Episode 10: Nature Myths from Childhood
Lisa Shneidau’s ‘Botanical Folk Tales’ has touched me deeply.
In Episode 10 (Season 1) of the nature therapy online podcast, I talk about nature myths and tales from childhood. Click on the black slim player above to listen!
Nature therapy/ecotherapy is not just about applying mindfulness techniques to experience the beauty of nature .
As humans, stories and myths are such a big part of how we see and experience our world. It’s probably one of the most defining things about our species (for better or worse!).
I am a big fan of myths, legends and folk tales, especially ones from here in Scotland where I live. However, I recently read a beautiful book called Botanical Folk Tales by Lisa Schneidau, and it really moved me. Many of the tales were from England—where I’m from—and despite not remembering ever hearing these tales, something deep inside me related to them in a way I don’t usually with tales from other countries. I somehow ‘knew’ them, without having actual knowledge of them.
This got me thinking about how myths and tales about nature reflect the landscapes that we grew up around, in magical and mysterious ways. Does the landscape that we inhabit inspire our local stories, or do our local stories shape our perspective of the landscape? Chicken or egg? Both, I think…..
I hope you enjoy this week’s podcast, friends. Also, if you’re looking to connect more deeply with nature, my online nature therapy courses can be found at www.naturecourses.info. I’m really proud of these new ecotherapy courses!
Green hugs,
Stephen
