Two storytellers offer myths that have sustained European culture for centuries. Both Norse and Celtic myth offer signposts for the collective and individual paths we can choose to take at this time of rapid cultural transition.

This is for anyone with an interest in storytelling and myth, with a love of how other cultures have thought and felt. It is a moment of community, where time will be given for your own insights to develop. This is the slow, painstaking process of culture building, reappraising our lives through ancient – yet ever-present – sets of eyes.

All are welcome regardless of experience, sexuality, and cultural background: the spirit is warm and enthusiastically inclusive.

The Eternal Roar of the Dragon

We welcome Andreas Kornevall from Sweden who will introduce us to the old wisdom tradition of Northern Europe, in particular his own tradition of the Nordic culture and the literature of the Poetic and Prose Eddas. In this tradition, the dragon expresses the merging of the underworld with the upperworld: the serpent descends into dark and difficult places to look for soul, whereas the golden eagle ascents towards illumination to reveal spirit. Alchemically, when the serpent and the golden eagle merge together – the wisdom of the dragon is born.

Andreas’ part of the weekend will be dedicated to the underworld and upperworld journey in Norse Seidr (shamanism). Through myth and ceremony we will learn what it means to “descent” (soul, darkness) and to “ascend,” (spirit, light) and to learn the difference between these polarities. The runic system will guide us through each step of the journey. The practical purpose of the runic knowledge will be revealed with the rich tradition of northern Europe closely associated with the dragon.

The Power Cast Aside

With Simon Hodges , we’ll enter the Celtic imagination, where nothing existed apart, and everything is on a journey to find its true place in the world. These stories are from the Irish mythological cycle, the last refuge of a culture that extended from Ireland to Turkey, Denmark to Spain. Even the city of Leiden takes its name from the Celtic god Lugh, whose mastery in all art will find us in these stories.

We’ll hear a lost goddess sing and the harp notes that unfurl both our joy and sorrow – vital experiences on our journey to maturity. These stories offer us clues to where our creativity lies, and the journey we must go on to recover our creative power – the spear we threw into the shadows when the world was young.

About Andreas Kornevall
–

Andreas Kornevall is a Swedish storyteller, mythographer, writer and ecologist.

He has broadcast on the BBC, had his writings published widely, (Dark Mountain Books, Resurgence Magazine, The Ecologist and more) and lectures on Norse Myth in Universities & educational centres world-wide.

As an ecologist he directs the Earth Restoration Service Charity which has planted over two hundred new woodlands in the UK and wildflower meadows. His ecological work has won him recognition and endorsements from actress Joanna Lumley, HRH Prince of Wales and the “elders group” set up by musician Peter Gabriel. He is also the co-founder of the Life Cairn – the world’s first memorial for human caused extinctions.

About Simon Hodges
–

An accomplished storyteller based in Amsterdam, Simon Hodges has given transformational workshops to over 10,000 people in social, creative and for-profit business. His love for cultural transformation ties together his work in business and art. He has spoken on migration at UN agencies and trained executives to find their heartfelt voice.

This transformation work is fully realised in oral mythology – offering an invitation to become ourselves through experiencing the imagination of the world’s deep cultures. His storytelling experiences on AirBnB have an average rating of five stars.