Entering the Imaginal Realm: Myth, Metaphor, and Psyche

One short-sighted trope of modernity is the literalist belief that myth is false, silly, and irrelevant because its events are not historically true. A close cousin to this view is the reductionist insistence that because atoms have no meaning or purpose (that we know of), we must therefore inhabit a universe which is also devoid of meaning or purpose. In other words, there’s no point to anything. By discounting the metaphorical messages of myth, modernity paradoxically allows those deeper meanings free rein in the subconscious, whether they be helpful or harmful. Further, the depressive forces of literalism and reductionism can combine all too easily into a gravitational field of resignation and compliance. But there is an antidote: connecting with your soul’s unique wisdom and purpose through the mythic imagination.

In this course, you will venture into the vitalizing realm of imaginal metaphors, archetypes, and interpretations, especially as they apply to soul-play and creativity. Drawing primarily on the work of Joseph Campbell, James Hillman, and Maria Tatar, as well as many other scholars, the course will introduce you to mythic images and narratives from many traditions. You will gain fluency in metaphorical interpretation by encountering creation myths, heroic journeys, and wonder tales. Every session includes guided writing meditations so you can reflect on your soul’s experience as you travel in the company of goddesses, gods, and other archetypal beings, re-invigorating your imagination as we co-create an experience of beauty, meaning, and purpose.

There are as many avenues into the imaginal realm as there are beating hearts who have ever lived. In this course you will follow in the footsteps of illustrious forebears who have charted their paths through myth, and you’ll practice writing your own way into these enchanted landscapes to restore your spirit, inspire your work, and connect more deeply with soul: your soul, the souls of others, and the great World Soul that cradles us all.