137. How Ancient Mythology Guides and Roots us on our Cyclical Heroine’s Journeys (Dr Sharon Blackie)
Mar 14, 2024
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Dr. Sharon Blackie, a renowned mythologist and author, delves into how ancient myths connect women to their cyclical nature and ancestral wisdom. She discusses the ‘Well Maiden’ as a bridge to restoring the Feminine through dreams. The wild character of ‘Mis’ offers solace during misunderstood phases like premenstruum and menopause. The tale of the ‘Selkie’ inspires a reclamation of authenticity and belonging. Blackie emphasizes the importance of storytelling in understanding grief and rediscovering one's identity in a modern context.
Ancient myths significantly reconnect individuals with their cyclical nature, enhancing self-awareness of their connection to the natural world.
The Well Maiden story highlights women's role as nurturers and the importance of respecting the feminine bond with nature for societal balance.
Mish's journey encourages embracing emotional depths during life transitions, promoting personal growth and transformation through the acceptance of grief and wildness.
Deep dives
The Power of Myth and Menstrual Cycle Awareness
The podcast emphasizes the significance of ancient myths in reconnecting individuals with their cyclical nature and natural rhythms. Myths serve as tools for understanding one’s place in the world and recognizing the wisdom of ancestral roots. Discussing her book and the accompanying Oracle deck, the guest highlights stories that help women navigate complex emotions associated with different life phases, particularly the menstrual cycle and menopause. Through these narratives, individuals can reclaim their power and develop a deeper leadership role in their communities.
Finding Connection in a Post-Menopausal World
In the conversation, the speaker reflects on feeling lost upon entering the post-menopausal phase, as the regularity of menstruation provides a structural connection to one's body. The focus shifts to other natural cycles, such as lunar and seasonal patterns, which can help create a sense of belonging and grounding. By observing these cycles, individuals can foster a relationship with the cosmos and recognize their integration within the natural world. This reflects a broader theme of seeking reconnection with nature to cultivate self-awareness and grounding.
The Well Maiden as a Symbol of Divine Feminine
The story of the Well Maiden underscores the importance of the feminine connection to nature and the consequences of disrespecting this bond. When women are seen as bridges between the physical realm and the spiritual or 'other' world, they hold the key to nurturing the earth. This narrative reveals the societal wasteland that results when the feminine is disrespected or neglected, calling attention to the need for balance and harmony with the natural world. Embracing the lessons from these stories can empower women to reclaim their role as caretakers of both nature and community.
Mish and the Wild Woman Archetype
The mythical figure of Mish serves as a representation of the 'wild woman' archetype, embodying the emotional depths of grief and rage experienced during significant life challenges like menopause. Her transformation into a wild creature following immense sorrow affirms the validity of expressing one’s emotions rather than suppressing them. This narrative encourages women to embrace their feelings fully, allowing for personal growth and transformation through the natural cycles of change. Acknowledging and channeling intense emotions, as Mish does, can foster healing and self-discovery through wildness.
Reclaiming Authenticity through the Selkie Story
The Selkie story highlights the crucial theme of reclaiming one's true self amid societal expectations and emotional turmoil. It illustrates how a woman, when trapped from her authentic nature, experiences a form of spiritual death, emphasizing the harms of losing connection to one’s genuine identity. The narrative encourages women to recognize and embrace their wild, animal nature as fundamental to their humanity. This call to authenticity empowers individuals to pursue self-realization and adapt to the inevitable changes experienced in life, reminding them of the importance of staying true to their essence.
We’re thrilled to be welcoming mythologist and author, Dr Sharon Blackie back to the podcast today, to take another journey into the mythic imagination together.
We explore how the ancient myths of our land weave us into connection with ourselves as natural, cyclical creatures, to our place in the world, and to the wisdom of our ancestral lineage.
Many of you will have read and loved Sharon’s 2016 book, ‘If Women Rose Rooted’, and today we look at three of the ancient stories through a menstrual cycle awareness / conscious menopause lens, including;
What the ‘Well Maiden’ shows us about how to act as a bridge to restore the Feminine in our world, particularly by cultivating the skill of listening to the wisdom of our dreams.
How the wild character of ‘Mis’ can guide us to find solace in the wilderness, particularly during the phases of our cycles and lives which can be full of grief and are often misunderstood by "civilisation", like the premenstruum and menopause.
How the story of the ‘Selkie’ can inspire us to reclaim our wildness, our authenticity and our sense of belonging.
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