Campbell passed more than 25 years ago now, and there is exciting work being done in the field of myth. The JCF is starting to profile the work of up and coming mythologists, which is exciting. The Myth program at Pacifica Graduate Institute is training new mythologists every year. Not all of them go on to have an impact on culture, but over the next 10 years or so I predict that some of them will become well known for bringing myth work to a wider audience.</p><p></p><p><b>W: What is a mythologist? Are there common goals and trainings (or just individuals and multiple agendas?)</b></p><p><b><br /></b> <br /> A: A mythologist (or mythographer, as some prefer) is simply an expert on ancient myth. The study of myth can be approached from different perspectives. For example, one can approach the study of myth from a religious perspective, a depth psychological perspective, an anthropological perspective, or a literary perspective. The graduate program in myth at Pacifica has classes from all of those perspectives. It is also possible to educate oneself in myth without a degree program, much as Campbell did. He had an MA in Medieval Literature from Columbia, but he also spent several years after his formal education was completed reading world myths (he spent five years in solitary study during the Great Depression).</p><p></p><p><b>W: Many</b> <b>champion the Hollywood Hero these days: Iron Man, Bat Man. There seems to be a lot of testosterone flowing there! Please read and react to<a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/2096">my critique of Popmythology.com</a> – a blog by written by Daniel Jun Kim:</b></p><p><b><br /></b> <br /> A: The Hollywood Hero as described here is entertaining, without a doubt, but I don’t believe that this character in film can be considered mythic. There are other mythologists who would disagree with me, I’m sure. I know many screenwriters are familiar with the hero’s journey, and try to touch the points of the monomyth in their screenplays, but in my opinion it takes more than a “connect the dots” approach to heroic myth to resonate with filmgoers. Both “Ironman” and “The Matrix” outwardly conform to the pattern of the hero’s journey, but (again, in my opinion) only “The Matrix” can qualify as mythic filmmaking.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Please share a few of your favorite modern day <a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1908">Nature-based symbols</a>.</b></p><p></p><p>A: I’m particularly interested in the symbolism of different animals. If a certain animal or insect appears to me, I’ll take a moment to reflect on the symbolism of the particular animal, and treat the appearance as a spirit animal, in a sense. For example, on Saturday I was attending the wedding of a dear friend. She went through a difficult divorce about two years ago, and I was so thrilled that she has found a new happiness with her new husband. During the reception, a garter snake appeared where I was sitting, and it got me thinking about the symbolism of snakes.</p><p></p><p>Snakes are an ancient symbolic force, going back to pre-Christian goddess traditions. They are seen as symbols of renewal, which seemed so appropriate at the wedding of someone “renewing” her life with a new partner. </p><p></p><p><b>W: How do you use alchemy?</b></p><p></p><p>A: Myth is, at its core, about transformation. Alchemy is about the pursuit of transformation, and Carl Jung uses the symbolism of alchemy to describe the transformation of the individuation process. I’ve studied the use of alchemical symbolism as part of my education, in reading the work of Jung and Marie Louise von Franz, so I would say that alchemy has influenced my work, but it isn’t a significant aspect of it, at least at the moment. This could change in the future, but for now, I’m focusing on other things.</p><p></p><p><b>W: Please select a <a href="http://www.planetshifter.com/node/1855">new myth</a> from my work and offer a critique?</b></p><p></p><p>A: I’ve read through about a dozen of your new myths, and I now have a better sense of what you’re attempting by writing new myths. A couple of questions: What is Cascadia? Is it an imagined new country/new state in Northern California? Are your new myths an attempt to introduce a new vision for being in the world?</p><p></p><p>Reading them, it makes me think about the difference between stories and myths. From my perspective, what you’ve written are stories, and if they resonate deeply with the culture and community, they will become myths. Myths are the stories that survived, right? We don’t know about the stories from the ancient world that didn’t get told and retold. Myths speak to something deep within us.</p><p></p><p>Campbell, in his writing, mentions two different German words: “Elementargedanken”, and “Völkergedanken”. The first means, essentially, elementary ideas, and the second, ethnic ideas. (Here’s a link to a page describing <b><a href="http://www.mythicjourneys.org/newsletter_dec06_campbell2.html">both terms</a></b>).</p><p></p><p>I teach the difference between these two ideas to my Comparative Mythology students. When we look at a culture’s myths, which exist to explain an elemental function of that particular culture (e.g. stories about snow for the Inuit), and which myths speak to something that is universally human?</p><p></p><p><b>So, my question for you is, what can your stories teach us about what it means to be universally human? Those are the</b> <b>myths that have meaning.</b>“<b>What is Cascadia? Is it an imagined new country/new state in Northern California? Are your new myths an attempt to introduce a new vision for being in the world?”</b></p><p></p><p>W: Yes, exactly! Please see my vision for <b><a href="http://newmythologist.com/raw-ideas/">Cascadia</a></b>; my new myths are visions driven by the present global crisis.</p><p></p><p><b>A: So, my question for you is, what can your stories teach us about what it means to be universally human? Those are the myths that have meaning.</b></p><p></p><p><span>W: First, here are 8 elements of my new myths:</span></p><p></p><p>1. Localization – back to sustainability and community; self-sufficiency<br /> 2. Nature- Centric<br /> 3. Spiritual<br /> 4. Future-based<br /> 5. Universal themes(s) and message<br /> 6. Para-Normal in conflict or characters<br /> 7. Initiation, Journey and Hero<br /> 8. Permaculture & Transition: values and principles</p><p></p><p><b><a href="http://openmythsource.com/myth-lab/">Myth Lab</a></b> is how I combine science and myth in a tool kit to create new (stories) myths. My use of the Artifact is indeed my attempt to deliver universal messages:</p><p></p><p>A. Overcoming environmental damage from war and Capitalist greed<br /> B. Creating a new non-toxic agricultural system<br /> C. Promoting a sharing economy<br /> D. Clean water for all</p><p></p><p>* * * * * * *</p><p></p><p><b>Allison’s Bio -</b></p><p>Allison Stieger is a mythologist, writer and teacher who is passionate about myth and what it has to teach us about living a more fulfilled life. She holds a bachelors in English and Writing, and a masters in Mythological Studies in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. In 2004 she founded Mythic Stories, and since then she has been teaching workshops on myth, creativity and writing for adults. She founded the Seattle Roundtable group of the <strong><a title="Joseph Campbell Foundation" href="http://jcf.org/new/index.php">Joseph Campbell Foundation</a></strong> in 2004, and led the group until 2012. Allison also teaches yoga teacher trainees how to incorporate myth-inspired narrative structure into their yoga sequences, and will be leading a trip to Greece in 2014 with Sattva Yoga.</p><p></p><p>She blogs on topics related to mythology at mythicstories.com, and is a contributing columnist for The Creativity Post, writing on the intersection between myth, creativity and innovation.</p><p></p><p><b>Connections –</b></p><p>Allison Stieger, Principal</p><p><b><a href="http://mythicstories.com/">Mythic Stories</a></b></p><p>Allisonstieger at yahoo.com</p></div>