Decolonising the Myth of Descent: Savitri, Yama & the Ascent of the Black Sun

Decolonising the Myth of Descent – Savitri, Yama and the ascent of the Black Sun

Seminar & Workshop

The theme of descent in the Jungian field has a dominant symbolization in the myth of Persephone. How would the myth of Persephone and Demeter fit into postcolonial cultures where a vast body of heterogeneous myths already exist, though not always in discourse with analytical psychology? The myth of descent, or the encounter of the Other through experience of darkness, death and rebirth, is represented distinctly across cultures. This seminar will present an ancient Indian myth that describes feminine foresight and intention in encountering darkness, transforming the experience of death not for the protagonist alone, but also for Yama, the god of death himself. The myth of feminine incandescence will be examined in relation to an initiation dream in which the alchemical Black Sun is prefigured. The seminar will explore…