The Cyclical Nature of Human Experience
Embracing the Depths of Psyche
In Norse Mythology, the impending Ragnarok, the ultimate catastrophic event, was foretold. It was a prophecy of the end, a time when their cherished Gods would face annihilation by the forces of darkness. Although the exact timing and manner of this event were unknown, it was clear that chaos and destruction would reign. Surprisingly, Loki, once an ally of the Gods albeit a mischievous and treacherous one, ultimately betrayed them during Ragnarok. Fortunately, Ragnarok did not signify the end of everything; life would endure and evolve in the mythological Nordic realm, but in a profoundly transformed way.
The Greeks, too, experienced a seasonal shift in the form of Persephone's departure to Hades every fall, heralding winter with its crop failures, coldness, and darkness. However, the return of spring, marked by blooming flowers and warmer winds, signified Persephone's reunion with her mother, Demeter, bringing back the sun and light.
Throughout various cultures and eras, the birth-death archetype is a recurring theme. Life begins as a baby, bud, or calf, unfolds through existence, and eventually meets its end. Nature adheres to these rules, and our myths, folklore, and legends help us connect with and comprehend life's deeper meanings and cycles.
If we are indeed part of nature, could we not be subject to similar cycles within our psyches and souls? Symbolically, we undergo Ragnarok-like experiences – descents into darkness, destruction, and endings – many times throughout our lives. This is encapsulated in the phrase, "I've been to hell and back." Joseph Campbell, a renowned comparative mythologist, calls this psychic journey "The Hero's Journey." Maureen Murdock, a Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, expands on this concept with "The Heroine's Journey." James Hollis, a Jungian analyst and prolific author, likens it to a visit to the Swamplands or Dark Wood. During these times, we grapple with profound sadness, despair, heartbreak, fear, and a loss of meaning. This is the winter of our psyche, where the hero or heroine is uncertain of their survival, let alone the acquisition of treasure.
More often than not, we emerge from these trials, but like Ragnarok, our inner landscape may appear drastically different post-conflict. The hero or heroine returns home, marked by weariness and a heightened awareness of the world, bearing the hard-won elixir or treasure.
In modern times, we have a book that outlines the darker aspects of our psychological cycles: the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). It categorizes the various ways we descend when Heimdall blows his horn, signaling the intrusion of darkness into our lives. It describes anxiety, depression, mood swings, paranoia, delusions, sleep disturbances, eating issues, worries, and anger. Taken in isolation, the DSM-V may reinforce the Western cultural belief that this descent into darkness is abnormal. It suggests that living differently in a "healthier" manner, or cultivating more gratitude for our privileges, could prevent this psychic Ragnarok, this descent into the underworld.
However, myths, fairy tales, nature, and our own experiences tell a different story. Isn't it more helpful to accept this as a part of our human experience, a natural cycle? Rather than avoiding descent (and stigmatizing those in descent as "weak" or "mentally ill"), perhaps we should focus on equipping ourselves with courage, maps, resilience, self-compassion, clarity, metaphorical swords, and reliable companions to accompany us and hold a lantern during darker seasons in life (where a therapist can be of great assistance).
Image: Frølich
