PART 1: 1. Introduction. 2. On myths, tales and storytelling. PART 2: 3. BEGINNINGS. Mantis and the flower. The shared myth of the one that became two. Creation. Maheo. The sacrifice to make the sun. The separation of God from Man. 4. PASSAGES. How Man was made again. The maiden wiser than the Tsar. The serpent slayer. The knowledge of birds. The wooden head. Beauty and the beast. 5. KNOTS. A Storm coming. How different people came to earth. Maui muri catches the sun. The spirit who could not make up its mind. Why Imboto is alone in heaven. The story bag. 6. THE TREE. The three eggs. Willow wife. Coyote steals fire. Trees. The spirit in the tree. The return of the flowers. 7. TRICKSTER. The caterpillar and the wild animals. The harvest. Hermes and Apollo. Fox and Wolf. Trickster tales 15 & 16. Loki and Baldur. 8. HEALING. The healing waters. How the hummingbird got its colour. Grandmother spider. The maiden with the wooden bowl. Lo-Sun the blind boy. Ulu and the breadfruit tree. 9. RETURN. The monkey's jump. The lady of Stavoren. The ending of the dream. Maui and death. Persephone's return. How Raven came to leave the earth. PART 3: Notes for facilitators. 10. On mythmaking structures. 11. Ways of making images. Bibliography. Index.
Alida Gersie is a London-based dramatherapist and organizational consultant. Her work with deprived individuals and communities inspired her to develop a story-based method that facilitates productive change in seemingly hopeless situations. For several decades she was Principal Lecturer in the Postgraduate Arts Therapies Department of the University of Hertfordshire. She has taught the story-based approach to planned change in many countries, and has authored and edited several books, including Reflections on Therapeutic Storymaking: The Uses of Stories in Groups, Dramatic Approaches to Brief Therapy, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Dramatherapy, Storymaking in Bereavement: Dragons Fight in the Meadow and Storymaking in Education and Therapy, and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
The myths themselves are veritable jewels that evoke an immediate
response in the reader, and they stand on their own as a valuable
asset to any library. This is in essence a "How to" book replete
with instructions for achieving personal growth and facilitating
creativity in just about every avenue of expression. This book
contains many exciting and compelling ideas.
*The Arts in Psychotherapy*
It is intended primarily for professionals in mental health and
education who are interested in using traditional myths and folk
tales in conducting group counseling and education classes.
However, the stories in themselves are fascinating to read.
*Contemporary Psychology*
This is a lovely book. There is something for everyone here. The
practical exercises suggest ways in which these stories can be used
in a group setting. People involved in counselling and therapy will
also find valuable insights into the lives of people they help
through the common language of myth. Moreover, the book will appeal
to anyone interested in literature and story-telling in general.
The quality of the presentation of the book adds to its appeal this
is a book to keep, use and refer back to again and againIn short,
this is a publication for nurse teachers, psychiatric nurse
therapists, counsellors and anyone interested in exploring the
universal heritage that is handed down through story-telling and
the sharing of myths. Buy it.
*Nursing Times*
The book contains a strong introduction to this particular approach
to storymaking, and has within it enough source materials and
reflective advice to inspire and guide any group facilitator or
teacherThe book contains a rich variety of thought provoking and
inspiring material. Within the area of dramatherapy's use of
narrative, myth and story form this is easily the most substantial
and significant piece of work to date a core text for
dramatherapists to acquire.
*Dramatherapy*
This is an essential and wonderful book for anyone interested in
working with stories in education or therapy. It is a true
discovery.
*Dr Ofra Ayalon, Haifa University*
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