Hi everyone,
For those of you who suspect that maybe I made up this whole predictive mythology business that frames Part One of Beautiful Possibility, here’s pioneering psychologist/mythologist Rollo May—
“We first are surprised to note the curious phenomenon that myths precede discovery. Medieval Europe did not “want” a new world in the centuries before Columbus set forth in his three tiny ships in 1492. The Vikings under Leif Ericson had come to America in the eleventh century, and the Irish had made several trips to North America before them. But these discoveries were largely ignored. Medieval people were concerned with their own inner world and with heaven, the world above, not a new world like their present one. It took an inner change in Europe before the people could let themselves see and experience a new world. A new mythic world had first to be born; it was then time to discover a new outer world as well. We note that people’s myth is decisive, rather than bare historical fact, in when they let themselves see and not see. It is not by its history that the mythology of a nation is determined, but conversely, its history is determined by its mythology. This reminds one of Virgil’s saying, ‘We make our destiny by our choice of the gods.’ “— The Cry for Myth, Rollo May, 1991.
So much good research I didn’t get to use for Part One….
If you’re looking to understand more about how mythology tends to shape history far more than history shapes mythology, The Cry for Myth is a good place to start.
Also, a reminder that there’s a new chapter of A Complicated Passion posted. This one is, I’m told, much better to listen to than to read.
Peace, love and strawberry fields,
Faith ❤️
