The Trickster shows up everywhere, and often when we least expect it. We have strange dreams, car wrecks, conversations that go sideways, or more positively, sudden fortune. It makes us wonder: Who is this archetypal character popping up in all times, places, and societies? What does the Trickster want? What are some ways to deal with the resulting chaos as well as surprise? How do we relate to theTrickster?
The Trickster has a psychological function. But when its presence disrupts our life we may not always find it easy to recognize its purpose. The Trickster challenges the status quo and the patterns we’ve woven into our existence. The Trickster is beckoning us to engage with the chaos it brings, even when clarity seems distant.
The Trickster is a particular kind of shadow figure that is also closely related to play and creativity. And sometimes the Trickster is humorous. It evokes spontaneity or asks us to play with rigid boundaries. It may make us uncomfortable, yet intrigue us at the same time.
Craig Chalquist, the teacher of this course, has extensive expertise in folklore and a profound understanding of psychological depths. He weaves together ancient wisdom and modern insights as he examines the Trickster through a Jungian lens.
We will learn from examples of Trickster acts that can be found in myth and folklore, film, fiction, current events, and daily life. He will also explore what triggers the Trickster into action and what recurring images & motifs identify the presence of the Trickster. He will discuss how this figure shows up in us, and how we can move with it from chaos and bewilderment to humor and insight.