Imagination and storytelling are part of the beauty and sacredness of childhood. Keeping this alive in our adult lives helps us to minimize anxieties, stresses, and sorrows so we can feel more innocent and lighter. Archetypes that appear in fairy tales, ancient mythology, science fiction, and the tarot provides us with the symbolism and treasures that awaken our imagination, feeding our emotional appetites and enhancing our mystical nature. Films and television help us explore patterns of human behavior where heroes and heroines face their fears in their search of emotional wholeness and spiritual growth. Sometimes with humor, sometimes with sorrow, but always with the potential for rewards.

Archetypes represent the positive and negative qualities within us, and when we look into these mirrors we can see a range of emotional qualities in our lives. Strength and weakness, hate and love, courage and fear are some of the themes contained within these patterns.  Recognizing aspects of ourselves in storytelling helps us emotionally understand our motivations and behaviors to better illuminate the shadow parts of ourselves.

There are countless times I am reminded of Dorothy’s journey to the land of Oz. Her journey was full of benevolent and malevolent creatures and a self-imposed desire to return to the safety of her home, only to discover that everything she ever needed to learn was within, waiting to be accepted and understood. However, she needs this journey and the emotional tornado to provide a stage for her growth. We make journeys all the time, especially towards self-awareness.

Like Dorothy, the power lies within, ready to be awakened. These layers of awakenings happen over time helping us to unravel more of our emotional selves.

From the fairy tales you loved or feared as a child to the mythology you now enjoy learning about, the films you watch and the cultures you gravitate to assist you in your emotional journey and reveals the timeless nature of who you are. What stimulates your imagination?