MYTHS AND LEGENDS ORIGIN STORIES CREATION MYTHS Creation

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MYTHS AND LEGENDS: ORIGIN STORIES / CREATION MYTHS

MYTHS AND LEGENDS: ORIGIN STORIES / CREATION MYTHS

 Creation Myths: • Mostly considered to be “false” today because of modern scientific

Creation Myths: • Mostly considered to be “false” today because of modern scientific pursuit of facts BUT • Myths are STORIES that convey Truth through symbols rather than relating straight facts

Creation Myths: Myths come from human observation and experience. (The stuff of research=Science!) They

Creation Myths: Myths come from human observation and experience. (The stuff of research=Science!) They are humankind wrestling with the BIG QUESTIONS: Why are we here? Where did we come from? Why is everything so messed up? (What is the nature of EVIL? ) WHY does it seem to matter so much?

 Creation Myths: It is in the nature of humans to wonder about the

Creation Myths: It is in the nature of humans to wonder about the unknown and search for answers. At the foundation of nearly every culture is a creation myth that explains how the wonders of the earth came to be. These myths have an immense influence on people's frame of reference. They influence the way people think about the world and their place in relation to their surroundings. Despite being separated by numerous geographical barriers many cultures have developed creation myths with the same basic elements [Archetypes] —Lindsey Murtag

ARCHETYPE v. A basic (or typical) idea or meaning that appears in many stories

ARCHETYPE v. A basic (or typical) idea or meaning that appears in many stories or dreams. v. A recurring feature/element in mythology. v. Archetypes are the Symbols of Mythology.

ARCHETYPE v It is not the specific form/symbol but the underlying similarity that matters.

ARCHETYPE v It is not the specific form/symbol but the underlying similarity that matters. v. In other words, it’s the underlying meaning of the symbol rather than what the specific symbol is, that is the archetype. v. For instance “birth” could be symbolized by an egg, a garden, or a cave, but the archetype would be the same.

Creation Myths Creation Archetypes generally fall into three categories: v. Pre-Creation: That which is

Creation Myths Creation Archetypes generally fall into three categories: v. Pre-Creation: That which is uncreated (What was there before our world/universe began? ) v. The Creation Process: How the world and all that is on it came to be. v. After Creation: What happened to establish life as we know and experience it.

Pre-Creation What was there BEFORE what is here? Typical Pre-Creation Archetypes: v. Chaos: The

Pre-Creation What was there BEFORE what is here? Typical Pre-Creation Archetypes: v. Chaos: The Void or the Deep (Waters) represent CHAOS ( Really Formlessness) which will be given ORDER (Form) through a creative act. v. Supreme Being/Beings: That which will create everything else. God or gods.

Creation How everything (including US) came to be: Separations: v. Chaos to Order: The

Creation How everything (including US) came to be: Separations: v. Chaos to Order: The process of giving form to the universe. (Which plays out in all our attempts to give definition to the terrifyingly vast reality around us) Often shown as separation of land (Order) and water (Chaos) v. Darkness to Light: Light represents illumination and revelation.

After Creation Why things are the way they are: v. Organization: Identification and separation

After Creation Why things are the way they are: v. Organization: Identification and separation of species and genders and cultures. v. Setting of rules and social expectations v. Fall from Innocence: The fall of humanity (and the world) from an Ideal to a broken reality. v. Sometimes this is caused by the Supreme Being(s), sometimes it is a result of human disobedience (sin)

Creation Myths • Symbolically dramatize the origin of the earth and its people •

Creation Myths • Symbolically dramatize the origin of the earth and its people • Establish the central relationships among people, the cosmos or universe, and other creatures

Creation Myths • Distinguish gender roles and social organization. • Account for distinctive aspects

Creation Myths • Distinguish gender roles and social organization. • Account for distinctive aspects of the climate and features of the homeland. • Tell the origins of the culture’s most significant institutions and activities.

Myths: Symbolism A symbol is often an ordinary object, event, person, or animal to

Myths: Symbolism A symbol is often an ordinary object, event, person, or animal to which we have attached extraordinary meaning and significance.

MYTHS: SYMBOLISM This is why myths are more powerful than literal factual accounts: •

MYTHS: SYMBOLISM This is why myths are more powerful than literal factual accounts: • Symbols allow storytellers to suggest layers and layers of meaning-possibilities that a simple, literal statement could never convey. • A symbol is like a pebble cast into a pond: It sends out ever widening ripples of meaning. It takes you on the journey.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MYTHOLOGY: To truly make Myths matter, we need to: v. Work

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MYTHOLOGY: To truly make Myths matter, we need to: v. Work to interpret (understand) the DEEPER meaning of the Archetypal Symbols v. Consider how these connect to our lives v. What can we learn? v. What can we apply in a meaningful way?

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MYTHOLOGY: INTERPRETING ARCHETYPAL SYMBOLS

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF MYTHOLOGY: INTERPRETING ARCHETYPAL SYMBOLS

ASSIGNMENT: In your groups, answer the following: 1. Identify the Creation Archetypes 2. What

ASSIGNMENT: In your groups, answer the following: 1. Identify the Creation Archetypes 2. What aspects of human experience does this story explain?

ASSIGNMENT: Let’s go deeper by interpreting the meaning of the archetypal symbols: 3. What

ASSIGNMENT: Let’s go deeper by interpreting the meaning of the archetypal symbols: 3. What could nakedness (and the later need to cover their nakedness) represent? 4. In this story, what does the forbidden fruit of the tree represent?

ASSIGNMENT: Let’s go deeper by interpreting the meaning of the archetypal symbols: 5. What

ASSIGNMENT: Let’s go deeper by interpreting the meaning of the archetypal symbols: 5. What characteristics would a Supreme Being have that humans would not? 6. If humans moved away from a Being with those characteristics and into what