I think of mythology as the homeland of the muses, the inspirers of art, the inspirers of poetry. To see life as a poem and yourself participating in a poem is what the myth does for you.
—Joseph Campbell
"The Inner Reaches of Outer Space" is a fantastic collection of essays by Joseph Campbell, compiled and edited by the Joseph Campbell Foundation after his death.
This book explores various aspects of mythology, spirituality, and the human experience.
In "The Inner Reaches of Outer Space," Campbell delves into the connections between outer space exploration and the inner realms of the human psyche. He draws parallels between the myths of different cultures, ancient and contemporary, to uncover universal themes and symbols that resonate across human history. The essays touch on topics such as the hero's journey, the significance of myth in modern society, and the quest for meaning in the face of scientific and technological advancements.
The series of essays in this book incorporates insights from comparative mythology, psychology, and philosophy. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the human quest for understanding and transcendence.
Below are a few passages where Campbell explores the connection between mythology and art. I hope you enjoy it.
Indeed, the first and most essential service of a mythology is this one, of opening the mind and heart to the utter wonder of all being.
And the second service, then, is cosmological: of representing the universe and whole spectacle of nature, both as known to the mind and as beheld by the eye, as an epiphany of such kind that when lightning flashes, or a setting sun ignites the sky, or a deer is seen standing alerted, the exclamation “Ah!” may be uttered as a recognition of divinity…
For it is the artist who brings the images of a mythology to manifestation, and without images (whether mental or visual) there is no mythology.
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