Mythic Maps: Creative Ecotherapy
A creative online eco-therapy group inspired by nature-based folklore, myths and legends. Writing, reading, sketching and creating as nature-connection!
1st July – 8th September 2024. Bookings are now open.
This eco-therapy programme combines nature therapy with folklore and creativity.
Using Scottish myths and legends as inspiration (specifically those which are featured in the book, The Moorfoot Tales) we will bond with our local landscapes through a series of activities that are inspired by the tales. (You receive a free digital copy of the book within the course forum.)
You will be invited to connect deeply with your local landscapes in imaginative ways, for example by exploring local myths and legends from your area, and creating your own. You will then respond to your experiences by creating enjoyable, non-pressured work such as experimental writing, poetry, sketching and simple photography. Works of art are NOT expected – this is about fostering nature-connection, not finished results!
In the last weeks of the course, you will create a unique map of your area, featuring local legends and personal stories, to keep for inspiration after the course ends.
Scroll down to find out more!
All artwork on this page (besides the mythical map) was created by Lily LeMaire
A creative adventure: see your neighbourhood in a new light.
Meet enchanting creatures who live in your unconscious mind…or perhaps your neighbourhood.
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About Eco-therapy
Ecotherapy is based on the scientifically proven fact that paying close attention to nature improves our wellbeing.
Eco-therapy is good for nature too: people who love the planet take better care of it.
In this unique ecotherapy programme, a group of us will go on a series of nature excursions each week inspired by nature-based myths and legends.
You will receive full support from ecotherapist and author of the book, The Moorfoot Tales, Stephen McCabe, throughout the whole process.
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What's Included?
16 nature-inspired tasks over ten weeks (one or two exercises each week).
Professional support by author and ecotherapist Stephen McCabe.
Optional monthly meetings via video-call with a group of creative nature-lovers.
Create a mythical map of your neighbourhood
A free copy of The Moorfoot Tales ebook.
Audio meditations to download and keep.
Above: Margaret Unes wakes from a 400-year sleep upon the Moorfoot Hills. She doesn’t remember much about who – or even what – she is. Before long, the word WITCH appears in her mind. Margaret must find out about her past life.
Which myths and legends are waiting to be uncovered in your part of the world, and in your imagination? Join us to explore……
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The exercises.
You will be sent a free signed paperback copy of The Moorfoot Tales at the beginning of the course, as well as a free download of the book in various formats. The stories act as inspiration for the exercises.
You will embark upon 16 nature-based creative tasks over ten weeks, all of which are inspired by the tales in the book. Exercises include finding local myths and legends, writing, sketching and meditative visualisations, as well as some simple nature-connection experiences to connect us with Mother Earth. Your exercises will be delivered to you weekly via blog posts in our private eco-therapy forum, and there is the opportunity to join a monthly meetup via video-call with your fellow nature travellers!
You will have professional support by the author of the book, Stephen McCabe, who also happens to be a professional eco-therapist (nature therapist).
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Create a mythical map of your neighbourhood!
Throughout the programme, you will be discovering and connecting with myths and legends from your own part of the world, as well as creating your own stories and imaginings.
In the final few weeks of the programme, you will create a simple map of your area – or your mind? – which features your special places in nature, creatures you have created, and mythological beings/people/places, just like the one I created in The Moorfoot Tales book. (You don’t have to be an artist to create this kind of map – I’m not!)
Whenever you want to re-connect with this new vision of your local area, you will have your map as a reminder of exactly where you can find inspiration.
A spell of creativity was cast many centuries ago. It is now inviting you to channel it.
What People Say About Stephen McCabe’s Mythic Maps Group
“All of the exercises were set up to support exploration of the local landscape, local myths, legends, faerie stories, and actual historical events. We were encouraged to be creative, imaginative and to have fun. I felt as a result of the course I had a deeper knowledge of my local area. Stephen was so supportive, he encouraged group interaction but also commented thoughtfully and encouragingly on every single post. I feel so inspired and Stephen’s sense of fun, support and encouragement were brilliant. Loved every minute!’
— Sally (Attendee of Mythic Maps, 2022)
“I absolutely loved this course. Such a brilliant idea to hold the exercises together via the collection of tales and how inspirational it was to connect in a different way to my local area. Thank you so much. I loved the variety of exercises to inspire, connecting with others in the group which created a really shared experience, using my imagination and creating the map.
— Jess (Attendee of Mythic Maps, 2022)
“Stephen, your courses have reopened the door to my creative expression. After years of having no energy to spare, I am finally creating space for this important aspect of living, and your course has really helped support me in that. Thank you for creating a portal of magic that I could open at my choosing throughout these path months.’
— Carin (Attendee of Mythic Maps, 2022)
As soon as you pay, I will be in touch to arrange sending you your paperback. You will also get a digital copy of the book within the course forum when the course begins; each story is accompanied by creative, nature-inspired exercises.
Unit 1
Terms and Conditions
Introduction Written Guide
Introduction Video
Stories: The Outerlands and Thomas the Rhymer’s Prophecy
Exercise: Create a talisman
Exercise: Crow Chatter and art/story-making
Unit 2
Stories: The Faery Stane and The Carrington Lights
Exercise: Create a historical character
Exercise: A letter to another planet
Unit 3
Stories: The Edgewell Tree and The Middleton Hare Witch
Exercise: Meet a magical tree
Exercise: Shapeshifting meditation
Unit 4
Stories: Bertram and the Knights Templar and Christiana’s House
Exercise: Find a local ghost/spirit
Exercise: How your local land has changed
Unit 5
Story: The Old Road
Exercise: Visiting dreamland (a visualisation meditation)
Exercise: Create an altar
Unit 6
Story: Saint Mungo and The Cross and The Spirits of Borthwick
Exercise: Three Magical Objects
Exercise: Writing a dark story
Unit 7
Continue working with The Spirits of Borthwick
Exercise: Finding Miracles
Exercise: Family legends
Unit 8
Stories: The Lost Girl, The Witch and The Willow Stick
Exercise: A poem about the journey
Unit 9
Exercise: Locating local myths and legends
Exercise: Create a mythical map of your neighbourhood
Unit 10
Exercise: Candle Smoke
Online workshop: Sharing maps and experiences (Zoom - 4th February)
Meet the Course Author.
Stephen is an eco-therapist, storyteller, tarot reader and Zen Buddhist who has been directly supporting people emotionally for over 15 years. He also trains people to become ecotherapy practitioners on the Ten Directions programme; an intensive nature therapy course informed by Buddhist psychology. The Moorfoot Tales is his first book and it weaves together his passions for Scotland, stories and eco-therapy!
Frequently asked questions
(answered by the course author)
Is this course only for people who have access to wild outdoor spaces?
No! Nature is everywhere. You can do these ecotherapy exercises in small city park areas, or even walking through streets looking for nature. Of course, people from rural locations engage really well with online nature therapy too. In short: it doesn't matter where you live!
How is the course structured and when does it start?
During the first week, the first stories and exercises are unlocked. You can do your exercises on any days of the week that suit you. There are ten weeks of exercises in this course and each unit is unlocked on a weekly basis. The course content ends after Unit Ten when you are assigned your final exercises. You will also have the opportunity to join a monthly online meet-up with the other group members via video-call. There are 16 exercises in total.
How exactly are the stories presented, and how are they linked to the exercises?
When you sign up to the course, you will get a free copy of The Moorfoot Tales (if you don’t already have it). Each story inspires an exercise which invites us to engage with nature (mostly in our local neighbourhoods, although sometimes imaginatively) and then create something out of our experiences, such a a poem, story or a piece of art. In many of the exercises, it is your choice how you would like to respond, so if you like to write, you can write a story or poem, or if you like to draw/craft (or something else!) you can do that instead.
Do I need to have creative talent to take part in this course?
All of us are creative. Even if you haven’t created something like a poem or a piece of art in your life, this course hopes to inspire you to start. Whatever your results look like is of no consequence. It is the process that matters: the process of connecting to nature through creativity.
How much time will I need to dedicate to this course?
That's up to you, but I would recommend putting aside around 2 hours per week for the tasks. Sometimes it may require a bit more time, sometimes a bit less.
What about the online forum and support?
I ask you to post a paragraph or so about your experiences with each exercise in the private group comments section, or you can email me about your experiences if you prefer. I will reply to all of your comments, offering you personal guidance, advice and reflection on your experiences.
Who is eco-therapy for?
Everyone! Some people are drawn to eco-therapy when they are experiencing emotional troubles and are looking for something therapeutic and positive. Some people join simply because they love nature but are struggling to connect with it, and want to learn new tools to engage with it more deeply.
Do I need any materials to do this course?
You might like to buy yourself a journal for your notes (or do them on your laptop), but it's not essential. If you think that you might like to create art as a response to some of the exercises, you might want to buy a new sketchbook and painting/drawing materials before we begin.
Do I need to live in a particular time zone to take part?
Not necessarily. The exercises are introduced by pre-recorded videos, audio and written posts. You can watch these videos and post in the forum/emaill me at any time of the day/week that suits you. There are optional online video meetings on the second Sunday of each month (4pm UK timezone) but even if you can’t make it along to these casual meetings, the course content is fully available and this should not be a barrier to engagement.
What can I expect to get out of this course?
I hope that you will bond with your area of the world in a way that you never have before. I hope that you will notice new things and see familiar places in a whole new light.
I also hope that it will bring more creativity and joy into your life!
Money-Back Guarantee.
If you reach the end of the first week and you feel that the course is not for you, simply ask for a refund and you will get it. This course is designed to support you and to inspire you. If you don't connect with it, then I would rather you spend your money on another programme that is a better fit for you.