Listening to the Land's Dreaming with Sharon Blackie
Oct 8, 2021
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Join Sharon Blackie, a writer and mythologist, as she unravels the magic of Celtic myths and their role in fostering a sense of belonging. She highlights how divine feminine figures from folklore shape our connection to the land. Blackie discusses the epidemic of unbelonging in modern society and emphasizes storytelling as a remedy. By weaving personal experiences with ancient narratives, she reveals how myths can help us reconnect with nature and redefine concepts like beauty and community.
Celtic myths emphasize the role of divine women in shaping the land, illustrating their profound connection to natural elements.
The contemporary epidemic of 'unbelonging' can be addressed through personal narratives and myths that re-establish ties to our environments.
Deep dives
Celtic Myths and the Divine Feminine
The discussion centers on Celtic myths that highlight the role of divine, otherworldly women as creators of the land. Specifically, the myth of the Kalyach, an ancient figure associated with shaping the landscape, serves as a focal point. These stories emphasize the vital connection between the female divine and the land, illustrating how she embodies natural elements and the very geography of Celtic regions. This tradition of reverence for the feminine in mythology emphasizes a deep-rooted cultural memory that influences contemporary understandings of ecology and community.
The Epidemic of Unbelonging
A significant theme is the modern societal condition of 'unbelonging', where people feel disconnected from the places they inhabit. Myths and stories are portrayed as essential tools that can reconnect individuals to their environments and foster a sense of belonging. The speaker argues that by harnessing personal narratives and local legends, individuals can re-establish a relationship with their land. This connection is not merely emotional; it is seen as a crucial aspect of personal and collective identity.
The Mundus Imaginalis: A Bridge to the Land
The concept of the Mundus Imaginalis emerges as a crucial link between human experience and the natural world, suggesting a space where myths and stories coexist. This realm allows individuals to reconnect their modern experiences with ancient archetypes, providing a framework for personal and cultural myth-making. The speaker emphasizes that stories should not be fabricated out of thin air but should evolve from interactions with the land, deepening their relevance. This process requires an active engagement with one’s surroundings to activate the mythic imagination.
Evolving Myths for Contemporary Relevance
The necessity for myths to adapt and remain relevant in today's world is articulated as a dynamic process essential for modern society. The idea that stories must transform to resonate with current experiences is highlighted, along with the importance of drawing from historical narratives. Individuals are encouraged to find new expressions of ancient archetypes that reflect their contemporary realities, fostering an ongoing conversation between past and present. Such an approach serves as a reminder that myth-making is a continuous, co-creative process between nature and humanity.
In this episode we are joined by Sharon Blackie - writer, psychologist and mythologist with a specialisation in Celtic Studies. Sharon talks to us about a tradition of Celtic myths where divine otherworldly women were considered creators of the land. She shares with us the Celtic myths and folklore around the divine female who permeates the land, who has made it and shaped it. She talks to us about a societal epidemic of unbelonging nowadays and goes on to discuss that myth and story are the connective tissue that help us belong again to the places we inhabit. She argues that if we can capture our own imaginations by using myth and stories - then we can find a way of belonging to the land.