Round the Herne

 I dreamt up this story for the Invocations concert held in Bungay a couple of months back, where I was acting as MC and sharing stories and poetry in between acts. This was my final tale of the night. It is inspired by Suffolk folklore, including the story of the village of Woolpit (which derives its name from wolf-pit, nothing to do with sheep). The music and graphics were arranged by my friend, the Australian Pixie, using Canva (which is way beyond my technical capacities).

 A few reflections on the archetype of the Dark Father for the monthly discussion of the Suffolk Jungian Circle. If you would like to join in the virtual discussion, let me know and I will send you the link (Wednesday 27th November at 7.30pm).

  A second experiment with my new microphone, creating an audio recording (I know it's Halloween, but thought people would be relieved not to have the horror of my face). My recording of Saki's short story "The She-Wolf". For those of a nervous disposition, it owes more to Jeeves & Wooster than it does to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If anyone has preference for audio vs video, some feedback would be useful. I'll record an original audio within the next couple of days. The She-Wolf

  My reading of Harlan Ellison's dark short story "Hitler Painted Roses", which appeared in his anthology Strange Wine (1978). It has a rather bleak view of the Afterlife and our fates. Thought this would be a suitable entry for the Halloween season. This is a trial use of my new microphone and a different format for storytelling - so people can just listen and don't need to look at my face! If this seems to be a popular format, I will record more stories as just audio without any visual element. It's all new ground for me, so see how it plays out. The intro/exit music and artwork was created by my friend Jay Chooi who understands these things (I certainly don't!).

 Some reflections on Jung's archetype of the Eternal Child for the October discussion of the Suffolk Jungian Circle (and anyone else who wants to listen). For Jung, this was both a positive archetype that keeps the psyche young and vital, but also a potential neurotic pitfall into which the emotionally arrested adult could lapse.

  My reading of the final chapter of Gore Vidal's "Julian" (1962) and a reflection on some of the themes in the novel and what it has to say about society both then and now. It's an excellent book, highly recommended and, like all great works, stimulates more questions than it answers. Without spoiling anything, this final chapter is a reflection by one of the key figures in the book on life after the Emperor Julian has died and Christianity reasserted itself. Even though it was penned in 1962, this book raises issues that are still relevant in 2024.

 As part of my job I organise various public conferences and seminars. This year we are trialing a few online mini courses in social sciences, starting with three evenings introducing some sociological theories and ideas. These are free to participate in, but you will need to let me know that you want to take part so the Teams link can be sent out. The first of these seminars takes place tonight at 7.30pm and is followed by another session next Tuesday evening and the one after that. The weekly topics are below. If you want the link, drop me an email at robin.herne@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk (the under-16s will need parental permission to tune in). What’s the Big (sociological) Idea – these virtual sessions explore major sociological theories: Week 1: Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and the Functionalists; Week 2: Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler, and Feminism; Week 3: Michel Foucault and Postmodernism.

 A recording for the Suffolk Jungian Circle monthly discussion - which this month will be on Jung's theories about dreaming. If anyone would like to join the virtual discussion group, it is free to do so - just let me know that you would like the link.

  A recording of several poems ("Invention of the Otter" by Miriam Darlington, one by Sable, "Looking Glass River" by Robert Louis Stevenson, "Heaven" by Rupert Brooke, and one by myself) read out previously at a ritual to honour the River Gipping. It would be interesting to hear from others if they conduct ceremonies to honour their local rivers, lakes, or other water ways.

 My telling of one of the stories about Melampos, an Ancient Greek healer who was almost as famous as Asclepios. The physician is summonsed to treat the son of King Phylacus of Argos to treat his son who has seemingly incurable impotence which even his beautiful wife has been unable to overcome. The treatment involves a consultation with the celestial realm and with a tree spirit who also requires healing. I like the underlying themes that the illness of one person can easily lead to health problems in others and that treatment can necessitate putting wrongs (however unintentional0 to right rather than just medication alone. As well as giving insight into animist notions of healing and illness, this tale also provides an account of the unusual rulership of Argos.

 A short myth from Ancient Greece about how the famed physician Asclepios ended up among the stars and became a demi-god in the process. It is very similar to a tale from Ireland about the healer Miach - possibly one story inspired the other, or they just reflect similar universal concerns.

 A reflection on Jung's notions around the Dark Mother archetype and the ideas added by those who came after him (such as Marie-Louise von France, Dorothy Bloch, and Daniella Sieff). This is chiefly for the Suffolk Jungian Circle, who are discussing the topic at the end of the month, but it may well also interest a wider audience.

 The River Styx of Greek mythology is referred to by some ancient writers as the "Dread River of Oath", a suitably poetic image to inspire a few thoughts on the symbolism of both goddess and river within Greek religion and the nature of oath making.

 A meander through the topic of history, story, and pseudohistory - partly inspired by reading Gore Vidal's book "Julian" about the life of the Emperor Julian. I highly recommend the book and really liked the epistolary style, with the alternation between the Emperor's own autobiography and two querulous old philosophers who knew Julian and spend the book bickering with each other about how accurate the autobiography actually is. I did think about making an audio recording of Vidal's book, but at 479 pages I doubt anyone would want to listen to something that went on that long.

 This is my telling of part of the longer myth about the young Theseus' journey to Athens to meet with King Aegeus. In this part of the story he encounters the brigand Sciron who has a rather murderous foot fetish. At some point I might try recording the entire story of the journey as a single piece. Might be a useful performance piece for any large gathering with very patient audiences. If there is a moral to this traveller's tale it is "do unto others what they try to do unto you"! 

 There are a number of variations on the story of the Moon Rabbit in Chinese mythology. This is my take on how Yue-Tu came to live on the moon. Apologies to Chinese friends and listeners for the dire pronunciation of the names. Cannot help but feel sympathy for the rabbit when he is confronted by the Queen Mother of the West (whom I keep imagining as a Chinese equivalent to Lady Bracknell). I guess as the 12th Doctor said, sometimes there are no good choices - but you still have to choose.... and live with the consequences of that choice.   Video

 A discussion with a friend on social media prompted this philosophical musing about the vast popularity of murder as a form of entertainment - films, TV shows, novels (my own included) etc. Along the meandering way there is consideration of Christian theology (well, more soteriology really), the psychological craving for order in the face of chaos, Kantian ethics, and a few other asides.

 It has been quite a while since I have had the time or inspiration to post anything - obviously running out of brain cells. Anyway, the next meeting of the Suffolk Jungian Circle will be discussing Jung's Red Book, so here is a meander around the topic and some of the angles that could be taken for discussion.

 My reflection on Jung's notion of the Senex archetype - the Inner Sage, Wise Old Whatsit, call it what you will - mainly for the Suffolk Jungian Circle which will be discussing the topic at the end of the month. The reflection takes in the relationship with its polar opposite, the Puer/Puella Aeternus, and with the alchemical phase of citrinitas (the yellowing) that Jung felt people passed through after they had reconciled with their inner anima/animus.  

 Wanted to do this for St George's Day but work got in the way (and I must admit to feeling  reservations - not being a Christian, it seems rude to presume to chip in). However, as the national day for all things English, I thought it would be nice to share some poetry from a man who, though Indian-born, was once thought of as the poetic soul of the nation - Rudyard Kipling (I could do with a Rudyard Kipling right now).  Whilst he has other poems that are more explicitly based around patriotism, I like these ones because they centre on history and folklore. The three poems are - Puck's Song, The Land, and The English Way.  Make sure to drink tea whilst nibbling a scone as you listen.

 A Greek myth about the invention of the aulos (two-reeded flute) and the subsequent fate of the satyr Marsyas, whom the Romans considered to be a great exponent of, possibly even inventor of, parrhesia (free speech). This myth, a bit like the one involving Apollo and Pan, can also be understood as a clash of musical cultures: the high classical lyre music of Apollo, versus the bawdy, rural, flute music of the satyrs (and to some extent the labouring classes). The fate of Marsyas is a tad grim, but (if you want to put a more positive spin on it) think of it as being akin to a snake sloughing to become a fresh, new form.  

 I was interviewed by Victoria Young Bennison for her American radio programme Fika United Public Radio on 107.7FM and 105.3FM, which mainly broadcasts in the New Orleans are. The first interview took place in February and was about my Magic of Wolves book: https://soundcloud.com/uprn/fika-with-vicky-author-robin-herne-the-magic-of-wolves-bard-song This was then followed up in April with an interview about Pantheon - the Egyptians book and A Dangerous Place crime anthology. It was an enjoyable experience being able to explore lots of ideas - not just talk about the books https://soundcloud.com/uprn/fika-with-vicky-author-robin-herne-returns-pantheon-the-egyptians-a-dangerous-place Discussing a third interview over the summer, so I guess the listener feedback must be fairly good!

 This reflection on the ethics of storytelling was prompted by a discussion on a radio broadcast that I took part in the other week. This considers some of the moral issues that might impact on the stories that people tell around the camp fire.

 This short ramble is just a few ideas around the topic of the genius loci - the spirit of place, as understood by the Ancient Romans. I had a guest spot last night on an American online radio talking about my books, including the murder mystery anthology (A Dangerous Place) one of whose themes is the power of the genius loci to shape and influence the people who live within its sphere. This recording picks up on some of those ideas and reflects further on the idea of how we interact with the entities that take up residence in a location where we also spend a great deal of time. If I can marshal my thoughts in a more coherent fashion in the near future, I shall do so - having been laid low with an infection, today is the first time I have felt able to say something even as meandering as this.

 To celebrate the arrival of a magnificent statue of Sebek in the house (a gift from close friends), I have recorded a story featuring the Great Crocodile. He is a side character in the myth, so I have padded his role somewhat - there being little in the way of surviving stories in which He is central. This story forms a subplot to the infamous Myth of the Lettuce, which regular readers of this blog will be familiar with. This story is a bit graphic and not suited for either children or anyone listening whilst bored at work. The kinds of things which horrify 21st century Westerners did not much phase Ancient Egyptians. The city of Nekhen was called Hierakonpolis during the Ptolemaic Period, meaning the City of the Falcon - and it does indeed contain the oldest example of a zoo so far found in the world.

 The video is a reflection on the story of Demeter and her daughter Kore (later Persephone) from a Jungian point of view. This is primarily as a basis for discussion in the Suffolk Jungian Circle at the end of the month but, as ever, it might be of some interest to others as well. I have included reflections on how the myth can be understood and applied in psychological contexts from the viewpoints of Kore, her mother Demeter, and her eventual husband Hades.

  Six poems by different poets (Henry Newbolt, Richard Murphy, Sir John Betjeman, Hilary Llewellyn-Williams, Aonghus MacNeacail, and myself) just for the love of sharing poetry. Please let me know about poets/poems which you really like. I think it would be good to share the works we like to introduce them to a wider audience. The poems (in order) are: Henry Newbolt - "The Final Mystery" Richard Murphy - "Casement's Funeral" Sir John Betjeman - "Diary of a Church Mouse" Hilary Llewellyn-Williams - "The Bee-flight" Aonghus MacNeacail - "You Gave Me Summer" Robin Herne - "The Threefold Father"

 Yesterday I held a launch party to mark the release of my fifth book with Moon Books (sole authored ones, not including the various anthologies I have contributed chapters towards) - The Magic of Wolves. The book, which can be ordered via any bookshop of online, covers the mythology and folklore of wolves and werewolves alike, looking at Irish, Welsh, Norse, Greek, Roman, Slavic, Japanese, Indian and other cultural traditions. It also looks at natural history, fairy stories, films, and magical practices involving lupines. I gave a talk at the book launch, which I have now also recorded as an audio for people to listen to below. If anyone fancies a signed copy, I will be selling copies of the book at various events during the year, such as the Leaping Hare convention in March. I am currently working on finishing the sixth book and also contemplating a future book about the ogam alphabet and its symbolism.

 A reflection for the Suffolk Jungian Circle (and anyone else who might be interested). We will be discussing Jung's idea of the contrasexual Self (the Inner Male/Female) at the end of February. I have made recordings on this topic in the past, mainly connected with seminars at work, which can be found both on this blog and on my YouTube channel should anyone be inclined to search. Some of those recordings go into greater detail about Jung's ideas on the fourfold nature of both the anima and animus. There's also one recording where I go into a little bit more detail on how the contrasexual Self is understood as working in gay men & lesbians (I didn't touch on transgender issues because I have not yet found any research on this from a specifically Jungian angle).

 A reflection on a variety of issues from a polytheist perspective - linking the notion of worship (from the Anglo-Saxon weorth-scip) to Max Weber's ideas on religious value systems, medical ethics and the boundaries of Beauchamp and Childress's philosophising around moral values in medicine.

 This is a reflection on Carl Jung's ideas around the Shadow Archetype which will be discussed in the January meeting of the Suffolk Jungian Circle, though it may be of interest to others outside that group. The Shadow is the repressed and unwanted side of the individual and also the collective society, which has a cultural perspective on what is unwanted - because it is regarded (rightly or wrongly) as dangerous, shameful, wicked, obscene, too painful to contemplate etc.  I have made recordings about this before, but I thought I would expand ideas for the purposes of the January online discussion.