The birth of our world was a definitive new beginning. Creation myths encompass ideas as to how the Universe came into being as well as the role of humans in this drama. Stefan Stenudd writes “Creation myths are at the very core of any culture’s definition of itself and its view on its role in the world... The myth fixes his destiny and in what way he will find meaning in his existence.” Creation myths are both a reflection of the culture that gave rise to them, but also a vessel of possible perspectives within that specific worldview. They explain and guide the manner in which humans relate to the world around them, particularly Nature, but also how they regard themselves in the relationship with their God/gods - including human potential, rights and obligations. Read more at https://www.creationmyths.org/
In Memories, Dreams, Reflections (1962, 247-253), Jung described his conversation with Ochwiay Biano, a Native American of New Mexico. He realized that Ochwiay Biano gained meaning as well as a sense of belonging because he knew his proper “place in the great process of being” (Sabini 2001, 49) by seeing himself as a son of the Sun. This is an apt example of how mythology can reflect basic human needs.
Although there are similarities between creation myths across the world, there are also particular differences. These include, for instance, whether there was an act of creation by a Divinity or Divinities or whether creation emerged from something such a cosmic egg, seed or the element of water. This is often steeped in paradox as is demonstrated in the following verse from the Rig Veda 10:129:
“Who knows from whence this great creation sprang? He from whom all this great creation came. Whether his will created or was mute, The Most High seer that is in highest heaven, He knows it - or perchance even He knows not.”
What life are you creating? What is your Personal mythology or narrative for making sense and meaning of the world?
Written for @jungsouthernafrica
Image credit: Fiat (Latin for "Let there be"), the word by which God creates. This is a symbolic depiciton of how God's spirit in the form of a dove creates light. Illustration from Utriusque Cosmi Historia, by Robert Fludd, 1617.
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