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Today, as we are confronted by not one, but many crossroads in our lives – identity, technology, love, seduction, politics – celebrated mythologist and wilderness guide Martin Shaw delivers Smoke Hole – three ancient myths that serve as metaphors for our world today, a world assailed by the seductive promises of social media and shadowed by a pandemic that brought loneliness to an all-time high. Martin argues that we are losing our sense of direction, our sense of self.Martin invites us to use these stories to help find ‘a commons for the imagination, a place to breathe deeper, feel steadier and become acquainted with rapture.’ Smoke Hole is a passionate call to arms and an invitation to use these stories to face the complexities of contemporary life, from fake news, parenthood, climate crises, addictive technology and more.
Dr. Martin Shaw is widely regarded as one of the most exciting teachers of the mythic imagination, and one of Britain’s best-loved storytellers. Robert Bly describes him as “a true master” and Madeline Miller best-selling author of Circe and winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, “a modern day bard”.
Author of the award-winning Mythteller trilogy (A Branch from the Lightning Tree, Snowy Tower, Scatterlings), he founded the Oral Tradition and Mythic Life courses at Stanford University, and is director of the Westcountry School of Myth in the UK. He has introduced thousands of people to mythology, and for twenty years, Shaw has been a wilderness rites of passage guide, working with at-risk youth, those who are unwell, returning veterans as well as many women and men seeking a deeper life.
‘Shaw has so much wisdom and knowledge about the old stories, it emanates from his pores.’ John Densmore, The Doors
‘Through feral tales and poetic exegesis, Martin Shaw makes you re-see the world, as a place of adventure and of initiation, as perfect home and as perfectly other. What a gift.’ David Keenan, author of Xstabeth
‘I can still remember the first time I heard Martin Shaw tell a story. The tale that emerged was like a living thing, bounding around, throwing itself at us there listening. I had never heard anything like it before.’ Paul Kingsnorth, Booker shortlisted author of The Wake
‘A true and transformative enchanter.’ Rowan Williams
‘Martin Shaw is a teacher of profound cultural knowledge, and is a master artist at transmitting it. Those transmissions are subtle and profound. We desperately need his work.’ Tony Hoagland, author of Application For Release From The Dream
This event will include an opportunity for audience questions, and will be followed by a book signing.
This event is in the Great Hall
Tickets are £14.
Members discount applies.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Dartington Trust, TQ9 6 Totnes, United Kingdom, Totnes, United Kingdom
Tickets
