MYTHOS: The Once & Future Art of Listening to Wild Soul

Many Americans today might be said to be suffering from "soul sickness" - a condition which may include heightened anxiety or depression, loneliness, lack of meaning, disconnection from the rhythms of the natural world, disconnection from the body, lack of imagination and creativity, lack of hope, a feeling of emptiness. Religious scholar Karen Armstrong attributes our current state of affairs to our loss of Mythos. She notes, "We may be more sophisticated in material ways, but we have not advanced spiritually beyond the Axial Age; because of our suppression of mythos we may even have regressed. We no longer know how to manage our mythical lives in a way that is spiritually challenging and transformative." 

Mythos is an inner way of knowing rooted in metaphor, symbol, emotion, and imagery. According to Armstrong, the word is derived from a Greek verb meaning "to close the eyes" or "to close the mouth." It is different from, but complementary to, Logos - a way of knowing that is rational, objective, and empirical. You may notice that the pairing and opposing roles of Mythos/Logos align with other ways of describing these two different ways of knowing: Right Brain/Left Brain, Indigenous Wisdom/Science, Eastern/Western, Feminine/Masculine, Yin/Yang, Relational/Individual. 

Mythos is the language of the Soul. Mythos is relational, subjective, imagistic, intuitive, symbolic, emotional, and nonlinear. By excavating and honing this way of knowing and navigating the world, we can begin to better-nourish and heal our own souls, as well as bring more light to the world around us. 

This special Summer Solstice day-retreat will offer participants a refreshing and soul-nurturing immersion in Mythos. We will dip generously into the the cauldron of story, exploring a variety of ancient folktales and myths that shine a light on the human journey and role of Nature in our lives. We will flex our imaginations with the help of activities focused on metaphor, symbol, and meaning-making. We will also spend relational time observing and learning from the plants, river, birds, trees, and animals of Mavens' Haven. Finally, we will discuss the relationships among myth, ritual, embodiment, the animate world, and human wellness. 

During our day together, we will also share two simple, nourishing, and delicious meals.