The Mythic Masculine

My guest today is Red K Elders, a magical artist based on the Norfolk coast of England, who sketches powerful portraits of old gods and mythical beings. This bonus episode explores her recent work in bringing forth a depiction of Dionysus, the god of fertility, grapes and wine, of ritual madness and religious ecstasy.  Red was kind enough to send me a copy of this portrait, who currently hangs on the wall in my office.In our conversation today, we discuss her journey as an artist and the power of creating ritual space for courting in the Otherworld, along with practical guidance for developing a living relationship with the mythical creatures in our midst.Before you listen, I highly recommend you take a look at the Dionysus portrait, along with more of her incredible work.And now enjoy my conversation with Red K Elders.  We begin with a reading of a Hymn to Dionysus.Red K Elders Website https://www.redkelders.comSupport this Podcast http://patreon.com/ianmack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Host Ian MacKenzie shares an update on the The Mythic Masculine Podcast, along with an announcement of our new series: The Pandemic Is A Prism. The Pandemic Is A Prism http://agatheringofstories.com/pandemicSupport the Podcast https://www.themythicmasculine.com/supporterJoin the Mythic Men's Lodge https://www.themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Sophie Strand, a writer who focuses on the intersection of spirituality, storytelling, and ecology. Though she admits, it would be more accurate to call her a neo-troubadour animist with a propensity to spin yarns that inevitably turn into love stories.I first encountered her work on social media, reading her surprising and beautiful essays from her forthcoming book: The Flowering Wand: Lunar Kings, Lichenized Lovers, Transpecies Magicians, and Rhizomatic Harpists Heal the Masculine.In our conversation today, we explore the connection between mycelium and myth, and how various gods from Jesus to Dionysus, can be seen more clearly as related to specific ecosystems and specific times.  Sophie makes the case to dissolve toxic masculinity by dispersing it within a chorus of diversity, and why the Hero’s Journey would benefit from a little intentional pruning.And finally, we unpack the wild nature of emergent systems, and how wedding our wounds to the wounds of the earth could invite a kaleidoscopic empathy for an ecocentric activism rooted in participation, not salvation.Support this podcast http://patreon.com/ianmackJoin the network http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

In this bonus episode, I share about my experience in the Patterns to Presence program, co-facilitated by Sabrina and Zamir on how to transform attachment patters with science and compassion. Learn more about their program here https://patternstopresence.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Justice Schanfarber, an artist, marriage counsellor and couples therapist.He is also the author of a two books, including “Conscious Kink for Couples: The beginner’s guide to using kinky sex and BDSM for pleasure, growth, intimacy, and healing.”Our conversation today, we cover some intimate terrority, including: an introduction into the erotic terrain of kink, the power and peril of exploring ritual sex, and the mythic paradox between the underworld and the overworld and how to navigate power exchange between partners.And finally, we unpack the archetypal split between the Good Boy/Bad Boy dilemma that many men in this culture face and how to invite integration through conscious kink.Get the book Conscious Kink for CouplesSupport the Podcast http://patreon.com/ianmack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

This is an an excerpt from the full episode A Psychedelic Guide to Healing Trauma. My guest Deus Fortier delivers a powerful spoken word transmission that begs to be listened to multiple times over.  Enjoy! Connect more with Deus http://deusfortier.comSupport this podcast http://themythicmasculine.com/supporter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Deus Fortier, a multi-faceted artist, men’s coach, and ceremonial facilitator.He is a fire-keeper and drummer for the Blackfoot sundance in southern Alberta, as well as an initiate of Kriya Yoga, a comprehensive spiritual science, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda of the ancient Swami order.Since 2007, Deus has been working intimately with entheogens and plant medicines, which is how I had the opportunity to experience the psychedelic 5 MEO DMT.I’m grateful to call Deus one of my closest friends, and this interview follows a powerful one on one ceremony he offered me with the medicine. I can say without hesitation, it was...the most intense experience of my life.Our conversation here is recorded in the late afternoon, with the spirit of the journey still with me. We cover potent ground, including Deus’ journey as a spiritual seeker with a deep yearning to understand consciousness.  We talk about the power of liberating the intelligence of emotions and the nature of healing trauma.And finally, we cover the dangers and possibilities of intentional psychedelic ceremony, ending with a fierce original spoken-word piece from Deus called “Are You Okay?”Support the Podcast http://themythicmasculine.com/supportJoin the Network http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Zhenevere Sophia Dao, founder of the philosophy of Post-Daoism and the MogaDao practice tradition.She has been a teacher and innovator of mythosomatic practices for nearly 30 years, and writes on wide variety of spiritual, philosophical, and cultural subjects. Zhenevere is also the founder of the organization, The Transgender Necessity, a platform to help educate individuals and institutions with regard to the cultural necessity of transgender people.In our fantastic conversation today, we discuss how to weave the fabric of one’s mythopoetic life.  We explore a post-Daoist gender theory, and the recognition and implication of recognizing masculinity as a theatrical spirit.  We touch upon Robert Bly and the limited legacy of Iron John, and come to a surprising revelation of the ghost in the machine of Patriarchy.And finally, Zhenevere touches upon the transgender experience as a necessary medicine for these times of traversing uncertainty as we collectively reimagine culture.Support this podcast http://patreon.com/ianmackJoin the network http://themythicmasculine.com/network This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

Today I'm happy to speak with Karen Lee Downes, co-founder of FemmeQ, who are holding their next event in Costa Rica as well as online July 24-31st. We are producing the next A Gathering of Stories livestream event in collaboration with their conference. In our conversation, we discuss the journey to come.  Get tickets for FemmeQ http://femmeq.orgGet tickets for A Gathering of Stories II http://agatheringofstories.comLearn more about Karen https://karenleedownes.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is Maya Luna, a poet and creator of the Deep Feminine Mystery School.She has also authored a book of poetry, OMEGA: Feral Secrets of the Deep Feminine and released a spoken word album, Holy Darkness: A Tantric Opus.In our conversation today, we discuss how to tune into the frequency of the Deep Feminine, through the gateways of the senses.  We speak of the historical consequence of literacy on the cultures that venerated the Goddess and the subsequent rise of distorted masculinity.  We wonder on the original trauma that may illuminate the gender conflict still unfolding today, and the Madonna/Whore split that many women (and men) are seeking to integrate.And finally, Maya shares one of her powerful poems on the truth of Feminine power.Join the Network http://themythicmasculine.com/networkSupport this Podcast http://patreon.com/ianmack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe