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?
 
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.

A social media post I wrote for @jungsoutherafrica
 
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The Roman god, Janus is portrayed with two heads facing in opposite directions, looking to the past as well as to the future simultaneously without turning around, representing the passage of time as well as mastership over time.
 
Janus was the god of beginnings and endings, symbolizing change, movement and transitions. He was the god of gates and doorways, entrances, exists and passageways. Janus is the ultimate doorkeeper who holds access between worlds, for instance entry to heaven.    
 
He also rules passages and journeys as humankind (and gods) progress from one condition to another, from one vision to another, growing and maturing into conscious adulthood. Janus is associated with the transition between peace and war as well as the transition into life, pertaining to birth.
 
Janus is the initiator of human life and new historical ages, making this archetype important to us now as we stand on the threshold of birthing a new consciousness and world paradigm.
 
His dual nature could also be understood as looking inwards as well as outwards. This flexibility, of seeing forwards and backwards as well as inside and outside (and not being stuck in a single viewpoint), may very well be the archetypal pattern we need to embody during our exponentially changing of our times.
 
Janus holds a staff or branch in his right hand in some portrayals, symbolizing his role of guiding travelers along the correct route, while in his left hand he holds the key to open gates.
 
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Photo credit: Steve Best CHIUSO / CC BY-SA 2.0 

A social media post I wrote for @jungsouthernafrica

As we enter a new year, a new decade, the transition represents hope of a new beginning and a better life for many people across the globe. It has become clear that our world is changing at an exponential rate! It is difficult to keep up with the changes as humans get stuck in worldviews and archetypal patterns, modified in personal complexes. What is required is a flexible attitude, receptivity and openness. This requires self-reflection, especially an awareness of shadow aspects of humanity, which is a necessary aspect in Jung’s path of individuation.
 
Jung wrote: “The question remains: How am I to live with this shadow? What attitude is required if I am to be able to live in spite of evil? In order to find valid answers to these questions a complete spiritual renewal is needed. And this cannot be given gratis each man must strive to achieve it for himselves. Neither can old formulas which once had a value be brought into force again. The eternal truths cannot be transmitted mechanically; in every epoch they must be born anew from the human psyche” (1970, CW 10: 443).
 
Australia is burning, droughts are devastating South Africa and there is a possible global threat of World War III. World leaders are behaving in an appalling manner, while the man in the street fights for survival and suffers innumerable injustices. Given the astronomical event of a conjunction of Pluto (Planet of Destruction/Death) and Saturn (Known as The Teacher) a massive reset or karmic clearing is on the cards. At the same time an important ceremony took place at Uluru, the Aboriginal sacred site in Australia, aimed at reconnecting mankind with its true purpose as predicted by Dream Time Mythology.

Jung wrote “Neither should he (humans) persist in his unconsciousness, nor remain identical with the unconscious elements of his being, thus evading his destiny, which is to create more and more consciousness. As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being” (1961, MDR, p. 326)
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A social media post I wrote for @jungsouthernafrica 

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