Tag: heart center

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Mythologium 2023 welcomes Dr. Shane Kyle Surrey

Dr. Surrey’s presentation is called “The Heart of Myth”

We may think of the heart of things as their center and fundamental essence. Myth, as a reflection of reality as it truly is, may touch upon the center and fundamental essence in the most profound way. In order to understand myth and the heart in this way, we must understand the heart of myth. Having an understanding of the heart of myth may help us improve our relationship with it and make its mysterious nature less daunting. This improved relationship with myth may in turn make the prospect of understanding the mystery of self less daunting as well. As mythologists, what we must all strive to do is understand what the heart of myth is so that we may uncover the foundational nature of Being itself.

About Dr. Surrey

Shane Surrey has a PhD and Master of Arts Degree in mythological studies with an emphasis in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in literature, communications, and media from American Jewish University. His main academic interests include examining the relationship between mythology and popular culture as well as exploring various theories pertaining to mythology. Apart from his interests in academia, Shane is also attentive to storytelling in the mediums of video games, comic books, and television. Shane lives in Pasadena, California.

2023 Mythologium program
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Mythologium 2023 welcomes Dr. Darlene Maggie Dowdy

Dr. Dowdy’s presentation is called “Homily to Hestia, Goddess of the Hearth-Heart Space”

Homer tells us that the goddess Hestia has a seat in the homes of all gods and men. All feasts begin and end with a honey-wine toast to Hestia (“Hestia I,” Homeric Hymns). Her presence is as ubiquitous as the hearth fire she personifies, yet the myths of ancient Greece say little about her.

This mythography proposes a brief socio-cultural exploration of Hestia’s archetypal spirit as an essential hearth-heart center that beckons the individual to gather around the warmth of family and community.

About Dr. Dowdy

Darlene Maggie Dowdy received her PhD in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2016.  Her dissertation, Harbingers of Change: Images and Archetypes of Imminent Transformation, explores the co-creative relationship between psyche, soma, and an ever-changing environment.  A variation of her dissertation, “Birds as Nature’s Harbingers,” was presented at the 2018 conference for the Association for the Study of Women and Mythology.  She co-presented on a panel concerning gender identity at the first Mythologium conference in 2019 with her essay “Metamorphoses of Gender and Identity in Ancient and Modern Myth,” and again in 2021 with “Demeter’s Way: The journey through grief towards healing in Homer’s Hymn to Demeter.” Although Maggie’s day job as vice-president of an independently owned industrial rubber company has little to do with myth as literature, she is constantly reminded of how the archetypal energy of the gods informs our everyday experiences.

2023 Mythologium program
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Mythologium 2023 welcomes Fatima-Zahra Farahate

Fatima-Zahra’s presentation is called “The Mythic Heart: Exploring the Intersection of Mythology, Astrology, Gender, and the Emotional Center”

The heart has been a powerful symbol throughout history. In astrology, the heart is associated with several celestial bodies, signs, and houses, each with its unique symbolic significance. In this presentation, we will explore the intersection of mythology, astrology, gender, and emotions through an examination of the different heart centers in astrology.

Our journey will start by exploring the ancient astrological myths and archetypes surrounding the heart. We will examine its association with the Moon, Venus, the Fourth House, and the sign of Cancer, all of which have traditionally been linked with the divine feminine archetype. We will also delve into the connection between the spiritual/physical heart and the Sun, a core astrological celestial body traditionally linked with the divine masculine archetype.

However, in our modern world, it’s crucial to have a more inclusive perspective that encompasses a broader range of archetypes and experiences. We will adopt a non-dual stance to examine the similarities between these heart symbols and how they can be reinterpreted in contemporary astrology to reflect a more nuanced understanding of the heart. By doing so, we can redefine what the heart means to us today and explore new insights to reconnect with the inner rhythm of our soul.

Ultimately, our presentation aims to contribute to the conversation around the mythical heart by offering fresh perspectives that will inspire a deeper understanding of this powerful symbol.

About Fatima-Zahra

Fatima-Zahra Farahate, the founder of Living Simplyy, is a Moroccan modern mystic, and a holistic archetypal astrologer with a mission to guide people to the sacred remembrance of their divine nature. Fatima-Zahra offers the seekers the opportunity to dive deep within their psyche and soul journey through the lens of the Zodiac.

2023 Mythologium program