The Credo of the Mythologium

The credo of the Mythologium is simple: we believe in our tribe. We believe that when mythologists gather, magic happens. We believe that everyone can help that magic along.

The Mythologium is a conference and retreat for mind and soul. Scholars present their latest research, and we read poetry and do group writing meditations. Time away from the normal routine in a beautiful place helps incubate ideas. 

Here are four guiding principles of the credo of the Mythologium and how we put them into practice.

We share ideas. We inspire each other. We amplify each other’s work.

At the Mythologium, everyone has something to teach everyone else, and that everyone has something to learn from everyone else. That exchange happens as each of us opens up to giving and receiving. When an entire room full of mythologists opens up to giving and receiving, the flow of ideas is electric.

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We entertain ideas and possibilities the way Hestia entertains her guests, with grace and hospitality.

Like at most conferences, panel sessions at the Mythologium close with a discussion period, but we don’t call these discussions Q&A sessions. Our goal is not to test the rightness or wrongness of ideas; our goal is to bring many ideas forward to play. In this, we take a page from the playbook of improv theater.

Improv actors never say, “No, but–” to what comes before their lines, because that stops the action. They always say, “Yes, and” to what comes before, and then they add their own ideas to carry the action forward. We do the same with ideas about mythology. We say, “Yes, that idea exists, and so does this other thing that just occurred to me.” We say, “Yes, that idea exists and it seems to imply this other one.” We say, “Yes, that idea exists and look, so does its opposite, both at the same time.” 

So, in the tradition of improv theater, we call our discussions Yes-And sessions. 

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We celebrate the community of mythologists–our own mythocosmos.

One way we celebrate our community is by hosting meals to feed body and soul. The Mythologium runs all day on Friday, all day on Saturday, and half the day on Sunday. So Friday and Saturday we host lunch for the whole group. Saturday night we host happy hour, with beer, wine, soft drinks, and appetizers. And Sunday morning we host breakfast together. Some of the most interesting conversations and connections happen during these convivial gatherings over food and drink.

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We cherish the alchemy of being together.

Like the transformation that happens in the alchemical alembic, new ideas arise when mythologists bask in the simple pleasures of each other’s company and conversation. When we gather, we become more than the sum of our parts. The soul of the community quickens, and in so doing it quickens the souls of all our tribe members.

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