Winter \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Cold Moon<\/p>\n
“A mythology is the comment of one particular age or civilization on the mysteries of human existence and the human mind…” \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0H.R. Ellis Davidson, Gods and Myths of Northern Europe<\/span><\/p>\n A life-long fascination with mythology and its companion fields, ancient religions and folklore, can be explained by this quote. \u00a0We have multiple ways of understanding the world, of asking and answering big questions. \u00a0In our day science is regnant, queen of the epistemological universe, but it is not enough. \u00a0Not now and not ever.<\/p>\n (Charles Le Brun, Fall of the Rebel Angels, 1685)<\/p>\n Science cannot answer a why question. \u00a0It can only answer how. \u00a0Neither can science answer an ethical question. \u00a0It can only speak to the effects of a course of action over another in the physical world. \u00a0This is not a criticism of science, rather an acknowledgment of its limits.<\/p>\n Mythologies (usually ancient religions), ancient religions, legends and folklore are our attempts to answer the why questions. \u00a0They also express our best thinking on the ethical questions, especially folklore, fairy tales in particular.<\/p>\n Where did we come from and why? \u00a0“1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” \u00a0NRSV<\/a><\/p>\n (edward_burne-jones-the_last_sleep_of_arthur)<\/p>\n Want to live a good life? \u00a0Live like Baldr or Jesus or Lao Tze or Arthur.<\/p>\n How can we tell a just society from an unjust one? \u00a0Look at the 8th Century Jewish prophets. \u00a0Look at Confucius. (not a religion, yes, but functions like one) \u00a0Look at the Icelandic Sagas. \u00a0Different answers in each one.<\/p>\n I fell in love with these complex, contradictory wonderful narratives when I was 9 years old, maybe a bit younger. \u00a0Aunt Barbara gave me a copy of Bullfinches’ Mythology. \u00a0I loved Superman and Batman and Marvel Comics. \u00a0I was an attentive student in Sunday School and later in seminary. \u00a0Over time I’ve come to recognize this fascination as a ruling passion in my life, one that guides life choices with power in my inner world.<\/p>\n It will not, I imagine, fade. \u00a0It means writing fantasy is a work of great joy and a hell of a lot of fun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Winter \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Cold Moon “A mythology is the comment of one particular age or civilization on the mysteries of human existence and the human mind…” \u00a0 \u00a0 … Continue reading A Life Long Passion<\/span>