RE: why are we "The Story telling apes?"
December 28, 2011 at 12:55 pm
(This post was last modified: December 28, 2011 at 1:11 pm by KichigaiNeko.)
Rythm Wrote:It is really fantastic stuff. It's been said that magic (fortune-telling, astrology, talsimans and potions..and of course the religions that would develop from these) was our first attempt at science. I'm definitely on-board there.
Yes I do agree...fantastic stuff and we as a species have come such a long way from our magic, fortune-telling and astrology as our first forays into science. We're still mucking about with magic potions to cure the incurable thanks to pharmaceutical companies but even here we have made some headway.
Have you read "Clan of the Cave Bear"- Jean Auel?? One thing that struck me was her hypothesis that, for males at least, they had to be marked in some way and unable to participate in the hunt. As for the "medicine women" it would be logical that they would be the ones to care for the sick and injured and know which herbs fruits and vegetables were healthful and when to get them... I can see a progression to the later witch that we know.
I know a number of myths and "fairy stories" many I have tried to figure out exactly what they are describing.
Like I said...went looking for Mithras myth and found constellations at a particular time of year; this got me thinking. Trying to imagine myself as one of the very first story-tellers (whom I understand were to instruct the Family group/ Tribe) and what they saw ...there are so many stories as you say from all cultures but I would maintain that the themes are the same ...names and places have been changed to protect the guilty.
Fantasy can be instructive...it is also wise to know when the child has out grown fantasy and is in need of more practical instruction.
As Min has pointed out...some get to a great age and STILL NEED their fantasy...along with the wealth, prestige and everything else that comes from being popenfurher.
Rhythm Wrote:Which religious or spiritual tradition (or myths) really get their hooks into you?
I might align with the Old Witches...whom I think were nothing more than old ladies with a good working knowledge of herbs and healing (beginnings of medicine) and listened to people (early attempts at counselling and psychology)
Terry Pratchett's Witches are rather good and I would love it if there were once women like them.... evidence is severely lacking of course. I have always liked the Myths and Legends and after reading so many it came as no surprise the mish-mash of tales the abrahamic religions try to force on to people as truth.
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
