The Crow's Nest with Ian MacKenzie

Join host Ian MacKenzie for this rousing conversation with Norse mythographer and author Andreas Kornevall and Chaise Levy, as they discuss Tending the Well of Memory. We will weave the deep waters of magic and mythic tradition, exploring what it can mean to be tenders of the Northern Anima Universalis: the Tree of Life, named Yggdrasil.

Join the upcoming program Tending the Well of Memory. Begins November https://www.schoolofmythopoetics.com/tendingthewell

Stephen Jenkinson, MTS, MSW, is a spiritual activist, author, ceremonialist and farmer. Stephen teaches internationally and is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School, founded in 2010. With Master’s degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work), he is the author of several books including the award-winning Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul, Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble and A Generation's Worth. Stephen is the subject of the National Film Board of Canada feature length film documentary, Griefwalker. http://orphanwisdom.com RUNE HJARNO Rune Hjarnø Rasmussen is a Historian of Religion, Ph.d from Uppsala University in Sweden. His research into Afro-diasporic strategies for maintaining animist reality in the modern world has lead him towards reading North European cultural history from the perspective of rejected animist knowledge and practice. The objective is to recover Euro-traditional forms of land-connectedness ecological knowledge and kinship with the greater community of beings. Rune has lived in a number of countries in Europe, Africa North- and South America and presently runs the platform “Nordic Animism.” https://nordicanimism.com/

It's our one-year anniversary month and we've decided to commemorate our first year of The School with a conversation among the Stewards on what we've accomplished, what we've been surprised by, and what we've learned along the way.

Enroll in the School of Mythopoetics http://schoolofmythopoetics.com

The Crow's Nest is a (sometimes) weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens. This week we'll discuss the forthcoming tour CODES FROM THE OLD WORLD with mythologist Dr. Martin Shaw. Most of the tour is sold out but some cities available here https://www.schoolofmythopoetics.com/martinshawtour2023 And EVERYONE is invited to join the Livestream of May 15 https://streamofconsciousness.ca/event/codes-from-the-old-world/

The Crow's Nest is anew weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens.   This week we'll discuss our forthcoming course KISS THE WITCH: A journey through the feminine archetypes for men.   

Join the course https://www.schoolofmythopoetics.com/kissthewitch

ABOUT BOE HUNTRESS  Boe Huntress is an artist and facilitator working with song, myth and archetypes. As the 'Artist in Residence' at Union Chapel (London) Boe made a number of immersive shows on subjects like witches, reimagining female power, re-telling the Medusa myth, and race relations in the UK. Alongside writing political and mythic music, Boe has facilitated women's groups for the past ten years and is currently running an online project called Thirteen Queens which looks at archetypes that correlate with the thirteen moons of the year. Boe was featured on The Mythic Masculine podcast describing her journey of integrating the inner masculine.

Maziar Ghaderi is an award-winning director, writer, producer, multimedia artist, and educator that works in film, multimedia and interactive technology. With a background in media production, Maziar strives to articulate his social commentary through metaphors, epiphanies and critiques that speak to the zeitgeist of our times.   In this conversation, we'll speak on the current uprising in Iran from a mythopoetic perspective.

Follow Maziar on IG http://instagram.com/maziart

Daniel Deardorff (1952-2019) was a mythsinger, storyteller, ritualist, composer, andproducer. A survivorof paralytic polio and resultingparaplegia, and early teacher about Otherness, he toured extensively with renowned soft-rock band Seals and Crofts for ten years and produced award-winning albums for other artists. When post-polio sequelae required change, he became an independent scholar of myth teaching internationally with Robert Bly, Martin Shaw and others. The MythsingerLegacy Project http://mythsingerlegacy.org continues his work restoring myth to culture and community.

Judith-Kate Friedman is a multi-media artist and serves as Steward of the Mythsinger Legacy Project. She and Daniel Deardorff were partners in life, love and creative collaboration for 14 years. Judith-Kate inhabits the flinty places where art, activism, ritual and Oral Tradition dance. She sings, composes, writes, performs, curates events, tends hearth-fires, tells stories and makes records. Born in New York City, she now calls Washington State’s rural north Olympic Peninsula (traditional Coast Salish lands) home. She is an award-winning vocalist, performing songwriter, producer, and National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient for her community-based Songwriting Works™ Educational Foundation projects http://songwritingworks.org

Like many of you, I've been watching the events unfolding in Iran with hope and horror.    

Just over one month ago, according to the BBC: Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old from Kurdistan province, was visiting Tehran when morality-police officers arrested her, claiming that her headscarf, or hijab, was too loose. She fell into a coma and died in hospital three days later. Police said her death was due to a heart attack, while the state coroner said it was a result of pre-existing medical conditions. Her father has said she had no history of heart problems, but her body had bruises on her legs; he suspects she was killed in custody.   

That’s ignited anger across Iran, led mostly by women who are refusing to back down, even as government forces have reportedly killed over 200 more citizens.   

I wanted to hear from someone on the ground within the uprising - and so I reached out to an Iranian friend in Toronto who put me in touch an actress and activist - who's taken the name SAGHAR.  She shared with me her passion and perspective from the heart of this new revolution.    

Our discussion is potent and deeply touching.  I would say 'enjoy' but instead, I ask that you be stirred into meaningful action. You can check the show notes below to see how to connect and get involved.  

LINKS TO FOLLOW
https://www.iranintl.com/en/iran-politics
https://www.instagram.com/noorzpahlavi/
https://www.instagram.com/masih.alinejad/
https://www.instagram.com/golfarahani/

Learn more about the full year long Adulthood Initiation Ritual Apprenticeship Program https://www.schoolofmythopoetics.com/ritual-apprenticeship  

John Wolfstone is a wilderness rites of passage guide and ritual artist dedicated to revitalizing cultures of initiation. He is also co-founder of The School of Mythopoetics.

Hearing the call of the forest and following instructions from Elders of the territories, ancestors and spirit, Rainbow Eyez, has been a key defender of ancient forests on Vancouver Island, including the old growth forests of ‘Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek), since 2020.

Rainbow Eyez is a Ha-ma-yas Stewardship Network Guardian for the Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala First Nation - she has worked for four years as a guardian in Knight Inlet where she helps to protect the lands, waters, wildlife and cultural values for future generations. In June 2022, she was named a Deputy Leader to the Green Party of Canada.

Follow Rainbow Eyez on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aunty_rainboweyez
Get the latest on Fairy Creek https://laststandforforests.com
Follow Adaitsx on IG https://www.instagram.com/adaitsx

Enroll in the School of Mythopoetics http://schoolofmythopoetics.com

Join this live conversation around the new book 'Reckonin' with Stephen Jenkinson and Kimberly Johnson.  Find the book here https://orphanwisdom.com/reckoning 

Reckoning is an unguarded, sober meeting with Spirit Work, Conspiracies, Elderhood, Grief and Plague and Building Culture in a Me First Era. Try this at home. With Companions.  

Stephen Jenkinson, MTS, MSW, is a spiritual activist, author, ceremonialist and farmer. Stephen teaches internationally and is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School, founded in 2010. With Master’s degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work), he is the author of several books including the award-winning Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul, Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble and A Generation's Worth. Stephen is the subject of the National Film Board of Canada feature length film documentary, Griefwalker.  

Kimberly Ann Johnson is a Sexological Bodyworker, Somatic Experiencing trauma resolution practitioner, birth doula, and single mom. She specializes in helping women prepare for birth, recover from birth injuries and birth trauma, and heal from sexual trauma. She is the founder of Magamama.com, an international holistic women’s health care resource for expectant and new mothers. She is the author of The Fourth Trimester and Call of the Wild.

The Crow's Nest is a new weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens. Enroll in the School http://schoolofmythopoetics.com

Joshua Michael Schrei is the founder and host of The Emerald podcast. The Emerald combines evocative narrative, soul-stirring music, and interviews with award-winning authors and luminaries to explore the human experience through a vibrant lens of myth, story, and imagination. The Emerald draws from a deep well of poetry, lore, and mythos to challenge conventional narratives on politics and public discourse, meditation and mindfulness, art, science, literature, and more.  A writer, teacher, and a lifelong student of the cosmologies and mythologies of the world — in particular the Indian subcontinent — Josh has sought to navigate the living, animate space of the imagination and advocate for a world that prioritizes imaginative vision. Josh has taught intensive courses in mythology and somatic disciplines for nearly 20 years.

Support The Emerald http://patreon.com/theemeraldpodcast

The Crow's Nest is a new weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens. Enroll in the School http://schoolofmythopoetics.com 

Raamayan is an architect for the Next Civilization Experiment. He is an international speaker, a multi-company impact entrepreneur, and a systems designer. Rooted in the spiritual lineages of Advaita Vedanta & HUMUH Clear Mind Buddhism, Raamayan brings together the ancient enlightenment traditions forward into the modern world.   Raamayan is the founder of VEME, a web 3 creator network built to usher in the next renaissance. He works at the intersection of  creative expression, new economic systems and spirituality.  

Follow Raamayan https://www.instagram.com/raamayan

The Crow's Nest is a new weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens.   

Sarah Durham Wilson midwives women from the wounded, patriarchalized feminine across the bridge to the archetypal Mother, or mature feminine. Before her service to the Goddess, she was a rock journalist in New York City, beginning with an internship at Rolling Stone and culminating as an editor at Interview magazine. For more, visit: themotherspirit.com

Join the School of Mythopoetics http://schoolofmythopoetics.com

The Crow's Nest is a new weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens.  Enroll in the School of Mythopoetics http://schoolofmythopoetics.com

Day Schildkret is internationally known for Morning Altars and has inspired tens of thousands of people across the globe to heal and connect with nature, art and ritual. His latest book is "Hello, Goodbye:  75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration and Change."

Visit Day's official website http://dayschildkret.com
Get the book http://morningaltars.com

The Crow's Nest is a new weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens.

In this episode, I speak with Andreas Kornevall is an author, storyteller and ecological activist. We discuss his new book "Waking The Dragons: Norse Myth, Folklore, Runes and Magic" along with rituals of reconciliation, the power of thought-forms in magic, and the birth of Google's new empathic being LaMDA.

Andreas Kornevall Official Website https://www.kornevall.com
Enroll in The School of Mythopoetics http://schoolofmythopoetics.com

The Crow's Nest is a new weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens.  In this Wed edition, I'll be joined by Samara Concepcion, a birth doula who is directing a forthcoming documentary Birth: A New Story.  We'll talk about the film and a mythopoetic exploration of birth.   

Support the film Birth: A New Story http://birthanewstory.com
Become a Member of The School of Mythopoetics http://schoolfomythopoetics.com

The Crow's Nest is anew weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens.  Become a Founding Member of The School of Mythopoetics http://schoolfomythopoetics.com

Topics: The school shooting in Texas, mythologies of masculinity, and how to create healthy cultural ecosystems.   The Crow's Nest is anew weekly series with Ian MacKenzie and special guests. Each episode will riff on the latest current events and themes from a mythopoetic lens.   Become a Founding Member of The School of Mythopoetics http://schoolfomythopoetics.com

In myth, the Underworld is a place of testing and initiation, but hopefully not a final destination. Within many stories the descent is the second element of a three-stage process, leading to a final grounding that is both redemptive and a gift to others.

Martin Shaw is suggesting in the West we have often made the Underworld so comfortable, so subtle, and in some cases so chronic, we’ve become a two-stage, not three-stage culture. Without quite knowing it, the Underworld has become home.

In this state we experience the liminoid not the liminal, the rupture but not the rapture. Nothing grows, except cynicism. Come and join Martin as he speaks old-world stories and ideas into the malaise of our times.

The reign of the Hero has come to an end. As humanity faces increasing crisis and collapse, we come to a threshold where the archetype of the Hero can no longer be our saviour. We have entered a liminal time – a space between stories – and so we must bend and instead look to, and learn from, the boundary-crossing, shape-shifting Trickster.

Join Ben Murphy and John Wolfstone as they explore the significance of this cultural transition and how it applies to each of our lives.

A camel driver leading his camels through a village. On his way to Baghdad, he is gripped with jealousy when he encounters a walled orchard. What transpires changes the lives of those affected forever. Based on one of the Hadiths from the Q’uran, one of Europe’s leading storytellers Jan Blake shares a tale which explores the question of mercy, justice and redemption.

After the story, Jan will unpack the tale with the audience and practice applying mythopoetics to your own life.

Adulthood Initiation Rites were found throughout nearly every ancestral and indigenous culture across this planet – which is how the culture continued to stay healthy, generative and life-serving. In a modern world, shadow runs rampant while new-age spirituality only points us to love and light. What about a spirituality that brings us into the dark?

How can we craft rites-of-passage containers that can support us to transform our wounds into gifts and bring our own unique medicine to life? Join School co-founders John Wolfstone and Ian Mackenzie as they unpack their own reclamation of initiatory rites and how modern humans may begin to approach this most ancient of mysteries.