“What the shaman or seer brings forth is something that is waiting to be brought forth in everyone. So when one hears the seer’s story, one responds “aha! This is my story. This is something I had always wanted to say but wasn’t able to say.” There has to be a dialogue, an interaction between the seer and the community.” Joseph Campbell.
That was my “aha!” moment, and with it came a stunning realisation about what it was I’d got wrong. I thought I wanted to be an author. I thought that from the age of about five, with flirtations with wanting to be other things along the way (Batman, rock star, teacher, traveller, the usual really). I’d always imagined that I’d find a way of being an author that was useful but never really put in the legwork there.
I don’t want to be an author after all. I want to be a seer. I want to put into words things that need expressing but that people don’t have words for yet. I want to be like a Troubadour of Mediaeval France, introducing the idea of personal love to a society that didn’t have that idea, and doing it mostly via songs. Only obviously I’m going to have to find some other concepts.
All the recent trauma and loss of direction makes sense to me now. I understand why I wasn’t happy. I was trying to do the wrong thing. I had misunderstood what it was that I wanted to be in the first place, and having that clarity now, I can better see where I need to be and what I need to be doing. I shall be chipping away at the non-fiction work (several in the pipeline now) and stepping back from the fiction a little. I need to spend more time trying to be the seer, not the author, and then come back when I have tales to tell. It’s going to be an adventure and I feel good about that prospect.
I’m also going to keep reading Joseph Campbell. I’ve got The Power of Myth on the go at the moment – a transcript of the interviews he did with Bill Moyers including bits that did not make it onto the TV. I’d not read any Campbell before, I confess, but am blown away. Some of it is dated, inevitably, but I have such a sense of finding a kindred spirit there, I’ve been coming to so many of the same conclusions on my own. It feels a bit like coming home. I’ve got a lot of reading to do, and that’s an excellent prospect.
February 5th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
February 5th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Joseph Campbell. What an amazing man! His books are so great straddling the academic and spiritual worlds almost effortlessly. Good luck in your seer quest. Find much beautyx
February 5th, 2013 at 12:50 pm
I’ve had Campbell’s “The Power of Myth” sitting on my bookshelf for quite some time, always telling myself that I would get around to it later. Yet, several of your recent posts echo a similar feeling within me (but not quite, you know?). While I’m not implying that reading Campbell is The Answer™, perhaps that *is* a first step that I’ve needed to take.
..in any case, thank you for the reminder, and thank you for the blog. I rarely comment/like, but I read it daily.
February 6th, 2013 at 10:56 am
I find sometimes that the things which are slightly off the mark are very helpful because they prompt me to figure out what I actually think. First steps are good, a sense of direction can come from ‘no, that wasn’t quite it’… Campbell’s book is definitely of its time, I spent a fair while going ‘yes but…’ as I read it, but that’s fine, all part of the journey.
February 5th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
You will make a wonderful seer of beauty and love
February 5th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Sweet Lady ! Bravo ! I aggree with Wendy ! As a Bard – Deity gave you the gift of Story Telling via voice, music, and Theatre ! As a Druid – You have an Awareness of The Grand Picture and comprehension relating to the Balance of Harmony and Kaos … But as an Ovate(Seer – Visionarry) you have sellected to be a “Bridge”, Helper, Council, and Healer for those who need either help noticing The Balance and currents and Flows, or those that need help learninng how to navigate the “Waters” themselves towards that Balance ! ..and to THAT Choice … I say Bravo – Well Done ! Beyond everything else – you have choosen to Honour and embrace the Gift of Intuition and Guidance ,,, Sweet Nimue .. They have been trying to get your attention for some time now ! The Single “Tree” within the Forrest that needed to be Noticed i has finally been given it’s Due !
I Applaud AND Cellebrate your Imbolc Re-Birth AND ReNewal ! You have passed through a Trial Of Fire, and have emerged embracing your True Calling ! Gods . I AM SOO Happy For You <3
… Just don't go all "Cellebet" on us – Giggle enjoying Life is a skill ment to be shared with all that Seek and have a need that can be helped …. It is ALL .Part of The Full Picture of Life !
Brightest Blessings ! … Much Love ALWAYS !
Your's AYE !
Symbian
February 5th, 2013 at 8:04 pm
Aha! It can be like that – so near the obvious, yet it is just to the side. All skills will come in handy, and I know that you still will probably delve a bit into tilty universes, as it is a part of you! Now – Campbell! OMG! You are literally off on an adventure. Favorite of mine from way back. I have most of his books, and have been collecting (When they turn up here at a used book store) – his vids. Wonderful treasure. Quite a nifty Imbolc there, huh? Go forth and sooth!