Mythological Studies

Myth speaks in the voice of psyche. Through stories and images of larger-than-life forces personified as goddesses and gods, mythologies around the world tell of archetypal powers at play in the personal, planetary, and cosmic soul. Therefore, the more deeply you understand myth, the more deeply you understand yourself and the world. In a time when the trumpets of propaganda blare deafening lies from all sides—attempting to tell you who you are, what you think, and what to do—myth can help you cut through the noise and attune to the most important voice of all: the authenticity of your own inner wisdom—in other words, your soul. To hear that voice is the first step in transforming yourself from a bystander in your life to an active agent of confident, creative change.

Myth’s messages reveal themselves through what the French philosopher Henry Corbin (1903-1978) calls the “imaginal realm,” or the soul’s capacity to imagine sights, sounds, smells, and textures outside of and perhaps adjacent to the mundane or everyday world. The imaginal realm is the geography of the soul, a metaphorical “place” where you experience wonder, receive inspiration, and gain new knowledge and insight. The gifts of the imaginal realm can apply directly to the challenges of life.

Myth offers a sparkling avenue into the imaginal realm. To read a myth and imagine its events is to practice the art of visiting and thereby activating the imagination to access and learn from the soul’s wisdom. Many of myth’s messages, however, are not obvious at first glance. Myth speaks poetically through metaphors, resonance, image, and suggestion. Nor is myth inherently true or wise. The forces at play in the terrain of myth can be harmful, helpful, or both. What’s more, the term “myth” can also mean a lie that needs to be debunked. That’s why discernment is vital for all forays into myth and the imaginal. The term “myth” is a signal to pay attention because powerful fictions are in play that require heightened awareness. The opportunity is to allow myths to activate the imagination while staying alert for wisdom and for dangerous ideas cloaked in mythic metaphors.

From epic to scripture to movies to conspiracy theories, myths resonate deeply and take on a life of their own. The events of a myth may not be literally true, but metaphorically they represent soul experiences and soul beliefs. To study myth is to develop the faculty of seeing past the surface of mythic narrative to deeper meanings and associations. The more consciously you relate to myth, the less it can unconsciously control you, and the more you can influence how it shows up in your life and your work.

This three-year mythological studies curriculum at Kosmos Institute offers a sturdy pathway into serious academic engagement with the mythological pantheon of human cultures. At this time the first year of the curriculum is available for viewing and enrollment, the second and third years will be unveiled in due course.

Entering the Imaginal Realm: Myth, Metaphor, and Psyche Dr. Joanna Gardner

Summer 2025