October ’11 Living in Bliss: Personal Mythology 101

October ’11 Living in Bliss: Personal Mythology 101

Course Description

By studying and applying current developments in archetypal psychology
and personal mythology we can begin to discern the deep archetypal
patterns that drive our lives behind the scenes. We will study the work of
James Hillman, C.G. Jung and Joseph Campbell. We will specifically look at
the Mentor, Divine Child, Hero (Heroine) and Trickster archetypes, and
investigate life-transforming archetypal patterns such as Descent to the
Underworld, Crossing over the Threshold and Rebirth.

In this 3-part, online interactive course we will: 
• Deepen our awareness of our own archetypal tendencies. 
• Connect with our hearts' desires through story and myth. 
• Re-write our myth, our story, to help illuminate our individual path to

bliss. 
• Listen to others' stories and tell our own. Let's be inspired! 

I will be your guide and witness through this process using writing
exercises, guided meditation, active imagination and interactive dialogue. 

Creatrix & Initiatrix:
Kris Oster
Phone: 323-363-1378
Email: [email protected]

I’ll be weaving in mythic material and rituals to prepare for Samhain, the
ancient Celtic New Year. I’ll send some instructions for setting up your altar
to help focus the energy for letting go of the old and visioning the new story
you wish to bring into your life.

Living in Bliss: Personal Mythology 101 - Oct. 2011 Syllabus
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October ’11 Living in Bliss: Personal Mythology 101

For a very good explanation of dreamwork and active imagination, please
pick up Inner Work by Robert Johnson.
Divination is an extremely important aspect of personal mythology and it’s
even more important during Samhain. We’ll work with some basic tarot
spreads, so if you don’t have a tarot deck, please pick one before our
course begins. I LOVE the Voyager deck, but be sure to choose one that
speaks to you.

Pre-Course Work
The purpose of the pre-course work is to begin to see the stories and myths behind
your life story. Spend at least 30 minutes reflecting on the questions and answers,
and of course there is no time limit. If you don’t get to all of the questions before
the course, don’t worry about it.

You’ll need a notebook or journal for all 3 sessions to use for our writing exercises.
Also, keep the same or an additional notebook next to your bed so you can jot
down notes about your dreams during the next 3 weeks. We will do a quick
“dream” check during each class.

Please write 1 or 2 paragraphs about each of these questions before our first
class. Note: you are not obligated to share - it’s wonderful if you do as it enriches the
experience for the rest of us - however, if you do not feel comfortable do not force
it.

Question 1, in two parts:
• Can you remember your favorite story? Did you identify with a certain

character more than the others? How did it make you feel?

• Do you have a recurring dream or dream image? For example, I always have a
body of water in my dreams. Sometimes the ocean, or a river or swimming
pool.

Living in Bliss: Personal Mythology 101 - Oct. 2011 Syllabus
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October ’11 Living in Bliss: Personal Mythology 101

Question 2:
Write a few paragraphs about something you enjoyed doing as a child. How are you
living out this part of yourself now or if you are not living it out, do you wish you
were?

Question 3:
Take one issue in your life that you would like to resolve or re-imagine. How would
your favorite character (mythical being, god or goddess, animal, etc) perceive the
situation and what would they do?

Recommended Reading
Not Required for the course, just for your interest and further investigation.
Books by Joseph Campbell:
Pathways to Bliss: Mythology and Personal Transformation
Thou Art That:Transforming Religious Metaphor
The Hero With A Thousand Faces
Myths of Light: Eastern Metaphors of the Eternal
Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Metaphor as Myth and as Religion
Personal Myth, Jungian and Archetypal Psychology:
Memories, Dreams and Reflections, C.G. Jung’s autobiography
Personal Mythology: Using Ritual, Dreams, and Imagination to Discover Your Inner Story
by David Feinstein
The Mythic Imagination:The Quest for Meaning Through Personal Mythology by
Stephen Larsen
Pagan Grace by Ginnette Paris
A Blue Fire, the writings of James Hillman edited by Thomas Moore
The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling by James Hillman

Living in Bliss: Personal Mythology 101 - Oct. 2011 Syllabus
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