The Mythic Journey : The Meaning of Myth as a Guide for Life

Greek gods, Norse heroes, Polynesian tricksters, and Native American warriors – they all have lessons to teach us. Since the beginning of time, human beings have relied on myths, fairy tales, and fables to explain life's mysteries. Bringing a fresh perspective to these age-old tales, Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke reveal how people today can find support and inspiration in the legends and lore of the past. The Mythic Journey explores the psychological dimensions of many traditions, recounting stories from various cultures including Greco-Roman, Hebraic, Egyptian, Celtic, Japanese, and Norse. More than fifty myths are beautifully retold, and each is followed by a psychological overview explaining how we can relate the story to our own lives. The Mythic Journey is a handbook for human life, guiding readers through the conflicts of family and childhood, the problems of love and intimacy, the challenges of ambition, failure, and success, and the moments when we must face our own mortality. We discover that authentic self-knowledge comes through facing life's challenges with courage and strength; that beauty, talent, power, and wealth bring their own forms of suffering; and that in the darkness of loneliness, failure, and loss, mythic tales have always helped us to discover new light and new hope.