From the Editor's Computer
Myth: a tale with supernatural characters or events.
Truth: state of being true.
Too often we dismiss myths and folklore because we believe that they are not factual, or historical accurate. What we need to remember is that behind every legend, fable, fairytale, folktale, and myth, there is an element of truth and wisdom waiting to be found.
A common theme in Celtic and Irish myths and folktales is that of someone travelling by boat, through the mists to the Otherworld (Avalon), which was a strange, yet beautiful, land with rivers flowing east and west.
It was not until I took a geography course in university that I discovered that Canada is the only geographical region with rivers flowing east and west. No one living outside of Canada would believe it possible for rivers to flow in any direction other than north-south, unless they were familiar with geography. It would be an unbelievable myth to them.
It has been proven that it is entirely possible that in ancient times someone could have travelled by boat from Ireland to the St. Lawrence River. That person would have travelled through lots of mist, plus the land and people they would have encountered certainly would seem to be from an “other” world.
Discovering the truth in myths is not about debunking the myth. Rather, it enhances the value of the myth for each of us as we apply the wisdom of the myth to our lives.
We need to open ourselves to the underlying truth in our society’s myths and legends.
Beth
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