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

Greekgods, Norse heroes, Polynesian tricksters, and Native American warriors – theyall have lessons to teach us. Since thebeginning of time, human beings have relied on myths, fairy tales, and fablesto explain life's mysteries.Bringing a fresh perspective to these age-oldtales, Liz Greene and Juliet Sharman-Burke reveal how people today canfind support and inspiration in the legends and lore of the past. The Mythic Journey explores the psychologicaldimensions of many traditions, recounting stories from various culturesincluding Greco-Roman, Hebraic, Egyptian, Celtic, Japanese, and Norse. More than fifty myths are beautifully retold, and each is followed by apsychological overview explaining how we can relate the story to our own lives. The Mythic Journey is a handbook for human life, guiding readers through theconflicts of family and childhood, the problems of love and intimacy, thechallenges of ambition, failure, and success, and themoments when we must face our own mortality.We discover thatauthentic self-knowledge comes through facing life's challenges withcourage and strength; that beauty, talent, power, and wealth bring their ownforms 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.