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  • Love this! And puns are fun!

    Promise not to go Non-suezzsensical here!

    What a beautiful ritual of light…St. Lucia! Learned a few years back a little more about her thanks to working on an around the world youth Christmas show with a friend. That’s really lovely!

    Speaking of Luci and puns and alliteration…when I read Joyce words referenced in your essay such as Lit-airily…I cannot help but think of John Lennon. Ok so that’s the Lucy ref

    Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

    However, I am not just thinking in terms of music lyrics, but the two books of “word play” and puns, which Lennon penned. In His Own Write and A Spaniard in the Works. 

      And yes, I am well aware he took inspiration from Lewis Carrol. So one can go all into jabberwacky land with that.

    But maybe Joyce influenced too.

    I can feel a familiarity in the style just from the few Joyce lines given.
    Even though the Lennon puns have an aserbic flavor…still it was and is fascinating to me.
    And I attempted several wordplay stories/sentences of my own. A little less aserbic. And it was delightfooly wanderful to do so!
    Of course it can be confusing too…but I agree…it’s lovely to be able to laugh and not let the seriousness or heavy storm clouds blinker the eyes in despair.

    Maybe that lightness of laughter itself brings clarity?
    So wood like to think you verity mulch far dis inspir-sational pun-tastic essay on James the Joyous!

    in reply to: Universal Consciousness/Universal “Sam” #73005

    One character story example I like of universal consciousness is Samwise Gamgee. But since he does his little every man/hobbit/being speech…I’ll take in mind anyone can be Sam (of any background, culture or place…just to add to the universal ness of it) But even more than appearance it is about heart.
    Sam is not a savior…he is a symbol of something inside each of us and the best part. In the darkest times he finds an untouchable star high above Mordor.
    There is something so beautiful in that! And then there are his acts of kindness yeah I know when he carries Frodo…the sniffles in the movie audience.

    But back to his “good deeds.” Sam is simply helping. Simply doing good. But even that small good makes a ripple.

    There is a scene in The Hobbit and it may have been translated differently to screen. (Adapted addition from LOTR appendices?) Galadriel asks Gandalf “Why the halfling?”

    And he says something to the effect that Saruman only believes great power can change the world but he (Gandalf) believes in simple every day deeds of kindness.”

    It fits. And this to me is Sam to a T.

    Then I thought about the words “The Greater Good,” words, which suggest a multiplicity of good or bigger or better good. Where this makes sense to me is the most good such as what or where can one do the most good? That makes common sense.

    Yet throughout time “the greater good,” has often been a double-edged sword.
    And here it is impossible for me to not think of Sam.
    The Greater Good can be a choice that one or many make. A choice to do the greater good.
    But Sam simply does good. He often does it spontaneously without thinking much about it except from the heart.
    And the good he does though small echoes from him out to everyone else.
    Sam doesn’t see himself as a hero only an adventurer caught up in a dangerous story with his friends. Sometimes he feels small. But it makes him even braver.
    The greater good can be a lofty ideal to aspire to collectively.  But for me, I’ll probably remember the simple acts of good of the Samwise Gamgees everywhere around the world the best. Not only acts of good but kindness. Bodhisattva?? We certainly need more kindness and compassion in the world!
    Sam is not doing good for goods sake…(a principle of the appearance of honor?) but rather he simply does good because he is compassionate and I think that’s why I and we and so many of us love him!

    This is the place where I will trade the Collected Unconscious for Universal Consciousness. Collected Unconscious works to study myths in general but to “experience them,” and allow these stories to invite us to these imaginal realms of reflection and awareness and realization then I’m all for Universal Consciousness and Universal “Sam.”

    In this case just in this moment a collected Unconscious becomes too impersonal for me, even if it’s an accurate description because whatever drives our inner nature to compassion feels Supra-personal….

    The story of the policeman saving the man committing suicide on the bridge.

    Campbell said “the whole world drops away.”

    But I also wondered if what the policeman saw in that man’s eyes was himself and the whole world?
    If everything comes in pairs of opposites is it possible the whole world or universe also opens up?
    Looking into someone’s eyes is a very personal experience.
    Don’t the myths and stories not only give us relatable themes but also characters who become like avatars of our imagination? (While we stray momentarily into these “other worlds)
    We “watch/read” them and sometimes “become them,” or see ourselves in them or even our friends.
    So that’s why I love the spontaneous  Universal Consciousness of Sam!
    We need more Sam’s in the world!

    in reply to: Universal Consciousness/Universal “Sam” #73006

    This may be a wander…so heads up ahead of time.
    I was thinking about Universal Consciousness. Yes it’s not quite defined the same way as “collected Unconscious,” but it still feels very relevant.
    Other ideas and words Universal Consciousness conjures besides the usual ideas of love and peace are Awareness, Compassion and Connection.
    And also synchronicity. Everyone probably at some point has those synchronous moments in their lives and often those involve other people.

    I think for me that can definitely go on the Aha! Scale where you feel “connected,” to something much larger than yourself. Yet think it is just as possible to look up at the stars with or without friends and feel that beautiful finite moment wrapped up in something infinite shared by all on Space Ship earth. (Love that metaphor!)

    It reminds me of Campbell’s reaction to the earth from moon view.
    Not this group or that group…but the whole planet.

     

    One thing I’ve always found interesting is Joe Campbell once championing the idea of “smaller groups,” going into the forest. And yes it might sound as though it contradicts what’s said above.
    I just thought it was more about less chatter and noise going into a forest. Or even that larger-groups tend to create in-groups/religion and in-fighting and smaller ones might be more open to Consciousness/Universal awareness  and each other. But that’s probably a slightly different subject.

    I have an opinion the reason Campbell and Jung would have not chosen to use the term Universal Consciousness is because it invites the infinite.
    I’m sure they would be aware of the infinite, but for the sake of studying the shared consciousness or unconscious, a “Collected Unconscious,” works much better (even if it also points beyond itself.).  It makes sense that it is the best scientific way to describe this “amorphous shared human state.” In one sense it’s definitely “collected” because we are all a part of that…have that in common.
    Universal is probably less definable, since the Universe is larger than our solar system alone. But as a metaphor of experience call me purple,  I find it ideal!
    I’ve seen the way music brings people together. I’ve seen people from all backgrounds and cultures come to celebrate and play music together…Beatles…Robert Mirabal so many more….

    Those synchronous moments we all share with each other? Or even seeing wildlife. There is definitely a “more than me,” feeling.

    But what I find most interesting about that is how often it includes spontaneity or just being in the moment!

    This was why, I was carried away with the Parzeval essays earlier this year!
    When he is listening to his inner nature that spontaneity occurs.
    It feels like the individuation process is as much about being open to the spontaneous and possible as it is to working something out from the “intellectual side alone.” Balance? (Grin)

    That’s why the word awareness seems to fit for me. A balance between inner nature, intuition and intellect.
    There has to be some alert and grounding on the journey to not step on snakes in the grass…(heh heh…well all psyche 3rd eye bites aside)

    So now will post a third.

     

     

     

    Thank you Norland for your nice response!

    When you write: I think Stephen would also agree that it is not so much a problem with the archetypal-mythic energy called “heroism” but with a specific ideological form of the hero, the form of the One. For this is such a One containing the split within itself.

    That last line “the split within oneself,” conjured another image/thought/idea:

    “The psychopath.”

    And you may not have intended that…but somehow that line just evokes the idea to me.

    I think it’s interesting too and will try to not stray too far: but in another book The One is also a Ring (or a dark creation an anti-boon with an essence of the Dark One’s sick personality forged into it to lure and destroy)

    It sounds like the Bene Gesserit are also making a creation “the one,” but in the form of Paul Atreides.
    Though from comments here and the essay it sounds as if Paul is both “the One and the creation/the lure.”

    Wonder if trouble with the collective is that there is positive potential there waiting to be noticed but if a collective is trapped, then that becomes difficult.

    So just to me it seems that a potential of a collective is it’s Awareness.
    Without awareness the Collective remains trapped but with it maybe there is a chance?
    And wouldn’t the Hope be kind of a Eucatastrophe? An overall wake up?
    Not to be too purple but even Yellow Submarine cartoon…Gray Pepperland hears music and eyes open and color returns to the world.

    But in reality I guess it might happen in smaller numbers. Alas!

    And I think you are right there is a difference in heroism and those who metaphorically strut or present as “Heroes.” After all the one who says he is the Buddha is not.

    Almost changed the idea of the collective giving power to the One but after reading your response, it still fits.

    Might have added that collective belief supports The One as well. Maybe not just to prop the One up because if they are like a psychopath they have plenty of esteem. But rather they need the collective to um remain “unaware,” so that’s why they spend so much time in the Controlling God/Savior position.

    The other warnings I might see are the clever use of Illusion, Dishonesty and False Promises. Including “a greater good which is anything but.” And the secondary dark forces, which might rise beneath the One.

    And yes thankfully we are not quite to the Coliseum state yet! Yikes!

    A thought provoking essay for sure!

    Stephen when you mention the hero myth as something deeply ingrained in the human psyche. I wonder if something else could be at work or play there?

    Maybe something, which points back to the horizon?
    IF it is not misunderstood or misused?
    And maybe there is a need for the horizon or a larger or different view to bring awareness and realization.
    And come back to that old saw of gods and men pointing beyond themselves.
    And thus come to the realization of being a part of something larger than oneself or even one’s village.

    Seems like the myths take one and all beyond many borders. Both “real” internal/external  and “metaphysical.”
    As well as beyond emotions (anger/fear/judgment)  and that trickster, “Ego.”

    To me, they Invite Awareness of The Aha moment, that both might bite into the psyche and set free.
    Not by harm or control but by Awareness.
    Sorry if this is a bit disjointed. Wrote something longer and decided to replace it with something short.
    So maybe there is some need  to look to the Horizon but our psyches at times play this out as hero quests? Until we perhaps come to realization the Awareness is available to all, each and everyone?

     

    First, I have not yet seen “Dune,” or read the series. But after this essay, I am intrigued. At least that’s a good starting place hopefully!
    And I also agree, it would be very easy to wander other roads into other worlds and realms/stories  as mentioned in other comments above.

    So I have a different perception/angle to add to the mix. And it might be a risk but I’ll take it and take the chance I’m coming out of my ears (laugh) or am too far in left field.

     

    Norland you write:

    On a broad philosophical level, there is a striking similarity between the Dune saga and The Lord of the Rings trilogy: they both affect a kind of “transvaluation of all values,” a fundamental critique of the mythology of the One and its hyper-masculine heroic attitude. Where the masses are programmed to worship superheroes and bow before “the One,” both of the greatest epics of fantasy literature are there to warn us against the dangers of Its rise.

    And:

    Herbert wants to allow all the disastrous—indeed, genocidal consequences that follow from the One’s brutal imposition upon the collective.

    The last half of the first paragraph, which concerns “programming the masses to worship superheroes and bow before the “One,”

    And Herbert’s emphasis of as you say “the genocidal consequences that follow One’s brutal imposition upon the collective,”

    stand out to me.

    And here’s the odd angle or thought:

    Sometimes, I wonder if the One uses the Collective against itself?
    Yes, I could see as in other tales mentioned above the divide and conquer strategy, which can be effective.
    If the One (or any Dark One) makes dark and cruel mischief alone, that’s one thing.

    But isn’t the greater power of the one derived from an attending Collective?
    That it is Collective power (collective underneath the One of course) that the One often seeks and desires? And NEEDs?

    And as you suggest Norland that to me would be exactly a used and abused Collective and blind one, which is conditioned to serve one cause in this case a Dark One’s cause. And no doubt illusion brought them there.
    Maybe even with a promise of a “Greater Good,” which is anything but.
    It seems like a lot of these One’s are darkly clever that way.
    But what do I know? Heh heh.
    It would be interesting to see how Dune plays out. And then maybe I’ll have different thoughts.
    I do love the idea of people (individuals with different backgrounds and stories)  coming together, working things out, sharing, helping each other and celebrating life. It’s a much happier collective place to be and much saner (at least to me) than the idea of a dark collective under a (One?) which I imagine would be built on fear/anger promises and illusion (the real test.)

    Thanks as always for an interesting read!

     

     

    in reply to: Challenging Campbell (and asking Questions) #73008

    Think I will stick with a light hearted question and challenge to Campbell 1st, since I tend to the long metaphorical musings alas!
    At least I’ve found similar “kin” here on the board and in the realm of mythology and philosophy. So that’s fun! Grin. And I enjoy reading those other essays and musings!

    Ok to point and this one feels kind of silly, because after reading excerpts from “Ecstasy of Being,” I could tell that Joe Campbell was broadening his view on certain subjects. Especially the journey of woman or women…and he said the Warrior Goddess would make the best metaphor.

    But the question that came to my mind was provoked by his earlier works where Campbell  referenced a story he had read that had an Amazon warrior in it. A male hero warrior was the main protagonist, but the Amazon offered to defend the rear guard while the male hero went on with his quest.

    Now here is the silly question and the thoughts I might have asked Campbell:

    In Nature there are the equivalent of “matriarchal,” species who play both the role of the Life Bringer, the Mother and the Warrior.
    Because Campbell seemed to have interest in science (even if more interested in Space) I thought he would be open to this.

    For example…A Lion Pride. The Pride is all female except for some of the Cubs who might be male.

    The Pride brings forth the life, but the big male lions don’t necessarily stick around. And the males usually hunt for themselves. (At least from the Nature documentaries I watched growing up.)
    The Pride hunts and works together like a pack.
    They are not only Mothers, but also “meat winners” (bread winners.)

    They provide the food. And the defense (sometimes defense against rogue male lions who are a threat to the young cubs.)

    Not to say that lions can’t partner or mate like wolves. I’ve seen articles and videos about lions protected on reserves and I think some were life  mates.

    But a Lion Pride requires the female cat to play all roles.

    Next Wolves:
    With wolves the greatest Alpha wolf is a female who “governs” over the whole pack male and female. Her mate may be an Alpha male but it is the Female Alpha given deference unless another female challenges and ousts her.

    Bees and other colony insects:

    Even though the hive mind is mostly at play and there are drones (male) do some work…It was my understanding, that the Queen insect is center and her main attendees, workers and foragers are female. They are the Warriors and defenders and providers.
    They have to learn the routes, scout out new homes if necessary and locations of food. (Or farm in the case of ants!)     (New research suggests there is more individual behavior to some bees than previously thought.That’s interesting too but back on track)

    It would be my thought in the world of early humans, who often took inspiration or whose lives were informed by nature, that such creatures would have influenced various tribes and cultures and that the definition of matriarchy might be much broader than originally assumed.
    I think this wouldn’t have been a Challenge to Campbell by his later works. But the common view of the male warrior protecting and defending the woman/goddesss so she can bring forth life…is just one of many stories.

    (not that there’s anything wrong with Chilvalry…still a bit old fashioned and poetic myself grin)

    But the point is that Nature has always challenged the common themes of the times.
    And in this case I think it’s And/Both.

    Wolves and Hawks partnering for life.
    Male and female birds building nests and providing for their young.
    Female deer having their herds, young bucks having their herds and larger bucks presiding over a herd of does and fawns.
    So I would have been curious to see what Campbell would have thought about those themes in Nature and how that opened up what was possible both in the myths and societies of humans on this planet.
    I guess the only challenge would be as soon as it’s said “there is always this one theme,” nature proves that the theme plays out in a myriad of ways and did not always follow the common predictions and philosophies held dear at those times.
    But by the Ecstasy of Being I think Campbell could see that (grin.)

     

     

    in reply to: Campbell on Halloween #73012

    I love this! Thank you for sharing the transcript!
    Something new and delightful!

    And how we need the laughter and the play! Vitally!

    So in the same spirit of play, and the threshold, this line from the author Charles DeLint comes to mind…a conversational exchange in one of his books…

    One woman says, “There is a line between what is real and what is not real.”

    Then a protagonist character, Jilly Coppercorn (an artist and painter)

    replies: “the funny thing is…the line between what is real and what is not real is still an imaginary line.”

    What fun! Realm of play for sure!

     

     

    in reply to: Symbol(on)s of Love,” with Professor Mark C.E. Peterson” #74078

    Was going to post video but became stuck trying to pull up find the submit button for url field. But the subject is self evident (laugh)

    Wonder if this could be an example of bringing “Eros,” back to a broader perspective? To pull away from those misunderstandings that surround the word? Poor Eros!

    “Wanderlust,” Paul McCartney

    Yes Wander and Wonder I know the alliteration…

    But to me it’s interesting how adding Wander(Wonder) to the word “Lust,”

    almost transforms the word.

    The word by itself,  might conjure the song of Camelot, in May  (nothing wrong with that grin)

    But When the word is attached to Wander or Wonder to me it broadens the vision. One almost forgets that the word Lust is there. And it  releases,  the typical more narrow perception of Eros we conjure in our minds.

    But Passion, longing, dreams, exploration, desire of the heart…All there!

    Wanderlust!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    And somehow this is perfect as is…

    in reply to: Symbol(on)s of Love,” with Professor Mark C.E. Peterson” #74080

    One other thought…

    When you talk about retreating back into a comfort zone…or “not going out the door,”

    I also sense the challenge and call of the horizon so much a part of myths.
    But that challenge could be a trickster too (trickster as teacher) pulling one out of a comfort realm…

    Taking one to a place where New Perspectives exist and old ones might have to change…

    Maybe the horizon is too broad…the view too big…and the mystery too prominent both exhilarating by its Call but terrifying because it can’t be categorized by the mind…

    And there is safety in categorization but as many have pointed out here myths offer much more than a categorization of symbols and archetypes…they offer deeper reflection and awareness…sometimes they come both in the forms of heart Bodhisattva compassion and passion…

    And the trick is to walk past the Fear or at least not allow it to swallow one whole…or to become the creature of anger…

    And then to face the mystery with a calm mind and an open and adventurous heart to allow that passion and embrace of Wholeness to return.

     

    in reply to: Symbol(on)s of Love,” with Professor Mark C.E. Peterson” #74081

    Mark, first want to tell you how much I enjoyed your previous essay on “reflection.” “Lions, Tigers and Athena. Oh my!” Loved those perspectives! And the realm of “play,” which surrounds them!

    When you speak of “in completeness,” in your current essay the proverbial Joe Campbell metaphor of “the ladder against the wrong wall,” arose in my mind.
    Not sure if that fits…but the realization that comes when one keeps climbing and when they arrive at the top it’s there in reflection they find out they are still missing “that wholeness” that completeness, that “passion,” that bliss? That other half? Of being alive?

    You write: This wondering about things, committing ourselves to follow the things we love, out there beyond what we know, can easily lead us astray — but I think the greater danger lies in never leaving the house. :^)

    So since everything calls forth symbol and metaphor within the human life…

    I wonder if that Greek splitting in two…

    could also symbolize not only what one strives to attain in a lifetime but also a splitting of Self or loss of wholeness from perhaps even childhood or early years of youth?

    The Greek idea is born in an imaginal mythic realm but it seems that blueprint could also play out in a person’s own life?
    Starting out in wholeness but losing on the road along the way. Turning away from ones passions…maybe because of life choices or maybe because of necessity or the sorrows of the world.
    Or hardship. Or expectations. Duty.

    Or could that loss also represent a loss of that Wonder…that other part of the human spirit?
    Maybe even someone spends a lifetime learning to “divide themselves,” maybe it’s educated out of them? Who knows?   Then they spend the rest of their journey learning how to recover what they lost?
    The wholeness…the completeness…the passion…

    I am very  thankful that my parents who were all educators allowed for the playful and imaginal and reflective in my life. And supported my passions.
    So know I am lucky.

    Enjoyed your essay Mark! (Both essays)

    Thank you!

     

    Thank you for the book recommendation Joanna! Sounds fantastic! Thanks to these JCF boards, I’m in the midst of savoring “The Spell of the Sensuous.” So I will look forward to another book within this realm!

    As for “Sweet Tooth,” one of my favorite aspects are Gus’s ears. I know this is indirectly related to the topic but I love his ears…and they do bring a kind of emotive realism into play.

    It reminds me of Avatar in that way…also again the ears…the expressions…and in that case the cat tails too.
    I think it’s because I’ve had cats and also dogs, and love horses…and love watching  visiting  does and fawns as well. so much character and emotion is expressed through those ears.
    So with Gus too…one feels his sadness as his ears go down or as they flick up when the little actor smiles. The young actor is delightful!

    And on a deeper level, I completely agree about the “generous and open hearted way” of bringing in the “Magical Realism.”

    I loved the Stag standing behind the door born out of the mist like an ancient Gaelic or Native legend.

    Sweet Tooth reminds me of Charles Delint books (though known for urban fantasy some of his books strayed farther into the misty woods of the old country and deeper into the woods and plains of North America and Canada)

    And then there’s that darker element which has a touch of Dean Koontz…

    But instead of a dog being the counter point of Light. Gus is that counterpoint.

    He struggles goes through all the classic paths of stepping out into ones own adventure…with doubts, hopes, friends, guides and dangers along the way.

    To me it feels as though something more is at work than Gus currently realizes…seeing the deer run with him through the forest again another breath of that magical realism making itself known. There is a feeling to me of a “becoming,” something waiting to be noticed. Waiting for him. His existence feels symbolic of something larger than himself.

    And to be fair there are other characters and other “counter points of light,” in this story: crossroads all coming together to make a larger legend.
    Found myself crying a few times…love the friendship between Gus and Jeppard…and Wendy and her “Mom.”
    These moments bring the light back in.
    And there is also something beautifully “healing,” in some of the other dream sequences even if there is an edge as well. And other revelations on other primary characters are unfolding. But will leave it there.

    And back to the figures in the caves…also evokes images of those wonderful Gaelic/British Spirits: Cernunnos and Hern. Those two are wonderfully compelling and fun!
    And aspects of the same imaginal and nature energy and imagery! Love it!

    The fascinating element of  “magical realism,” just from observing or experiencing nature is how certain moments lend themselves to that “realm.” And the reason it works is because of how Natural it seems…

    Anyone that has walked in a fog knows…the way the mists shift around with the air currents.

    The way animals come into focus when one is quiet…deer, birds, the piercing scree of a red tail. Coyotes singing to the moon at night.
    The arresting color of a forest in green or autumn mantle. The sudden silence of rustling leaves.

    A meteor streaking across the heavens. It’s hard not to imagine something more at play something calling out reaching a human longing within…

    Thank you for the essay Joanna!

     

     

    in reply to: (Music/Dance/Performance/Storytelling #72388

    Stephen,

    I am so glad you and your wife were able to see all those performances!
    The title to this link should include All performance…it’s all connected!

    I love Steve Martin (multitalented beyond comedy/music too)

    The play sounds awesome! And my God how we need laughter! Vitally now!
    So wonderful!
    A friend of mine from California was able to get tickets to Hamilton when she traveled to her former stomping grounds in NYC…very thrilled too!
    I know it was on demand as well but nothing like a live performance!
    All my NY friends love it even if not all have seen it live:-)

    Monty Python? John Cleese? (yeah yeah yeah) What a wonderful birthday gift to your wife!!
    Laughter lightens the soul! Music opens the heart.
    And by universe and transcendence we desperately need that balance!
    Healing for the Spirit heart and mind as well as the body.
    Think I read somewhere how some Drs and Nurses were playing music for patients on recovery from CV and when the patients left the hospital they played “Here Comes the Sun.”

    The energetic potential in Art/Performance/Music/dance is beautiful and Sacred and healing   (Hope that doesn’t sound too over the top) laugh.

    When I saw Robert Mirabal perform live, he told our audience “you don’t know it but you just participated in a ceremony.”  And there was definitely energy in the show, in the atmosphere, that something “in-between.” No one left unaffected. It was sort of like a prayer for peace.

    And George Harrison’s sister Lou once came to Beatlefest and told the story of a depressed young man determined to end his life…and he put on his parents Beatles records…but something miraculous happened…with each one he felt a little less depressed and by the third he was cheerful and called the hospital because he didn’t want to die.

    Yes I agree! Prayers and healing! A better horizon!  And a return of Bodhisattva! From the Heart!

    Long Live Art and the Arts!

    in reply to: (Music/Dance/Performance/Storytelling #72390

    I don’t mind at all Stephen!

    Awesome admin Super Powers!!

    I’m not the most technically minded person (even though I’ve learned to navigate the “surface” of iPhones—-I’m not a tech person—often call upon my tech friends for help grin!)

    But had no clue as how to provide the link in a non-convoluted manner.

    This will definitely help!

    Thank you Stephen!

    Yes feel the same about Robert Mirabal.
    I am hoping one day there will be a video for the full performance of this.
    Guessing may take time since performance came out the year before 2020.

    I’ve seen both Jock Soto (NYC Ballet and Mirabal separately on PBS. So this collaboration seems absolutely brilliant to me!)

    What a wonderful essay to read just crossing the threshold into Fall! Thank you Joanna!
    And I agree Stephen, love those images  of those antlered and horned beings dancing on cave walls and dancing on in our mythic imagination!  Motion in stillness. A snapshot evoking movement and energy.

    Joanna you write: The figures are not literally dancing, and yet they give us the imaginal experience of animal rhythm and movement. And don’t they convey some of the true, actual vitality and energy of real animals?

     

    It is true those images do exactly that.

    Whenever a deer comes into my awareness, I definitely feel magical realism at play.
    The presence and energy of the animal draws my attention a slight fraction before I see it.
    There is this sense of a being from elsewhere crossing into the threshold of my clearing and my awareness.
    I’ve seen deer before but this year has been special…a fawn overnighting in the grass. It’s humbling.
    And it pulls me out of myself away from the chatter and worries in my mind. It’s as if Nature gently, but firmly turns my head and she says “Look, Behold…experience.” And there’s a deer in my yard.
    I have just started watching “Sweet Tooth,” but I want to wait before commenting.
    I am hoping others are coming to this conversation too! And maybe they have also started watching that series.
    Have to say again truly appreciate and enjoy the books, shows and links shared here at CoHo. It’s been delightful!
    In short every day I’m in Nature has the Full Potential of Magical Realism!

    And I love dancing in the Imaginal Realm!

    Thank You Stephen and Joanna!

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