No one will deny that we live in dark times. Confusion, fear, states of overwhelm and hopelessness challenge many of us as we try to keep our “emotional heads above water.” We work valiantly not to drown in the pervasive worry generated by the news and the confusing information it provides. We may fall into anxiety or depression, or maybe resort to denial, defiance, even twisted humor, as a way to cope. This series will explore these realities with the intention to find a better way

Darkness itself has long been associated with painful feelings as well as with all sorts of scary images, even death. But there is so much more to Darkness. Archetypally, it is the yin of the Yin and Yang. It is also Feminine: it receives the Light and is pervaded by Mystery. Its associations include the Void described by Kabbalah as well as aspects of Creation noted in the first lines of Genesis. In our evidence-based culture, while we have identified all sorts of successful healing techniques, we don’t always totally understand where healing comes from or how it works. Healing really happens in the Dark!

Learning how to discern the difference between archetypal, spiritual Darkness, i.e. sacred Mystery, and the collective human darkness, i.e. fear, evil, and confusion, can greatly impact how we trust and engage the healing process. This series will address topics such as Hell vs the Underworld, our fear of the dark, the ego’s shadow, the Dark Night of the Soul, the hero/ine’s journey, and the “magic” of healing by drawing upon the wisdom of mythology, literature, psychology and spirituality.  The wisdom shared will hope to provide clearer guidance as we work to heal ourselves and those with whom we work and live. References and relevant handouts will be provided as needed.