C.G. Jung’s revelation of the mytho-poetic dimension of the human psyche, i.e., its story-making structure, gave credence to his hypothesis of the collective unconscious, its archetypal images and their healing intent. In this seminar, we explore the wisdom hidden in the Scottish fairy tale Maol a Chliobain and in the ancient myth Amor and Psyche. Together, we will discover how these age-old stories can provide solace, meaning and guidance during times of upheaval and transition.
In Maol a Chliobain, we ask what it means to receive a mother’s blessing or curse; we feel into being tied to a rock and left behind; we recognize the pattern of moving into and out of a Giant’s laird without being caught…and then link these symbolic images to Jungian concepts such as the formation of one’s shadow and psychological complexes, the cultivation of one’s anima and animus, and the individuation process itself. Our aim is to cultivate symbolic perception and apply it to everyday life.
In Amor and Psyche we behold Aphrodite, the great goddess of love and beauty, and wonder at the torture she makes Psyche endure for usurping her claim to being the most beautiful. We ponder whether there’s more to this story than Aphrodite’s jealous claim and whether the outrageous behavior of this Greek goddess, like that of many other Greek gods, actually has something of great importance to impart. Finally, we look for the reverberations of Amor and Psyche in modern stories and films to understand their hold on us and to identify new variations on the ancient themes.
Schedule:
Maol a Chliobain: A Scottish Fairytale
- January 30, 2022 – Jenny Gordon
- February 6 – Jenny Gordon
- February 13 – Jenny Gordon
The Ancient Myth of Amor and Psyche
- February 27 – Diana Oxley
- March 6 – Diana Oxley
- March 13 – Diana Oxley