Accidental Gods Hagitude: Paving the way to empowered elderhood with Sharon Blackie
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Sep 7, 2022 In this enlightening conversation, Sharon Blackie, an award-winning writer and mythologist, dives into her latest work, Hagitude. She explores the empowering journey into elderhood, drawing wisdom from powerful female archetypes in folklore. Listeners discover the magic of nature, the cultural narratives surrounding aging, and the role of myths in healing. Blackie emphasizes seeing aging as a transformation rather than decline, encouraging a shift in perspective towards celebrating this significant rite of passage.
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The Cailleach Stone
- Sharon Blackie found a rock resembling an old woman on the Isle of Lewis and felt a connection to the land's spirit, the Cailleach.
- After leaving, the rock formation disappeared, leaving her to feel it symbolized the land's grief.
Finding the Cailleach in Ireland
- In Donegal, Ireland, Blackie initially struggled to find the Cailleach archetype in the landscape, feeling bereft.
- She later connected with the archetype through a heron, creating the character 'Old Crane Woman'.
Folktales in Psychotherapy
- Folktales, unlike grander myths, offer accessible imagery and archetypal characters for self-discovery.
- Images like the red shoes or handless maiden provide potent metaphors for addiction or abuse, aiding therapeutic exploration.
