Episode Summary
Sarah Mooney returns for Season 2 with a deeply personal exploration of creation myths, seasonal transitions, and the power of storytelling as soul retrieval. Fresh from a storytelling retreat in Wales, she weaves together ancient wisdom from the Iroquois Sky Woman story, reflections on anxiety and creative process, and insights about using myth as a framework for life's initiations.
This episode captures the raw authenticity Sarah is known for - complete with tea cupboard cleaning procrastination, technical difficulties, and the vulnerable honesty that makes her work so compelling. She explores how creation stories can serve as "ritual landscapes" for our own personal transitions, particularly during the autumn season.
Key Themes & Highlights
Sacred Storytelling & Cultural Respect Sarah thoughtfully addresses the importance of honoring indigenous stories while sharing them respectfully. She calls upon the unbroken line of Iroquois ancestors and reflects on how these ancient creation myths contain profound wisdom for modern listeners.
Seasonal Transitions & Personal Ritual Drawing inspiration from Timothy Leary's concept of "set and setting," Sarah explores how we can intentionally create our inner and outer environments during seasonal shifts. She shares her own struggles with autumn transitions and the healing power of ritual.
The Sky Woman Creation Story The centerpiece is Sarah's telling of the Iroquois creation myth featuring Sky Woman, who falls through a hole in the celestial realm and, with the help of sea creatures, creates the earth from a handful of soil on the turtle's back. This story becomes a metaphor for how we can create new worlds from small beginnings.
Body Wisdom & Shadow Work Sarah vulnerably shares her journey of reconnecting with her physical body after years of disconnection, using the Sky Woman story as inspiration for embracing both light and shadow aspects of self.
Anxiety as Sacred Information Through her experience of cleaning the tea cupboard instead of recording (classic creative avoidance!), Sarah explores anxiety as a messenger and the importance of trusting the creative process.
Stories Featured
* The Sky Woman Creation Story (Iroquois tradition) - A complete telling of how the earth was created
* Two Golden Eggs - An Indian creation myth about sky and earth becoming lovers
* Maori Creation Chant - Beautiful poetic account of creation from nothing to abundance
Music
"Ritual Door" by Queen Space Baroque (from their forthcoming album Ritual Door)
* Band members: Jenny Bliss, William Kramer, Rob Bray
* Custom recorded for the podcast
Resources & Mentions
* Books:
* Beginnings by Penelope Farmer (creation myths compilation)
* Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
* The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
* Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
* The Psychedelic Experience by Timothy Leary
* People:
* Hugh Lupton (storyteller) - Show: "When the Morning Stars Sang and the Angels Shouted for Joy"
* Merlin Sheldrake (mycologist and author)
* Locations:
* Cai Mabon, Wales (storytelling retreat location in Snowdonia foothills)
Upcoming
Next Episode: Sarah's friend Dagan Robinson will join for music and conversation
Retreat Opportunity: Creation stories as ritual landscapes retreat (September 26th -28th ) 2 spaces remaining at time of recording)
Closing Blessing
"May you feel the stars around you wherever you are. May you feel the living, breathing earth under your feet wherever you are."
Support the Show
This podcast is supported by Patreon subscribers who make Season 2 possible. Sarah expresses deep gratitude for this community support that allows her to continue sharing these mythic explorations.
