Austin Myth: A JCF Mythological RoundTable™, explores the omnipresence of myth and how it affects our lives individually, socially, culturally, and globally. In conjunction with the Joseph Campbell Foundation, we provide a community for the study and discussion of myth, the works of Joseph Campbell and similar theorists, and the exploration of transformation through mythology. Our goal is to bring myth back to the forefront of awareness.
My ultimate goal for this group is to provide an outlet for discussing myth and how it operates in our lives. I envision an academic discussion group with each member contributing from his or her own background to establish a place to discuss the myth we write for ourselves each and every day. I do not want this to be a support group of any sorts or as a substitute for one’s own research or even taking a class/seminar on the subject. As the group’s coordinator, I cannot provide the path for any one’s quest, just a gateway and a few tools.
The 2008 meeting schedule is here. Meetings will be held at the Book People cafe starting at 4:30. I will be there wearing my black JCF t-shirt with the red circle logo on the front.
Book People
603 N Lamar
Austin, TX 78703
***February 23, “An Inconvenient Truth: Is Global Warming Affecting Nature Myths?”
In this session, we will explore this question and how our relationship to Nature has changed under industrialization. With all the talk of a return to the Goddess, how is global warming affecting how we perceive Her connection to the earth? To prepare, I encourage everyone to see Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth even if you disagree with the Global Warming Debate.
***April 26, “Coming Home: An Examination of the Initiatory Needs of Soldiers at War”
**********POSTPONED TO MAY 3RD AT 2:30, SAME PLACE**********
For this roundtable we will be exploring the experiences of war and how it relates to the liminal period so often attributed to initiation rituals. We will also be examining how story telling relates to integrating and making coherent the paradoxes of war. This roundtable is meant primarily as a starting point for a dialogue on how our study of mythology and depth psychology can help those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. With this focus we will highlight the film The Deer Hunter and the Tim O’Brien novel The Things They Carried. They about intitiatory experiences and story-telling during the Vietnam War respectively. Author and Vietnam veteran O’Brien explains that “story-truth is truer sometimes than happening-truth”. If this is so mythology may be integral to helping our heroes make the transition back to civilian life.
May 31, Topic TBA – DATE CORRECTION DUE TO LEADER’S FORGETFULNESS. NEW DATE IS JUNE 7.
***June 7, “Literary Alchemy”
“Literary Alchemy” is a phrase coined – as far as I know – by John Granger, theologian and writer of hogwartsprofessor.com, to describe how one can induce personal transformation through literature, especially Harry Potter. This process of transformation resembles Campbell’s hero’s journey. We are going to explore alchemy, literature and unleashing personal myth through literature (movies, television shows, etc. count, too).
***June 28, “Tarot and Storytelling”
As promised, we are having another RoundTable this month due to various scheduling mishaps on my part. That being said, I’ve planned a “hands on” event this time around. Inspired by Italo Calvino’s book, The Castle of Crossed Destinies, this RoundTable will explore the various levels of storytelling using the tarot. The rules are simple: the storyteller cannot use any words, only tarot cards and some minor gestures. He or she can interpret the meaning of the cards however he or she sees fit. The “readers,” or other participants, try to guess the meaning of the story based only on what they see. This exercise demonstrates the various levels that go into understanding a story, from the teller’s original intent to the actual understanding by the readers. I will be providing a “study deck” based loosely on the Marseilles deck. Anyone is welcome to bring a deck they don’t mind sharing.
August 30, Topic TBA
November 01, Topic TBA
December 13, Topic TBA
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If you are interested in receiving e-mail updates or have a suggestion for a RoundTable topic, please e-mail me at priscilla@mythicthinking.org. Please use either “RoundTable Add Me” or “RoundTable Suggestion” in the subject box.
